JP6535205B2 - INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus which require authentication.

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, there have been devices that perform authentication in order to specify a user who uses the device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that performs authentication using authentication information included in received data, and when the authentication is successful, forms an image on a medium based on the received data. ing.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2015-36951

  However, in the conventional apparatus, it is necessary to receive authentication by a predetermined authentication method, and user convenience is not so good. In the future, it is required to improve the convenience of the user who performs authentication.

  Then, an object of this invention is to improve the convenience of the user who authenticates.

The information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit displaying the first authentication screen having a first area for inputting a first authentication information in the first authentication method, to the display unit An input unit for receiving input of first authentication information based on the displayed first authentication screen, and an authentication unit for controlling authentication based on the first authentication information input by the input unit. The first authentication screen has a second area for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method, and the input unit inputs an instruction to change the authentication method based on the first authentication screen. When the display unit receives an authentication method change screen for selecting an authentication method to be used from a plurality of authentication methods, the display unit displays the second input unit based on the authentication method change screen. When the selection of the authentication method is received, the second selected Displays second authentication screen having a third area for inputting a second authentication information in the authentication system, the second authentication screen for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method of the fourth An area, the arrangement of the first area and the second area in the first authentication screen, and the arrangement of the third area and the fourth area in the second authentication screen, In the same manner, when the input unit receives an instruction to change the authentication method based on the second authentication screen, the display unit uses an authentication method to be used from the plurality of authentication methods. The authentication method change screen for selection is displayed, the input unit receives an input of second authentication information based on the second authentication screen displayed on the display unit, and the authentication unit The input unit controls the authentication based on the second authentication information received Characterized in that it.

The image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit displaying the first authentication screen having a first area for inputting a first authentication information in the first authentication method, to the display unit An input unit for receiving input of first authentication information based on the displayed first authentication screen, and an authentication unit for controlling authentication based on the first authentication information input by the input unit. The first authentication screen has a second area for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method, and the input unit inputs an instruction to change the authentication method based on the first authentication screen. When the display unit receives an authentication method change screen for selecting an authentication method to be used from a plurality of authentication methods, the display unit displays the second input unit based on the authentication method change screen. When the selection of the authentication method is received, the second selected Displays second authentication screen having a third area for inputting a second authentication information in the authentication system, the second authentication screen for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method of the fourth An area, the arrangement of the first area and the second area in the first authentication screen, and the arrangement of the third area and the fourth area in the second authentication screen, In the same manner, when the input unit receives an instruction to change the authentication method based on the second authentication screen, the display unit uses an authentication method to be used from the plurality of authentication methods. The authentication method change screen for selection is displayed, the input unit receives an input of second authentication information based on the second authentication screen displayed on the display unit, and the authentication unit The input unit controls the authentication based on the second authentication information received Characterized in that it.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the convenience of the user performing authentication can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is an outline figure of an operation panel. (A) and (B) are schematic which shows the 1st and 2nd example of a login screen. (A) and (B) are schematic which shows the 3rd and 4th example of a login screen. It is the schematic which shows the 5th example of a login screen. (A) and (B) are schematic which shows the 6th and 7th examples of a login screen. (A) and (B) are schematic which shows the 8th and 9th examples of a login screen. (A) and (B) are schematic which shows the 10th and 11th example of a login screen. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a standby screen. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of an error screen. It is the schematic which shows an authentication setting table. (A) And (B) is the schematic which shows the 1st and 2nd example of an authentication method change screen. It is the schematic which shows the 3rd example of an authentication method change screen. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram (part 2) showing the operation of the image forming apparatus. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a login screen. 5 is a flowchart showing an authentication process in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process which changes an authentication system. It is the schematic which shows the modification of an authentication setting table.

Embodiment (Description of Configuration)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 as an information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 here will be described as a multifunction machine.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 101, an authentication setting storage unit 106, an authentication receiving unit 107, an authentication unit 108, a reading unit 109, an image memory 110, a printing unit 111, and a transmission / reception unit 112. And a control unit 114, a storage unit 115, a common bus 116, and an IC card reader 117.

