Information processing apparatus, control method, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention discloses an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a computer program product. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus including an authentication function using authentication information includes a display configured to display the currently set authentication information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] Administrator privileges for the information processing device are granted by authenticating the user as an administrator. Authentication is typically performed by entering authentication information including a username and password.

[0003] When the information processing device leaves the factory, this certification information is set to a default value, and this default value is usually described in manuals and is therefore known.

[0004] If the authentication information remains in its default state, there is a security risk, so it is recommended to reset and reuse the authentication information. However, users often forget to reset their authentication information afterward.

[0005] Japanese Patent No. 3122549 discusses a method for setting prompts to help recall authentication information when it is forgotten.

[0006] In the aforementioned techniques, an operation is required to display the setup prompts, which users unfamiliar with the operation may not be able to see. For such inexperienced users, it is advisable to continuously display the default authentication information on the device, allowing users to enter authentication information without referring to the manual.

[0007] Even if the authentication information is reset, the default original authentication information will continue to be displayed, which may confuse users.

[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately display authentication information prompts or the authentication information itself according to the user's expected method of managing authentication. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an information processing apparatus including an authentication function utilizing authentication information includes a display, at least one memory storing a program, and at least one processor executing the program to display the currently set authentication information on the display.

[0010] The features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of embodiments is by way of example. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the software configuration implemented on an information processing device.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an information processing device.

[0014] Figure 4 An example of a setup screen displayed by an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 An example of an authentication screen displayed by an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 An example of an authentication information setting screen displayed by an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment is shown.

[0017] Figure 7 An example of an authentication information setting screen displayed by an information processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment is shown.

[0018] Figure 8A An example of authentication information stored by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment is shown. Figure 8B An example of authentication information stored by the information processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment is shown.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of displaying an authentication screen by an information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of displaying an authentication screen by an information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of displaying an authentication screen by an information processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

[0022] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of displaying an authentication screen by an information processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment.

[0023] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment checks whether the authentication settings are the default authentication settings.

[0024] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment checks whether the authentication settings are the default authentication settings.

[0025] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment checks whether the authentication setting is the default authentication setting.

[0026] Figure 16A , Figure 16B and Figure 16C These are flowcharts illustrating the process of updating authentication information using the information processing apparatus according to the first, second, and fourth embodiments, respectively.

[0027] Figure 17 An example of a screen displayed by the information processing device according to the eighth embodiment is shown when the information processing device receives an instruction to update authentication information.

[0028] Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of displaying an authentication screen by an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of updating and inputting authentication information in a screen using an information processing apparatus according to the ninth embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Embodiments for implementing this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] <First Embodiment>

[0032] The hardware and system configurations according to this disclosure will now be described. Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a general information processing device 100. (See diagram for example.) Figure 1 As shown, the information processing device 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11.

[0033] Each function and flowchart described below is implemented by CPU 11 executing processing based on programs corresponding to various applications, program execution environments, etc., stored in storage unit 13.

[0034] Input unit 12, storage unit 13, display unit 14, and external connection interface (IF) 15 are connected to CPU 11 via bus 10. Input unit 12 is a keyboard and / or mouse for inputting information.

[0035] Storage unit 13 includes, for example, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and hard disk devices, and stores data to be used in processing based on the aforementioned program. Display unit 14 is a display for showing images, etc. External connection IF 15 serves as a network interface and various types of connection interfaces with external devices.

[0036] The CPU 11 executes programs, thus enabling it to function as various types of units. Control circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), that operate in conjunction with the CPU 11 can be used as these units. These units can be implemented through cooperation between the CPU 11 and the control circuits that control the operation of the information processing device 100.

[0037] CPU 11 is not necessarily a single unit; it can be implemented by multiple CPUs. In this case, multiple CPUs 11 perform distributed processing. Multiple CPUs 11 can reside in a single computer or in multiple physically different computers. The unit implemented by CPU 11 to execute programs can be implemented by dedicated circuitry.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of the information processing device 100. The operating system 201 (hereinafter referred to as OS201) is software used as the platform of the system.

[0039] Program 202 is software that operates on OS201.

[0040] Figure 3 The configuration of the functions of the information processing device 100 is shown. The information processing device 100 includes an authentication information management unit 301 for managing authentication information.

