Image processing device

Abstract

Even if the authentication information set on the image processing device is forgotten, it will be possible to easily retrieve the authentication information while maintaining security. [Solution] The image processing device is an image processing device comprising: an authentication means for authenticating whether authentication information entered for login on an information processing terminal matches set authentication information; a receiving means for receiving an operation to acquire the set authentication information via an input device built into or attached to the image processing device; and an output means for outputting the set authentication information when the acquisition operation is received.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an information processing terminal, an information processing system, a processing method of an image processing apparatus, a processing method of an information processing terminal, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Administrator authority of an information processing terminal is given by authenticating as an administrator user. The authentication is generally performed by inputting authentication information consisting of a username and a password. This authentication information has default values set at the time of shipment of the information processing terminal, and those values are often known as they are described in a manual or the like. Since it is vulnerable as it is, it is recommended to reset and use the authentication information, but users often forget the reset authentication information.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of storing authentication information in a server, requesting the server to acquire the authentication information from an information processing terminal, and performing authentication using the acquired authentication information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, since the authentication information acquired from the server is used as it is, anyone who can display the authentication screen can obtain authentication.

[0006] Particularly, when used for authentication of the server function of an image processing apparatus having a web server, even a person who does not know the authentication information can authenticate at a location physically separated from the image processing apparatus, so there is a problem that the security of the system cannot be maintained.

[0007] The present invention aims to enable users to easily and securely verify authentication information even if they forget the authentication information set in the image processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image processing device includes an authentication means for authenticating whether authentication information entered for login on an information processing terminal matches pre-configured authentication information, a receiving means for receiving an operation to acquire the pre-configured authentication information via an input device built into or attached to the image processing device, and an output means for outputting the pre-configured authentication information when the acquisition operation is received. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, even if the authentication information set in the image processing device is forgotten, the authentication information can be easily checked while maintaining security. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an overall diagram of the information processing system. [Figure 2] This is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing terminal and an image processing device. [Figure 3] This is a software configuration diagram for an information processing terminal and an image processing device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a settings screen displayed by an information processing terminal. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a settings screen displayed by an information processing terminal. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the browser processing on an information processing terminal. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of authentication information held by an information processing terminal. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the screen display of an image processing device. [Figure 9]It is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by an image processing apparatus. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the browser processing of an information processing terminal. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the screen display of an image processing apparatus. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of data printed by an image processing apparatus. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing the screen display of an image processing apparatus.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention thereto.

[0012] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 150 in the first embodiment. First, the overall configuration of the information processing system 150 in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, an example of solving a problem by displaying authentication information on a display unit 126 (FIG. 2) of an image processing apparatus 120 will be described.

[0013] The information processing system 150 has an information processing terminal 110 and an image processing apparatus 120 connected by a network 100. At this time, there may be a plurality of information processing terminals 110 and image processing apparatuses 120 on the network 100.

[0014] The network 100 is a standard network connection and may be in the form of either the Internet or an intranet. The connection method may be any connection form as long as the information processing terminal 110 and the image processing apparatus 120 are connected to the network 100 with respect to each other.

[0015] Next, the hardware configurations of the information processing terminal 110 and the image processing apparatus 120 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0016] The information processing terminal 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a network controller 114, a display unit 115, an input control unit 116, an HDD 117, and a system bus 119.

[0017] The information processing terminal 110 can communicate wirelessly or by wire using the network controller 114. Each component of the hardware in the information processing terminal 110 is connected to the system bus 119.

[0018] The ROM 112 is a non-volatile storage device that stores various operation mode settings and the like that need to be retained even after the information processing terminal 110 is restarted. The information stored in the ROM 112 is processed by the CPU 111.

[0019] The HDD 117 stores the OS in the information processing terminal 110, various applications, and various other data. Further, when the CPU 111 executes processing based on the programs stored in the HDD 117, the software configuration of the information processing terminal 110 as shown in FIG. 3 and the processing of each step of the flowchart described later are realized.

[0020] The RAM 113 is a work memory area for executing programs.

[0021] The network controller 114 is for controlling communication with the network 100, and communication uses Wi-Fi, wired LAN connection, or the like.

[0022] The display unit 115 controls the information output to the screen of the information processing terminal 110.

[0023] The input control unit 116 controls the information instructed by the user via a keyboard or the like connected to the information processing terminal 110.

