Image forming apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: some mail servers cannot use a Scan to Mail function, which reduces their convenience.SOLUTION: A multifunctional machine 3 connected to a mail server 2 includes: a reading unit 6 that reads a document; a user authentication unit 20 that executes user authentication by using the SMTP authentication method or the PIN authentication method; an email transmission unit 24 that transmits, to the mail server 2, an email with read information read by the reading unit attached thereto; and an email setting unit 22 that sets a transmission source mail address of the email according to the authentication method when the user authentication unit 20 executes the user authentication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multifunction peripheral equipped with a function for converting scanned data of a document into electronic data such as PDF and attaching the converted electronic data to an e-mail and sending it, i.e., a scan-to-mail function. Specifically, when setting the destination e-mail address for the e-mail with the attached electronic data, the e-mail is sent to the multifunction peripheral in advance. The multifunction peripheral then extracts the destination e-mail address from the received e-mail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-137927 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, some mail servers are configured to reject emails if the authentication information used for SMTP authentication does not match the email address set in the From header of the email. This can make it impossible to use the Scan to Mail function, reducing convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image forming apparatus connected to a mail server, a reading unit that reads a document; a user authentication unit that performs user authentication using a first authentication method or a second authentication method; a mail sending unit that sends an email to the mail server, the email having the read information read by the reading unit attached thereto; a sender email address setting unit that sets a sender email address of the email in accordance with an authentication method used when the user authentication unit performs the user authentication; Including, An image forming apparatus is provided.

[0006] A control method for an image forming apparatus connected to a mail server, comprising: The image forming apparatus includes: Reading the manuscript, performing user authentication using a first authentication method or a second authentication method; Sending an email to the mail server with the read information attached; setting a sender email address of the email in accordance with an authentication method used when performing the user authentication; Including, A control method is provided.

[0007] The image forming device connected to the mail server is a reading unit that reads a document; a user authentication unit that performs user authentication using a first authentication method or a second authentication method; a mail sending unit that sends an email to the mail server, the email having the read information read by the reading unit attached thereto; a sender email address setting unit that sets a sender email address of the email in accordance with an authentication method used when the user authentication unit performs the user authentication; To function as, Programs are offered. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mail system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a data structure diagram of an SMTP authentication list. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a data structure diagram of a PIN authentication list. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a data structure diagram of device information. [Figure 6] 1 is a control flow of a multifunction printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a mail system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the mail system 1 includes a mail server 2 and a multifunction device 3. The mail server 2 and the multifunction device 3 are typically configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally via a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0011] The mail server 2 is an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server. That is, the mail server 2 is an e-mail sending server that sends e-mail received from the multifunction device 3 to the destination e-mail address set in the To header. The mail server 2 may be integrated with an e-mail receiving server such as a POP (Post Office Protocol) server or an IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) server. In this embodiment, the mail server 2 is a mail server that supports SMTP authentication (SMTP-AUTH: Authenticated SMTP). That is, when the multifunction device 3 communicates with the mail server 2, the mail server 2 requests SMTP authentication information from the multifunction device 3 and performs SMTP authentication based on the SMTP authentication information.

[0012] The multifunction device 3 is a specific example of an image processing device. The multifunction device 3 is a specific example of an image forming device. The multifunction device 3 has a printing function for printing print data on paper, which is a print medium, a reading function for reading an original and generating read information, a copying function for copying the original, and other functions. The multifunction device 3 also has a so-called scan-to-mail function for attaching the read information generated by the reading function to an e-mail and sending the e-mail via the mail server 2. Here, the read information is typically electronic data in a PDF (Portable Document Format) file format. In this embodiment, the multifunction device 3 has a so-called access restriction function for requesting user authentication from a user when the user uses the multifunction device 3.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the multifunction device 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 3 includes a processor 3a, a memory 3b, an input interface 3c, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 3d, and a communication interface 3e. The multifunction device 3 communicates with the mail server 2 via the communication interface 3e. The processor 3a can access the memory 3b. The processor 3a reads and executes programs stored in the memory 3b. The programs cause the hardware, including the processor 3a, to function as a user authentication unit 20, an email generation unit 21, an email setting unit 22, an SMTP authentication unit 23, and an email transmission unit 24. The memory 3b forms an authentication list storage unit 10 and a device information storage unit 11. The multifunction device 3 further includes a printing unit 5 corresponding to the printing function described above and a reading unit 6 corresponding to the reading function described above. The printing unit 5 and the reading unit 6 work together to realize the copying function described above.

