JP6701404B2 - Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method for the image forming apparatus.

  Currently, there is a demand for office machines (image forming apparatuses) with high power saving effect in offices. Therefore, the effective power can be further lowered by turning on/off the image forming apparatus and not only the power saving mode of the entire image forming apparatus, but also by turning off the power source of an unused portion even during standby. Printer) is considered.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-242242, power is saved by turning off the power of the fixing unit and the paper feeding system during the fax reception operation. During the printing operation of the printer, by turning off the power of the operation panel and the image scanner unit, each unit of the apparatus is controlled to save power according to the selected application function such as power saving.

JP 2001-201986 A

  In order to obtain a high power saving effect in the image forming apparatus, for example, a device such as a printer or a scanner may be turned on when it is used and turned off immediately after it is used.

However, depending on the device, the initialization process after turning on the power takes time, so that a waiting time occurs every time the user uses an arbitrary function. That is, for a user who frequently uses a device that takes a long time to initialize, user responsiveness of the image forming apparatus at the start of use is significantly deteriorated.
Note that such a situation is caused by the screen settings that the user should perform in the image forming apparatus, the authority of function selection set by the user, the history of functions used in the image forming apparatus by the authenticated user, and the like. Is a problem that similarly occurs. In other words, in the above situation, the power supply to the device requested by the user is not started until the controller of the image forming apparatus is restored, and the user waits accordingly. If all functions can be executed independently of the user's request, power will be supplied to all devices, and unnecessary power will be consumed due to unnecessary functions. Will end up.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device specified by a job processing function to be executed by a user in parallel with transition of a controller to a standby state. It is to provide a mechanism that can start the power supply of.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, the display means and a first screen for allowing a user to select a desired function are displayed on the display means. A display control unit that displays a second screen requesting information for identifying a user according to a function selected by the user on the first screen; and the display control unit based on the information for identifying the user . Determination means for determining whether or not the user has the authority to use the function selected on one screen, and at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen based on the determination result of the determination means. And a power supply unit that supplies power.

According to the present invention, power supply to the device specified by the job processing function to be executed by the user can be started in parallel with the transition of the controller to the standby state.
Further, since power supply to devices other than the device required by the user can be limited, a power saving effect can be expected, and after the controller shifts to the standby state, job processing requested by the user can be executed promptly.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing correspondence between job processing and an energization device in the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, a printer device 4 that executes a print processing function as a device that executes job processing, a scanner device 2 that executes a scan processing function, and an image processing function that is executed for the printer device 4 or the scanner device 2 are executed. An example including the image processing unit 5 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a control device (controller) 3 that controls job processing performed using the plurality of devices that perform different processing.

  In FIG. 1, a scanner device 2 optically reads an image from a document and converts it into a digital image. A printer device 4 outputs a digital image to a paper device. An operation unit 8 includes a display unit and an instruction unit, and receives an operation instruction for the apparatus from a user. Reference numeral 7 is a FAX machine, which transmits a digital image to a telephone line or the like.

  A hard disk 14 stores digital images and control programs. A controller (control device) 3 controls each device connected to the bus to execute job processing. The image forming apparatus 1 is also capable of inputting/outputting digital images, issuing jobs, instructing devices, and the like from the computer 10 via the LAN 9.

  The scanner device 2 is composed of a document feeding unit 11 capable of automatically replacing a bundle of documents, and a scanner unit 12 capable of optically scanning a document and converting it into a digital image. The converted image data is a controller. 3 is sent.

  The printer device 4 includes a paper feeding unit 18 that can sequentially feed paper sheets one by one, a marking unit 16 that prints image data on the fed paper, and a paper ejection unit that ejects the printed paper. It consists of 17.

  The controller 3 has a CPU 13, and transmits/receives and saves image data to/from the scanner device 2 and the printer device 4. That is, the controller 3 temporarily stores the image data received from the scanner device 2 in the memory 15. After that, the image data is stored in the hard disk 14 to complete the scanning and saving of the image.

The controller 3 can print out by temporarily storing the image data from the hard disk 14 in the memory 15 and transmitting the image data from the memory 15 to the printer device 4. Further, the image processing unit 5 has a general-purpose image processing unit 19, and the general-purpose image processing unit 19 saves the image data stored in the memory 15 to the memory 15 again after being subjected to processing such as reduction. The general-purpose image processing unit 19 is used in various situations as needed.
The image forming apparatus 1 has an operation unit 8 controlled by the controller 3, and the CPU 13 interprets an operator operation or an instruction from the LAN 9 to execute various job processes described below.
An example is described below.
[Copy job processing]
The image read from the scanner device 2 is stored in the hard disk 14, and at the same time, the printer device 4 is used for printing.

