Image forming system and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that can improve the possibility to receive information indicating the occurrence of an unauthorized access.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises an image forming apparatus that forms images, a first terminal device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus, and a second terminal device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus comprises a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a communication control unit. The second terminal device comprises a third communication unit and a notification unit. When the communication control unit fails to cancel predetermined restrictions in a case where the first communication unit cannot communicate with the first terminal device, the communication control unit controls the second communication unit to transmit, to the third communication unit of the second terminal device, notification information including information indicating the occurrence of an unauthorized access. When the third communication unit receives the notification information, the notification unit notifies a user of the notification information. The predetermined restrictions include at least one of a restriction of use of the image forming apparatus and a restriction of browsing of a document.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The wireless communication system described in Patent Document 1 can transmit a warning message in response to the occurrence of an emergency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 093208 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the wireless communication system described in Patent Document 1, if the system is disconnected from the network, it is not possible to send a warning message even if an emergency occurs. For this reason, it is desirable to be able to receive information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred, such as a warning message, even if the system is disconnected from the network.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an image forming system and an image forming apparatus that can improve the possibility of receiving information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image, a first terminal apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus, and a second terminal apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a communication control unit. The first communication unit communicates with the first terminal apparatus via a first network. The second communication unit communicates with the second terminal apparatus via a second network different from the first network. The communication control unit controls the second communication unit. The second terminal apparatus includes a third communication unit and an alarm unit. The third communication unit communicates with the second communication unit. The alarm unit reports information. If the first communication unit cannot communicate with the first terminal apparatus and a predetermined restriction fails to be released, the communication control unit controls the second communication unit to send alarm information including information indicating unauthorized access to the third communication unit of the second terminal apparatus. When the third communication unit receives the alarm information, the alarm unit reports the alarm information. The predetermined restriction includes at least one of a restriction on use of the image forming device and a restriction on viewing of a document.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a communication control unit. The first communication unit communicates with a first terminal device via a first network. The second communication unit communicates with the second terminal device via a second network different from the first network. The communication control unit controls the second communication unit. If the first communication unit cannot communicate with the first terminal device and a predetermined restriction fails to be lifted, the communication control unit controls the second communication unit to send notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred to the second terminal device. The predetermined restriction includes at least one of a restriction on use of the image forming apparatus and a restriction on viewing of documents. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the image forming system and image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to improve the possibility of receiving information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 shows a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is an image showing notification information displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is an image showing notification information displayed on a display unit of a second terminal device of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the image forming system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the image forming system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] The configuration of an image forming system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0012] 1, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming device 100, a first terminal device 300, and a second terminal device 200. Specifically, the image forming system 1 includes the image forming device 100, a plurality of first terminal devices 300, and a plurality of second terminal devices 200.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a copier, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus 100 is capable of communicating with a first terminal apparatus 300 and a second terminal apparatus 200.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 100 and the first terminal apparatus 300 are connected to a first network N1. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 can communicate with the first terminal apparatus 300 via the first network N1. The first network N1 includes, for example, a local area network (LAN), an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), and the Internet. Various communication devices (for example, routers, bridges, access points, hubs, and repeaters) are connected to the first network N1.

[0015] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 and the second terminal apparatus 200 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate wirelessly. The image forming apparatus 100 and the second terminal apparatus 200 are connected to a second network N2. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 can communicate with the second terminal apparatus 200 via the second network N2. The second network N2 is, for example, a wide area wireless network such as an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network.

[0016] The first terminal device 300 is capable of communicating with the image forming device 100. Specifically, the first terminal device 300 communicates with the image forming device 100 via a first network N1. The first terminal device 300 is, for example, a desktop personal computer (PC), a laptop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or the like. The first terminal device 300 may have a keyboard and a display.

[0017] Furthermore, the plurality of first terminal devices 300 includes a first terminal device 300A and a first terminal device 300B. In this embodiment, two terminal devices are exemplified as the plurality of first terminal devices 300, but this is not limiting. The plurality of first terminal devices 300 may be three or more terminal devices. Furthermore, the number of first terminal devices 300 may be one.

[0018] The second terminal apparatus 200 is capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the second terminal apparatus 200 communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 via a second network N2. The second terminal apparatus 200 is, for example, a smartphone.