[0024] The application of the information processing terminal 110 uses the display unit 115 and the input control unit 116 to provide the user with network communication information and various information from the information processing terminal 110.

[0025] The image processing device 120 includes a network interface 121, a CPU 122, a RAM 123, a ROM 124, a printer engine 125, a display unit 126, a system bus 127, an audio output unit 128, an HDD 129, and an input control unit 130.

[0026] The network interface 121 is used to connect to the information processing terminal 110 via the network 100. The image processing device 120 is capable of communication processing with the information processing terminal 110 via the network interface 121 and is configured to notify the information processing terminal 110 of information contained within the image processing device 120.

[0027] The CPU 122 performs printing by outputting an image signal as output information to the printer engine 125 connected to the system bus 127, based on the control program stored in the ROM 124. Furthermore, the CPU 122 executes processing based on application programs and other data stored in the ROM 124 and the HDD 129.

[0028] RAM123 functions as the main memory and work area of ​​CPU122. RAM123 is also used for executing control programs, output information expansion, and environmental data storage.

[0029] ROM124 stores the control program for CPU122, font data used to generate the above output information, and information used by the image processing device 120.

[0030] The printer engine 125 outputs (prints) the image signal as output information onto paper.

[0031] The display unit 126 controls the information output to the screen of the image processing device 120.

[0032] The input control unit 130 controls the information instructed by the user via an input device connected to the image processing device 120. If the screen is a pressure-sensitive panel, the coordinates touched by the user are transmitted to the input control unit 130. Other input devices besides pressure-sensitive panels include keyboards and mice, and the user's input device and the image processing device 120 may be connected by a wired connection or by a wireless connection such as BLE.

[0033] The audio output unit 128 outputs sound from the speaker based on the audio data.

[0034] HDD129 stores various data, including the OS and various applications in the image processing device 120.

[0035] The system bus 127 connects each device. Furthermore, the CPU 122 executes processing based on programs stored in the ROM 124 and HDD 129, thereby realizing the software configuration of the image processing device 120 shown in Figure 3 and the processing steps in the flowchart described later.

[0036] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the information processing terminal 110 and the image processing device 120 in this embodiment.

[0037] First, the software configuration of the information processing terminal 110 will be described. The information processing terminal 110 has a web browser 210.

[0038] The web browser 210 is a program module that exists as a file stored on the HDD 117. At runtime, it is loaded into RAM 113 and executed by the OS or any module that utilizes the web browser 210.

[0039] Furthermore, the processing described in this embodiment is achieved by reading the applications and programs of each module (software) stored in the HDD 117 into the RAM 113 as needed and executing them with the CPU 111.

[0040] The web browser 210 receives HTML and JavaScript from the web server module 221 via the network module 220 of the image processing device 120, and displays them on the display unit 115 based on that information.

[0041] Next, the software configuration of the image processing device 120 will be described. The image processing device 120 includes a network module 220, a web server module 221, an authentication management module 222, a printing processing module 223, an audio output module 224, and a display output module 225.

[0042] The network module 220 is a module that handles communication between the image processing device 120 and the information processing terminal 110, and provides the function of communicating with external devices using protocols such as HTTP and SNMP.

[0043] The Web server module 221 is a module that provides screens using HTML and JavaScript, and requests to obtain these are received via the network module 220. Examples of the screens provided are described later in Figures 4 and 5. The Web server module 221 also provides functions for configuring various settings of the image processing device 120 through these screens.

[0044] The authentication management module 222 authenticates users who can use the various configuration functions provided by the web server module 221. The authentication management module 222 also has a function to update the information used for authentication (account name, password).

[0045] The printing processing module 223 is a module that sends drawing data to the printer engine 125 for output by the printer engine 125.

[0046] The audio output module 224 is a module that sends audio data to the audio output unit 128 for audio output.

[0047] The display output module 225 is a module that sends screen data to the display unit 126 for display output by the display unit 126.

[0048] Figure 4(a) shows an example of a screen 401 displayed by the information processing terminal 110. This screen 401 is displayed on the display unit 115 by the information processing terminal 110's web browser 210 receiving and interpreting HTML and JavaScript from the image processing device 120's web server module 221.

[0049] In Figure 4(a), 401 is the display screen. In Figure 4(a), 402, 403, and 404 are the operation menus of the information processing terminal 110.