[0014] The memory 3b is typically realized by a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disc drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0015] The input interface 3c is a means for accepting operations by a user, and is typically realized by a touch panel.

[0016] The LCD 3d is a means for displaying visual information. The multifunction device 3 may include an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) instead of the LCD 3d.

[0017] The authentication list storage unit 10 has an SMTP authentication list 10a and a PIN authentication list 10b for determining whether or not a user is authenticated. The SMTP authentication list 10a is a specific example of a first list. The PIN authentication list 10b is a specific example of a second list. FIG. 3 shows a data structure diagram of the SMTP authentication list 10a. FIG. 4 shows a data structure diagram of the PIN authentication list 10b.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the SMTP authentication list 10a is a list that associates a user's unique account name, password, and email address with each user. In Figure 3, "user's unique account name" refers to the account name assigned to each individual user. "user's unique password" refers to the password set by the user in association with the account name. "user's unique email address" refers to the email address assigned to each individual user. As shown in Figure 3, typically, a user's unique account name and a user's unique email address match. The user's unique account name and user's unique password constitute user SMTP authentication information, which is the user's unique SMTP authentication information. The user SMTP authentication information can be used for SMTP authentication on the mail server 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the PIN authentication list 10b is a list that associates a user's unique account name, PIN (Personal Identification Number), and email address with each user. In FIG. 4, "user's unique account name" refers to the account name assigned to each individual user. "user's unique PIN" refers to a personal identification number used to identify the user. The personal identification number is also simply called a PIN. "user's unique email address" refers to an email address assigned to each individual user.

[0020] In this embodiment, the authentication list storage unit 10 stores the SMTP authentication list 10a shown in Fig. 3 and the PIN authentication list 10b shown in Fig. 4 as separate lists. However, instead of this, the authentication list storage unit 10 may store the SMTP authentication list 10a and the PIN authentication list 10b in a mixed state within a single list.

[0021] The device information storage unit 11 stores device information. FIG. 5 shows a data structure diagram of the device information. As shown in FIG. 5, the device information is composed of an account name and password unique to the multifunction device 3, and an email address. In FIG. 5, the "account name unique to the multifunction device 3" refers to the account name assigned to the multifunction device 3. The "password unique to the multifunction device 3" refers to a password set by the administrator of the multifunction device 3 in association with the account name of the multifunction device 3. The "email address unique to the multifunction device 3" refers to the email address assigned to the multifunction device 3. As shown in FIG. 5, typically, the account name unique to the multifunction device 3 and the email address unique to the multifunction device 3 match. The account name unique to the multifunction device 3 and the password unique to the multifunction device 3 constitute multifunction device SMTP authentication information, which is SMTP authentication information unique to the multifunction device 3. The multifunction device SMTP authentication information is a specific example of device SMTP authentication information. The multifunction device SMTP authentication information can be used for SMTP authentication in the mail server 2.

[0022] The user authentication unit 20 supports an SMTP authentication method in which user authentication is performed by inputting user SMTP authentication information, and a PIN authentication method in which user authentication is performed by inputting a PIN. That is, the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using either the SMTP authentication method or the PIN authentication method, as selected by the user. That is, the user can perform user authentication by inputting user SMTP authentication information into the multifunction device 3, or by inputting a PIN into the multifunction device 3.