Operation panel 101 displays various screens and receives input of operation. For example, the operation panel 101 receives operations such as login by inputting login information as authentication information, execution of each function, and designation of a destination to which image data is transmitted.
Operation panel 101 includes touch panel 102 and operation unit 105. The touch panel 102 includes a display unit 103 and a display control unit 104.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the operation panel 101. As shown in FIG.
The operation panel 101 is provided with a touch panel 102.
The operation unit 105 includes a copy key 103-1, a scan key 103-2, a fax key 103-3, a print key 103-4, a start key 103-5, a cancel key 103-6, and an apparatus setting key. 103-7 and ten keys 103-8.

The copy key 103-1 is a key that is pressed when copying is performed to copy an original.
The scan key 103-2 is a key that is pressed when scanning for reading image data from a document.
A fax key 103-3 is a key pressed when performing fax transmission for transmitting image data to the public switched telephone network.
The print key 103-4 is a key that is pressed when performing image formation (printing) for forming an image on a medium.
Here, the copy key 103-1, the scan key 103-2, the fax key 103-3 and the print key 103-4 function as an AP switching key which is pressed when executing each function of the image forming apparatus 100.

The start key 103-5 is a key that is pressed when an operation instruction to the image forming apparatus 100 is issued.
A cancel key 103-6 is a key that is pressed when canceling an operation.
The device setting key 103-7 is a key to be pressed when displaying a menu for performing device setting of the image forming apparatus 100 on the touch panel 102.
A ten key 103-8 is a key that is pressed when inputting an alphanumeric symbol.
The above key depression is notified to the display control unit 104 each time.

Returning to FIG. 1, the display unit 103 displays a screen based on the control of the display control unit 104 and the operation of the operation unit 105. The display unit 103 also receives an input of an operation from the user.
The display control unit 104 controls the display unit 103. For example, the display control unit 104 behaves when each button of the display unit 103 or the operation unit 105 is pressed and when each button displayed on the display unit 103 is pressed according to the display content displayed by the display unit 103. And manage screen transitions.
In addition, when the power of image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, or when an instruction to log out is received from display unit 103, display control unit 104 inquires of authentication acceptance unit 107 about the default login screen and displays the login screen. Displayed on the part 103. The login screen functions as an authentication screen.
Furthermore, when receiving an instruction to change the authentication method from the display unit 103, the display control unit 104 displays an authentication method change screen on the display unit 103 based on the screen data acquired from the authentication reception unit 107. Then, when instructed by the display unit 103 to change the authentication method, the display control unit 104 acquires screen data of a login screen of the instructed authentication method from the authentication reception unit 107 and displays the screen data on the display unit 103.

3 to 8 are schematic diagrams showing examples of the login screen in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the login screen IM1 includes a title area 120, a login information input area 121, an authentication type display area 122, an authentication method change instruction input area 123, and an administrator login instruction. It has an input area 124, a guest login instruction input area 125, and an operation area 126. Such an area configuration is similar to the other login screens IM2 to IM11 shown in FIGS.

The title area 120 is an area indicating that it is a login screen and an operation example for performing login. About the operation example for performing login, a different display is performed according to a login screen.
The login information input area 121 is an area (region) for inputting login information. In other words, the login information input area 121 is an area for inputting login information necessary for performing login or an area indicating a method for inputting login information required for performing login. The login information input area 121 is displayed differently depending on the login screen.

The authentication type display area 122 is an area for displaying the type of login authentication. In the present embodiment, in response to the login screen, one of “local” in which authentication is performed by the own device, “network” in which authentication is performed via a network, and “Kerberos” in which Kerberos authentication is performed is displayed. . In "network" and "Kerberos", authentication is performed by another device connected to the network.
The authentication method change instruction input area 123 is an area for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method. When this area is pressed, an authentication method change screen to be described later is displayed on the display unit 103.

The administrator login instruction input area 124 is an area for inputting an instruction related to administrator login information. The guest login instruction input area 125 is an area for inputting an instruction regarding login information for a guest. A detailed description of the administrator login and the guest login will be omitted.
The operation area 126 is an area for inputting an instruction (login instruction: authentication instruction) to execute authentication of login information input based on the login information input area 121.

