Terminal device, image forming apparatus, and authentication system

Abstract

To provide a technique that can reduce errors in inputting a license key and greatly reduce the time required for authentication of a product license.SOLUTION: A control unit 30 of a terminal device 3, when information read from an NFC tag 4 through a reader / writer 39 matches a serial number stored in a storage unit 33, acquires a license key corresponding to the matched serial number from an API 5 through a communication unit 34, writes the license key acquired through the reader / writer 39 in the NFC tag 4, and when the read information does not match the serial number stored in the storage unit 33, does not acquire and write the license key. A control unit 10 of an image forming apparatus 2 restricts the use of an image forming unit 12 and the like in an initial state, and when the license key is written in the NFC tag 4, cancels the restrictions on the use of the image forming unit 12 and the like.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, an image forming device, and an authentication system, and more particularly to a technology for authenticating a product license. [Background technology]

[0002] Various techniques for enabling a device or an application are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing an NFC (Near Field Communication) device from a non-enabled mode to a enabled mode when an activation code manually entered by a user matches an activation code previously stored in a memory.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which user information, a unique identifier, a code, etc. are transmitted and received between an NFC device and a payment provider system via a network, and an application is launched after verifying, authorizing, and checking compatibility of the user and the system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Australian Patent No. 2019 / 222785 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8,813,182 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, when authenticating a product license, the user manually enters a license key that consists of a large number of characters that appear to be random at first glance, which increases the risk of input errors and can make product license authentication take a long time.

[0006] In the technology of Patent Document 1, the user manually inputs an activation code. The technology of Patent Document 2 is not a technology related to product license authentication. Therefore, these technologies cannot solve the above problems.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a technique that can reduce input errors of license keys and significantly shorten the time required for product license authentication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A terminal device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a memory unit that pre-stores a serial number unique to an electronic device, a reader / writer that performs short-range wireless communication with an electronic tag provided in the electronic device, a communication unit that communicates with a management device that manages a license key corresponding to the serial number, and a first control unit that reads information from the electronic tag via the reader / writer, and if the read information matches the serial number stored in the memory unit, obtains the license key corresponding to the matching serial number from the management device via the communication unit, writes the license key obtained via the reader / writer to the electronic tag, and does not obtain or write the license key if the read information does not match the serial number stored in the memory unit.

[0009] An electronic device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises an electronic tag for storing information, a processing execution unit for executing predetermined processing, and a control unit that restricts use of the processing execution unit in an initial state and lifts the restriction on use of the processing execution unit when a license key is written to the electronic tag.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, an authentication system includes an electronic device and a terminal device. The electronic device includes an electronic tag that stores information, a processing unit that executes a predetermined process, and a first control unit that initially restricts use of the processing unit. The terminal device includes a memory unit that pre-stores a serial number unique to the electronic device, a reader / writer that performs near-field wireless communication with the electronic tag, a communication unit that communicates with a management device that manages a license key corresponding to the serial number, and a second control unit that reads information from the electronic tag via the reader / writer, and if the read information matches the serial number stored in the memory unit, obtains the license key corresponding to the matching serial number from the management device via the communication unit and writes the license key obtained via the reader / writer to the electronic tag, but if the read information does not match the serial number stored in the memory unit, does not obtain or write the license key. The first control unit of the electronic device releases the usage restriction on the processing unit when the license key is written to the electronic tag. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, since the license key is input by the terminal device using short-range wireless communication, input errors are reduced and the time required for product license authentication is significantly shortened compared to when the user manually inputs the license key. Furthermore, since the license key is obtained and written only when the information read from the electronic tag matches the serial number stored in the memory unit, product license authentication can be performed with high security. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an authentication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management screen. [Figure 6A] 10 is a flowchart showing a license authentication process. [Figure 6B] 10 is a flowchart showing a license authentication process. [Figure 6C] 10 is a flowchart showing a license authentication process. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first notification screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first instruction screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first error screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second notification screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second error screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second instruction screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a third error screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a third instruction screen. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a usage restriction release process. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a completion screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A terminal device, an image forming device, and an authentication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an authentication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the authentication system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 and a terminal apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 2 is equipped with an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag 4. The NFC tag 4 stores a serial number unique to the image forming apparatus 2. The terminal apparatus 3 is, for example, a smartphone. The terminal apparatus 3 is capable of communicating with a partner API (Application Programming Interface) 5 on a network. The API 5 is a management device that manages a license key corresponding to the serial number unique to the image forming apparatus 2.