[Image transmission job processing]
The image read from the scanner device 2 is stored in the hard disk 14 and transmitted to the computer 10 via the LAN 9.
[Image save job processing]
The image read from the scanner device 2 is stored in the hard disk 14, and image transmission and image printing are performed as necessary.
[Image print job processing]
For example, the page description language transmitted from the computer 10 is analyzed and printed by the printer device 4.

[FAX reception job processing]
The FAX image received from the FAX device 7 is stored in the hard disk 14, and at the same time, printing is performed using the printer device 4.
[FAX transfer job processing]
The FAX image received from the FAX device 7 is stored in the hard disk 14 and simultaneously transferred to the computer 10 or the like via the LAN 9.
[FAX memory receive job processing]
The FAX image received from the FAX machine 7 is stored in the hard disk 14 and the operator waits for reference.

[FAX transmission job processing]
The image read from the scanner device 2 is stored in the hard disk 14 and simultaneously transmitted from the FAX device 7 to the public line.

  In many cases, the hard disk 14 is provided for the purpose of recovery from an abnormal state such as a job failure or power failure.

The power supply device 6 is a device that supplies power to the image forming apparatus 1. When the power supply device 6 is turned off, the AC power supply 29 is insulated by the switch 30. In the power supply device 6, when the switch 30 is turned on, the AC power is supplied to the AC-DC converter 20, and the DC power is generated.
This power supply device 6 is capable of controlling four independent power supplies for the entire device according to an instruction from the CPU 13.

That is, the power of the controller power 25 can be controlled to be turned on/off by the switch control from the CPU 13. Similarly, the printer power 28, the scanner power 26, and the general-purpose image processing power 27 can be turned off and on.
By using these switches 21 to 24, the CPU 13 appropriately supplies electric power to a necessary place of the image forming apparatus 1. Each power state is described below.
[Sleep state]
In this mode, the power of the image forming apparatus 1 itself is reduced as much as possible.

  A peripheral device of the CPU 13 is set to a general suspend state (ACPI-S3 or the like), and power is supplied only to a portion in which a job can be detected (sleep-time power 31) so that the power of the entire apparatus is set to a very low power state. it can.

  Specifically, the CPU 13 saves the state of the device in the memory 15 and turns off the controller unit power 25 including itself. At this time, although the CPU 13 itself does not operate, the sleep power 31 is turned on by hardware, and only the arrival of the job is recognized. Then, for example, when the network is received from the LAN 9, the FAX call is made from the FAX device 7, and the operation unit 8 is operated, the controller power 25 is turned on by hardware.

The CPU 13 reads the state of the device stored in the memory 15 from the memory 15, resets the state, returns to the state immediately before the power of the controller power 25 is turned off, and shifts to the standby state.
Since most of the hardware cannot operate in the sleep state, it has only the function of transitioning to the standby state.
The job is accepted after shifting to the standby state.

[Standby state]
The controller unit power 25 is in the energized state. An operator's operation from the operation unit 8 and jobs via the network from the LAN 9 are accepted.

  Since the printer unit power 28, the scanner unit power 26, and the general-purpose image processing unit power 27 are off, the CPU 13 executes a predetermined job after energizing the power sources of the devices used by the switches 22 to 24. For example, the power of each device is turned on according to the job type as follows.

[Power status during copy job processing]
The scanner unit power 26 and the printer unit power 28 are turned on to realize the copying function as described above.
[Power status during image transmission job processing]
Only the scanner power 26 is turned on and the read image data is transmitted.
[Power status during image storage job processing]
Only the scanner unit power 26 is turned on to store the read image data.

[Power status during image print job processing]
Only the printer power 28 is turned on to print various image data.
[Power status during FAX reception printing]
The printer unit power 28 and the general-purpose image processing unit power 27 are turned on to perform general-purpose image processing on the received FAX image and then print.
[Power status during AX transfer processing]
Only the general-purpose image processing unit power 27 is turned on, and the FAX-received data is transferred after being subjected to general-purpose image processing.

[Power status during FAX memory reception processing]
Only the general-purpose image processing unit power 27 is turned on, the received fax data is subjected to general-purpose image processing, and then stored in the hard disk 14.
[Power status during FAX transmission processing]
The scanner unit power 26 and the general-purpose image processing unit power 27 are turned on, and the read FAX image data is transmitted to the public line.