[0050] In the example shown in Figure 4(a), 403 is selected, and the details of 403 are displayed in area 405 at the bottom of screen 401. Area 405 is the area that displays the screen for configuring various settings for managing the device, but since allowing anyone to do so would pose a risk of information leakage and problems, authentication is required before any configuration operations can be performed.

[0051] In the detail area 405 of Figure 4(a), fields 407 for entering the username of the authentication information, 408 for entering the password, and 409 for the login button to perform authentication are displayed. Instructions and hints for operation are also displayed in the Guide area 406.

[0052] The Guide area 406 is always displayed together with the detail area 405, which displays user-initiated options and input fields, allowing users to easily recognize instructions and hints for operation. The image processing device 120 is typically configured with default authentication information at the time of shipment, and this default authentication information is described in the product manual, etc. This default authentication information is the initial setting and is applied during factory resets or device resets.

[0053] However, some users may contact the manufacturer's customer center by phone or other means without consulting the manual, which places a burden on the manufacturer. To prevent this burden, some products constantly display default authentication information in the Guide area 406.

[0054] For example, as shown in Figure 4(a), the Guide area 406 always displays that the default username is admin and the password is 123.

[0055] Figure 6 illustrates the processing flow related to the operation of the screen displayed on 401, as shown in Figure 4(a). This flowchart indicates that processing begins when the CPU 111 detects that the user has pressed 403. The following describes the processing method of the information processing terminal 110 in steps S601 to S611.

[0056] In S601, the CPU 111 displays an authentication screen and proceeds to S602. The authentication screen in question is the detail area 405 in Figure 4(a).

[0057] In S602, the CPU 111 receives a login instruction from the user and proceeds to S603. This is equivalent to the CPU 111 detecting that the user has pressed the login button 409.

[0058] When the login button 409 is pressed, the CPU 111 sends the username entered in the username input field 407 and the password entered in the password input field 408 to the image processing device 120 (sends a login request). Here, the username and password are examples of authentication information.

[0059] In S603, the CPU 111 determines whether the login was successful. This is determined by the CPU 111 sending a login request to the authentication management module 222 of the image processing device 120 and receiving the result.

[0060] If the received result indicates a successful login, the process proceeds to S604; otherwise, it proceeds to S611. The authentication management module 222 determines whether the login was successful based on whether the values ​​entered in the username input field 407 and the password input field 408 match the authentication information in the database shown in Figure 7(a). A successful login is determined if the value entered in the username input field 407 matches the username 701 in the database, and the value entered in the password input field 408 matches the password 702 in the database. On the other hand, a login failure is determined if the entered username and password values ​​do not match the values ​​in the database.

[0061] Furthermore, the database shown in Figure 7(a) is stored on the HDD 129 and remains even if the power to the image processing device 120 is turned off.

[0062] In S604, the CPU 111 determines whether authentication information has been output (displayed) in the past on the display unit 126 of the image processing device 120. This determination is made by the CPU 111 sending a request to the authentication management module 222 of the image processing device 120 to check the status of the output flag, and receiving the result.

[0063] The "Outputted" flag is saved to HDD129 in S805, as described later in Figure 8. The "Outputted" flag being set means that authentication information has been output. Since changing previously outputted authentication information increases security, if the "Outputted" flag is set, the system controls the process to update the authentication information from S605 onwards. If the received "Outputted" flag is set, the process proceeds to S605; otherwise, it proceeds to S608.

[0064] In S605, the CPU 111 displays the authentication information update screen and proceeds to S606. Here, Figure 5(a) shows an example of the authentication information update screen displayed by the information processing terminal 110. 501 is the updated username input field for entering the updated username. 502 is the updated password input field for entering the updated password. 503 is the authentication information update button, which instructs the system to execute the process of updating the authentication information stored in the database with the information entered in 501 and 502.

[0065] CPU111 accepts the username entered in the new update username input field 501 and the password entered in the update password input field 502 for the purpose of updating. The username and password are examples of authentication information.

[0066] In S606, the CPU 111 detects that the user has pressed the authentication information update button 503 and proceeds to S607.

[0067] In S607, the CPU 111 sends a request to the authentication management module 222 of the image processing device 120 to update the authentication information 701 and 702 in the database shown in Figure 7(a) with the values ​​entered in the updated username input field 501 and the updated password input field 502, and terminates this flowchart. The request includes the username entered in the updated username input field 501 and the password entered in the updated password input field 502. When the authentication management module 222 receives the authentication information update request, it saves the authentication information in the database on the HDD 129, but saves it in plain text.