[0015] [Configuration of image forming device 2] Fig. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of image forming apparatus 2. Referring to Fig. 2, image forming apparatus 2 is a multifunction peripheral equipped with multiple functions such as a copy function, a transmission function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The housing of image forming apparatus 2 houses an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, etc.

[0016] The image reading unit 11 reads an image of a document by a moving document method or a fixed document method, and generates image data.

[0017] The image forming unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. The image forming unit 12 forms an image made of a toner image on a sheet P conveyed along a conveying path T based on image data.

[0018] The fixing unit 13 applies heat and pressure to the paper P on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, thereby fixing the toner image to the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray.

[0019] The paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray and multiple paper feed cassettes. The paper feed unit 14 uses a pickup roller to pull out paper P stored in one of the multiple paper feed cassettes or paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one, and feeds the paper to the transport path T.

[0020] 3, the image forming apparatus 2 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0021] The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the NFC tag 4, image reading unit 11, image forming unit 12, fixing unit 13, paper feeding unit 14, display unit 15, operation unit 16, conveying unit 17, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18, image processing unit 19, image memory 20, facsimile communication unit 21, and communication unit 22, etc.

[0022] The NFC tag 4 stores, as information, a serial number unique to the image forming apparatus 2. The NFC tag 4 is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus 2 so as to be capable of NFC communication.

[0023] The control unit 100 functions as a control unit 10 by the processor executing various computer programs stored in the built-in ROM or HDD 18. The control unit 10 controls the entire image forming apparatus 2.

[0024] The control unit 10 may be configured to be operable by a logic circuit, not by operation based on a computer program, or may be configured to be realized by two or more control units.

[0025] The display unit 15 is a display device including a liquid crystal display or an organic light-emitting diode (EL) display. The display unit 15 displays various screens. The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of hard keys and a touch panel disposed on top of the display unit 15. User instructions are input to the operation unit 16.

[0026] The conveying unit 17 includes a pair of conveying rollers 17A, a pair of discharge rollers 17B, and a conveying motor. The control unit 10 drives the conveying motor to rotate the pair of conveying rollers 17A and the pair of discharge rollers 17B, thereby conveying the paper P along the conveying path T.

[0027] The HDD 18 stores image data generated by the image reading unit 11, various computer programs for implementing the operations of the image forming apparatus 2, and the like. As part of the various computer programs, the HDD 18 also stores a release program for executing a usage restriction release process, which will be described later.

[0028] The image processing unit 19 performs image processing as necessary on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The image memory 20 temporarily stores the image data generated by the image reading unit 11.

[0029] The facsimile communication unit 21 transmits and receives image data via a public line. The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The control unit 10 communicates data with an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) 23 connected via the network via the communication unit 22.

[0030] A power supply is connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 2. When the power supply is turned on by a user, power is supplied to each part of the image forming apparatus 2 from the power supply.

[0031] In this embodiment, in the initial state at the time of shipment, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 2 restricts the use of each unit including the image reading unit 11, image forming unit 12, fixing unit 13, paper feed unit 14, facsimile communication unit 21, and communication unit 22. The control unit 10 operates in accordance with the above-described release program, and when a license key is written to the NFC tag 4, executes a use restriction release process that releases the use restrictions on each of these units. Note that each of the above units corresponds to a process execution unit in the claims.

[0032] [Configuration of terminal device 3] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of terminal device 3. Referring to Fig. 4, terminal device 3 includes a control unit 300, a display unit 31, a touch panel 32, a storage unit 33, a communication unit 34, an imaging unit 35, a telephone communication unit 36, an audio input unit 37, an audio output unit 38, and a reader / writer 39.

[0033] The control unit 300 includes a processor, a RAM, etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU, an MPU, or an ASIC, etc. The control unit 300 functions as the control unit 30 when various computer programs stored in the storage unit 33 are executed by the processor.

[0034] The control unit 30 is responsible for overall control of the terminal device 3. The control unit 30 may be configured to be operable by a logic circuit rather than by operation based on a computer program, or may be configured to be realized by two or more control units.