  By turning off the power of the device when the job is completed, it is possible to energize only the required device when using it, and it is possible to reduce the standby power during standby.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 8 shown in FIG.
This UI screen is a screen of the main menu, and is a screen that is first displayed after the power is turned on and the device returns from the sleep state in the factory shipment settings.

  The UI screen shown in FIG. 2A corresponds to the screen first displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 8 and can be changed by the setting/registration screen (FIG. 2F) described later. Function buttons are arranged on the main menu screen. A button 211 is selected for copying, a button 212 for faxing, a button 213 for scanning and saving, a button 214 for using a saved file, and a button 215 for setting and registration.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 8 shown in FIG. The UI screen is a copy screen, and when the user selects the button 211, the controller 3 displays the screen on the operation unit 8. The user makes various settings on this screen and copies them.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 8 shown in FIG. This UI screen is a screen of a function of scanning and saving, and when the user selects the button 213, the controller 3 displays this screen on the operation unit 8. The user determines the storage location of the scanned document on this screen and scans the document.

  FIG. 2D is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 8 shown in FIG. This UI screen is a screen of the function used by the saved file, and when the user selects the button 214, the controller 3 displays this screen on the operation unit 8. The user selects a save file to output and outputs the document.

  FIG. 2E is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 8 shown in FIG. This UI screen is a fax screen, and when the user selects the button 212, the controller 3 displays this screen on the operation unit 8. The user sets the transmission destination and transmission settings, and performs fax transmission.

  FIG. 2F is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 8 shown in FIG. The UI screen is an example of the setting/registration screen, and when the user presses the setting registration button on the operation unit 8, the controller 3 displays the screen on the operation unit 8. The user can select a screen to be displayed after starting/restoring in the setting field 261, which is set in the main menu in this figure. Here, when the user selects the copy screen, the screen displayed first after the power is turned on and after returning from the sleep is the copy screen in FIG. 2B. Note that the setting field 261 is configured by, for example, a combo box 263, and a button 262 can be used to select and register the screen first displayed after the power is turned on or after returning from sleep by selecting any of FIGS. 2A to 2E. It is configured to be possible. Note that the sleep return button is a button for issuing a request for transitioning to a state in which job processing can be executed. By accepting the pressing of the sleep return button, the power saving mode is canceled and the normal mode is entered. The control to start is started.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating correspondence between job processing and energization devices in the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the rows show the devices for controlling energization in this system, and the columns show the functions of this system. When the user selects the copy function to execute the job, the operations of all of the scanner device 2, the printer device 4, the controller 3, and the image processing unit 5 are required. Therefore, when FIG. 2B is registered as the return screen on the screen of FIG. 2F, the CPU 13 instructs the switches 21 to 24 included in the power supply device 6 to be turned on/off to power the device used for the copy function. The supply can be started in S404 shown in FIG. This makes it possible to shorten the time from the input of a copy job to the start of job processing after the controller 3 shifts to the standby state.

  Similarly, in order to perform the function of scanning and saving, the operations of the scanner device 2, the controller 3, and the image processing unit 5 are required. Therefore, when FIG. 2C is registered as the return screen on the screen of FIG. 2F, the CPU 13 instructs the switches 21 to 24 included in the power supply device 6 to turn on/off, thereby turning on the power to the device used for the scan function. The supply can be started in S404 shown in FIG. As a result, after the controller 3 shifts to the standby state, the time from the input of the scan job to the start of the job processing can be shortened, and the power supply to the printer device 4 is limited, so that the power saving effect can be achieved. The scan job can be executed while maintaining the status.

  Similarly, in order to implement the function of using the saved file, the operations of the printer device 4, the controller 3, and the image processing unit 5 are required. Therefore, when FIG. 2D is registered as the return screen on the screen of FIG. 2F, the CPU 13 instructs the switches 21 to 24 included in the power supply device 6 to be turned on/off, so that the device used for the save job function is selected. The power supply can be started in S404 shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time from the input of the save job to the start of the job processing after the controller 3 shifts to the standby state.

  Similarly, in order to implement the facsimile function, the operations of the scanner device 2, the controller 3, and the image processing unit 5 are required. In other cases, the operation of the controller 3 is required. Therefore, when FIG. 2E is registered as the return screen on the screen of FIG. 2F, the CPU 13 instructs the switches 21 to 24 included in the power supply device 6 to be turned on/off to power the device used for the facsimile function. The supply can be started in S404 shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time from the input of the save job to the start of the job processing after the controller 3 shifts to the standby state. Since the power supply to the printer device 4 is limited, the facsimile job can be executed while maintaining the power saving effect.