As described later, it is assumed here that the login screen IM5 shown in FIG. 5 is designated as the default login screen.
Returning to FIG. 1, when the display control unit 104 receives a login instruction via the login screen displayed on the display unit 103, the display control unit 104 sends the received login information to the authentication accepting unit 107, and requests authentication. Then, the display control unit 104 displays the authentication result of the login information on the display unit 103. For example, if the authentication is successful, in other words, if the “authentication result = OK”, the display control unit 104 displays the standby screen IM20 shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 103. On the other hand, when the authentication fails, in other words, in the case of “authentication result = NG”, the error screen IM30 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 103 for a predetermined time, for example, 3 seconds, Then display the default login screen.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the operation unit 105 receives an input of an operation. For example, the operation unit 105 receives an input of an operation via the above-described keys 103-1 to 103-8.

The authentication setting storage unit 106 stores authentication setting information which is setting information related to authentication.
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an authentication setting table 130 which is an example of authentication setting information.
The authentication setting table 130 includes an authentication type column 130a, an authentication means column 130b, an authentication method column 130c, an administrator setting column 130d, and a screen column 130g.

The authentication type column 130a stores the type of login authentication. As described above, in the present embodiment, the type of login authentication is “local authentication”, “network authentication” or “Kerberos authentication”.
The authentication means column 130b stores means for login authentication. In the present embodiment, means for login authentication are "Name / Pass", "Name / Pass & IC card", "PIN", "PIN & IC card" and "IC card". "Name / Pass" is a means for performing login authentication using a username and a password. "Name / Pass & IC card" is a means for performing login authentication using a username and a password, or using an IC card instead of them. “PIN” is a means for performing login authentication using a personal identification number. "PIN & IC card" is a means for performing login authentication using a personal identification number or an IC card. "IC card" is a means for performing login authentication using an IC card.
The authentication method column 130c stores authentication method identification information (authentication method name) for identifying an authentication method specified by a combination of an authentication type and an authentication means.

The administrator setting column 130 d stores administrator settings related to the authentication method. In the present embodiment, the administrator setting column 130 d has a default column 130 e and a valid / invalid column 130 f.
The default column 130 e stores information indicating an authentication method (login screen) to be used by default. Here, the authentication method of the line in which the double circle is stored is used by default.
The valid / invalid column 130f stores information as to whether the authentication method is valid or invalid.
In short, in the present embodiment, the administrator sets an authentication method to be used by default and an effective authentication method (usable authentication method).

The screen row 130g stores login screen identification information for identifying a login screen used in each authentication method.
In the authentication setting table 130 shown in FIG. 11, eleven types of authentication methods including an authentication type and an authentication means are specified, local IC card authentication is set as a default authentication method, and each authentication method is selected. Whether the authentication process can be performed is set to valid / invalid. In the example of FIG. 11, since authentication using an IC card is set to be invalid in network authentication, authentication processing can not be performed by an external server using the IC card.

Returning to FIG. 1, the authentication receiving unit 107 controls processing for receiving an input of login information. For example, the authentication receiving unit 107 displays the login screen of the default authentication method or the login screen of the authentication method selected by the user on the display unit 103 via the display control unit 104, and acquires login information. Specifically, upon receiving an acquisition request for a login screen or an authentication method change screen from display control unit 104, authentication acceptance unit 107 reads the screen data of the requested screen from storage unit 115, and transmits the read screen data to display control unit 104. hand over.
As the login screen, 11 types of login screens IM1 to IM11 shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 are prepared corresponding to the 11 types of authentication methods shown in FIG.

The authentication method change screen is a screen displayed when the authentication method change instruction input area 123 of the login screen is pressed.
12 and 13 are schematic views showing an example of the authentication method change screen.
Authentication method change screen IM 40 # 1 shown in FIG. 12A is a screen when “local authentication” is selected as the authentication type, in other words, when “local” tab 131 is selected. It is. An area (button) corresponding to a selectable authentication method is arranged in the authentication method selection area 132, and an area corresponding to the selected authentication method is pressed to select an authentication method corresponding to the area. be able to. In FIG. 12A, an area of “IC card” indicating “local IC card authentication”, which is a default authentication method, is selected.