[0068] Figure 7(b) shows the database after updating the authentication information as shown in Figure 5(a). Also, because the authentication information has been updated, the output flag for HDD129 is set to a state where it is not set. The authentication management module 222 updates the authentication information 701 and 702 set in the database in Figure 7(a) with the new authentication information entered at the information processing terminal 110 in Figure 7(b).

[0069] Thus, in this system, users can freely change their authentication information, but there is a possibility that they may forget the changed authentication information. In such a case, the authentication information can be cleared using the setting clear button 413 shown in Figure 4(b) below, but other device settings will also be reset to their factory default state, so if the authentication information is cleared, all device settings must be reconfigured again.

[0070] Therefore, Figures 8 and onward will explain how to verify authentication information without clearing the device settings.

[0071] In S608, CPU111 displays a settings screen and proceeds to S609. An example of the settings screen is shown in Figure 4(b). The settings screen has an IP address setting button 410 that transitions to the IP address setting screen (not shown). The settings screen also has a device setting button 411 that transitions to the device settings screen (not shown) where settings such as the sleep time of the main unit are made. The settings screen also has an authentication information setting button 412 that transitions to the user authentication information update screen (Figure 5(a)). Furthermore, the settings screen has a setting clear button 413 that clears the device settings and account settings to the factory default settings.

[0072] In S609, the CPU 111 determines whether the user has pressed the authentication information setting button 412. If the authentication information setting button 412 is pressed, the process proceeds to S605; otherwise, the process proceeds to S610.

[0073] In S610, the CPU 111 processes each of the buttons pressed in S609 and then terminates this flowchart. The processing here is not directly related to this embodiment, so its explanation is omitted.

[0074] In S611, the CPU 111 displays a login failure screen and terminates this flowchart. An example of the login failure screen is shown in Figure 5(b). The pop-up is closed by pressing the OK button 504. The screen after closing the pop-up is shown in Figure 5(c). At this point, as shown in the Guide area 406 of Figure 5(c), the display unit 126 may display a message indicating that authentication information can be confirmed.

[0075] The image processing device 120 controls the information processing terminal 110 to display the method for acquiring the authentication information 701 and 702 set in the database shown in Figure 7(a) on the Guide area 406 of Figure 5(c). The information processing terminal 110 controls the image processing device 120 to display the method for acquiring the authentication information 701 and 702 set in the database shown in Figure 7(a) on the image processing device 120. The operation for acquiring the authentication information 701 and 702 is, for example, pressing the account confirmation button 905 shown in Figure 9(a), which will be described later.

[0076] Figure 8 illustrates the processing flow related to screen display of the image processing device 120. This flowchart shows that processing begins when the user operates the display unit 126 with the input control unit 130. The processing method of the image processing device 120 in steps S801 to S807 is described below.

[0077] In S801, the CPU 122 displays a menu screen on the display unit 126 via the display output module 225, and proceeds to S802. An example of the menu screen is shown in Figure 9(a). Figure 9(a) has a communication setting button 901, a device setting button 902, a copy button 903, a send button 904, and an account confirmation button 905.

[0078] When the communication settings button 901 is pressed, the CPU 122 displays a communication settings screen (not shown) on the display unit 126. When the device settings button 902 is pressed, the CPU 122 displays a device settings screen (not shown) for setting the sleep time of the main unit.

[0079] If the copy button 903 is pressed, the CPU 122 displays a copy application screen (not shown) for executing the copy. If the send button 904 is pressed, the CPU 122 displays a send application screen (not shown) for sending the scanned and created data to an email address or file server.

[0080] If the account verification button 905 is pressed, the CPU 122 displays an account verification screen (Figure 9(b)) to output the authentication information 701 and 702 for the database shown in Figure 7. Further details regarding the account verification screen will be described later.

[0081] Here, the screen shown in Figure 9 is provided only to the display unit 126 by the display output module 225, and is not provided by the Web server module 221, and cannot be displayed on external devices such as the information processing terminal 110.

[0082] In S802, the CPU 122 determines whether the user has pressed the account confirmation button 905. The CPU 122 accepts an operation to acquire authentication information 701 and 702 set in the database shown in Figure 7, without authentication of the authentication information, via an input control unit (input device) 130 which is built into or external to the image processing device 120. The operation to acquire authentication information 701 and 702 is, for example, the operation to press the account confirmation button 905.