[0019] The plurality of second terminal devices 200 includes a second terminal device 200A, a second terminal device 200B, and a second terminal device 200C. In this embodiment, three terminal devices are exemplified as the plurality of second terminal devices 200, but this is not limiting. The plurality of second terminal devices 200 may be two or more terminal devices. Also, the number of second terminal devices 200 may be one.

[0020] Next, the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0021] 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 10, an operation display unit 20, a first communication unit 40, a second communication unit 50, a control unit 30, and a storage unit 60. The image forming apparatus 100 may also include a reading unit that reads an image from a document.

[0022] The image forming unit 10 forms an image on a recording medium P. The image forming unit 10 includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a static eliminator, and a fixing unit.

[0023] The operation display unit 20 is used to allow a user to operate the image forming apparatus 100. The operation display unit 20 includes a display unit 22 and an operation unit 21. The display unit 22 is configured with a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or ELD (Electro Luminescence Display) having a touch panel function. The display unit 22 displays information to the user. For example, the display unit 22 displays an image to the user. User operations are input through the operation unit 21. In an embodiment in which a touch panel functions as the operation display unit 20, the display unit 22 and a part of the operation unit 21 may be integrated. Furthermore, the operation unit 21 of the operation display unit 20 may be physical buttons. The operation unit 21 of the operation display unit 20 may have a touch panel and physical buttons.

[0024] The first communication unit 40 is capable of communicating with the first terminal device 300. Specifically, the first communication unit 40 is capable of communicating with a terminal communication unit 340 of the first terminal device 300 (described later) via the first network N1.

[0025] The second communication unit 50 is capable of communicating with the second terminal device 200. Specifically, the second communication unit 50 is capable of communicating with a third communication unit 250 of the second terminal device 200 (described later) via the second network N2.

[0026] The control unit 30 is a hardware circuit configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 30 controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 100 by the processor reading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 60.

[0027] The storage unit 60 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 60 may include a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM). The storage unit 60 stores various data and a control program for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0028] The storage unit 60 may also store user information indicating that the user is authorized to use the image forming apparatus 100, a password associated with the user information, and a document whose viewing is restricted. The storage unit 60 also stores notification setting information associated with the user information. The notification setting information includes information indicating that notification information is to be received. The notification information includes information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred.

[0029] 1 and 2, the first terminal device 300 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the first terminal device 300 includes an operation unit 321, a display unit 322, a terminal communication unit 340, a control unit 330, and a storage unit 360.

[0030] The operation unit 321 receives operations from the user and is, for example, a keyboard.

[0031] The display unit 322 displays an image. The display unit 322 displays an image showing information related to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0032] The terminal communication unit 340 communicates with the first communication unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the first network N1.

[0033] The control unit 330 is a hardware circuit configured by a processor such as a CPU and an ASIC. The control unit 330 controls the operation of each unit of the first terminal device 300 by having the processor read and execute a control program stored in the storage unit 360.

[0034] The storage unit 360 is, for example, an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 360 may include a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 260 stores various data and a control program for controlling the operation of each unit of the first terminal device 300.

[0035] 1 and 2, the second terminal device 200 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the second terminal device 200 includes an operation unit 221, a display unit 222, a third communication unit 250, a control unit 230, and a storage unit 260.

[0036] The operation unit 221 receives operations from the user and is, for example, a touch panel.

[0037] The display unit 222 notifies information. The display unit 222 corresponds to an example of a "notification unit." The display unit 222 displays images. The display unit 222 is configured from a display such as an LCD or ELD. The display unit 222 and a part of the operation unit 221 may be integrated.

[0038] The third communication unit 250 communicates with the second communication unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the second network N2.

[0039] The control unit 230 is a hardware circuit configured by a processor such as a CPU and an ASIC. The control unit 230 controls the operation of each unit of the second terminal device 200 by the processor reading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 260.

[0040] The storage unit 260 is, for example, an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 260 may include a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 260 stores various data and a control program for controlling the operation of each unit of the second terminal device 200.

[0041] Next, a process in which the image forming system 1 displays notification information based on unauthorized access will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 3 shows an image of the notification information displayed on the display unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the image of the notification information shown in Figure 3 may be displayed on the display unit 322 of the first terminal device 300.

