Authentication device, authentication method, and program

Abstract

To provide an authentication device, an authentication method, and a program capable of suppressing that a maintenance is performed by an inappropriate person while securing convenience of a maintenance worker when authentication information and a maintenance mode are changed.SOLUTION: An authentication device (for example, a printer) comprises an authentication part which determines whether or not a maintenance mode can be executed by a maintenance mode control part for controlling the maintenance mode of a maintained device (for example, a printer). The authentication part permits the execution of a new maintenance mode when input authentication information is current new authentication information (a step S8:YES) when the authentication information and a content of the maintenance mode are changed, and permits the execution of an old maintenance mode if an executable condition (for example, the execution permitting number of the old maintenance mode) is satisfied (a step S3:YES) when the input authentication information is old authentication information (a step S2:YES).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an authentication device, an authentication method, and a program for determining whether a maintenance mode can be executed.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a device to be maintained where maintenance such as that of a printing device is performed, if inappropriate maintenance is performed, the device functions may not be fully exhibited, such as a deterioration in print quality, or device failures or malfunctions may occur. Therefore, a password for permitting the execution of the maintenance mode is set (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a device to be maintained, when the firmware version is updated for reasons such as function improvement, the content of the maintenance mode may change. Also, when the authentication information such as a password is changed at the time of or after the change of the content of the maintenance mode, a maintenance staff member who does not know the new authentication information after the change cannot perform maintenance until they know the new authentication information.

[0005] While it might be possible to keep the old authentication information usable for an extended period, this could lead to maintenance being performed by someone who has access to the leaked old authentication information, or by someone who has been legitimately informed of the old authentication information but intentionally has not been informed of the new authentication information, performing maintenance using the new maintenance mode after the change. This could result in reduced print quality, inability to fully utilize the device's functions, or even device failure or malfunction.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an authentication device, an authentication method, and a program that can prevent maintenance from being performed by an inappropriate person while ensuring the convenience of maintenance personnel when the authentication information and the contents of the maintenance mode are changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the authentication device includes an authentication unit that determines, based on authentication information, whether or not a maintenance mode can be executed by a maintenance mode control unit that controls the maintenance mode. If the authentication information and the contents of the maintenance mode change, the authentication unit permits the execution of the new maintenance mode corresponding to the new authentication information by the maintenance mode control unit if the input authentication information is the current new authentication information, and permits the execution of the old maintenance mode corresponding to the old authentication information by the maintenance mode control unit if the execution conditions are met. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above embodiment, when the authentication information and the contents of the maintenance mode are changed, it is possible to ensure the convenience of maintenance personnel while preventing maintenance from being performed by inappropriate persons. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Block diagram of the printing apparatus in the first embodiment. [Figure 2]This is a flowchart illustrating the authentication method in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the authentication method in the second embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the authentication method in the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, authentication devices, authentication methods, and programs according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the printing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment.

[0012] The printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a media supply unit 10, a transport unit 20, a printing unit 30, a media discharge unit 40, a control unit 50, a storage unit 60, an operation panel 70, and a communication unit 80. The printing apparatus 1 is an example of an authentication device that determines whether or not the maintenance mode of the device to be maintained (printing apparatus 1) can be executed.

[0013] The media supply unit 10 has a stacking platform on which media such as paper are stacked, and supplies the media stacked on this stacking platform into the printing device 1.

[0014] The transport unit 20 has, for example, rollers, belts, etc., and transports the medium inside the printing apparatus 1.

[0015] The printing unit 30 prints on the medium transported by the transport unit 20. The printing method of the printing unit 30 is not particularly limited, but examples include inkjet printing and stencil printing.

[0016] The media discharge unit 40 has a loading platform on which media are stacked and which is exposed to the outside of the printing device 1, and discharges the media that has been printed by the printing unit 30 onto the loading platform.

[0017] The control unit 50 has, for example, one or more processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit) that function as an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the operations of each part of the printing apparatus 1. This processor reads and executes a predetermined program from, for example, the storage unit 60 or a storage medium (non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) detachable from the printing apparatus 1, thereby functioning as the maintenance mode control unit 51 and the authentication unit 52.