  Even before the job type is determined, if the copy screen is selected, the copy function is likely to be implemented. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the screen for functions such as copy is set as the initial screen at the time of startup or at the time of returning from sleep, the power supply of the device to be used is controlled at the time of starting or returning from sleep as shown in FIG. To do.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is an example of controlling the return timing of the device used in the job processing associated with the initial screen. In this flow, when the job is executed after shifting from the sleep state to the standby state, the controller 3 uses the job function associated with the screen to be restored, which is set and registered by the user, in parallel with the standby process. An example of control for starting power supply to a device that operates will be described. Note that each step is realized by the CPU 13 executing a control program stored in the hard disk 14, the ROM, or the like. Hereinafter, an example of power control for supplying power to a device specified based on the job processing function associated with the initial screen to be displayed when the controller 3 is transitioned to the standby state according to the received instruction will be described. To do. Note that in the present embodiment, the instruction to transition the job processing to the executable state is an example of a power-on instruction or an instruction to return from the power saving state to the normal state (sleep return instruction).

  In the sleep state, when the user presses the sleep return button on the operation unit 8 (S401), the CPU 13 of the controller 3 performs the sleep return process (S402). At the end of the restoration process, the controller 3 determines which functional process is to be performed by the screen registered on the operation unit 8 by the user using the UI screen shown in FIG. 2F. Further, the controller 3 executes the function of the job processing specified by the UI screen to be displayed at the time of restoration, and therefore, the controller 3 should be displayed at the time of restoration of the power source in accordance with the relationship between the job processing and the power supply destination shown in FIG. It is determined which device the job that can be submitted from the screen needs to operate (S403).

  Here, when the CPU 13 determines that the operation of the apparatus that needs the return operation is necessary in order to execute the job processing associated with the UI screen to be displayed at the time of the return, the CPU 13 determines that the power supply of the apparatus is required. Is turned on and a return process is performed (S404). As a result, the job processing of the UI screen to be displayed as the initial screen on the operation unit 8 at the time of restoration is made executable.

Then, the CPU 13 shifts to the standby state (S405). When the user uses the UI screen displayed as the initial screen on the operation unit 8 to instruct the job execution (S406), the CPU 13 determines whether or not the restoration process status of the device necessary for the execution job is completed. (S407).
Here, when the CPU 13 determines that the device return processing status necessary for the execution job is completed, the job processing is immediately executed (S409), and this processing is ended.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 13 determines in step S407 that the return processing status of the device necessary for the execution job is not completed, the device used in the job processing associated with the UI screen to be displayed as the initial screen is the job. It shifts to a processable state (S408) and proceeds to S409.

  As a result, after the user gives an instruction to execute a job, normally, the engine return process is not performed in S408, so that the user can quickly execute the job process associated with the initial screen without deteriorating the responsiveness of the image forming apparatus. You can do it.

  [Second Embodiment]

    Hereinafter, in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an operation of shifting from a sleep state to a standby state and controlling a power supply destination of the image forming apparatus when a user uses a function that requires authentication The form will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 8 shown in FIG. This example is an example of a user authentication screen for each function. This user authentication screen is a screen that is required when the use restriction is implemented for each function, such as when the copy function is permitted only to the authenticated specific user. The authentication algorithm is arbitrary, and the user name 501 and the password 502 are used for authentication in FIG. 5, but other authentication methods using an IC card, a fingerprint, or the like may be used. In this embodiment, when the user selects a job processing function to be displayed on the initial screen using the UI screen shown in FIG. 5, the function setting screen based on the selected job processing function is set as the initial screen on the hard disk 14 or the like. Remember. Then, the CPU 13 employs a configuration in which the initial screen to be displayed is specified according to the stored job processing function. The method of identifying the initial screen is the same in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a control example in which when a job determined to be usable in the user authentication process is determined, power supply to a device used in the job is started and the device is returned to a job processable state. Each step is realized by the CPU 13 executing a control program stored in the hard disk 14, the ROM, or the like. Hereinafter, when it is determined that the job processing function selected by the user can be executed using the initial screen to be displayed when the controller 3 shifts to the standby state, it is specified by the selected job processing function. An example of power control for supplying power to the device will be described.

  When the user presses the sleep return button on the operation unit 8 (S601), the CPU 13 of the controller 3 performs a predetermined sleep return process as described above (S602), and shifts to the standby state.