[0023] Specifically, the user authentication unit 20 can simultaneously display on the LCD 3d of the multifunction device 3 a user SMTP authentication information input screen for inputting user SMTP authentication information and a PIN input screen for inputting a PIN.

[0024] When a user enters user SMTP authentication information on the user SMTP authentication information input screen, the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the SMTP authentication method. In this case, the user authentication unit 20 specifically refers to the SMTP authentication list 10a in Fig. 3, and determines that user authentication has been successful if the user SMTP authentication information included in the SMTP authentication list 10a matches the user SMTP authentication information entered by the user. In contrast, the user authentication unit 20 refers to the SMTP authentication list 10a, and rejects subsequent operations if the user SMTP authentication information included in the SMTP authentication list 10a does not match the user SMTP authentication information entered by the user.

[0025] When the user enters a PIN on the PIN entry screen, the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the PIN authentication method. In this case, the user authentication unit 20 specifically refers to the PIN authentication list 10b in Fig. 4, and determines that user authentication has been successful if the PIN entered by the user is included in the PIN authentication list 10b. In contrast, the user authentication unit 20 refers to the PIN authentication list 10b, and rejects subsequent operations if the PIN entered by the user is not included in the PIN authentication list 10b.

[0026] The email generation unit 21 generates an email to which is attached electronic data in a PDF file format that is generated by reading a document by the reading unit 6. Here, "generating an email" can also be referred to as generating an email sending job.

[0027] The email setting unit 22 sets the header of the email generated by the email generation unit 21. The header of the email typically includes a To header, a From header, and a Subject header. The email setting unit 22 is a specific example of a From header setting unit. The email setting unit 22 is a specific example of a sender email address setting unit.

[0028] The email setting unit 22 sets the To header. Specifically, the email setting unit 22 displays a destination email address setting screen on the LCD 3d for inputting or selecting a destination email address. The email setting unit 22 acquires the destination email address inputted or selected by the user on the destination email address setting screen. The email setting unit 22 sets the acquired destination email address in the To header of the email.

[0029] The email setting unit 22 sets the From header. Specifically, the email setting unit 22 sets the From header according to the authentication method used when the user authentication unit 20 executes the user authentication.

[0030] That is, when the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the SMTP authentication method, the email setting unit 22 sets the user's unique email address in the From header by referring to the SMTP authentication list 10a shown in Fig. 3. On the other hand, when the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the PIN authentication method, the email setting unit 22 sets the multifunction device 3's unique email address in the From header by referring to the device information shown in Fig. 5.

[0031] The SMTP authentication unit 23 performs SMTP authentication on the mail server 2. Specifically, the SMTP authentication unit 23 performs SMTP authentication on the mail server 2 in accordance with the authentication method used when the user authentication unit 20 executed the user authentication.

[0032] That is, when the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the SMTP authentication method, the SMTP authentication unit 23 executes SMTP authentication using the user SMTP authentication information for the mail server 2. On the other hand, when the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the PIN authentication method, the SMTP authentication unit 23 executes SMTP authentication using the multifunction machine SMTP authentication information for the mail server 2.

[0033] After the SMTP authentication in the mail server 2 is successful, the email sending unit 24 sends the email to the mail server 2. That is, the email sending unit 24 sends the header, body, and attached electronic data of the email to the mail server 2.

[0034] Next, the operational flow of the multifunction device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the following, a case will be assumed in which user A uses the scan to mail function of the multifunction device 3 to send a document to user B.

[0035] S100: First, the user authentication unit 20 simultaneously displays a user SMTP authentication information input screen for inputting user SMTP authentication information and a PIN input screen for inputting a PIN on the LCD 3d of the multifunction device 3. In response to this, User A inputs user SMTP authentication information on the user SMTP authentication information input screen, or inputs a PIN on the PIN input screen. As a result, the user authentication unit 20 obtains the authentication information required for user authentication.