[0018] The maintenance mode control unit 51 controls the maintenance mode of the printing apparatus 1. Also, when the execution of the maintenance mode is permitted by the authentication unit 52 described later, the maintenance mode control unit 51 executes the maintenance mode. This maintenance mode is, for example, a mode for performing maintenance such as changing the conveyance settings of the conveyance unit 20 and changing the printing settings of the printing unit 30.

[0019] The authentication unit 52 determines whether the execution of the maintenance mode by the maintenance mode control unit 51 is possible or not based on a password, which is an example of authentication information. For example, the password includes a predetermined number of digits of numbers, letters, symbols, etc., and is input by the user via the input unit 72 or the communication unit 80 described later. Note that the authentication information may be, for example, identification information (ID) for identifying the user, etc., and is not limited to the password. When identification information is used as the authentication information, it is desirable that the identification information be read from an IC card or the like.

[0020] For example, the authentication unit 52 may check whether the input password input by the user using the touch panel or the numeric keypad of the input unit 72 matches the predetermined password stored in the storage unit 60, and when these passwords match, permit the execution of the maintenance mode by the maintenance mode control unit 51.

[0021] The storage unit 60 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which a predetermined control program is pre-recorded, a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a semiconductor memory that can be written to and read from as needed as a working storage area when the processor executes various control programs, and other memories such as a hard disk drive. The storage unit 60 stores the contents of the new and old maintenance modes and the new and old passwords, which will be described later.

[0022] The operation panel 70 includes a display unit 71 that displays various information and an input unit 72 that receives input of various information by a user (for example, a general user, a maintenance staff, etc.). When the display unit 71 has a touch panel, the display unit 71 also serves as the input unit 72. Note that the maintenance staff can be a person selected from general users or a maintenance staff specialized in maintenance.

[0023] The communication unit 80 is an interface unit that exchanges various information with various devices such as user terminals connected wirelessly or wired via a network.

[0024] In the above description, the printing device 1 is an example of a device to be maintained and an example of an authentication device. That is, the authentication device and the device to be maintained are the same device. However, the authentication device may be, for example, a device other than the device to be maintained that determines whether the maintenance mode of the device to be maintained can be executed. For example, the authentication device may be a dedicated control device that controls the device to be maintained (for example, a dedicated printing control device that controls the printing device 1, which is the device to be maintained), or a user terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer that controls the device to be maintained, and is not particularly limited.

[0025] Furthermore, the maintenance mode control unit, which controls the maintenance mode of the device under maintenance, may be provided on the device under maintenance, or it may be provided on an authentication device located separately from the device under maintenance.

[0026] Furthermore, the device to be maintained (authentication device) is not limited to the printing device 1, but may also be a post-processing device that processes the medium printed by the printing device 1, or a scanner that reads the image data printed by the printing device 1, or other printing-related devices. Moreover, the device to be maintained (authentication device) is not limited to printing-related devices, but may also be other devices such as automobiles or home appliances.

[0027] Next, the authentication method according to this first embodiment will be described.

[0028] The contents of the maintenance mode may change when the firmware of Printer 1 (the device under maintenance) is updated (for example, by adding or changing maintenance items). Also, because the contents of the maintenance mode will change, the password may be changed automatically or at the discretion of the maintenance worker during or after the firmware update. Note that changes to the contents of the maintenance mode (and password) are not limited to those resulting from firmware updates; they may also be performed by a maintenance worker, for example.

[0029] The following describes the processing of the control unit 50 when the old password is changed to a new password, and the contents of the old maintenance mode corresponding to the old password are changed to the contents of the new maintenance mode corresponding to the new password, with reference to Figure 2.

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the authentication method in the first embodiment.

[0031] First, the authentication unit 52 repeatedly determines whether a request to transition to maintenance mode has been made (step S1). This transition request is made by a predetermined operation by the user, such as pressing a predetermined number of keys on the input unit 72.

[0032] When a request to switch to maintenance mode is made (step S1: YES), the authentication unit 52 displays a password input screen (not shown) on the display unit 71 and determines whether the password entered by the user is the old password before it was changed (step S2).