[0042] The notification information includes information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred. For example, notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred is displayed on the display unit 22 when an attempt to remove a predetermined restriction has failed. The predetermined restriction may be a restriction on the use of the image forming apparatus 100, a restriction on document viewing, or the like.

[0043] The use restriction on the image forming apparatus 100 is a restriction that allows only specific users to use the image forming apparatus 100. The viewing restriction on a document is a restriction that allows only specific users to view a document.

[0044] 3, a status screen of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed on the display unit 22. The status screen shows the status of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the status screen includes a first status icon, a second status icon, a third status icon, and a security icon A1.

[0045] The first status icon is an icon indicating the status of the image forming unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 100. In FIG. 3, this icon indicates that the image forming unit 10 is capable of forming an image. The second status icon is an icon indicating the status of the reading unit of the image forming apparatus 100. In FIG. 3, this icon indicates that the reading unit is capable of reading an image. The third status icon indicates that notification regarding the status of the image forming apparatus 100 is possible. The security icon A1 is an icon regarding unauthorized access to the image forming apparatus 100. In FIG. 3, information indicating that unauthorized access to the image forming apparatus 100 has been detected is displayed.

[0046] For example, when unauthorized access to the image forming apparatus 100 is detected, the control unit 30 controls the first communication unit 40 to transmit notification information to the first terminal device 300. When the terminal communication unit 340 receives the notification information, the control unit 330 of the first terminal device 300 controls the display unit 322 to display information indicating that unauthorized access has been detected on a status screen.

[0047] Next, a process for transmitting notification information to the second terminal device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an image showing the notification information displayed on the display unit 222 of the second terminal device 200.

[0048] 2, the control unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a communication control unit 31. The control unit 30 functions as the communication control unit 31 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 60.

[0049] The control unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the first communication unit 40 can communicate with the first terminal apparatus 300. Specifically, the control unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the first communication unit 40 is connected to the first network N1. In other words, if the first communication unit 40 is not connected to the first network N1, the first communication unit 40 and the first terminal apparatus 300 cannot communicate with each other. Therefore, if it is determined that the first communication unit 40 is not connected to the first network N1, the control unit 30 determines that the first communication unit 40 cannot communicate with the first terminal apparatus 300.

[0050] The communication control unit 31 controls the second communication unit 50. Specifically, when the first communication unit 40 cannot communicate with the first terminal device 300, the communication control unit 31 controls the second communication unit 50 so that the second communication unit 50 communicates with the second terminal device 200 via the second network N2. More specifically, when the first communication unit 40 cannot communicate with the first terminal device 300 and the release of a predetermined restriction fails, the communication control unit 31 controls the second communication unit 50 so that notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred is transmitted to the third communication unit 250 of the second terminal device 200.

[0051] When the third communication unit 250 receives the notification information, the display unit 222 notifies the notification information. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 100 is not connected to the first network N1, the notification information can be transmitted to the second terminal apparatus 200 using the second network N2. As a result, the possibility of receiving information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred can be improved.

[0052] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred is displayed on the display unit 222 of the second terminal device 200. In other words, a security report is displayed on the display unit 222 of the second terminal device 200. In Fig. 4, the image of the information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred includes a plurality of message images MSG. The plurality of message images MSG include a first message image MSG1 and a second message image MSG2.

[0053] The first message image MSG1 is an image indicating that unauthorized access has been detected. The image indicating that unauthorized access has been detected is a text image. The text image includes the year and date that the unauthorized access was detected. For example, the text image includes the text "Unauthorized access was detected at 12:52 AM on September 18, 2023."

[0054] The second message image MSG2 is an image indicating the target of unauthorized access. The image indicating the target of unauthorized access is a text image. For example, the text image includes the text "An attempt was made to open a confidential document."

[0055] Note that the user of the second terminal device 200 can set in advance whether or not the second terminal device 200 will receive the security report.

[0056] Continuing, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the process of transmitting notification information to the second terminal device 200 will be described in more detail.

[0057] 2, the control unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a determination unit 32, a change unit 33, and a stop unit 34. The control unit 30 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 60, thereby functioning as the determination unit 32, the change unit 33, and the stop unit 34.