When “network authentication” or “Kerberos authentication” is selected as the authentication type, in the authentication method change screen IM 40 # 2 shown in FIG. 12B, in other words, the “network” tab 133 is selected. Screen is displayed.
In the authentication method change screen IM 40 # 3 shown in FIG. 13, “Network authentication” or “Kerberos authentication” is selected as the authentication type, and as shown in FIG. 11, the IC card in the network is selected. It is a screen when the authentication used is invalidated. In FIG. 13, the area corresponding to the authentication method using the IC card in the network is indicated by a broken line and is displayed so as not to be selected.
As described above, in the authentication method change screen, the entire option can be viewed, and is displayed so that the currently selected one and the one that can not be selected can be grasped. When an option is selected, a login screen of the selected authentication method is displayed.
Also, as described above, the “local” tab 131 and the “network” tab 133 function as an area for selecting either local authentication or network authentication.

Returning to FIG. 1, when the authentication receiving unit 107 receives an acquisition request for a default login screen from the display control unit 104, the authentication receiving unit 107 confirms the default authentication method in the authentication setting table 130 stored in the authentication setting storage unit 106. Then, the screen data for displaying the login screen is read out from the storage unit 115 and passed to the display control unit 104.
Further, when the authentication receiving unit 107 receives an authentication request from the display control unit 104 together with the login information, the authentication receiving unit 107 requests the authentication unit 108 to perform authentication using the received login information, and the authentication result from the authentication unit 108 is output. The display control unit 104 is notified.

  The authentication unit 108 controls authentication based on login information. For example, in the local authentication, the authentication unit 108 stores user information for performing authentication in the storage unit 115, and authenticates login information based on the stored user information. Further, in the network authentication or Kerberos authentication, the authentication unit 108 accesses an external server via the transmission / reception unit 112 to authenticate login information. Then, the authentication unit 108 notifies the authentication reception unit 107 of the authentication result.

The reading unit 109 reads image data from a document and temporarily stores the image data in the image memory 110.
The image memory 110 temporarily stores image data.
The printing unit 111 is an image forming unit that forms (prints) an image on a medium based on the image data stored in the image memory 110.
Transmission / reception unit 112 performs communication with an external device via a public switched telephone network or communication network according to a fax communication protocol or a network related protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol). It is an interface.

The connection unit 113 is a connection interface for connecting an external device such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the present embodiment, an IC card reader 117 that exchanges data with the IC card is connected to the connection unit 113. The IC card reader 117 may be of an internal type, but here an external type is described as an example. When the IC card is held over the IC card reader 117, login information is notified to the authentication accepting unit 107.
The control unit 114 controls the entire image forming apparatus 100 in an integrated manner.
The storage unit 115 stores programs and data required for processing in the image forming apparatus 100.
The common bus 116 is a signal line connecting the above-described portions in the image forming apparatus 100.

  The touch panel 102, the operation unit 105, and the IC card reader 117 described above function as an input unit that receives an input of login information.

In addition, in the authentication receiving unit 107, the authentication unit 108, and the control unit 114 described above, for example, one or more processors such as a central processing unit (CPU) execute a program stored in the storage unit 115. It can be realized by doing. Further, the functions of all or part of the authentication acceptance unit 107, the authentication unit 108, and the control unit 114 are not limited to those implemented as software on a computer system. For example, it may be realized as hardware by an integrated logic IC such as SOC (System-on-a-chip), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) It may be realized as software by a signal processor or the like.
Further, the authentication setting storage unit 106 and the storage unit 115 can be realized by a storage device such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a hard disk drive (HDD).

(Description of operation)
14 and 15 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. FIG.
Here, when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on and the default login screen (local, IC card) is displayed, for example, there is no user information inside the apparatus, and the user has forgotten the IC card. A case will be described in which the authentication method of “network, PIN” is selected and login to the image forming apparatus 100 is performed using the PIN.

