JP6971065B2 - Authentication device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention particularly relates to an authentication device applied to a printer or a facsimile.

Regular maintenance is essential for long-term use of printers and facsimile machines.

For example, a transport roller that transports a printed recording medium is contaminated with ink or paper dust adhering to its surface. The transport roller that has such stains causes problems such as transferring ink when transporting the recording medium to stain the printed matter, and causing slippage due to the accumulation of paper dust, resulting in poor transport of the recording medium. Let me.

Therefore, it is necessary to perform maintenance such as cleaning the transport rollers on a regular basis.

However, maintenance needs to be performed according to an appropriate maintenance procedure, and if maintenance is performed by an inappropriate procedure different from the maintenance procedure, the image quality may deteriorate or a failure may occur.

Therefore, maintenance by specialized maintenance personnel is required.

Patent Document 1 is configured so that a card key dedicated to maintenance can be installed in place of the toner cartridge, and when the card key owned by the maintenance staff is installed, the attribute read from the card key via the wireless tag interface. A technique relating to an image forming apparatus that allows switching from an image forming mode to a maintenance mode when maintenance mode activation information is detected from information is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 5183321

By the way, although there is an urgent need for maintenance, there are cases where maintenance personnel cannot immediately handle maintenance. In such a case, as an emergency measure, the user must be informed of the password for performing maintenance and have the maintenance performed under the instruction of the maintenance staff.

However, in this case, the user does not always perform the maintenance properly, so if the user leaves the product for a long time after performing the maintenance, it may lead to a malfunction of the device such as deterioration of image quality or failure. be. For this reason, it is necessary for the maintenance staff to perform appropriate maintenance again and to prevent the maintenance from being continuously performed by the user after that.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an authentication device for preventing improper maintenance from being continuously performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the features of the authentication device according to the present invention are:
A storage means for storing a password for permitting maintenance of the device to be maintained and authority information for permitting the change of the password, and a storage means.
An acquisition means for acquiring authority information from an external storage medium possessed by a person who is authorized to maintain the device to be maintained.
When the authority information acquired by the acquisition means matches the authority information stored in the storage means, the first authentication-permitted authority information authentication means and
When the password input from the input means matches the password stored in the storage means, the second authentication permitting password authentication means and the password authentication means.
When the first authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication means, maintenance and change of the password are permitted, while the other.
When the second authentication is permitted by the password authentication means, the authority management means that permits maintenance and disallows the change of the password,
It is to have.

According to the characteristics of the authentication device according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent improper maintenance from being continuously performed.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the printer network system which has the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure virtually constructed on the CPU of the inkjet recording apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which showed the processing content in the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure virtually constructed on the CPU of the inkjet recording apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which showed the processing content in the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual ones. In addition, it goes without saying that parts having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

Further, the embodiments shown below exemplify an apparatus or the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention describes the material, shape, structure, and the like of each component. The arrangement etc. is not specified to the following. The technical idea of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of claims.

<Embodiment 1>
The first embodiment of the image forming apparatus, which is the authentication apparatus according to the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer network system having an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, as an example of an image forming apparatus having an authentication function, a stencil base paper is made based on an image read from a manuscript, and while the drum on which the made stencil base paper is wound is rotated. A stencil printing type image forming apparatus for feeding printing paper (printing medium) and printing by pressing the fed printing paper against a drum will be described as an example.

(Overall configuration of printer network system)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer network system of the first embodiment is connected to an image forming apparatus 9 (corresponding to the authentication apparatus in the claim) for forming an image on printing paper and an image forming apparatus 9 via a network LAN. It has a plurality of client terminals 1 (in FIG. 1, only one client terminal 1 is shown as a representative).

The network LAN is a wireless network such as a local network (LAN) or a wireless LAN (WLAN) by 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX using the communication protocol TCP / IP. The image forming apparatus 9 is connected to the network LAN via the external interface unit 15.