[0041] To enter authentication information, you typically use a string of username and password, but you can also use four digits, gestures on the touch panel, or any other method of entering authentication information.

[0042] The following description assumes that authentication information is entered using strings of username and password.

[0043] As an example of the authentication function of the information processing device 100, authentication is successful when the pre-set authentication information matches the authentication information entered by the user, thereby enabling the user to use the information processing device 100 or only some of its functions.

[0044] The information processing apparatus 100 also includes a user interface (UI) content management unit 302 for displaying screens to the user. The term "UI content" refers to the raw data of the screen to be displayed; in this embodiment, the UI content is provided as a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) file. This is not considered a limitation.

[0045] Figure 4 An example of a screen (UI screen) displayed by the information processing device 100 is shown. The screen may be displayed on a display screen included in the information processing device 100, or it may be displayed when a user accesses the information processing device 100 from a personal computer (PC) or smartphone via a web browser.

[0046] Frame 401 is the frame of the entire display screen. Menus 402, 403, and 404 are the operation menus of the information processing device 100. Figure 4 The status of menu 403 is shown, and details of menu 403 are displayed in the settings area 405 at the bottom of the screen. Operation instructions and prompts are displayed in the guide area 406.

[0047] The guide area 406 is always displayed together with the settings area 405, which displays the options and / or input fields for the user's actions, so that the user can easily identify the guide area 406.

[0048] If the various settings of the information processing device 100 can be configured by any user, it could lead to potential information leakage or other security risks. Therefore, authentication is required before any configuration operation can be performed.

[0049] Figure 5 An example of an authentication screen displayed by the information processing device 100 is shown. This screen is displayed when the user selects menu 403 or selects an item that needs to be authenticated in the settings area 405.

[0050] In the settings area 405, the information processing device 100 displays an input field 501 for entering an account / username for authentication information, an input field 502 for entering a password, and a login button 503 for performing authentication.

[0051] The information processing device 100 is typically configured with default authentication information when shipped from the manufacturer. This default authentication information is usually described in the product manual or similar documentation. This default authentication information represents the initial settings (initial state) and is applied (set) during factory shipment or device reset.

[0052] Some users might attempt to contact the information processing device manufacturer's customer support center regarding the default authentication information without referring to the manual, thus increasing the manufacturer's burden. To prevent this burden, some products always display the default authentication information in boot area 406.

[0053] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, in boot area 406, the default username and default password are always displayed as "admin" and "123" respectively.

[0054] Users can change their authentication information because the default authentication information poses a security risk. Figure 6 The typical screen for changing authentication information is shown. Figure 6 In the input field 601, enter the new username; in the input field 602, enter the new password; and press the change button 603 to perform the change.

[0055] The modified data is stored in the database. Figure 8A An example of data stored in a database is shown.

[0056] The current description has provided examples of screens displayed by the information processing device 100. Subsequently, refer to... Figure 16AThe description describes the processing of updated authentication information performed by the information processing device 100.

[0057] When a user performs an operation to update authentication information Figure 16A The process begins in the flowchart.

[0058] First, in step S1601, the information processing device 100 displays a display for updating. Figure 6 The screen displays authentication information. In step S1602, the information processing device 100 acquires the input data entered on the screen. In step S1603, the information processing device 100 updates the HTML used for "guidance," that is, the HTML used for guidance area 406.

[0059] An example of the method in step S1603 is deleting a string that includes default authentication information. In step S1604, the information processing device 100 updates the database storing authentication information. The process of the information processing device 100 updating authentication information has been described above.

[0060] Now refer to Figure 18 The description describes the process of the information processing device 100 displaying the authentication screen. This occurs when a user performs any operation requiring user authentication. Figure 18 The process begins in the flowchart. In step S1801, when the display... Figure 5 When the authentication screen is displayed, the information processing device 100 displays UI content defined by HTML obtained from the UI content management unit 302. Figure 5 The HTML required for the authentication screen includes HTML for settings area 405 and guide area 406.

[0061] When the authentication information is still the default authentication information, the HTML in Boot Area 406 includes a description of the default authentication information. When authentication information that is not the default authentication information is set, the HTML does not include the default authentication information. Therefore, the default authentication information is only displayed in Boot Area 406 when necessary.

[0062] As described above, this embodiment provides a process in which the information processing device 100 displays the authentication information in the "guide" only when the authentication information is the default authentication information.