[0035] The control unit 300 is electrically connected to a display unit 31, a touch panel 32, a memory unit 33, a communication unit 34, an imaging unit 35, a telephone communication unit 36, an audio input unit 37, an audio output unit 38, a reader / writer 39, and the like.

[0036] The display unit 31 is a display device including a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 31 displays various screens. The touch panel 32 is, for example, a resistive or capacitive touch panel, and is disposed on top of the display unit 31. Information such as user instructions is input to the touch panel 32. The touch panel 32 corresponds to the operation unit in the claims.

[0037] The storage unit 33 is a large-capacity storage device such as a flash memory. The storage unit 33 stores various computer programs and the like for implementing the operations of the terminal device 3. The storage unit 33 also stores in advance a product list that associates the product IDs of the image forming devices 2 with the serial numbers unique to each image forming device 2.

[0038] As part of the various computer programs, the storage unit 33 stores an application program for managing product license authentication (product activation) of the image forming apparatus 2. The application program includes an authentication program for executing a license authentication process, which will be described later.

[0039] The communication unit 34 includes a communication module. The control unit 30 performs data communication with external devices such as API 5 on a network via the communication unit 34. The imaging unit 35 is a digital camera including an imaging element, a lens, etc. The telephone communication unit 36 ​​transmits and receives audio data via a public line.

[0040] The audio input unit 37 includes a microphone and an A / D conversion circuit. The audio input unit 37 converts an analog signal representing audio input to the microphone into a digital signal. The audio output unit 38 includes a D / A conversion circuit, a speaker, and an amplifier. The audio output unit 38 converts the digital signal representing the audio data into an analog signal and outputs the audio represented by the analog signal.

[0041] The reader / writer 39 communicates via NFC with the NFC tag 4 provided in the image forming apparatus 2. The reader / writer 39 can both write and read information to and from the NFC tag 4. The reader / writer 39 is built into the terminal device 3 main body.

[0042] Each part of the terminal device 3 is connected to a power supply, and each part of the terminal device 3 operates when power is supplied from the power supply.

[0043] In this embodiment, the control unit 30 of the terminal device 3 operates in accordance with the above-mentioned authentication program to read information from the NFC tag 4 via the reader / writer 39, and if the read information matches the serial number stored in the memory unit 33, it obtains a license key corresponding to the matching serial number from the API 5 via the communication unit 34 and writes the license key obtained via the reader / writer 39 to the NFC tag 4. If the read information does not match the serial number stored in the memory unit 33, it executes a license authentication process that does not obtain or write a license key.

[0044] [Authentication System 1 Operation] Hereinafter, the operation of the authentication system 1 when the license authentication process and the use restriction removal process are executed will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0045] It is assumed that the user has used the touch panel 32 to input an instruction to launch an application program for managing authentication of the product license of the image forming apparatus 2. When the control unit 30 of the terminal device 3 receives the above-mentioned launch instruction via the touch panel 32, it causes the display unit 31 to display the management screen 50 shown in Fig. 5. It is assumed that the user has touched the authentication start key 52 on the management screen 50. When the touch panel 32 detects the touch operation on the authentication start key 52, the control unit 30 starts executing the license authentication process shown in Figs. 6A to 6C.

[0046] 7 on the display unit 31 for inputting the product ID and serial number of the image forming device 2 (step S10). After the process of step S10, the control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that an instruction to confirm the input contents has not been received until the confirmation key 72 on the input screen 70 is touched (NO in step S11).

[0047] It is assumed that the user has used the touch panel 32 to input the product ID and serial number obtained from the distributor when purchasing the image forming device 2. The control unit 30 causes the display unit 31 to display the input product ID in the box 74 and the input serial number in the box 76. It is assumed that the user has touched the enter key 72 after inputting the product ID and serial number.

[0048] When the touch panel 32 detects a touch operation on the confirmation key 72, the control unit 30 determines that a confirmation instruction has been received (YES in step S11) and stores the input product ID and serial number in a product list in the storage unit 33 (step S12). After processing in step S12, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 31 to display a first notification screen 80 shown in Fig. 8, which indicates that the input of the product ID and serial number was successful (step S13).