Each client terminal 1 is configured by a general-purpose computer such as a PC (personal computer). The client terminal 1 includes a CPU 16 that executes various processes based on a control program. Further, a RAM 18 functioning as a working area, a ROM 17 for storing data, and the like are connected to the CPU 16, and an input unit 19, an output unit 20, an external storage device 21, and the like are connected via various interfaces. There is.

The external storage device 21 secures a storage area for an application program for generating original data including printed images such as documents and images, a storage area for a printer driver program of the image forming device 9, and a storage area for various other application programs. Has been done.

The CPU 16 is an arithmetic unit composed of a processor, a memory, and other peripheral devices, and starts an application program of the external storage device 21 according to a start request input from the input unit 19.

Then, when a print request for the manuscript data generated by the manuscript application program or the like is input, the CPU 16 virtually constructs the printer driver 11 on the CPU by executing the printer driver program on the CPU 16. Then, the printer driver 11 causes the image forming apparatus 9 to output a print job.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 9 displays and prints operation information for a scanner unit 98 that reads image information on a document as document data and outputs an image signal, and a processing function executed by the image forming apparatus 9. An operation panel 97 that accepts user operations including commands related to operations, and a printer unit 96 that prints a print image on printing paper based on an image signal output from the scanner unit 98 or a print job transmitted from the client terminal 1. It includes an IC communication unit 99 that reads information from an IC chip device 200 or the like on which the IC chip 201 is mounted, and a control unit 90 that controls the entire information device. The printing paper used for printing in the printer unit 96 is conveyed from a paper feeding unit (not shown) to a paper ejection unit (not shown) via the printer unit 96 or an external device.

The printer unit 96 is a thermal head based on the document data included in the print job and the document data read by the scanner unit 98, which will be described later, while transporting the stencil base paper from the stencil base paper rolled in a roll shape. The stencil base paper is made by heating and drilling.

Then, the printer unit 96 feeds the printing paper (printing medium) while rotating the drum on which the plate-making base paper is wound, and presses the fed printing paper against the drum to print.

The IC communication unit 99 is a reader / writer device that communicates with the IC chip 201 mounted on the IC chip device 200, reads the authority information stored in the storage medium of the IC chip 201, or writes other information, and is an IC in the slot. A contact type in which a chip device 200 is inserted to acquire data, and a non-contact type in which data is transmitted / received using a weak radio wave to be transmitted are used. The IC chip 201 may be mounted on a card-type IC card, or may be mounted on a detachable IC chip device 200 at a place where a stencil base paper roll, a drum, or the like is mounted. The authority information read by the IC communication unit 99 is information indicating whether or not the IC chip 201 mounted on the IC card, the IC chip device 200, or the like is an IC chip for password management.

The external interface unit 15 of the plurality of client terminals 1 is connected to the external interface unit 94 of the control unit 90 via the local area network LAN.

Further, an operation panel 97 composed of an operation screen and a touch panel covering the operation screen is connected to the control unit 90. The operation panel 97 is arranged on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 9. The operation panel 97 is an operation for requesting switching between a normal mode when scanning a document set in the scanner unit 98 and a printing operation by the printer unit 96 and a maintenance mode when performing maintenance of the device. It can be used as an input operation unit, etc. Further, the operation panel 97 displays a password input screen for inputting a password for authentication and a new password for changing the password, and can also be used as an authentication reception unit for accepting the password.

The control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus 9 that causes the printer unit 96 to perform a printing operation includes a CPU 95. The CPU 95 is an arithmetic process configured by a processor such as a CPU or DSP (Digital Signal Processor), memory, hardware such as other electronic circuits, software such as a program having the function thereof, or a combination thereof. It is a device. The CPU 95 virtually constructs various functional modules by appropriately reading and executing a program, and performs various processes related to manuscript data, operation control of each part, maintenance control of each part, and user operation. Further, the CPU 95 controls the operation of the scanner unit 98 and the printer unit 96 according to the contents input and set from the operation panel 97 based on the program and setting information stored in the ROM 91.

The control unit 90 is provided with a RAM 92 to temporarily store a print job or the like.