  Since the main menu screen corresponding to the UI screen shown in FIG. 2A is displayed on the operation unit 8 during the restoration process, the user selects a function to be used using the main menu screen (S603). Here, the CPU 13 confirms the operation instruction from the user to the operation unit 8 and specifies the selected function. After that, the CPU 13 displays the authentication screen as the UI screen shown in FIG. 5 on the operation unit 8 and determines whether the user has the authority to use the selected function (S604). It is assumed that the user has registered in advance the functions that the user can use in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the CPU 12 is configured to be able to determine whether or not the job processing function selected by the user can be executed based on the registered user information.

Here, when the CPU 13 determines that the function selected by the user can be used, when the CPU 13 permits the use of the function, the device required for the function according to the power supply destination for each function process shown in FIG. Then, the power is turned on and the reset setting is performed (S605). Then, while the user is setting the job, the process of returning the device related to the selected job of the image forming apparatus is performed. When the user gives an instruction to execute a job using the operation unit 8, the CPU 13 confirms that the job has been input, performs job processing (S606), and ends this processing.
As a result, the engine restoration process is performed before the user gives an instruction to execute the job, so that the job can be processed without degrading the power saving performance and without decreasing the responsiveness of the apparatus.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the sleep state shifts to the standby state, and the power supply destination of the image forming apparatus is controlled using the usage history of the user who uses the image forming apparatus. An embodiment will be described. The job type selected immediately before by the authenticated user is assumed to be managed using the hard disk 14 or the server device (not shown). Further, by registering the type of the job selected immediately before in a device for user authentication, for example, an IC card, the type of job selected by the user can be specified by scanning the IC card during user authentication. You may comprise.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a control example in which the power supply to the device used in the job is started at the timing when the usage history of the job selected by the user for the image forming apparatus is confirmed, and the device is returned to the job processable state. Each step is realized by the CPU 13 executing a control program stored in the hard disk 14, the ROM, or the like. Hereinafter, the control for supplying power to the device specified by the job processing function selected immediately before by the authenticated user when transitioning the controller 3 to the standby state will be described in detail.

  When the user performs the authentication operation, the CPU 13 of the controller 3 recognizes which user is operating the image forming apparatus (S701). The user authentication method is arbitrary, and authentication may be performed at the same time as the sleep recovery operation using an IC card or the like, or the user name and login may be input after the sleep recovery button is pressed.

  Then, the CPU 13 controls the switch of the power supply device 6 to perform the sleep recovery process (S702), and shifts to the standby state. The CPU 13 identifies the type of job previously performed by the user in use from the information related to the usage history of the authenticated user, and determines which device of the image forming apparatus requires the operation of the job (S703). . Then, according to the power supply destination for each function process shown in FIG. 4, the device required for the function is turned on and the return setting is performed (S704).

  When the user gives an instruction to execute a job using the operation unit 8 (S705), the CPU 13 determines whether or not the device recovery process necessary for the job to be executed is completed (S706). Here, when the CPU 13 determines that the respective devices of the image forming apparatus have already been restored, the CPU 13 performs the job processing accepted using the operation unit 8 (S708), and ends this processing.

On the other hand, when the CPU 13 determines in step S706 that the device restoration process necessary for the job to be executed is not complete, the CPU 13 continues the device restoration process of the image forming apparatus (S707), and proceeds to step S708.
As a result, the engine return process (S707) is not normally performed after the user gives an instruction to execute the job, so that the job can be processed without deteriorating the responsiveness of the image forming apparatus.
According to the above-described embodiment, power supply to the device specified by the job processing function to be executed by the user can be started in parallel with the controller shifting to the standby state.
Further, since the power supply to devices other than the device required by the user can be limited, a power saving effect can be expected, and the job processing requested by the user can be executed promptly after the controller shifts to the standby state.

  Each step of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (program) acquired via a network or various storage media by a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the gist of the present invention, which are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

1 Image Forming Device 2 Scanner Device 3 Controller 4 Printer Device 5 Image Processing Unit 6 Power Supply Device

Claims (26)