When the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on (S10), the display control unit 104 inquires of the authentication accepting unit 107 about a default login screen (S11).
The authentication accepting unit 107 acquires login screen identification information of the default authentication method (local, IC card) from the authentication setting table 130 stored in the authentication setting storage unit 106 (S12 to S13). Then, the authentication accepting unit 107 reads screen data of the login screen of the local IC card corresponding to the acquired login screen identification information from the storage unit 115, and passes the screen data to the display control unit 104 (S14).
The display control unit 104 displays the login screen of the local IC card on the display unit 103 based on the passed screen data (S15). The screen displayed on the display unit 103 is, for example, a login screen IM5 shown in FIG.

When the authentication method change instruction input area 123 of the login screen IM5 of the local IC card displayed on the display unit 103 is pressed, an authentication method change instruction is notified to the display control unit 104 (S16).
The display control unit 104 requests the authentication receiving unit 107 for screen data of the authentication method change screen (S17). The authentication receiving unit 107 reads the screen data of the authentication method change screen from the storage unit 115, and passes it to the display control unit 104 (S18).
The display control unit 104 displays an authentication method change screen on the display unit 103 based on the passed screen data (S19). The screen displayed on the display unit 103 is, for example, the authentication method change screen IM40 # 1 illustrated in FIG. In this screen IM 40 # 1, the local tab and the IC card are selected.

  When the network tab 133 is pressed on the authentication method change screen IM40 # 1 displayed on the display unit 103, the display control unit 104 is notified that the network tab 133 is pressed (S20), and is shown in FIG. As shown in the authentication method change screen IM40 # 3, the display is updated to the state where the network tab 133 is selected (S21). Authentication method change screen IM 40 # 3 shown in FIG. 13 is based on the setting of valid / invalid column 130 f of authentication setting table 130 shown in FIG. 11 so that IC card authentication of the network can not be selected. It is displayed.

When the LDAPPIN button 134 of the authentication method change screen IM40 # 3 displayed on the display unit 103 is pressed, the LDAP and PIN authentication methods are designated to the display control unit 104 (S22). The display control unit 104 requests the authentication accepting unit 107 for screen data of the login screen of the authentication method of LDAP and PIN from the authentication accepting unit 107 (S23). The authentication receiving unit 107 reads screen data of the login screen of the authentication method of LDAP and PIN from the storage unit 115, and passes it to the display control unit 104 (S24).
The display control unit 104 displays the login screen of the authentication method of LDAP and PIN on the display unit 103 based on the passed screen data (S25). The screen displayed on the display unit 103 is a login screen IM8 shown in FIG. 7A. The process then proceeds to FIG.

  When the PIN number is input using the ten keys 103-8 of the operation unit 105, the display control unit 104 is notified of this (S26), and the display control unit 104 is input on the login screen displayed on the display unit 103. The PIN number is reflected (S27). Here, the screen displayed on the display unit 103 is the login screen IM50 shown in FIG.

When the OK button 127 of the login screen IM 50 of the LDAP and PIN displayed on the display unit 103 is pressed, a login instruction is notified to the display control unit 104 (S 28). Then, based on the input PIN number, the display control unit 104 requests the authentication accepting unit 107 to authenticate with an external LDAP server (S29). The authentication receiving unit 107 passes the requested content to the authentication unit 108 (S30). The authentication unit 108 accesses an external LDAP server via the transmission / reception unit 112, and performs authentication using the received login information (S31). The authentication is out of the scope of the present embodiment and may be performed by a known method, and thus the detailed description is omitted. Here, the explanation will be made assuming that the authentication is successful.
The authentication unit 108 notifies “authentication result = OK”, that is, when the authentication is successful, notifies the authentication reception unit 107 to that effect (S32 to S33), and the authentication reception unit 107 notifies the display control unit 104. (S34).
Then, in response to the success of the authentication, the display control unit 104 displays a standby screen on the display unit 103 (S35). The screen displayed on the display unit 103 is the standby screen IM20 shown in FIG.