Further, the control unit 90 is provided with an external storage device 93, and the external storage device 93 is connected to the CPU 95. The external storage device 93 is provided with a plurality of areas for storing the print job and setting information transferred from the RAM 92 described above. The external storage device 93 functions as a print job storage unit for storing print jobs transmitted from each client terminal 1 or as an authentication information storage unit for storing passwords and authority information.

(Configuration on CPU95)
Next, the internal block on the CPU 95 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration virtually constructed on the CPU 95 included in the image forming apparatus 9 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The "module" used in the present embodiment is a functional unit for achieving a predetermined operation, which is composed of hardware such as devices and devices, software having the functions, or a combination thereof. Is shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 95 stores a print job storage unit 93a for storing print jobs, a password for permitting maintenance of the image forming apparatus 9, and authority information for permitting change of the password. The authentication information storage unit 93b is connected to the storage unit, and these storage units are configured as a storage area of the external storage device 93.

A print job receiving unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, an authentication unit 103, an authority management unit 104, a storage control unit 105, a display control unit 106, and a device control unit 108 are configured on the CPU 95. ..

The print job receiving unit 101 is a communication interface for receiving a print job, which is a series of print processing units, and is a module for storing the received print job in the print job storage unit 93a of the external storage device 93.

The acquisition unit 102 is a module that receives an operation signal by the user from a pressure-sensitive or electrostatic transparent touch panel 97a arranged on the front surface of the operation panel 97, analyzes the received operation signal, and responds to the user operation. Let another module execute the process. Further, the acquisition unit 102 receives an instruction operation for executing the print function, the scanner function, and the copy function from the operation panel 97. In particular, in the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 102 accepts a maintenance request operation requesting maintenance of the image forming apparatus 9, and can acquire authority information from an IC chip 201 or the like, which is an external storage medium, via the IC communication unit 99. Judge whether or not.

Then, when the acquisition unit 102 can acquire the authority information from the IC chip 201 or the like, the acquisition unit 102 supplies the acquired authority information to the authority information authentication unit 103a of the authentication unit 103. On the other hand, if the authority information cannot be acquired, a signal indicating that the authority information could not be acquired is supplied to the password authentication unit 103b of the authentication unit 103.

The authentication unit 103 is a module for performing authentication, and has an authority information authentication unit 103a and a password authentication unit 103b.

When the authority information is supplied from the acquisition unit 102, the authority information authentication unit 103a reads the authority information stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b, and the read authority information and the authority information supplied from the acquisition unit 102 Authentication is performed depending on whether or not they match. If they match, authentication is permitted, and if they do not match, authentication is not permitted.

When a signal indicating that the authority information cannot be acquired is supplied from the acquisition unit 102, the password authentication unit 103b stores the password input by the touch operation of the touch panel 97a by the user and the authentication information storage unit 93b. Password authentication is performed depending on whether or not the password matches the password. If they match, authentication is permitted, and if they do not match, authentication is not permitted.

When the authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication unit 103a, the authority management unit 104 permits maintenance, shifts to the maintenance mode, and permits the storage control unit 105 to change the password. As a result, when the maintenance staff sets the IC chip 201 for password management in which appropriate authority information is stored, maintenance is permitted. Furthermore, it is possible to change the password as needed.

Further, when the authentication unit 104 is authorized by the password authentication unit 103b, the authority management unit 104 permits maintenance and shifts to the maintenance mode. As a result, even if the maintenance staff forgets to bring the IC chip device 200 or the IC card on which the IC chip 201 for password management is mounted, the maintenance can be performed by password authentication, which improves convenience.

However, although maintenance must be performed urgently, maintenance personnel may not be able to handle maintenance immediately. In such a case, as an emergency measure, a password for performing maintenance may be given to a general user, and maintenance may be performed under the instruction of a maintenance staff. In this way, when the password is transmitted to the general user, if the password is still valid, the general user can continuously perform the maintenance work thereafter. Then, if the password can be changed after the password is authenticated by the general user, if the password is changed by the general user without permission, the maintenance staff cannot authenticate the password.

Therefore, the authority management unit 104 disallows the password change even when the password authentication unit 103b permits the authentication, and permits the password change only when the authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication unit 103a. ..