[0083] If the account verification button 905 is pressed, proceed to S803; otherwise, proceed to S807.

[0084] In S803, CPU122 refers to the authentication information 701 and 702 in the database shown in Figure 7 and proceeds to S804.

[0085] In S804, the CPU 122 displays (outputs) the account confirmation screen (Figure 9(b)) to the display unit 126 via the display output module 225, and proceeds to S805. Figure 9(b) shows the username display area 906, the password display area 907, and the back button 908.

[0086] In this embodiment, since the CPU 122 stores the authentication information in plain text, the authentication information 701 and 702 referenced in S803 are displayed directly in the username display area 906 and password display area 907. When the back button 908 is pressed, the user returns to the menu screen. Authentication is successful when the strings displayed in the username display area 906 and password display area 907 are entered directly into the username input field 407 and password input field 408 of the details area 405.

[0087] In S805, CPU122 sets an output flag corresponding to the authentication information such as username and password displayed on display unit 126 in S804, and saves it to HDD129.

[0088] In S806, CPU122 sends an email to the registered administrator email address stating that authentication information has been output. Here, the administrator's email address can be set on the device settings screen (not shown) that opens after pressing device settings button 411 or device settings screen (not shown) that opens after pressing device settings button 902, and is stored on HDD129.

[0089] In S807, the CPU 122 processes each of the buttons pressed in S802 and then terminates this flowchart. The processing here is not directly related to this embodiment, so its explanation is omitted.

[0090] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the user forgets the authentication information used to log in to the Web server of the image processing device 120, the authentication information will be displayed on the display unit 126 of the image processing device 120 based on instructions from the input control unit 130 of the image processing device 120. This makes it possible to easily check the authentication information while maintaining security.

[0091] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, a method for displaying authentication information on the display unit 126 of the image processing device 120 was described. In the first embodiment, a method for storing authentication information in plain text and ensuring that the authentication information can always be verified was also described.

[0092] In the second embodiment, a method is described in which the authentication information is output by printing rather than being displayed on the display unit 126 of the image processing device 120. Furthermore, a method for handling the authentication information in an encrypted form is described. Finally, a method is described for allowing authentication information to be verified only if the authentication information has been forgotten.

[0093] Figures that are the same as those in the first embodiment will not be described.

[0094] Figure 10 illustrates the processing flow related to the operation of the screen displayed on 401 shown in Figure 4(a). This flowchart shows that processing begins when the user presses 403. Steps S601 to S606 and S608 to S610, other than S1001 to S1005, are the same as in Figure 6 of the first embodiment, so their explanation is omitted.

[0095] After S606, in S1001, the CPU 111 sends a request to the authentication management module 222 of the image processing device 120 to encrypt the new authentication information entered in the updated username input field 501 and the updated password input field 502 in Figure 5(a), and proceeds to S1002.

[0096] When the authentication management module 222 receives a request to encrypt authentication information, it encrypts the received authentication information and stores it in RAM 123. In this embodiment, encryption is performed using the DES encryption method, and the key information used for encryption is pre-stored in ROM 124.

[0097] Furthermore, although this embodiment uses pre-stored key information, key information may be generated each time encryption is performed and stored on the HDD129. Also, although this embodiment uses DES as the encryption method, other encryption methods may be used.

[0098] In S1002, the CPU 111 sends an authentication information update request to the authentication management module 222 of the image processing device 120 to update the authentication information in the database shown in Figure 7(a) with the information stored in RAM 123 in S1001, and then terminates this flowchart. Upon receiving the authentication information update request, the authentication management module 222 saves the encrypted authentication information to the database on HDD 129. Figure 7(c) shows the database after the authentication information has been updated with the information shown in Figure 5(a).

[0099] If login fails in S603, proceed to S1003.

[0100] In S1003, CPU 111 displays a login failure screen and proceeds to S1004. An example of the login failure screen is shown in Figure 5(d).

[0101] In S1004, the CPU 111 determines whether the forgotten authentication information button 505 on the login failure screen (Figure 5(d)) has been pressed. Pressing the forgotten authentication information button 505 is an example of what to do when you forget your authentication information on the information processing terminal 110.