[0049] After the process of step S13, the control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that consent to the notification content has not been received until the OK key 82 on the first notification screen 80 is touched (NO in step S14). In this situation, it is assumed that the user touches the OK key 82. When the touch panel 32 detects a touch operation on the OK key 82, the control unit 30 determines that consent to the notification content has been received (YES in step S14), and causes the display unit 31 to display a first instruction screen 90 shown in FIG. 9 for instructing the user to bring the terminal device 3 closer to the NFC tag 4 (step S15).

[0050] After processing step S15, the control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that the NFC tag 4 has not been detected (NO in step S16) and the process of determining that a cancel instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S17) until the reader / writer 39 detects the NFC tag 4 or the cancel key 92 on the first instruction screen 90 is touched.

[0051] In this situation, if the user touches the cancel key 92 without bringing the terminal device 3 close to the NFC tag 4 and the touch panel 32 detects the touch operation on the cancel key 92 (YES in step S17), the control unit 30 terminates the license authentication process.

[0052] On the other hand, if the user brings the terminal device 3 close to the NFC tag 4 without touching the cancel key 92 and the reader / writer 39 detects the NFC tag 4 (YES in step S16), the control unit 30 causes the reader / writer 39 to read the information stored in the NFC tag 4 (step S18).

[0053] After processing step S18, control unit 30 determines whether or not a serial number matching the read information exists in the product list stored in memory unit 33 (step S19). If a serial number matching the read information does not exist in the product list (NO in step S19), control unit 30 causes display unit 31 to display first error screen 102 shown in Fig. 10 to prompt re-entry of the serial number (step S20).

[0054] After the process of step S20, control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that a redo instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S21) until the redo key 104 on first error screen 102 is touched. In this situation, when the user touches redo key 104 and touch panel 32 detects a touch operation on redo key 104, control unit 30 determines that a redo instruction has been accepted (YES in step S21), and returns to the process of step S10.

[0055] On the other hand, if a serial number matching the read information exists in the product list (YES in step S19), the control unit 30 uses the product list data (the combination of the serial number and product ID matching the read information) via the communication unit 34 to request the API 5 to issue a license key (step S22). After processing step S22, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 31 to display a second notification screen 110 shown in Fig. 11, which indicates that a request to issue a license key is being made (step S23).

[0056] The API5 server holds license keys corresponding to multiple serial numbers for each product ID. If the server can issue a license key corresponding to the acquired data, it issues the license key and sends it to the terminal device 3. On the other hand, if the server cannot issue a license key because the license key corresponding to the acquired data does not exist, for example, it sends an error signal to the terminal device 3.

[0057] After processing step S23, the control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that the license key has not been received (NO in step S24), the process of determining that a cancel instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S25), and the process of determining that no error has occurred (NO in step S26) until it receives a license key via the communication unit 34, touches the cancel key 112 on the second notification screen 110, or detects the occurrence of an error.

[0058] When the user touches cancel key 112 and touch panel 32 detects a touch operation on cancel key 112, control unit 30 determines that a cancel instruction has been received (YES in step S25), and ends the license authentication process.

[0059] Furthermore, if the control unit 30 receives an error signal from the API server via the communication unit 34 or is unable to connect with the API due to a communication failure, it determines that an error has occurred (YES in step S26) and causes the display unit 31 to display the second error screen 120 shown in FIG. 12, indicating that a license key cannot be issued (step S27).

[0060] After the process of step S27, control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that a redo instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S28) until redo key 122 on second error screen 120 is touched. In this situation, when the user touches redo key 122 and touch panel 32 detects a touch operation on redo key 122, control unit 30 determines that a redo instruction has been accepted (YES in step S28), and returns to the process of step S22.

[0061] On the other hand, when the control unit 30 receives a license key from the API via the communication unit 34, it determines that the license key has been received (YES in step S24) and causes the display unit 31 to display the second instruction screen 130 shown in FIG. 13 to instruct the user to bring the terminal device 3 closer to the NFC tag 4 (step S29).

[0062] After processing step S29, the control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that the NFC tag 4 has not been detected (NO in step S30) and the process of determining that a cancel instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S31) until the reader / writer 39 detects the NFC tag 4 or the cancel key 132 on the second instruction screen 130 is touched.