[0063] <Second Embodiment>

[0064] The first embodiment provides a way to change the authentication information in response to updates. Figure 5 The description of the method for displaying the HTML data itself in the guide area 406. Depending on the configuration of the information processing device 100, the disk area storing the HTML data can be a read-only area where the HTML data cannot be modified.

[0065] The second embodiment relates to a method for modifying data without altering the HTML data. Figure 5 The method for displaying content in the guide area 406. In the second embodiment, since HTML data cannot be updated, the HTML stored in the information processing device 100 always contains default authentication information.

[0066] Reference Figure 9 This describes the process of displaying an authentication screen by the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. When a user performs any operation requiring authentication, Figure 9 The process begins in the flowchart. In step S901, when the display... Figure 5 When the authentication screen is displayed, the information processing device 100 displays HTML obtained from the UI content management unit 302. Figure 5 The HTML required for the authentication screen includes HTML for settings area 405 and guide area 406.

[0067] In this embodiment, the HTML of the guidance area 406 includes a string of default authentication information. In step S902, the information processing device 100 checks whether the set authentication information is the default authentication information. The following will refer to... Figure 13 The operation of step S902 will be discussed in more detail.

[0068] In step S903, the information processing device 100 determines whether the authentication information remains unchanged from the default value based on the authentication information in step S902. If the authentication information remains unchanged from the default value ("Yes" in step S903), the process proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the information processing device 100 displays the default authentication information in the guidance area 406.

[0069] If the authentication information has been changed from the default value ("No" in step S903), the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, the information processing device 100 does not display the default authentication information in the guidance area 406. In step S905, the information processing device 100 does not directly display the UI content defined by HTML for the guidance area 406, but instead removes the HTML tags including the default string before displaying the UI content. The information processing device 100 performs a modification, adding a prompt for the authentication information to a predetermined section within the HTML, and then responds.

[0070] The above processing enables the information processing device 100 to display information related to the default authentication information in the "boot" only when the authentication information remains in its default state.

[0071] The HTML stored in the information processing device 100 can be configured not to contain default authentication information at any time. In this case, the information processing device 100 can add the string of default authentication information in step S904.

[0072] Now refer to Figure 13 Describe the detailed operations in step S902. Figure 13 This is a flowchart of the process by which the information processing device 100 checks whether the authentication settings are the default authentication settings.

[0073] First, in step S1301, the information processing device 100 uses the authentication information management unit 301 to retrieve the set authentication information from the database. In step S1302, the information processing device 100 checks whether the set username string and the set password string match the verification string. The verification string can be easily stored in the firmware of the information processing device 100.

[0074] If the set username string and the set password string match the corresponding verification string ("Yes" in step S1302), the process proceeds to step S1303. In step S1303, the information processing device 100 determines that the authentication information is the default authentication information. If the set username string and the set password string do not match the corresponding verification string ("No" in step S1302), the process proceeds to step S1304. In step S1304, the information processing device 100 determines that the authentication information is not the default authentication information.

[0075] Now refer to Figure 16B The process of updating authentication information according to the second embodiment is described. When a user performs an operation to update authentication information... Figure 16B The process begins in the flowchart.

[0076] First, in step S1605, the information processing device 100 displays a display for updating. Figure 7 The information processing device 100 acquires the input data entered on the screen in step S1606. In step S1607, the information processing device 100 updates the database storing the authentication information.

[0077] As described above, this embodiment provides a method executed by the information processing device 100, which modifies the HTML data without changing the HTML data. Figure 5 The content displayed in the guide area 406.

[0078] <Third Embodiment>

[0079] In the second embodiment, the information processing device 100 compares the authentication information string stored in the database with the verification string. However, it is common for the database to be empty at the time of manufacture. In this case, the default authentication information is applied.

[0080] The method of using the check string with omitted comparisons will now be described as a third embodiment.

[0081] Now refer to Figure 14 The operation of step S902 according to the third embodiment is described.

[0082] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the information processing device 100 checks whether the authentication settings are in the default state.