[0102] If the forgotten authentication information button 505 is pressed, proceed to S1005; otherwise, exit this flowchart.

[0103] In S1005, the CPU 111 displays the operation instruction screen 506 shown in Figure 5(e). The operation instruction screen 506 includes an OK button 507 and displays the method for obtaining (printing) the authentication information 701 and 702 set in the database shown in Figure 7(a). Obtaining (printing) the authentication information 701 and 702 is, for example, the operation of pressing the account confirmation button 905 shown in Figure 9(a). When the OK button 507 is pressed, the CPU 111 sends a request to the authentication management module 222 of the image processing device 120 to set an authentication information forgotten flag, and terminates this flowchart. Upon receiving the request, the authentication management module 222 sets the authentication information forgotten flag and saves it to the HDD 129. The authentication information forgotten flag set here will be referenced in the flowchart of Figure 11.

[0104] Figure 11 illustrates the processing flow related to the operation of the screen displayed on the display unit 126 of the image processing device 120. This flowchart shows that processing begins when the user operates the display unit 126 with the input control unit 130. Steps S802-S803 and S805-S807, other than S1101-S1106, are the same as in Figure 8 of the first embodiment, so their explanation is omitted.

[0105] In S1101, CPU 122 determines whether the authentication information forgotten flag, which was processed in S1005 in Figure 10, is set. If the authentication information forgotten flag is set, the process proceeds to S1102; otherwise, it proceeds to S1103.

[0106] In S1102, the CPU 122 displays a menu screen (Figure 9(a)) on the display unit 126 and proceeds to S802. The menu screen (Figure 9(a)) is a screen that includes an account confirmation button 905. The CPU 122 can accept a press of the account confirmation button 905 on the menu screen (Figure 9(a)).

[0107] In S1103, the CPU 122 displays a menu screen (Figure 9(c)) on the display unit 126 and proceeds to S807. Figure 9(c) is the same screen as Figure 9(a) but with the account confirmation button 905 removed. The CPU 122 cannot accept a press of the account confirmation button 905 on the menu screen (Figure 9(c)).

[0108] After S803, in S1104, CPU122 decrypts the encrypted authentication information read from HDD129 in S803 and proceeds to S1105. The key information is read and used from ROM124, just as it was during encryption.

[0109] In S1105, the CPU 122 creates PDF data containing the authentication information decrypted in S1104, and proceeds to S1106. In this embodiment, PDF is used, but other formats such as XPS may be used as long as the data is printable. Figure 12 shows an example of PDF data 1201. PDF data 1201 contains authentication information, name 701 and password 702.

[0110] In S1106, the CPU 122 outputs the PDF data created in S1105 to the printer engine 125 using the print processing module 223, prints a sheet of paper with the authentication information printed on it, and proceeds to S805. Authentication is successful when the string contained in the PDF data 1201 is entered directly into the username input field 407 and the password input field 408 in the detail area 405.

[0111] As described above, according to this embodiment, since the authentication information is stored in an encrypted state on the HDD 129, security is enhanced compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, even if the user forgets the authentication information used to log in to the Web server of the image processing device 120, the authentication information is printed based on instructions from the input control unit 130 of the image processing device 120. This allows the user to easily check their authentication information while maintaining security. In addition, by displaying the account confirmation button 905 only when the forgotten authentication information button 505 is pressed, the means of checking the authentication information is presented only when it can be clearly determined that the user has forgotten their authentication information, thus enhancing security.

[0112] (Third embodiment) In the first embodiment, a method for displaying authentication information on the display unit 126 of the image processing device 120 was described, and in the second embodiment, a method for printing authentication information was described. In the third embodiment, a method for outputting the information by voice will also be described.

[0113] Figures that are the same as those in the first embodiment will not be described.

[0114] Figure 13 illustrates the processing flow related to the operation of the screen displayed on the display unit 126 of the image processing device 120. This flowchart shows that processing begins when the CPU 122 detects an operation by the user on the input control unit 130. Steps S801 to S803 and S805 to S807, other than S1301 to S1302, are the same as in Figure 8 of the first embodiment, so their explanation is omitted.

[0115] After S803, in S1301, CPU122 creates audio data containing authentication information 701 and 702 read from HDD129 in S803, and then proceeds to S1302.

[0116] In S1302, the CPU 122 outputs the audio data created in S1301 to the audio output unit 128 using the audio output module 224, and proceeds to S805. Authentication is successful when the string read aloud from the audio output module 224 is entered directly into the username input field 407 and the password input field 408 in the detail area 405.