When the logout button 140 of the standby screen IM20 displayed on the display unit 103 is pressed, logout is instructed to the display control unit 104 (S36). The display control unit 104 inquires of the authentication reception unit 107 about the default login screen (S37).
The authentication accepting unit 107 acquires login screen identification information of a default authentication method (local, IC card) from the authentication setting table 130 stored in the authentication setting storage unit 106 (S38 to S39). Then, the authentication accepting unit 107 reads screen data of the login screen of the local IC card corresponding to the acquired login screen identification information from the storage unit 115, and passes the screen data to the display control unit 104 (S40).
The display control unit 104 displays the login screen of the local IC card on the display unit 103 based on the passed screen data (S41). The screen displayed on the display unit 103 is, for example, a login screen IM5 shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an authentication process in the image forming apparatus 100.
When the power of image forming apparatus 100 is turned on (S50), authentication accepting unit 107 receives screen data of the login screen of the default authentication method from storage unit 115 in response to the inquiry of the login screen from display control unit 104. get. Then, the authentication receiving unit 107 sends the screen data to the display control unit 104, and causes the display unit 103 to display a login screen of the local IC card (S51).

When the authentication method change button is pressed on the default login screen displayed on the display unit 103, an authentication method change instruction is notified to the authentication reception unit 107 via the display control unit 104, and the authentication reception unit 107 The authentication method is changed (S52). The process here will be described with reference to FIG.
The authentication receiving unit 107 reads the screen data of the login screen after the change from the storage unit 115, sends it to the display control unit 104, and causes the display unit 103 to display the login screen after the change (S53).

  When login information is input via the display unit 103 and the operation unit 105 (S54), the authentication receiving unit 107 receives the login information input from the display control unit 104, and sends it to the authentication unit 108, Request authentication (S55). The authentication unit 108 having received such a request performs authentication, gives an authentication result to the authentication receiving unit 107, and the authentication receiving unit 107 sends the authentication result to the display control unit 104.

  The display control unit 104 determines whether the received authentication result indicates that the authentication is successful (S56). If the authentication is successful (Yes in S56), the process proceeds to step S57. If the authentication is unsuccessful (No in S56), the process proceeds to step S60.

In step S57, the display control unit 104 reads screen data of the standby screen from the storage unit 115, and displays the standby screen on the display unit 103.
Then, when the logout button is pressed on the standby screen displayed on the display unit 103 (S58), the display control unit 104 inquires of the authentication reception unit 107 about a default login screen, and acquires the screen data, A default login screen is displayed on the display unit 103 (S59).

On the other hand, if the authentication fails (No in S56), the process proceeds to step S60, and the display control unit 104 displays an error screen IM30 as shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 103.
When the close button 160 is pressed on the error screen IM30 displayed on the display unit 103, or when a predetermined time has elapsed (S61), the process proceeds to step S59, and the display unit A default login screen is displayed at 103.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the process of changing the authentication method.
When an authentication method change instruction is notified to the display control unit 104, the display control unit 104 requests the screen data of the authentication method change screen to the authentication reception unit 107, and the screen data from the authentication reception unit 107 as a response. It is acquired and displayed on the display unit 103 (S70).
When the user presses a button indicating an authentication method to be changed on the authentication method change screen displayed on the display unit 103, the display control unit 104 authenticates the screen data of the login screen of the authentication method corresponding to the pressed button. The reception unit 107 is requested, and the screen data is acquired from the authentication reception unit 107 as a response (S71), and the login screen after the change is displayed on the display unit 103.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the authentication method can be changed by the intention of the operator, and when logging in with the default authentication method, a screen for selecting the authentication method is displayed. Since it is not necessary to do so, the occurrence of unnecessary operation steps can be suppressed.

As in the authentication setting table 130 # shown in FIG. 19, a security level column 130h may be provided so that the administrator can set the security level for each authentication method. In such a case, it is possible to select only an authentication method of a security level higher than a predetermined security level on the authentication method change screen.
In such a case, it is possible to select only on the authentication method change screen a security level authentication method higher than the security level of the authentication method set by default. Furthermore, in such a case, it is possible not to select an authentication method of a security level lower than the security level of the authentication method set by default on the authentication method change screen.