[0063] When the user touches cancel key 132 and touch panel 32 detects a touch operation on cancel key 132, control unit 30 determines that a cancel instruction has been received (YES in step S31), and ends the license authentication process.

[0064] On the other hand, if the user brings the terminal device 3 close to the reader / writer 39 without touching the cancel key 132 and the reader / writer 39 detects the NFC tag 4 (YES in step S30), the control unit 30 executes a process to cause the reader / writer 39 to write the received license key to the NFC tag 4 (step S32).

[0065] After the process of step S32, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the writing of the license key was successful (step S33). For example, if the writing fails because the user moves the terminal device 3 away from the NFC tag 4 during the writing process, the control unit 30 determines that the writing has failed (NO in step S33) and causes the display unit 31 to display a third error screen 140 shown in Fig. 14 indicating that the writing of the license key has failed (step S34).

[0066] After the process of step S34, control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that a redo instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S35) until redo key 142 on third error screen 140 is touched. In this situation, when the user touches redo key 142 and touch panel 32 detects a touch operation on redo key 142, control unit 30 determines that a redo instruction has been accepted (YES in step S35), and returns to the process of step S29.

[0067] On the other hand, if the license key is written successfully, the control unit 30 determines that the writing was successful (YES in step S33) and causes the display unit 31 to display the third instruction screen 150 shown in FIG. 15, which instructs the user to bring the terminal device 3 closer to the NFC tag 4 (step S36).

[0068] After processing step S36, the control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that the NFC tag 4 has not been detected (NO in step S37) and the process of determining that a cancel instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S38) until the reader / writer 39 detects the NFC tag 4 or the cancel key 152 on the third instruction screen 150 is touched.

[0069] In this situation, if the user touches the cancel key 152 without bringing the terminal device 3 close to the NFC tag 4 and the touch panel 32 detects the touch operation on the cancel key 152 (YES in step S38), the control unit 30 terminates the license authentication process.

[0070] On the other hand, if the user brings the terminal device 3 close to the NFC tag 4 without touching the cancel key 152 and the reader / writer 39 detects the NFC tag 4 (YES in step S37), the control unit 30 repeats the process of determining that product license authentication has not been completed (NO in step S39) until the reader / writer 39 reads the completion information written by the image forming device 2 from the NFC tag 4.

[0071] Here, in the image forming device 2 in its initial state at the time of shipment, when the power is turned on by the user, the control unit 10 starts executing the usage restriction removal process shown in Figure 16 while restricting the use of each of the above-mentioned parts of the image forming device 2, and repeats the process of determining that the license key has not been written (NO in step S50) until the license key is written to the NFC tag 4.

[0072] When the control unit 30 of the terminal device 3 writes the license key to the NFC tag 4 as described above, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 2 determines that the license key has been written (YES in step S50) and releases the usage restrictions on the above-mentioned units of the image forming apparatus 2 (step S51). After processing step S51, the control unit 10 writes completion information indicating that authentication of the product license has been completed to the NFC tag 4 (step S52). After processing step S52, the control unit 10 ends the usage restriction release process.

[0073] On the other hand, when the reader / writer 39 reads the completion information from the NFC tag 4, the control unit 30 of the terminal device 3 determines that the product license authentication is complete (YES in step S39), and causes the display unit 31 to display a completion screen 170 shown in Fig. 17 indicating that the product license authentication is complete (step S40). After the processing of step S40, the control unit 30 ends the license authentication process.

[0074] According to the above embodiment, the control unit 30 of the terminal device 3 reads information from the NFC tag 4 via the reader / writer 39, and if the read information matches the serial number stored in the memory unit 33, obtains the license key corresponding to the matching serial number from the API 5 via the communication unit 34 and writes the license key obtained via the reader / writer 39 to the NFC tag 4; if the read information does not match the serial number stored in the memory unit 33, the control unit 30 does not obtain or write the license key.

[0075] In this way, the license key is input by the terminal device 3 using NFC, which reduces input errors and significantly shortens the time required for product license authentication compared to when the user manually inputs the license key. Furthermore, the license key is obtained and written only if the information read from the NFC tag 4 matches the serial number stored in the storage unit 33, allowing for highly secure product license authentication.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 2 initially restricts the use of the image forming unit 12, etc., and releases the usage restrictions on the image forming unit 12, etc., when a license key is written to the NFC tag 4. In this way, the usage restrictions are released immediately when the license key is written, so product license authentication is performed quickly, further improving user convenience.