[0083] First, in step S1401, the information processing device 100 obtains authentication information as in step S1301. In step S1402, the information processing device 100 determines whether authentication information can be obtained from the database. If the information processing device 100 determines that authentication information cannot be obtained ("No" in step S1402), this means the user has not changed the status of the authentication information, and the process proceeds to step S1403. In step S1403, the information processing device 100 determines that the authentication information is the default authentication information. If the information processing device 100 has successfully obtained the authentication information ("Yes" in step S1402), the process proceeds to step S1404. In step S1404, the information processing device 100 determines that the authentication information is not the default authentication information.

[0084] As described above, this embodiment provides a method for omitting comparisons of verification strings when the information processing device 100 checks whether the set authentication information is the default authentication information.

[0085] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0086] In the second embodiment, in step S902, the information processing device 100 compares the string stored in the database with the verification string. Alternatively, it is possible to determine whether the set authentication information is the default authentication information by creating a flag file when the user updates the authentication information, without using the verification string. A method using a flag file will be described in the fourth embodiment.

[0087] Now refer to Figure 15 Details of the operation in step S902 according to the fourth embodiment are described. Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the information processing device 100 checks whether the authentication settings are the default authentication settings.

[0088] First, in step S1501, the information processing device 100 checks whether a flag file exists. If no flag file is found ("No" in step S1501), this indicates that the user has not changed the authentication information, and the process proceeds to step S1502. In step S1502, the information processing device 100 determines that the authentication information is the default authentication information.

[0089] If a flag file is found ("Yes" in step S1501), the process proceeds to step S1503. In step S1503, the information processing device 100 determines that the authentication information is not the default authentication information.

[0090] Reference Figure 16C This describes the process of updating authentication information according to this embodiment. When a user performs an operation to update authentication information, Figure 16C The process begins in the flowchart. First, in step S1608, the information processing device 100 displays information for updating... Figure 7 The screen showing the authentication information.

[0091] In step S1609, the information processing device 100 acquires the input data entered on the screen. In step S1610, the information processing device 100 creates a flag file. In step S1607, the information processing device 100 updates the database storing authentication information.

[0092] As described above, this embodiment provides a method for an information processing device 100 to execute a reference flag file when checking whether the set authentication information is the default authentication information.

[0093] <Fifth Embodiment>

[0094] The first to fourth embodiments provide a method for displaying the default authentication information in the guide area 406 when the authentication information set in the information processing device 100 is the default authentication information.

[0095] Changing the default authentication information enables the information processing device 100 to block unauthorized connection attempts from sources such as viruses or bots that use the default authentication information. For users who prioritize convenience, the authentication information needs to be displayed in the boot area 406 even after it has been changed to prevent access by viruses or bots, in case they forget it.

[0096] The fifth embodiment will refer to Figure 10 The description describes the process of the information processing device 100 displaying the authentication screen. When a user performs an operation that requires authentication, Figure 10 The process begins in the flowchart.

[0097] In step S1001, when the display Figure 5When the authentication screen is displayed, the information processing device 100 displays UI content defined by HTML obtained from the UI content management unit 302. In step S1002, the information processing device 100 obtains the set authentication information.

[0098] In step S1003, the information processing device 100 corresponds to the guidance area 406. Insert the authentication information string into the part of the tag whose id attribute is "loginfo".

[0099] The process of changing authentication information by the information processing device 100 can be similar to the above-described process. Figure 16B The processing in the middle.

[0100] The above processing enables the information processing device 100 to always display the authentication information in the "guide" area 406 even if the user forgets the authentication information.

[0101] <Sixth Embodiment>

[0102] In the fifth embodiment, the authentication information is displayed as is in the boot area 406. Security is enhanced by displaying the authentication information in a format that is only recognizable to known users, rather than displaying it as is. In the sixth embodiment, a method for editing the boot area 406 when the authentication information changes will be described.

[0103] The information processing device 100 processes changes to authentication information in accordance with the above-mentioned... Figure 16B The processing is similar to that in [the text].

[0104] Figure 7 An example of a screen for changing authentication information shown in this embodiment is illustrated. In addition to input field 701 for entering a username and input field 702 for entering a new password, an area 703 for editing the content to be displayed in the boot area 406 is also shown.

[0105] In the guidance area 406, some users can directly enter a new password, while others can enter a prompt that only these users can recognize. Press button 704 to execute the change. The change is stored in the database, such as... Figure 8B As shown.

[0106] Now refer to Figure 11 This describes the process of displaying an authentication screen by the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. When a user performs any operation requiring authentication, Figure 11 The process begins in the flowchart.