[0033] If the memory unit 60 stores multiple old maintenance modes and multiple old passwords corresponding to each of them, the authentication unit 52 only needs to determine whether the password entered by the user is one of the multiple old passwords.

[0034] If the entered password is an old password (Step S2: YES), the authentication unit 52 determines whether the cumulative number of times the old maintenance mode corresponding to the entered old password has been permitted is less than or equal to a specified number (an example of the conditions for execution, which is the number of times the old maintenance mode is permitted) (Step S3).

[0035] If the cumulative number of times the old maintenance mode has been permitted exceeds a specified number (step S3: NO), the authentication unit 52 notifies the user that the old maintenance mode cannot be activated, for example, by displaying it on the display unit 71 (step S4). Then, the process shown in Figure 2 ends. Note that when the authentication unit 52 notifies the user that the old maintenance mode cannot be activated, or when the old maintenance mode is permitted as described later, it may also notify the user that the old password has been entered. Furthermore, if the conditions for execution, such as the number of times the old maintenance mode has been permitted, are not met (step S3: NO above), the old maintenance mode information is not used in the process shown in Figure 2 and may be deleted from the storage unit 60.

[0036] If the cumulative number of times the old maintenance mode has been permitted is less than or equal to a specified number (step S3: YES), the authentication unit 52 adds one to the cumulative number (step S5) and permits the maintenance mode control unit 51 to execute the old maintenance mode.

[0037] When the authentication unit 52 authorizes the execution of the old maintenance mode, the maintenance mode control unit 51 starts the old maintenance mode (step S6) and executes it.

[0038] Subsequently, the maintenance mode control unit 51 repeatedly determines whether the execution of the old maintenance mode has finished (step S7), and if it has finished (step S7: YES), the process shown in Figure 2 is terminated.

[0039] Returning to the process of step S2 described above, if the authentication unit 52 determines that the password entered by the user is not the old password before the change (step S2: NO), it determines whether the password entered by the user is the new password after the change (step S8). Here, the device to be maintained, such as the printing device 1, may be maintained using multiple types of maintenance modes in which password authentication is performed (for example, maintenance mode for the printing unit 30, maintenance mode for the transport unit 20, etc.). In this case, the storage unit 60 stores multiple new maintenance modes and multiple new passwords corresponding to each of them, and the authentication unit 52 only needs to determine whether the password entered by the user is one of the multiple new passwords.

[0040] If the password entered by the user is not the new password (step S8: NO), the authentication unit 52 may notify the user of the incorrect password or prompt the user to re-enter the password. Then, the authentication unit 52 again performs the process of determining whether the entered password is the old password before the change (step S2).

[0041] If the password entered by the user is the new password (step S8: YES), the authentication unit 52 allows the maintenance mode control unit 51 to execute the new maintenance mode corresponding to the new password.

[0042] When the authentication unit 52 authorizes the execution of the new maintenance mode, the maintenance mode control unit 51 activates the new maintenance mode (step S9) and executes it.

[0043] Subsequently, the maintenance mode control unit 51 repeatedly determines whether the execution of the new maintenance mode has finished (step S10), and if it has finished (step S10: YES), the process shown in Figure 2 ends.

[0044] In the first embodiment described above, the printing device 1, which is an example of an authentication device, is equipped with an authentication unit 52 that determines whether or not to allow the execution of a maintenance mode by the maintenance mode control unit 51, which controls the maintenance mode of the printing device 1, which is an example of a device to be maintained, based on a password, which is an example of authentication information. When the password and the contents of the maintenance mode change, the authentication unit 52 allows the execution of the new maintenance mode by the maintenance mode control unit 51 corresponding to the new password if the entered password is the current new password (step S8: YES), and if the entered password is the old password (step S2: YES), it allows the execution of the old maintenance mode by the maintenance mode control unit 51 corresponding to the old password if the execution conditions (for example, the number of times the old maintenance mode is permitted to be executed) are met (step S3: YES).

[0045] Furthermore, from another perspective, the authentication method is, for example, an authentication method performed by a printing device 1 (an example of an authentication device), which includes a step of determining whether or not the maintenance mode of the printing device 1, which is an example of a device to be maintained, can be executed based on a password, which is an example of authentication information. In the step of determining whether or not the maintenance mode can be executed, if the password and the contents of the maintenance mode have changed, if the entered password is the current new password, the execution of the new maintenance mode corresponding to this new password is permitted, and if the entered password is the old password, the execution of the old maintenance mode corresponding to the old password is permitted if the execution conditions are met.