[0077] (First Modification) In the above embodiment, in step S12, the control unit 30 stores the product ID and serial number input via the touch panel 32 in the product list of the storage unit 33. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may verify the input product ID and serial number using the input product ID and serial number and the product list of the storage unit 33.

[0078] Specifically, in the first modified example, before authenticating the product license, the user touches import key 54 on management screen 50 shown in Fig. 5. When touch panel 32 detects a touch operation on import key 54, control unit 30 acquires, via communication unit 34, from, for example, a server device owned by the distributor of image forming device 2, a product list that associates the product ID of image forming device 2 with all serial numbers corresponding to that product ID, and stores the product list in memory unit 33.

[0079] When a product ID and serial number are input via the touch panel 32, instead of processing step S12, the control unit 30 executes a process to determine whether a product ID and serial number that match the input information exists in the product list stored in the memory unit 33.

[0080] If the control unit 30 determines that the product list contains a product ID and serial number that match the input information, it executes the processes from step S13 onwards and reads information from the NFC tag 4. On the other hand, if the control unit 30 determines that the product list does not contain a product ID and serial number that match the input information, it does not execute the processes from step S13 onwards and does not read information from the NFC tag 4.

[0081] According to the first variant, the product ID and serial number entered via the touch panel 32 are verified before information is obtained from the NFC tag 4, thereby enabling product license authentication with even greater security.

[0082] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, NFC is used as an example of short-range wireless communication, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, communication using UHF (Ultra High Frequency) may be used.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the image forming device 2 is used as an example of an electronic device, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The electronic device is not particularly limited as long as it requires product license authentication, and may be, for example, a PC.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the image forming unit 12 etc. forms an image on paper P, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming unit 12 etc. may form an image on, for example, an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet.

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a color multifunction peripheral is used as the image forming device 2, but this is merely an example, and other image forming devices such as a monochrome multifunction peripheral, a copier, or a facsimile machine may also be used.

[0086] The configurations and processes of the above-described embodiment and modified examples shown with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations and processes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Authentication System 2. Image forming device 3 Terminal Devices 4. NFC tags 10 Control Unit 12 Image forming unit 30 Control Unit 32 Touch Panel 33 Storage section 34 Communications Department 39 Reader / Writer

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores in advance a serial number unique to the electronic device; a reader / writer that performs short-distance wireless communication with an electronic tag included in the electronic device; a communication unit that communicates with a management device that manages a license key corresponding to the serial number; A terminal device comprising: a control unit that reads information from the electronic tag via the reader / writer, and if the read information matches the serial number stored in the memory unit, obtains the license key corresponding to the matching serial number from the management device via the communication unit, writes the license key obtained via the reader / writer to the electronic tag, and if the read information does not match the serial number stored in the memory unit, does not obtain or write the license key.

2. further comprising an operation unit into which information is input by a user; 2. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the control unit reads the information from the electronic tag when the information input via the operation unit matches the serial number stored in the memory unit, and does not read the information from the electronic tag when the information input via the operation unit does not match the serial number stored in the memory unit.

3. an electronic tag that stores information; a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process; an electronic device comprising: a control unit that initially restricts use of the processing execution unit, and that, when a license key is written to the electronic tag, releases the restriction on use of the processing execution unit.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein the processing execution unit includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet of paper.

5. An authentication system including an electronic device and a terminal device, The electronic device includes: an electronic tag that stores information; a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process; a first control unit that limits use of the processing execution unit in an initial state; The terminal device a storage unit that stores in advance a serial number unique to the electronic device; a reader / writer that performs short-distance wireless communication with the electronic tag; a communication unit that communicates with a management device that manages a license key corresponding to the serial number; a second control unit that reads the information from the electronic tag via the reader / writer, and if the read information matches the serial number stored in the storage unit, obtains the license key corresponding to the matched serial number from the management device via the communication unit and writes the license key obtained via the reader / writer to the electronic tag, and if the read information does not match the serial number stored in the storage unit, does not obtain or write the license key; An authentication system, wherein the first control unit of the electronic device releases usage restrictions on the process execution unit when the license key is written to the electronic tag.

Images