[0117] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the user forgets the authentication information used to log in to the Web server of the image processing device 120, the audio output unit 128 of the image processing device 120 will output the authentication information by voice based on instructions from the input control unit 130 of the image processing device 120. This makes it possible to easily check the authentication information while maintaining security.

[0118] As described above, according to the first to third embodiments, even if the authentication information used for authentication of the image processing device 120 is forgotten, the authentication information can be easily checked while maintaining security, thereby improving user convenience.

[0119] (Other embodiments) This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0120] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are merely examples illustrating how to implement this disclosure, and they should not be interpreted as limiting the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, this disclosure can be implemented in various ways without departing from its technical concept or its main features.

[0121] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Item 1) An image processing device, An authentication means that authenticates whether the authentication information entered for login on an information processing terminal matches the configured authentication information, The image processing apparatus includes a receiving means that accepts the operation to acquire the set authentication information via an internal or external input device, When the acquisition operation is accepted, an output means outputs the set authentication information. An image processing apparatus characterized by having (Item 2) The image processing apparatus according to item 1, further comprising an update means for updating the set authentication information with new authentication information entered on the information processing terminal. (Item 3) The image processing apparatus according to item 2, characterized in that, after output by the output means, if authentication by the authentication means is successful, the update means updates the set authentication information with new authentication information entered by the information processing terminal. (Item 4) The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3, further comprising control means for controlling the information processing terminal to display the method for acquiring the set authentication information if authentication by the authentication means fails. (Item 5) The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, characterized in that the receiving means accepts an operation to acquire the set authentication information without authentication of the authentication information. (Item 6) The aforementioned receiving means is If authentication by the aforementioned authentication means fails, the operation to obtain the configured authentication information will be accepted. The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, characterized in that, if authentication by the authentication means is successful, it does not accept the operation to acquire the set authentication information. (Item 7) The aforementioned receiving means is If authentication by the aforementioned authentication means fails and the information processing terminal performs an operation indicating that the authentication information has been forgotten, the system will accept the operation to retrieve the set authentication information. The image processing apparatus according to item 6, characterized in that if authentication by the authentication means fails and the operation for forgetting authentication information is not performed on the information processing terminal, the apparatus does not accept the operation to retrieve the set authentication information. (Item 8) The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that the output means outputs the set authentication information to the display unit. (Item 9) The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that the output means outputs the set authentication information to the printer engine. (Item 10) The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that the output means outputs the set authentication information to the audio output unit. (Item 11) The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 10, further comprising a notification means for notifying an administrator after output by the output means. (Item 12) The update means encrypts and stores the new authentication information. The image processing apparatus according to item 2 or 3, characterized in that the output means decrypts and outputs encrypted authentication information. (Item 13) It is an information processing terminal, A transmission means for transmitting authentication information entered for login to an image processing device, Control means that, in accordance with the instructions of the image processing device, controls the image processing device to display the method for obtaining the authentication information set in the image processing device if the login fails, An information processing terminal characterized by having the following features. (Item 14) It is an information processing terminal, A first transmission means that transmits authentication information entered for login to an image processing device, A determination means for determining whether or not authentication information set in the image processing device has been output by the image processing device, If the login is successful and the determination means determines that the authentication information has been output, the receiving means accepts input of new authentication information for updating. A second transmission means for transmitting the new authentication information to the image processing device, An information processing terminal characterized by having the following features. (Item 15) An image processing device described in any one of items 1 to 12, An information processing terminal that transmits authentication information entered for login to the image processing device. An information processing system characterized by having the following features. (Item 16) A processing method for an image processing device, An authentication step that verifies whether the authentication information entered for login on the information processing terminal matches the configured authentication information, The image processing device receives an operation to acquire the set authentication information via an internal or external input device; When the acquisition operation is accepted, an output step is taken to output the set authentication information. A processing method for an image processing apparatus, characterized by having the following features. (Item 17) A processing method for an information processing terminal, A transmission step that sends authentication information entered for login to an image processing device, A control step which controls the image processing device to display the method for obtaining the authentication information set in the image processing device if the login fails, according to the instructions of the image processing device. A processing method for an information processing terminal, characterized by having the following features. (Item 18) A processing method for an information processing terminal, A first transmission step involves sending the authentication information entered for login to an image processing device, A determination step of determining whether or not the authentication information set in the image processing device has been output by the image processing device, If the login is successful and the determination step determines that the authentication information has been output, the system accepts the input of new authentication information for updating. A second transmission step of transmitting the new authentication information to the image processing device. A processing method for an information processing terminal, characterized by having the following features. (Item 19) A program for causing a computer to function as an image processing device as described in any one of items 1 to 12, or as an information processing terminal as described in item 13 or 14. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0122] 110 Information Processing Terminal 111 CPU 112 ROM 113 RAM 114 Network Controller 115 Display section 116 Input Control Unit 117 HDD 119 System Bus 120 Image Processing Devices 121 Network I / F 122 CPU 123 RAM 124 ROM 125 Printer Engine 126 Display section 127 System Bus 128 Audio output section 129 HDD 130 Input Control Unit