[0046] Furthermore, from another perspective, the program is a program that causes a computer (for example, the computer of an authentication device such as the control unit 50 of the printer 1) to execute a function that determines whether or not the maintenance mode of the printer 1, which is an example of a device to be maintained, can be executed based on a password, which is an example of authentication information. In the function that determines whether or not the maintenance mode can be executed, if the password and the contents of the maintenance mode have changed, if the entered password is the current new password, the execution of the new maintenance mode corresponding to this new password is permitted, and if the entered password is the old password, the execution of the old maintenance mode corresponding to the old password is permitted if the execution conditions are met.

[0047] This allows maintenance personnel who should be notified of a password change to perform maintenance in the old maintenance mode even before they are informed of the new password, provided they meet the execution conditions (e.g., the number of times the old maintenance mode can be executed). This ensures user convenience. Furthermore, by setting the execution conditions for the old maintenance mode, it is possible to prevent maintenance from being performed in the new maintenance mode by someone who has learned the leaked old password, or by someone who has been legitimately informed of the old password but has been intentionally not informed of the new password. Thus, according to this first embodiment, when the password and the contents of the maintenance mode are changed, it is possible to ensure the convenience of maintenance personnel while preventing maintenance from being performed by inappropriate persons.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the execution conditions include the number of times the old maintenance mode is permitted to be executed. This prevents the old maintenance mode from being executed more than a predetermined number of times, thereby further deterring maintenance from being performed by inappropriate individuals.

[0049] <Second Embodiment> In this second embodiment, the above-mentioned feasibility conditions will be explained using the period during which the old maintenance mode is permitted to run (for example, one week or one month) instead of the number of times the old maintenance mode is permitted to run. Other matters can be the same as in the first embodiment described above, so only the differences will be explained. Note that the feasibility conditions may include both the number of times the old maintenance mode is permitted to run and the period during which the old maintenance mode is permitted, or they may include conditions other than the number of times or the period during which the old maintenance mode is permitted to run, such as the number of printed pages, the operating time of the device under maintenance, and the number of times and amount of use of consumables installed in the device under maintenance.

[0050] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the authentication method in the second embodiment.

[0051] The flowchart shown in Figure 3 is the same as the flowchart in Figure 2, except that the process in step S21 is performed instead of the process in step S3, and the process in step S5 is omitted. Therefore, only matters related to the process in step S21 will be explained.

[0052] If the entered password is the old password (step S2: YES), the authentication unit 52 determines whether it is within the period in which the old maintenance mode is permitted to run (an example of the conditions under which it can run) (step S21).

[0053] If the authentication unit 52 determines that the period for allowing the execution of the old maintenance mode has elapsed (step S21: NO), it notifies the user, for example, by displaying information on the display unit 71, that the old maintenance mode cannot be started (step S4).

[0054] Furthermore, the authentication unit 52 allows the maintenance mode control unit 51 to execute the old maintenance mode if it is within the period during which the execution of the old maintenance mode is permitted (step S21: YES). When the authentication unit 52 permits the execution of the old maintenance mode, the maintenance mode control unit 51 starts the old maintenance mode (step S6) and executes it.

[0055] In the second embodiment described above, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, namely, the ability to ensure the convenience of maintenance personnel while preventing maintenance from being performed by inappropriate persons.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the execution conditions include a period during which the old maintenance mode is permitted. This ensures that maintenance personnel who should be notified of the password change have time to learn the new password, thereby further enhancing convenience for maintenance personnel.

[0057] <Third Embodiment> In this third embodiment, the authentication unit 52 sets execution-prohibited or execution-prohibited conditions for each old maintenance mode, which differs from the first and second embodiments described above. Other matters can be the same as in the first and second embodiments described above, so only the differences will be explained.