[0107] First, in step S1101, the information processing device 100 displays... Figure 5 The authentication screen displays UI content defined by HTML obtained from the UI content management unit 302. Figure 5 The HTML required for the authentication screen includes HTML for settings area 405 and guide area 406. The HTML for guide area 406 includes tags where the string of authentication information to be displayed is inserted. Specifically, The id attribute of the tag can be set to "loginHint".

[0108] In step S902, as described above, the information processing device 100 checks whether the set authentication information is the default authentication information.

[0109] In step S1103, the information processing device 100 checks whether the authentication information remains unchanged from the default authentication information. If the authentication information remains unchanged from the default value ("Yes" in step S1103), the process proceeds to step S1104. In step S1104, the information processing device 100 displays the default authentication information.

[0110] Specifically Figure 5 The string "Factory settings, username 'admin', password '123'." describes the default authentication information. This string is set within the context of... Figure 5 The guide area 406 in the middle corresponds to The part of the tag whose id attribute is "loginHint". If the authentication information is not the default authentication information ("No" in step S1103), the process proceeds to step S1105. In step S1105, the information processing device 100... Figure 8B Set data on the "boot string" in the string.

[0111] As described above, this embodiment provides a method for editing the boot area 406 when the authentication information changes.

[0112] <Seventh Embodiment>

[0113] In the sixth embodiment, if the user does not change the authentication information... Figure 7 Enter anything in area 703, and it will look like this: Figure 5 As shown, the login screen's guide area 406 does not display any authentication information. Some users might expect that even... Figure 7 If no input is made in area 703, the authentication information will be displayed in the boot area 406 in a similar manner to when the authentication information is set to the default value.

[0114] In the seventh embodiment, the situation will now be described. Figure 7 If no input is made in area 703, the authentication information will be displayed in area 406 in the same way as if the authentication information is the default authentication information.

[0115] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of displaying an authentication screen in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the seventh embodiment. When a user performs an operation requiring authentication, Figure 12 The process begins in the flowchart.

[0116] First, in step S1201, the information processing device 100 displays the UI as in step S1101. In step S902, as described above, the information processing device 100 checks whether the authentication information is the default authentication information. In step S1203, the information processing device 100 checks whether the authentication information remains unchanged from the default value. If the authentication information remains unchanged from the default value ("Yes" in step S1203), the process proceeds to step S1204. In step S1204, the information processing device 100 displays the default authentication information as in step S1104.

[0117] If the authentication information is not the default authentication information ("No" in step S1203), the process proceeds to step S1205. In step S1205, the information processing device 100 refers to... Figure 8B The database is checked to see if the data for the boot string exists. If the data exists ("Yes" in step S1205), the process proceeds to step S1206. In step S1206, the information processing device 100 performs a display in the boot area 406 as in step S1105.

[0118] If no data is found ("No" in step S1205), the process proceeds to step S1207. In step S1207, the information processing device 100 displays the authentication information in the guidance area 406 as in step S1003.

[0119] As described above, this embodiment provides a method executed by an information processing device 100, which switches the display in the guidance area 406 based on whether there is a guidance setting regarding authentication information.

[0120] <Eighth Embodiment>

[0121] In the seventh embodiment, if the user does not change the authentication information... Figure 7 If you enter anything in area 703, the modified authentication information will be displayed on the login screen. While this reduces the user's workload, some users may find this operation unexpected.

[0122] The eighth embodiment provides a method for an information processing device 100 to prompt a user for confirmation when the user attempts to update authentication information in area 703 without entering any input.

[0123] Figure 17 An example of the screen displayed by the information processing device 100 when a user attempts to update authentication information without entering any input in area 703 is shown. Dialogue 1701 allows the user to choose whether to display new authentication information in guide area 406 if no input is made in area 703.

[0124] If the user agrees by pressing button 1702, operations similar to those in the seventh embodiment are performed. If the user refuses by pressing button 1703, dialog 1701 disappears, and the screen returns to the screen for changing authentication information. The information processing device 100 can store the information that the user refuses to display and perform operations similar to those in the sixth embodiment.

[0125] The above embodiments provide a method for prompting the user for confirmation when updating authentication information in area 703 without any input.