[0036] S110: Next, the user authentication unit 20 determines whether the user authentication has been successful based on the authentication information entered by user A. At this time, as described above, if user A enters user SMTP authentication information on the user SMTP authentication information input screen, the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the SMTP authentication method. On the other hand, if user A enters a PIN on the PIN input screen, the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the PIN authentication method. If the user authentication unit 20 determines that the user authentication has been successful (S110: YES), the user authentication unit 20 proceeds to step S120. On the other hand, if the user authentication unit 20 determines that the user authentication has failed (S110: NO), the user authentication unit 20 rejects subsequent operations and ends the process.

[0037] S120: Next, the reading unit 6 reads the document set by the user A and generates electronic data in a PDF file format as the read information.

[0038] S130: Next, the email generation unit 21 generates an email to which the electronic data generated by the reading unit 6 is attached.

[0039] S140: Next, the email setting unit 22 acquires the destination email address by displaying a destination email address setting screen for inputting or selecting the destination email address on the LCD 3d.

[0040] S150: Next, the email setting unit 22 sets the destination email address acquired in step S140 in the To header of the email generated by the email generating unit 21.

[0041] S160-S180: Next, the email setting unit 22 sets the From header. Specifically, if the user authentication unit 20 has performed user authentication using the SMTP authentication method (S160: YES), the email setting unit 22 references the SMTP authentication list 10a and sets an email address unique to user A in the From header (S170), and proceeds to step S190. On the other hand, if the user authentication unit 20 has performed user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the email setting unit 22 references the device information and sets an email address unique to the multifunction device 3 in the From header (S180), and proceeds to step S200.

[0042] S190-S200: Next, the SMTP authentication unit 23 performs SMTP authentication on the mail server 2. Specifically, if the user authentication unit 20 has performed user authentication using the SMTP authentication method (S160: YES), the SMTP authentication unit 23 performs SMTP authentication on the mail server 2 using the user SMTP authentication information (S190) and proceeds to step S210. On the other hand, if the user authentication unit 20 has performed user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the SMTP authentication unit 23 performs SMTP authentication on the mail server 2 using the multifunction device SMTP authentication information (S200) and proceeds to step S210.

[0043] S210: Next, the email sending unit 24 sends the email to the mail server 2 after the SMTP authentication in the mail server 2 is successful (S190, S200).

[0044] Here, we explain why the user authentication unit 20 supports the PIN authentication method. Specifically, for security reasons, the password required for SMTP authentication when the multifunction device 3 communicates with the mail server 2 must be changed periodically. Therefore, even after the password is changed, in order to perform user authentication using the user SMTP authentication information (S110), the administrator of the multifunction device 3 must update the SMTP authentication list 10a each time the password is changed. For example, if the SMTP authentication list 10a contains a list of 100 or 1,000 users, updating the SMTP authentication list 10a each time is an extremely heavy burden for the administrator of the multifunction device 3. Therefore, the PIN authentication method was additionally adopted, which does not require the management of passwords required for SMTP authentication. As shown in Figure 4, the PIN authentication list 10b does not store passwords required for SMTP authentication. Therefore, even if the password required for SMTP authentication is frequently changed, the administrator of the multifunction device 3 is freed from the trouble of updating the PIN authentication list 10b each time.

[0045] Next, steps S180 and S200 will be described in detail. As described above, in step S200, if the user authentication unit 20 has performed user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the SMTP authentication unit 23 performs SMTP authentication with the mail server 2 using the multifunction device SMTP authentication information (S200). This is because, in the case of the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the SMTP authentication unit 23 cannot obtain the SMTP authentication information corresponding to the entered PIN. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the PIN authentication list 10b does not store the password required for SMTP authentication. Therefore, it is reasonable that, if the user authentication unit 20 has performed user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the SMTP authentication unit 23 performs SMTP authentication with the mail server 2 using the multifunction device SMTP authentication information instead of the user SMTP authentication information (S200).