[0058] The control unit 30 of this embodiment controls the storage unit 60 so that the storage unit 60 stores the number of times an attempt to remove a restriction has failed. Specifically, the control unit 30 controls the storage unit 60 so that the storage unit 60 stores the number of times an attempt to remove a restriction has failed within a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time is, for example, three minutes.

[0059] The determination unit 32 determines whether or not the number of times that attempts to remove the restriction have failed is a predetermined number or more. That is, the determination unit 32 determines whether or not the number of times that attempts to remove the restriction have failed is a predetermined number or more based on the number of times that attempts to remove the restriction have failed stored in the storage unit 60. The predetermined number is, for example, two times.

[0060] If the determination unit 32 determines that the number of failures to remove the predetermined restriction is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the communication control unit 31 controls the second communication unit 50 to transmit notification information to the second terminal device 200. Therefore, the notification information is transmitted based on the number of failures. In other words, if there is a single mistake by chance, the notification information is not transmitted. As a result, excessive notifications of unauthorized access to the user can be suppressed.

[0061] The change unit 33 changes the user's login status to a logout status. The login status is, for example, a status in which the user has logged in to the image forming apparatus 100 and is permitted to use the image forming apparatus 100. The login status is established when the user information and password entered by the user on the operation unit 21 match the user information stored in the storage unit 60 and the password associated with the user information. The logout status is, for example, a status in which use of the image forming apparatus 100 is restricted.

[0062] Specifically, the change unit 33 changes the login status of the user who uses the image forming apparatus 100 to a logged-out status. More specifically, if the determination unit 32 determines that attempts to remove the restriction on a document that was restricted from being viewed while the user was logged in have failed a predetermined number of times, the change unit 33 changes the login status to a logged-out status. As a result, if the image forming apparatus 100 is left in the logged-in status, it is possible to prevent a user other than the user who was logged in when the image forming apparatus 100 was left in the logged-in status from being able to access confidential documents, etc.

[0063] Specifically, when the image forming apparatus 100 is left in a logged-in state, if a user other than the user who logged in accesses a confidential document stored in the storage unit 60 and fails to remove the restriction a predetermined number of times, the change unit 33 can change the logged-in state to a logged-out state. As a result, it is possible to prevent confidential documents and the like from being accessed.

[0064] After the second communication unit 50 transmits the notification information to the third communication unit 250, the change unit 33 changes the logged-in state to the logged-out state.

[0065] The stopping unit 34 stops the supply of power to the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, when the second communication unit 50 transmits notification information to the third communication unit 250, the stopping unit 34 stops the supply of power to the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 becomes unusable. As a result, unauthorized access to confidential documents and the like can be suppressed.

[0066] Specifically, if the determination unit 32 determines that attempts to remove the usage restrictions on the image forming apparatus 100 have failed a predetermined number of times or more after the change unit 33 changes the logged-in state to the logged-out state, the stopping unit 34 stops the supply of power to the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, unauthorized access to confidential documents and the like can be further suppressed.

[0067] Next, the processing of the image forming system 1 will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 5 to 6. Figs. 5 and 6 are flowcharts of the processing executed by the image forming system 1. The processing of the image forming system 1 includes steps S1 to S22. The image forming device 100 executes steps S1 to S8. The first terminal device 300 executes steps S11 to S12. The second terminal device 200 executes steps S21 to S22.

[0068] 5, in step S1, the determination unit 32 determines whether or not the removal of the restriction has failed. If the removal of the restriction has not failed, the process ends. If the removal of the restriction has failed (Yes in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2.

[0069] If the answer is Yes in step S1, in step S2, the judgment unit 32 judges whether the number of times that attempts to remove the restriction have failed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. If the number of times that attempts to remove the restriction have failed is less than the predetermined number (No in step S2), the process returns to step S1. If the number of times that attempts to remove the restriction have failed is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (No in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3.

[0070] If the answer is No in step S2, then in step S3, the control unit 30 determines whether the first communication unit 40 is capable of communicating with the first terminal device 300. If the first communication unit 40 is capable of communicating with the first terminal device 300 (Yes in step S3), the first communication unit 40 is connected to the first network N1. The process proceeds to step S4. If the first communication unit 40 is not capable of communicating with the first terminal device 300 (No in step S3), the first communication unit 40 is not connected to the first network N1. The process proceeds to step S5.