[0058] The authentication unit 52 sets conditions for the old maintenance mode to be unexecutable or executable, for example, based on a rank that ranks the old maintenance mode by the importance of its function. The rank of the old maintenance mode may be set by the authentication unit 52 according to the content of the old maintenance mode, or it may be based on information included in the firmware or selected by the user. When the authentication unit 52 sets the rank according to the content of the old maintenance mode, for example, the authentication unit 52 may set the rank based on whether or not each maintenance item of the maintenance mode includes important items (items that are likely to cause malfunctions or failures of the device), such as ink ejection settings and voltage settings, or the number of important items included.

[0059] As an example, the ranks are explained as follows: "Rank A: Maintenance should be prohibited for anyone other than maintenance personnel," "Rank B: Failure to perform maintenance by maintenance personnel may impair the operation of the device under maintenance," and "Rank C: The operation of the device under maintenance will not be significantly impaired." Note that the ranks are not limited to three; there may be two, four or more, or any number of ranks.

[0060] The authentication unit 52 disables the old maintenance mode of rank A without setting any execution conditions (such as the number of times or duration for which execution is permitted). The authentication unit 52 also sets execution conditions for the old maintenance modes of rank B and C. For example, the authentication unit 52 sets the number of times execution is permitted for the old maintenance mode of rank B (see the first embodiment) to be 1, and the duration for which execution is permitted for the old maintenance mode of rank C (see the second embodiment) to be 1 month.

[0061] Furthermore, if the old maintenance modes of rank B and rank C are set to share common execution conditions (for example, if the execution conditions for both rank B and rank C are the same in terms of the number of times or duration for which execution is permitted), it is preferable that the execution conditions for rank B be set to be stricter than those for rank C (for example, fewer times or shorter duration). Also, if execution conditions are set for rank A old maintenance mode, it is preferable that the execution conditions for rank A old maintenance mode be set to be stricter than those for rank B old maintenance mode.

[0062] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the authentication method in the third embodiment.

[0063] The flowchart shown in Figure 4 is similar to the flowchart in Figure 3, except that it adds the process in step S31 and replaces the process in step S21 with the process in step S32. Therefore, only matters related to the processes in steps S31 and S32 will be explained.

[0064] If the entered password is the old password (step S2: YES), the authentication unit 52 obtains the rank of the old maintenance mode (step S31). As described above, the rank of the old maintenance mode may be set by the authentication unit 52 according to the content of the old maintenance mode, or it may be information contained in the firmware or selected by the user.

[0065] Next, the authentication unit 52 determines, based on the rank, whether the old maintenance mode is executable and whether the conditions for execution are met (step S32).

[0066] If the old maintenance mode is unexecutable or does not meet the conditions for execution (step S32: NO), for example, in the case of an old maintenance mode where execution of rank A is prohibited, or an old maintenance mode where the conditions for execution of rank B or C are not met, the authentication unit 52 notifies the user that the old maintenance mode cannot be started, for example by displaying it on the display unit 71 (step S4).

[0067] Furthermore, if the old maintenance mode is executable and meets the executable conditions, such as when it is an old maintenance mode that meets the executable conditions for rank B or C (step S32: YES), the authentication unit 52 permits the maintenance mode control unit 51 to execute the old maintenance mode. When the authentication unit 52 permits the execution of the old maintenance mode, the maintenance mode control unit 51 starts the old maintenance mode (step S6) and executes it.

[0068] In the above description, the authentication unit 52 sets the conditions for execution being impossible or possible for each old maintenance mode using ranks. However, instead of using ranks, the conditions for execution being impossible or possible for each old maintenance mode may be set based on, for example, the maintenance items included in the old maintenance mode, or based on the user's selection.

[0069] In the third embodiment described above, the same effects as in the first or second embodiment can be obtained, namely, the ability to ensure the convenience of maintenance personnel while preventing maintenance from being performed by inappropriate persons.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the authentication unit 52 sets conditions for execution being impossible or possible for each old maintenance mode. This allows the execution conditions to be set with lenient criteria depending on the content of the old maintenance mode, thereby further ensuring user convenience, or the execution conditions to be set with strict criteria, thereby further deterring maintenance from being performed by inappropriate persons.

[0071] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components can be modified and implemented in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the embodiments described above. For example, all the components shown in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. It goes without saying that various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention described in the original claims of this application is listed below.