[0126] <Ninth Embodiment>

[0127] In the seventh embodiment, Figure 7 On a screen used to change authentication information, area 703 for entering the changed information to be displayed and guidance area 406 for guiding the user are separate. Users may have difficulty recognizing that the information entered in area 703 is reflected in guidance area 406. A method is provided in which the display in guidance area 406 is synchronized with the content being entered in area 703 (thus updating the display in guidance area 406 in real time based on the input in area 703).

[0128] To address this issue, the ninth embodiment provides a method in which the display in the guide area 406 is synchronized with the content being entered in the area 703, thereby updating the display of the guide area 406 in real time based on the input in the area 703.

[0129] Figure 19 This shows the information processing device 100 displaying... Figure 7 The flowchart illustrates the process of reflecting the input in area 703 as authentication information prompts on the screen when the user receives input in area 703. This is illustrated when the user performs an operation to update authentication information. Figure 19 The process begins in the flowchart.

[0130] First, in step S1901, the information processing device 100 displays... Figure 7 The UI shown is a screen used to update authentication information. In step S1902, the information processing device 100 begins monitoring input in area 703. An example of a monitoring method is to use a web scripting language (e.g., JavaScript). TM Register an input event listener for region 703.

[0131] In step S1903, the information processing device 100 determines whether the user has completed input. An example of completed input is when button 704 is pressed. If input is not yet complete ("No" in step S1903), processing proceeds to step S1904. In step S1904, the information processing device 100 overwrites the input data being entered in area 703. Figure 7 The data displayed in the guide area 406. Overlay is achieved using, for example, JavaScript. TM It was achieved.

[0132] As described above, when the area 703 for inputting the information to be displayed after the change and the guide area 406 for providing instructions to the user are separated, the information processing device 100 displays the information in a way that is easy for the user to understand.

[0133] <Other Embodiments>

[0134] While details of the above embodiments have been provided, this disclosure can be implemented in various forms, such as systems, apparatus, methods, programs, and recording media (storage media).

[0135] This disclosure can be applied to systems comprising multiple devices (e.g., host, interface device, camera device, and network application) or to a single device.

[0136] This disclosure can also be implemented by providing a computer-readable recording medium (or storage medium) to a system or device storing control program code (computer program) of software that implements the functions of the above embodiments. Needless to say.

[0137] The computer (CPU or microprocessor unit (MPU)) of the system or device reads and executes the control program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the control program code read from the recording medium itself implements the functions of the above embodiments, and the recording medium storing the control program code is included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0138] According to this disclosure, prompts for authentication information or the authentication information itself may be displayed appropriately.

[0139] Other implementation methods

[0140] Embodiments of this disclosure can also be implemented by a computer in a system or apparatus that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions of the above embodiments, and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more functions of the above embodiments, and by methods executed by the computer in the system or apparatus, such as reading and executing computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform one or more functions of the above embodiments and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform one or more functions of the above embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU)) and may include separate computers or networks of separate processors to read and execute computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), the memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as an optical disc (CD), a digital versatile optical disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD)). TM One or more of the following: flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0141] While this disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus having an authentication function using authentication information, the information processing apparatus comprising a display unit for displaying the authentication information currently set.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The display unit displays the authentication information only in a case where the authentication information is in an initial state.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration unit for registering information about a prompt for the authentication information, wherein The display unit displays the registered information about the prompt for the authentication information.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The display unit displays the authentication information in a case where information about the prompt is not registered.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The display unit displays a confirmation about whether to display the authentication information after an instruction to update the authentication information is provided in a case where information about the prompt is not input while the instruction to update the authentication information is provided.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an HTML response unit for modifying Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) that is data displayed by the display unit, wherein The HTML response unit performs modification to add information about a prompt for the authentication information to a predetermined part of the HTML.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The display unit updates information about the prompt in real time based on information about the prompt registered by the registration unit for registering information about a prompt for the authentication information, and displays information about the prompt.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an authentication information management unit for managing the authentication information, wherein, A web script included in the HTML acquires information from the authentication information management unit, and The display unit displays the acquired information.

9. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus having an authentication function using authentication information, the method comprising displaying authentication information currently set.

10. A computer program product for controlling an information processing apparatus having an authentication function using authentication information, the computer program product comprising program instructions for causing the information processing apparatus to display authentication information currently set.

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