  In the embodiment described above, in the valid / invalid column 130f of the authentication setting table 130 shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to select whether the authentication method is valid, in other words, the authentication method. Although it is possible to set whether or not to be set, it is not limited to such an example. For example, in the authentication method change screen, the authentication method via the network may not be selected at all.

  In addition, when the device can not use the network due to insufficient setting or an error, it is possible to make it impossible to select the network authentication method on the authentication method change screen.

  In the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to all apparatuses requiring login by authentication, for example, an information processing apparatus.

  100 image forming apparatus, 101 operation panel, 102 touch panel, 103 display unit, 104 display control unit, 105 operation unit, 106 authentication setting storage unit, 107 authentication reception unit, 108 authentication unit, 109 reading unit, 110 image memory, 111 printing Unit, 112 transceiver unit, 113 connection unit, 114 control unit, 115 storage unit, 116 common bus, 117 IC card reader.

Claims (6)

A display unit for displaying the first authentication screen having a first area for inputting a first authentication information in the first authentication method,
An input unit that receives an input of first authentication information based on the first authentication screen displayed on the display unit;
An authentication unit that controls authentication based on first authentication information input by the input unit;
The first authentication screen has a second area for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method,
When the input unit receives an instruction to change the authentication method based on the first authentication screen, the display unit changes the authentication method to select an authentication method to be used from a plurality of authentication methods. When a screen is displayed and the input unit receives selection of the second authentication method based on the authentication method change screen, the second authentication information in the selected second authentication method is input. Display a second authentication screen with a third area for
The second authentication screen has a fourth area for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method,
The arrangement of the first area and the second area in the first authentication screen and the arrangement of the third area and the fourth area in the second authentication screen are the same. ,
When the input unit receives an instruction to change the authentication method based on the second authentication screen, the display unit is configured to select the authentication method to be used from the plurality of authentication methods. Display the method change screen,
The input unit receives an input of second authentication information based on the second authentication screen displayed on the display unit.
An information processing apparatus, wherein the authentication unit controls authentication based on second authentication information input by the input unit. The authentication method change screen has an area for selecting either local authentication performed by the own device or network authentication performed by another device connected to the network. The information processing apparatus according to 1. It further comprises an authentication setting storage unit for storing authentication setting information indicating selectable authentication methods and non-selectable authentication methods,
In the authentication method change screen, the selectable authentication methods indicated in the authentication setting information are displayed so as to be selectable, and the non-selectable authentication methods indicated in the authentication setting information are selected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is displayed so as not to be displayed. An authentication setting storage unit storing authentication setting information indicating a security level of each of the plurality of authentication methods, further comprising:
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the authentication method change screen is displayed such that only the authentication method whose security level is higher than a predetermined level can be selected. An authentication setting storage unit storing authentication setting information indicating a security level of each of the plurality of authentication methods and a default authentication method among the plurality of authentication methods.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the authentication method change screen displays that the security level can only select an authentication method higher than the security level of the default authentication method. . A display unit for displaying the first authentication screen having a first area for inputting a first authentication information in the first authentication method,
An input unit that receives an input of first authentication information based on the first authentication screen displayed on the display unit;
An authentication unit that controls authentication based on first authentication information input by the input unit;
The first authentication screen has a second area for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method,
When the input unit receives an instruction to change the authentication method based on the first authentication screen, the display unit changes the authentication method to select an authentication method to be used from a plurality of authentication methods. When a screen is displayed and the input unit receives selection of the second authentication method based on the authentication method change screen, the second authentication information in the selected second authentication method is input. Display a second authentication screen with a third area for
The second authentication screen has a fourth area for inputting an instruction to change the authentication method,
The arrangement of the first area and the second area in the first authentication screen and the arrangement of the third area and the fourth area in the second authentication screen are the same. ,
When the input unit receives an instruction to change the authentication method based on the second authentication screen, the display unit is configured to select the authentication method to be used from the plurality of authentication methods. Display the method change screen,
The input unit receives an input of second authentication information based on the second authentication screen displayed on the display unit.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication unit controls authentication based on second authentication information input by the input unit.

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