[0046] Here, if the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the question arises as to what email address the email setting unit 22 should set in the From header. When user A sends a document to user B using the Scan to Mail function of the multifunction device 3, it is convenient for user B if the sender email address of the email received by user B indicates user A. This is because, from a security standpoint, when receiving an email, user B checks the sender email address of the email. As shown in FIG. 4, the PIN authentication list 10b associates the email address entered by user A with the PIN. Therefore, from the above security standpoint, it is natural that the email setting unit 22 sets user A's email address in the From header even if the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO).

[0047] However, in this case, the email sent by the email sending unit 24 to the mail server 2 may be rejected by the mail server 2. This is because, when the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the SMTP authentication unit 23 performs SMTP authentication with the mail server 2 using the multifunction device SMTP authentication information (S200), but the account name in this multifunction device SMTP authentication information does not match the email address of user A set in the From header. Here, "match" typically means "to match." In this way, if the account name used for SMTP authentication does not match the email address set in the From header, the mail server 2 rejects the email in question in order to prevent so-called spoofed emails.

[0048] Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, when the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the email setting unit 22 references the device information and sets an email address unique to the multifunction device 3 in the From header (S180). As a result, the sender email address of the email received by user B is set to an unknown email address, which may cause user B to wonder whether to trust the email. However, by setting an email address unique to the multifunction device 3 in the From header (S180), it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the email is rejected by the mail server 2, even at the expense of convenience for user B. This allows the Scan to Mail function of the multifunction device 3 to function without any problems even when the PIN authentication method is used.

[0049] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The above embodiments have the following features.

[0050] The multifunction device 3 (image forming device) connected to the mail server 2 includes a reading unit 6 that reads an original, a user authentication unit 20 that performs user authentication using the SMTP authentication method (first authentication method) or the PIN authentication method (second authentication method), an email sending unit 24 (email sending unit) that sends an email to the mail server 2 with the read information read by the reading unit attached, and an email setting unit 22 (sender email address setting unit) that sets the sender email address of the email in accordance with the authentication method used when the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication. With the above configuration, the sender email address of the email can be set appropriately in accordance with the authentication method used when the user authentication unit 20 performs user authentication.

[0051] Furthermore, the SMTP authentication method is an authentication method that uses a user's unique account name and password. When the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the SMTP authentication method (S160: YES), the email setting unit 22 sets the user's unique email address as the source email address of the email (S170). With the above configuration, when the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the SMTP authentication method, the user's unique email address can be set as the source email address of the email.

[0052] The PIN authentication method is an authentication method that uses a PIN (Personal Identification Number) unique to the user. When the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the email setting unit 22 sets an email address unique to the multifunction device 3 as the source email address of the email (S180). With the above configuration, when the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the PIN authentication method, the source email address of the email can be set to an email address unique to the multifunction device 3.

[0053] The multifunction device 3 also includes an SMTP authentication unit 23 that performs SMTP authentication for the mail server 2. With the above configuration, it becomes possible to use a mail server 2 that requires SMTP authentication.

[0054] Furthermore, if the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the SMTP authentication method (S160: YES), the SMTP authentication unit 23 executes SMTP authentication using user SMTP authentication information (SMTP authentication information unique to the user) (S190). If the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), the SMTP authentication unit 23 executes SMTP authentication using multifunction device SMTP authentication information (SMTP authentication information unique to the multifunction device 3) (S200). With the above configuration, even if the user authentication unit 20 executes user authentication using the PIN authentication method (S160: NO), SMTP authentication can be executed (S200) even if the user SMTP authentication information is not known.

[0055] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the above embodiment can be modified as follows.

[0056] That is, in the above embodiment, the multifunction device 3 is provided with the authentication list storage unit 10. However, instead of this, an external device, such as an LDAP server (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), may be provided with the authentication list storage unit 10, and the multifunction device 3 may access the LDAP server as needed to refer to the SMTP authentication list 10a and the PIN authentication list 10b.