[0072] [Note 1] The system includes an authentication unit that determines whether or not the maintenance mode can be executed by the maintenance mode control unit, which controls the maintenance mode of the device under maintenance, based on authentication information. If the authentication information and the contents of the maintenance mode change, the authentication unit permits the execution of the new maintenance mode by the maintenance mode control unit if the input authentication information is the current new authentication information, and permits the execution of the old maintenance mode by the maintenance mode control unit if the input authentication information is the old authentication information and the execution conditions are met. An authentication device characterized by the following features.

[0073] [Note 2] The aforementioned execution conditions include the number of times the execution of the old maintenance mode is permitted. The authentication device described in Appendix 1, characterized by the features described herein.

[0074] [Note 3] The aforementioned conditions for execution include a period during which the execution of the old maintenance mode is permitted. The authentication device described in Appendix 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

[0075] [Note 4] The authentication unit sets the conditions for execution to be disabled or enabled for each of the old maintenance modes. An authentication device characterized by any one of the features described in Appendix 1 to 3.

[0076] [Note 5] This includes a step of determining whether the maintenance mode of the device to be maintained can be executed based on authentication information, In the step of determining whether the maintenance mode can be executed, if the authentication information and the contents of the maintenance mode have changed, if the entered authentication information is the current new authentication information, the execution of the new maintenance mode corresponding to the new authentication information is permitted; if the entered authentication information is the old authentication information, the execution of the old maintenance mode corresponding to the old authentication information is permitted if the execution conditions are met. Authentication method characterized by the following features.

[0077] [Note 6] A program that causes a computer to execute a function that determines whether or not the maintenance mode of the device to be maintained can be executed based on authentication information, The function that determines whether the maintenance mode can be executed will, if the authentication information and the contents of the maintenance mode change, allow the execution of the new maintenance mode corresponding to the new authentication information if the entered authentication information is the current new authentication information, and allow the execution of the old maintenance mode corresponding to the old authentication information if the entered authentication information is the old authentication information and the execution conditions are met. A program characterized by the following features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1 Printing device 10 Media supply section 20 Conveying section 30 Printing Department 40 Media discharge section 50 Control Unit 51 Maintenance Mode Control Unit 52 Certification Department 60 Storage section 70 Control Panel 71 Display section 72 Input section 80 Communications Department

Claims

1. an authentication unit that determines whether or not a maintenance mode control unit that controls the maintenance mode of the maintenance target device can execute the maintenance mode based on authentication information; When the authentication information and the content of the maintenance mode are changed, if the input authentication information is current new authentication information, the authentication unit permits the maintenance mode control unit to execute a new maintenance mode corresponding to the new authentication information, and if the input authentication information is old authentication information, permits the maintenance mode control unit to execute an old maintenance mode corresponding to the old authentication information if an executable condition is satisfied. An authentication device characterized by:

2. The execution condition includes the number of times that execution of the old maintenance mode is permitted.

2. The authentication device according to claim 1.

3. The execution condition includes a period during which execution of the old maintenance mode is permitted.

3. The authentication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The authentication unit sets an executable condition or an executable condition for each of the previous maintenance modes.

4. The authentication device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication device is a device for authenticating a user.

5. a step of determining whether or not a maintenance mode for the maintenance target device can be executed based on authentication information; In the step of determining whether the maintenance mode can be executed, if the authentication information and the content of the maintenance mode have changed, and the input authentication information is current new authentication information, execution of the new maintenance mode corresponding to the new authentication information is permitted, and if the input authentication information is old authentication information, execution of the old maintenance mode corresponding to the old authentication information is permitted if an executable condition is satisfied.

1. An authentication method comprising:

6. A program that causes a computer to execute a function of determining whether or not a maintenance mode of a maintenance target device can be executed based on authentication information, In the function for determining whether or not the maintenance mode can be executed, when the authentication information and the content of the maintenance mode are changed, if the input authentication information is current new authentication information, execution of the new maintenance mode corresponding to the new authentication information is permitted, and if the input authentication information is old authentication information, execution of the old maintenance mode corresponding to the old authentication information is permitted if an executable condition is satisfied. A program characterized by:

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