As a result, even when the password is transmitted to a general user, the maintenance staff can change the password by setting the IC chip 201 for password management, so that authentication is prevented from being permitted by the transmitted password. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent improper maintenance from being executed, and since only maintenance personnel can perform maintenance, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of equipment malfunctions such as deterioration of image quality and cause of failure.

When the password change is permitted by the authority management unit 104 and the new password is supplied from the operation panel 97 via the acquisition unit 102, the storage control unit 105 is supplied with the password stored in the IC chip 201. The password is changed to a new password, and the password stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b is changed to a new password.

Further, the storage control unit 105 stores the number of times of authentication permitted by the authority information authentication unit 103a as the number of times of authority information authentication in the IC chip 201 via the IC communication unit 99. The number of times of authorization information authentication is used in the second embodiment described later.

The display control unit 106 displays various display screens on the liquid crystal display panel 97b arranged on the back surface of the touch panel 97a. For example, based on the instruction of the password authentication unit 103b, an input screen for inputting a password is displayed.

The device control unit 108 is a module that controls the operation of each drive means such as a drum, a paper feed path, a transfer path, and a paper discharge path, and controls the entire image formation process, and is an image at a timing and a printing speed according to scheduling. Perform formation. More specifically, the device control unit 108 makes a stencil base paper based on the operation signal acquired by the acquisition unit 102 and the manuscript data included in the print job stored in the print job storage unit 93a, and this plate making. Printing paper is fed while rotating the drum on which the stencil base paper is wound, and printing is performed by pressing the fed printing paper against the drum.

Further, when maintenance is permitted by the authority management unit 104, the equipment control unit 108 operates the equipment necessary for cleaning the transport roller included in the printer unit 96 and cleaning the thermal head that heats and drills the stencil base paper. To control.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 9 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing contents in the image forming apparatus 9 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the transition to the maintenance mode is requested (step S101). For example, when the operation panel 97 is provided with a button for turning on the maintenance mode, the CPU 95 is performed when this button is pressed or when a predetermined operation for shifting to the maintenance mode is executed. Determines that the transition to maintenance mode has been requested.

When the transition to the maintenance mode is requested (step S101; YES), the acquisition unit 102 determines whether or not the authority information can be acquired from the IC chip 201 via the IC communication unit 99 (step S103).

When it is determined that the authority information can be acquired (step S103; YES), the authority information authentication unit 103a reads the authority information stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b, and the read authority information and the acquisition unit 102 acquire the information. Authentication is performed depending on whether or not the given authority information matches (step S104).

When the authority information matches, that is, the authentication is permitted (step S104; YES), the authority information authentication unit 103a determines whether or not the password change is requested (step S105).

When the password change is requested (step S105; YES), the storage control unit 105 inputs the password stored in the IC chip 201 and the password stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b from the operation panel 97. Change to a new password (step S107).

Next, the authority management unit 104 permits maintenance, shifts to the maintenance mode (step S109), and executes maintenance (step S111).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the acquisition of the authority information is impossible (step S103; NO), the display control unit 106 causes the operation panel 97 to display the password input screen (step S113).

Then, the password authentication unit 103b determines whether or not the password input by the touch operation of the touch panel 97a by the user matches the password stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b (step S115).

If it is determined that they match, that is, if authentication is permitted (step S115; YES), the process proceeds to step S109, and if they do not match, that is, if authentication is not permitted (step S115; NO), the process ends.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 9 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the authority management unit 104 is authenticated by the authority information authentication unit 103a (first authentication permission), the maintenance and password are performed. While the change is permitted, if the authentication is permitted (second authentication permission) by the password authentication unit 103b, the maintenance is permitted and the password change is not permitted.

