JP5420088B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a user usage restriction function, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, use restriction functions have been implemented (added) in image forming apparatuses for the purpose of security or cost management (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Although there are various methods for restricting the use of the image forming apparatus, a form in which the user to be used is authenticated and the operation of the image forming apparatus can be operated only when the user is authenticated is common.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus has a function of directly connecting an information processing apparatus such as a digital still camera to an image forming apparatus, transmitting an image output instruction and output data to the image forming apparatus, and outputting an image from the information processing apparatus. And information processing apparatuses.

JP 2007-21810 A

  There are various authentication functions installed in the image forming apparatus, and input information, a communication method used for authentication, and processing such as encryption may differ depending on an authentication protocol and an authentication method. On the other hand, information processing devices such as digital still cameras often do not have an authentication device, or do not have a variety of authentication functions that are equivalent to those of image forming devices. Exists.

  In the information processing system including the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus as described above, an image output instruction may be sent from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus may be used.

  Specifically, when the use restriction of the image forming apparatus is implemented only on the user interface, the restriction of the user interface of the information processing apparatus that is an externally connected device cannot be implemented. That is, there is a possibility that a situation where security and cost management, which are the purpose of restricting the use of the image forming apparatus, cannot be sufficiently performed may occur.

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, information processing apparatus, for example, a digital still camera, and an image forming apparatus are provided with unique information and the image forming apparatus can be used when the unique information between devices is collated. I'm taking it. That is, the use restriction is implemented by making it possible to use when authentication between devices is successful.

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a specific image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus corresponding to the specific image forming apparatus, and the devices that can be used are limited. Furthermore, the technology of Patent Document 1 permits or disallows use by a device, and it is not possible to identify who is using the device, so that an unauthorized user may use the device.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program capable of restricting use without requiring a special authentication function to be held in the information processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external device via a network, and includes a user interface that receives an operation from a user, and authentication information that the user interface receives. Authentication means for performing user authentication based on authentication information received from the external apparatus via the network, receiving means for receiving a connection request transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and authentication information received by the user interface. If the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on the control, the receiving means controls to connect to the information processing apparatus in response to the connection request received, and receives from the external apparatus via the network When the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on the authentication information And having a control means for controlling not to perform the connection between the information processing apparatus in accordance with the receiving means has received the connection request.

  A control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus via a network, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a user interface that receives an operation from a user, and authentication information that the user interface receives. And an authentication means for performing user authentication based on authentication information received from the external device via the network, and a reception step of receiving a connection request transmitted from the information processing device, and the user interface received When the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on authentication information, control is performed to connect to the information processing device in response to the connection request received in the receiving step, and the external device via the network is controlled. Based on the authentication information received by the user. If it is authenticated, characterized in that it and a control step of controlling so as not to perform the connection between the information processing apparatus in accordance with the received connection request in said receiving step.

  A program according to the present invention is a program for causing an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus via a network to execute a control method. The image forming apparatus includes a user interface that receives an operation from a user, and the user And authentication means for performing user authentication based on authentication information received by the interface and authentication information received from the external device via the network, and the control method receives a connection request transmitted from the information processing device Control is performed to connect to the information processing apparatus in response to the connection request received in the reception step when the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on the reception step and the authentication information received by the user interface And accepting from the external device via the network And a control step for controlling not to connect to the information processing apparatus in response to the connection request received in the reception step when the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on the authentication information. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to hold a special authentication function in the information processing apparatus, and use restriction can be performed.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus centering on a controller in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a first example of an information processing system in which the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 and an information processing apparatus are connected. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a second example of an information processing system in which the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 and an information processing apparatus are connected. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication session management table in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a context table of an authenticated user in the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of authentication processing executed by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of connection processing with an information processing apparatus (digital camera) in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a login session management process of the information processing apparatus regarding the connection between the image forming apparatus of FIG. 3 and the information processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus can communicate with the outside via a network, has a user authentication function, and receives a print instruction from an information processing apparatus directly connected to print an image. The image forming apparatus includes a controller 101 that controls the whole and a communication interface 102 for the controller 101 to communicate with the outside of the image forming apparatus. The communication interface 102 may be, for example, a USB interface, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, an IEEE 1284 interface, or another communication interface.