[0071] If the answer is Yes in step S3, in step S4, the control unit 30 controls the first communication unit 40 so that the first communication unit 40 transmits the notification information to the first terminal device 300 via the first network N1. As shown in FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0072] If the result of step S3 is No, in step S5, the control unit 30 controls the second communication unit 50 so that the second communication unit 50 transmits the notification information to the second terminal device 200 via the second network N2. As shown in FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0073] 6, after step S4 or after step S5, in step S6, the change unit 33 changes the login state of the image forming apparatus 100 to a logout state. The process proceeds to step S7.

[0074] In step S7, the determination unit 32 determines whether or not the removal of the restriction has failed based on the user's operation. If the removal of the restriction has not failed (No in step S7), the process ends. If the removal of the restriction has failed (Yes in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0075] If the answer is Yes in step S7, in step S8, the stopping unit 34 stops the supply of power to the image forming apparatus 100. The process then ends.

[0076] After step S4 shown in Fig. 5, in step S11, as shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 330 of the first terminal device 300 determines whether or not notification information has been received from the first communication unit 40. Specifically, the control unit 330 of the first terminal device 300 determines whether or not notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred has been received from the first communication unit 40. If notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred has not been received (No in step S11), the processing ends. If notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred has been received (Yes in step S11), the processing proceeds to step S12.

[0077] If the answer is Yes in step S11, in step S12, the control unit 330 of the first terminal apparatus 300 controls the display unit 322 so that the display unit 322 displays the notification information, and then the processing ends.

[0078] After step S5 shown in Fig. 5, in step S21, as shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 230 of the second terminal device 200 determines whether or not notification information has been received from the second communication unit 50. Specifically, the control unit 230 of the second terminal device 200 determines whether or not notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred has been received from the second communication unit 50. If notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred has not been received (No in step S21), the processing ends. If notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred has been received (Yes in step S21), the processing proceeds to step S22.

[0079] If the answer is Yes in step S21, in step S22, the control unit 230 of the second terminal apparatus 200 controls the display unit 222 so that the display unit 222 displays the notification information, and then the processing ends.

[0080] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0081] The present invention provides an image forming system and an image forming apparatus, and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1: Image forming system 30: Control section 31: Communication control section 32: Judgment section 33: Change section 34:Stop part 40: First Communications Department 50: Second Communications Department 100: Image forming device 200: Second terminal device 250: Third Communications Department 300: First terminal device N1: Network 1 N2: Second network

Claims

1. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus that forms an image, a first terminal device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus, and a second terminal device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus, a first communication unit that communicates with the first terminal device via a first network; a second communication unit that communicates with the second terminal device via a second network different from the first network; a communication control unit that controls the second communication unit; Equipped with The second terminal device a third communication unit that communicates with the second communication unit; a notification unit that notifies information; Equipped with when the first communication unit cannot communicate with the first terminal device and, if the release of a predetermined restriction fails, the communication control unit controls the second communication unit to transmit notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred to the third communication unit of the second terminal device; When the third communication unit receives the notification information, the notification unit notifies the notification information; The predetermined restriction includes at least one of a restriction on use of the image forming device and a restriction on viewing of a document.

2. the image forming apparatus, a determination unit that determines whether or not the number of times that the removal of the predetermined restriction has failed is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the failure to remove the specified restriction has occurred a specified number of times or more, the communication control unit controls the first communication unit to send the notification information to the second terminal device.

3. the image forming apparatus further includes a change unit that changes a user's login status to a logout status; The image forming system according to claim 2 , wherein when the second communication unit transmits the notification information to the third communication unit, the change unit changes the login state of the user to a logout state.

4. the image forming apparatus further includes a stop unit that stops the supply of power; The image forming system according to claim 3 , wherein the stopping unit stops the supply of power to the image forming apparatus when the second communication unit transmits the notification information to the third communication unit.

5. a first communication unit that communicates with a first terminal device via a first network; a second communication unit that communicates with a second terminal device via a second network different from the first network; a communication control unit that controls the second communication unit; Equipped with when the first communication unit cannot communicate with the first terminal device and, if the release of a predetermined restriction fails, the communication control unit controls the second communication unit to transmit, to the second terminal device, notification information including information indicating that unauthorized access has occurred; The predetermined restriction includes at least one of a restriction on use of the image forming apparatus and a restriction on viewing of documents.

Images