An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions,
Display means,
A display for displaying a first screen for allowing the user to select a desired function on the display means, and displaying a second screen for requesting information for identifying the user according to the function selected by the user on the first screen. Control means,
Determination means for determining whether or not the user has the authority to use the function selected on the first screen based on the information for specifying the user ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply unit that supplies power to at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen based on the determination result of the determination unit . The power supply means supplies power to at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen when the determination means determines that the user has the authority to use the function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The power supply unit does not supply power to at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen when the determination unit determines that the power supply unit does not have the authority to use the function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The display control means displays a screen for inputting at least one of a user ID and a password on the display means in accordance with the selection of a function on the first screen. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first screen for allowing a user to select a desired function is a screen for allowing the user to select a desired function from a plurality of functions. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first screen that allows a user to select a desired function is a main menu screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a management unit that manages a user and a function that the user has an authority to associate with each other. Further comprising printing means,
The display control unit displays on the display unit a screen on which at least a print function can be selected as a first screen for allowing the user to select a desired function,
The determination means determines whether or not the user has the authority to use the print function selected on the first screen,
Said power supply means, on the basis of the determination result determining unit, the image of any one of claims 1 to 7 for supplying power to at least one of the device corresponding to the print function, it characterized that Forming equipment . Further comprising reading means,
The display control means displays a screen on which at least a reading function can be selected on the display means as a first screen for allowing the user to select a desired function,
The determination means determines whether or not the user has the authority to use the reading function selected on the first screen,
9. The image according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit supplies power to at least one device corresponding to a reading function based on the determination result of the determination unit. Forming equipment . A method of controlling an image forming apparatus , which has a display unit and can execute a plurality of functions,
A display for displaying a first screen for allowing the user to select a desired function on the display means, and displaying a second screen for requesting information for identifying the user according to the function selected by the user on the first screen. Control step,
A determination step of determining whether or not the user has the authority to use the function selected on the first screen based on the information for identifying the user ;
A power supply step of supplying power to at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen based on the determination result of the determination step, the control method of the image forming apparatus . The power supply step may supply power to at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen when it is determined in the determination step that the user has the authority to use the function. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10. The power supply step does not supply power to at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen when it is determined that the user does not have the authority to use the function in the determination step. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, 13. The display control step displays on the display means a screen for inputting at least one of a user ID and a password according to the selection of a function on the first screen. 2. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to item 1. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions,
Display means,
A display for displaying a first screen for allowing the user to select a desired function on the display means, and displaying a second screen for requesting information for identifying the user according to the function selected by the user on the first screen. Control means,
Determination means for determining whether or not the user has the authority to use the function selected on the first screen based on the information for specifying the user ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an executing unit that executes a return process of at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen based on the determination result of the determining unit . The execution means executes a restoration process of at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen when the execution means determines that the function has the right to use the function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14. The executing means does not execute a recovery process of at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen when the executing means determines that the executing means does not have the authority to use the function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 or 15. 17. The display control means displays a screen for inputting at least one of a user ID and a password on the display means according to the selection of a function on the first screen, according to any one of claims 14 to 16. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first screen for allowing a user to select a desired function is a screen for allowing the user to select a desired function from a plurality of functions. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first screen that allows a user to select a desired function is a main menu screen. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a management unit that manages a user and a function that the user has the authority to associate with each other. Further comprising printing means,
The display control unit displays on the display unit a screen on which at least a print function can be selected as a first screen for allowing the user to select a desired function,
The determination means determines whether or not the user has the authority to use the print function selected on the first screen,
21. The image according to claim 14, wherein the execution unit executes a restoration process of at least one device corresponding to the print function based on the determination result of the determination unit. Forming equipment . Further comprising reading means,
The display control means displays a screen on which at least a reading function can be selected on the display means as a first screen for allowing the user to select a desired function,
The determination means determines whether or not the user has the authority to use the reading function selected on the first screen,
22. The image according to claim 14, wherein the execution unit executes a restoration process of at least one device corresponding to the reading function based on the determination result of the determination unit. Forming equipment . A method of controlling an image forming apparatus , which has a display unit and can execute a plurality of functions,
A display for displaying a first screen for allowing the user to select a desired function on the display means, and displaying a second screen for requesting information for identifying the user according to the function selected by the user on the first screen. Control step ,
A determination step of determining whether or not the user has the authority to use the function selected on the first screen based on the information for identifying the user ;
An execution step of executing a restoration process of at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen based on the determination result of the determination step, the control method of the image forming apparatus . In the execution step, if it is determined by the determination step that the user has the authority to use the function, a return process of at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen is executed. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 23. The execution step does not execute a restoration process of at least one device corresponding to the function selected on the first screen when it is determined by the determination step that the user does not have the authority to use the function. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 23 or 24. 26. The display control step displays, on the display means, a screen for inputting at least one of a user ID and a password in accordance with the selection of a function on the first screen. 2. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to item 1.

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