As a result, even if the maintenance staff forgets to bring the IC chip device 200 or the IC card on which the IC chip 201 for password management is mounted, the maintenance can be performed by password authentication, which improves convenience. On the other hand, even when the password is transmitted to a general user, the maintenance staff can change the password by setting the IC chip 201 for password management, so that the authentication is continuously permitted by the transmitted password. This can be prevented and security can be improved. As a result, only the maintenance staff can perform the maintenance, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunctions of the device such as deterioration of image quality and cause of failure.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent inappropriate maintenance from being continuously executed while improving convenience.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 9 that permits the change of the password when the authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication unit 103a has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

In the second embodiment, the number of times the authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication unit 103a is further limited.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration virtually constructed on the CPU 95A included in the image forming apparatus 9A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Of the configurations shown in FIG. 4, the configurations having the same reference numerals as the configurations of the image forming apparatus 9 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 have the same functions, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the CPU95A, a print job receiving unit 101, an acquisition unit 102A, an authentication unit 103A, an authority management unit 104, a storage control unit 105, a display control unit 106, and a device control unit 108 is configured.

Is it possible for the acquisition unit 102A to accept the maintenance request operation requesting maintenance of the image forming apparatus 9 and acquire the authority information and the number of times of authorization information authentication from the IC chip 201 or the like which is an external storage medium via the IC communication unit 99? Judge whether or not.

Then, when the acquisition unit 102 can acquire the authority information and the number of times of authority information authentication from the IC chip 201 or the like, the acquisition unit 102 supplies the acquired authority information and the number of times of authority information authentication to the authority information authentication unit 103a of the authentication unit 103. On the other hand, when the authority information and the number of times of authority information authentication cannot be acquired, a signal indicating that the authority information and the number of times of authority information authentication cannot be acquired is supplied to the password authentication unit 103b of the authentication unit 103.

The authentication unit 103A is a module for performing authentication, and has an authority information authentication unit 103Aa and a password authentication unit 103Ab.

When the authority information and the number of times of authority information authentication are supplied from the acquisition unit 102, the authority information authentication unit 103Aa determines whether or not the number of times of authority information authentication is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value Th. Then, when the authority information authentication unit 103Aa determines that the number of times of authority information authentication is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the authority information authentication unit 103Aa reads out the authority information stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b, and reads the read authority information and the acquisition unit 102. Authentication is performed based on whether or not the authority information provided by the user matches. If they match, authentication is permitted, and if they do not match, authentication is not permitted. Here, the authority information authentication unit 103Aa accumulates the number of times the authentication is permitted each time the authentication is permitted, and holds it as the number of times the authority information is authenticated. Further, the predetermined threshold value Th is set in advance as a limit number of times of authentication based on the authority information, such as 10 times.

When the password authentication unit 103Ab is supplied with a signal indicating that the authority information cannot be acquired from the acquisition unit 102, the password input by the touch operation of the touch panel 97a by the user and the authentication information storage unit 93b are stored in the password authentication unit 103Ab. Password authentication is performed depending on whether or not the password matches the password. Further, when the password authentication is permitted, the password authentication unit 103Ab notifies the e-mail address of the maintenance worker registered in advance that the password authentication is permitted via the external interface unit 94.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing contents in the image forming apparatus 9 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Among the processes of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the processes with the same step numbers as the processes of the flowchart of FIG. 3 show the same process, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined that the authority information and the number of times of authority information authentication can be acquired (step S103; YES), the authority information authentication unit 103Aa determines whether or not the number of times of authority information authentication is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value Th. (Step S119).

When it is determined that the number of times of authorization information authentication is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (step S119; YES), the authority information authentication unit 103Aa reads out the authority information stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b, and the read authority information Authentication is performed depending on whether or not the authority information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 and the authority information are matched (step S104).

As described above, the authority information authentication unit 103Aa authenticates when the number of times of authority information authentication is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Th and the authority information acquired by the acquisition unit 102A matches the authority information stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b. to approve.

Therefore, even when a device equipped with the IC chip 201 for password management is passed to a general user, the number of times is limited, so that the device cannot be used continuously. This makes it possible to prevent general users from continuously performing maintenance.

Further, in step S115, when the password input by the user touching the touch panel 97a and the password stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b match with the password authentication unit 103Ab, that is, when authentication is permitted (YES). Notify the e-mail address of the maintenance worker registered in advance that the password authentication is permitted (step S117).