Claims

1. An image processing device, An authentication means that authenticates whether the authentication information entered for login on an information processing terminal matches the configured authentication information, The image processing apparatus includes a receiving means that accepts the operation to acquire the set authentication information via an internal or external input device, When the acquisition operation is accepted, an output means outputs the set authentication information. An image processing apparatus characterized by having

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an update means for updating the set authentication information with new authentication information entered on the information processing terminal.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, after output by the output means, if authentication by the authentication means is successful, the update means updates the set authentication information with new authentication information entered by the information processing terminal.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the information processing terminal to display the method for acquiring the set authentication information if authentication by the authentication means fails.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving means accepts an operation to acquire the set authentication information without authentication of the authentication information.

6. The aforementioned receiving means is If authentication by the aforementioned authentication means fails, the operation to obtain the configured authentication information will be accepted. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if authentication by the authentication means is successful, the apparatus does not accept the operation to acquire the set authentication information.

7. The aforementioned receiving means is If authentication by the aforementioned authentication means fails and the information processing terminal performs an operation indicating that the authentication information has been forgotten, the system will accept the operation to retrieve the set authentication information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that if authentication by the authentication means fails and the operation for forgetting authentication information is not performed on the information processing terminal, the apparatus does not accept the operation to retrieve the set authentication information.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the output means outputs the set authentication information to the display unit.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the output means outputs the set authentication information to the printer engine.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the output means outputs the set authentication information to the audio output unit.

11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying an administrator after output by the output means.

12. The update means encrypts and stores the new authentication information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the output means decrypts and outputs encrypted authentication information.

13. It is an information processing terminal, A transmission means for transmitting authentication information entered for login to an image processing device, Control means that, in accordance with the instructions of the image processing device, controls the image processing device to display the method for obtaining the authentication information set in the image processing device if the login fails, An information processing terminal characterized by having the following features.

14. It is an information processing terminal, A first transmission means that transmits authentication information entered for login to an image processing device, A determination means for determining whether or not authentication information set in the image processing device has been output by the image processing device, If the login is successful and the determination means determines that the authentication information has been output, the receiving means accepts input of new authentication information for updating. A second transmission means for transmitting the new authentication information to the image processing device. An information processing terminal characterized by having the following features.

15. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, An information processing terminal that transmits authentication information entered for login to the image processing device. An information processing system characterized by having the following features.

16. A processing method for an image processing device, An authentication step that verifies whether the authentication information entered for login on the information processing terminal matches the configured authentication information, The image processing device receives an operation to acquire the set authentication information via an internal or external input device; When the acquisition operation is accepted, an output step is taken to output the set authentication information. A processing method for an image processing apparatus, characterized by having the following features.

17. A processing method for an information processing terminal, A transmission step that sends authentication information entered for login to an image processing device, A control step which controls the image processing device to display the method for obtaining the authentication information set in the image processing device if the login fails, according to the instructions of the image processing device. A processing method for an information processing terminal, characterized by having the following features.

18. A processing method for an information processing terminal, A first transmission step involves sending authentication information entered for login to an image processing device, A determination step of determining whether or not the authentication information set in the image processing device has been output by the image processing device, If the login is successful and the determination step determines that the authentication information has been output, the system accepts the input of new authentication information for updating. A second transmission step of transmitting the new authentication information to the image processing device. A processing method for an information processing terminal, characterized by having the following features.

19. A program for causing a computer to function as an image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or as an information processing terminal according to claim 13 or 14.

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