[0057] (Appendix 1) An image processing device that requires user authentication when used, a user authentication unit that supports an SMTP authentication method in which a user authenticates by inputting user SMTP authentication information unique to the user, the user SMTP authentication information including an account name and a password, and a personal identification number authentication method in which a user authenticates by inputting a personal identification number unique to the user; an email generation unit that generates an email to which electronic data generated by reading a document is attached; a From header setting unit that sets the From header of the email; an SMTP authentication part that performs SMTP authentication on the SMTP server; a mail sending unit that sends the email to the SMTP server; Including, When the user authentication unit has performed the user authentication using the SMTP authentication method, the From header setting unit sets an email address consistent with the user SMTP authentication information in the From header, and the SMTP authentication unit performs the SMTP authentication using the user SMTP authentication information, When the user authentication unit has performed the user authentication using the personal identification number authentication method, the From header setting unit sets an email address in the From header that is consistent with device SMTP authentication information that is SMTP authentication information unique to the image processing device and includes an account name and a password, and the SMTP authentication unit performs the SMTP authentication using the device SMTP authentication information. Image processing device. (Appendix 2) 10. The image processing device according to claim 1, The first list contains the user's unique account name, password, and email address. a list storage unit that stores a second list that associates a user's unique personal identification number with an email address; the user authentication unit refers to the first list when performing the user authentication using the SMTP authentication method, and refers to the second list when performing the user authentication using the personal identification number authentication method; Image processing device. (Appendix 3) 10. The image processing device according to claim 1, the email address that the From header setting unit has set in the From header of the email is different from the email address that the From header setting unit has set in the To header of the email; Image processing device.

[0058] In the above examples, the program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives) and magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / W, and semiconductor memory (e.g., mask ROM). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, and RAM (Random Access Memory). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...mail system, 2...mail server, 3...multifunction device, 3a...processor, 3b...memory, 3c...input interface, 3d...LCD, 3e...communication interface, 5...printing unit, 6...reading unit, 10...authentication list storage unit, 10a...SMTP authentication list, 10b...PIN authentication list, 11...device information storage unit, 20...user authentication unit, 21...email generation unit, 22...email setting unit, 23...SMTP authentication unit, 24...email sending unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus connected to a mail server, a reading unit that reads a document; a user authentication unit that performs user authentication using a first authentication method or a second authentication method; a mail sending unit that sends an email to the mail server, the email having the read information read by the reading unit attached thereto; a sender email address setting unit that sets a sender email address of the email in accordance with an authentication method used when the user authentication unit performs the user authentication; Including, Image forming device.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the first authentication method is an authentication method using a user's unique account name and password, When the user authentication unit executes the user authentication using the first authentication method, the sender email address setting unit sets an email address unique to the user as a sender email address of the email. Image forming device.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the second authentication method is an authentication method using a user's unique personal identification number, When the user authentication unit executes the user authentication using the second authentication method, the sender email address setting unit sets an email address unique to the image forming device as a sender email address of the email. Image forming device.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, Further comprising an SMTP authentication unit that performs SMTP authentication with the mail server. Image forming device.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, When the user authentication unit has performed the user authentication using the first authentication method, the SMTP authentication unit performs the SMTP authentication using SMTP authentication information unique to the user; When the user authentication unit executes the user authentication using the second authentication method, the SMTP authentication unit executes the SMTP authentication using SMTP authentication information unique to the image forming apparatus. Image forming device.

6. A control method for an image forming apparatus connected to a mail server, comprising: The image forming apparatus includes: Reading the manuscript, performing user authentication using a first authentication method or a second authentication method; Sending an email to the mail server with the read information attached; setting a sender email address of the email in accordance with an authentication method used when performing the user authentication; Including, Control method.

7. The image forming device connected to the mail server is a reading unit that reads a document; a user authentication unit that performs user authentication using a first authentication method or a second authentication method; a mail sending unit that sends an email to the mail server, the email having the read information read by the reading unit attached thereto; a sender email address setting unit that sets a sender email address of the email in accordance with an authentication method used when the user authentication unit performs the user authentication; To function as, program.

Images