As a result, even if the password is leaked, the maintenance staff can immediately grasp that the password has been leaked. Therefore, the maintenance staff can set the IC chip 201 for password management and change the password. , It is possible to prevent authentication from being permitted by the leaked password.

The password management IC chip 201 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 9 is not limited to one, and may correspond to a plurality of IC chips 201. In that case, the authorization information corresponding to each of the plurality of IC chips 201 may be stored in the authentication information storage unit 93b, or the common authority information may be stored.

(Modification example)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and at the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied within a range that does not deviate from the gist thereof. In addition, various inventions can be formed by an appropriate combination of the plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiment.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the stencil printing apparatus is used as the image forming apparatus 9 has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to, for example, an inkjet printing apparatus.

Further, the authentication device is not limited to the image forming device, and any device requiring maintenance can be applied.

(Additional note)
This application discloses the following inventions.

(Appendix 1)
A storage means for storing a password for permitting maintenance of the device to be maintained and authority information for permitting the change of the password, and a storage means.
An acquisition means for acquiring authority information from an external storage medium possessed by a person who is authorized to maintain the device to be maintained.
When the authority information acquired by the acquisition means matches the authority information stored in the storage means, the first authentication-permitted authority information authentication means and
When the password input from the input means matches the password stored in the storage means, the second authentication permitting password authentication means and the password authentication means.
When the first authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication means, maintenance and change of the password are permitted, while the other.
When the second authentication is permitted by the password authentication means, the authority management means that permits maintenance and disallows the change of the password,
An authentication device characterized by being equipped with.

(Appendix 2)
Further, a storage control means for storing the number of times the first authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication means as the number of times of authority information authentication in the external storage medium is provided.
The acquisition means acquires the authority information and the number of times of authorization information authentication from the external storage medium, and obtains the authority information.
The authority information authentication means is
When the number of times of authentication of the authority information is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value and the authority information acquired by the acquisition means matches the authority information stored in the storage means, the first authentication is permitted (Appendix 1). ) Described authentication device.

1 Client terminal 9,9A Image forming device (maintenance device)
15 External interface unit 19 Input unit 20 Output unit 21, 93 External storage device 90 Control unit 93a Print job storage unit 93b Authentication information storage unit 94 External interface unit 95, 95A CPU
96 Printer unit 97 Operation panel 97a Touch panel 97b LCD display panel 98 Scanner unit 99 IC communication unit 101 Print job reception unit 102, 102A Acquisition unit 103, 103A Authentication unit 103a, 103Aa Authority information authentication unit 103b, 103Ab Password authentication unit 104 Authority management Unit 105 Storage control unit 106 Display control unit 108 Equipment control unit

Claims (3)

A storage means for storing a password for permitting maintenance of the device to be maintained and authority information for permitting the change of the password, and a storage means.
An acquisition means for acquiring authority information from an external storage medium possessed by a person who is authorized to maintain the device to be maintained.
When the authority information acquired by the acquisition means matches the authority information stored in the storage means, the first authentication-permitted authority information authentication means and
When the password input from the input means matches the password stored in the storage means, the second authentication permitting password authentication means and the password authentication means.
When the first authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication means, maintenance and change of the password are permitted, while the other.
When the first authentication is disallowed by the authority information authentication means and the second authentication is permitted by the password authentication means, the authority management means that permits maintenance and disallows the change of the password, and
An authentication device characterized by being equipped with. Further, a storage control means for storing the number of times the first authentication is permitted by the authority information authentication means as the number of times of authority information authentication in the external storage medium is provided.
The acquisition means acquires the authority information and the number of times of authorization information authentication from the external storage medium, and obtains the authority information.
The authority information authentication means is
Claim 1 is characterized in that when the number of times of authentication of the authority information is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value and the authority information acquired by the acquisition means matches the authority information stored in the storage means, the first authentication is permitted. The authentication device described. The password authentication means is
When the second authentication is permitted, the e-mail address of the maintenance staff registered in advance is notified that the second authentication is permitted.
The authentication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the authentication device is characterized by the above.

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