  The image forming apparatus also includes a scanner engine 103 and a printer engine 104 that are controlled by the controller 101. The printer engine 104 may be, for example, a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or another printer.

  The image forming apparatus further includes a FAX board 105 that is controlled by the controller 101 to realize a FAX function such as communication control at the time of image transmission / reception.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a user interface 106. The user interface 106 includes an LCD display, a keyboard, and the like. The user interface 106 displays information from the controller 101 and transmits instructions from the user to the controller 101. In the user interface 106, the LCD display has a touch panel function and can receive input from the user.

  The image forming apparatus having the above configuration allows the print engine to be issued by selecting the printer engine 104. In addition, the scanner engine 103 is selected to issue a scan job. Further, the printer engine 104 and the scanner engine 103 are selected, and a copy job can be issued. In addition, the printer engine 104, the scanner engine 103, and the FAX board 105 are selected, and a FAX reception job and a FAX transmission job can be issued.

  The controller 101 acquires document data from the communication interface 102 and makes it possible to issue a print job using the printer engine 104. The controller 101 acquires document data from the communication interface 102 and can issue a FAX transmission job.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus centering on the controller in FIG.

  2, the controller 101 in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 202, and a ROM 203. 1 includes an LCD 106-1 and a keyboard 106-2. Each hardware shown in FIG. 2 is connected to each other via a system bus 205.

  A program for controlling the controller 101 is stored in the ROM 203 or the disk 204, read to the RAM 202 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 201.

  In addition to the control program, the ROM 203 and the disk 204 store attribute information indicating the function and status of the multifunction peripheral and jobs processed by the multifunction peripheral, job data to be output, and the like.

  The CPU 201 performs display through the LCD 106-1, and receives a user instruction from the LCD 106-1 or the keyboard 106-2. The CPU 201 communicates with the outside through the communication interface 102.

  In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the CPU 201 receives user input from the keyboard 106-2 via the system bus 205. Next, the CPU 201 controls the RAM 202, LCD 106-1, ROM 203, communication interface 102, scanner engine 103, printer engine 104, FAX board 105, and disk 204.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a first example of an information processing system in which the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus in FIG. 1 are connected.

  In FIG. 3, an image forming apparatus 301 and a digital camera 302 as an information processing apparatus are connected via a USB cable 303. The digital camera 302 has a function of storing captured image data in an internal recording medium.

  The image data stored in the internal recording medium is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 301 by an operation from the digital camera 302, and the image forming apparatus 301 internally generates drawing data, transfers it to paper, and finally prints it. It is a mechanism to get things.

  In this embodiment, the USB cable 103 is used as a connection interface between the image forming apparatus 301 and the digital camera 302. However, the connection interface may be a medium in which another protocol such as wireless or Bluetooth (registered trademark) is mounted, and is not limited to a USB cable.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a second example of an information processing system in which the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 are connected.

  In FIG. 4, an image forming apparatus 301 is connected to a client PC 401 as an information processing apparatus and an authentication server 402 via a network 403. The client PC 401 transmits image data to the image forming apparatus 301 via the network 403. Authentication information input from the user interface of the image forming apparatus 301 or the client PC 401 is transmitted to the authentication server 402 via the network 403. After performing the authentication process, the authentication server 402 transmits the result to the image forming apparatus 301 or the client PC 401.

  The image forming apparatus 301 receives information input from the user via the user interface 106 and performs communication for authentication with the authentication server 402 via the communication interface 102.

  When the authentication is not successful, a screen for inputting authentication information is displayed on the LCD 106-1 of the image forming apparatus 301. The user can input authentication information via the keyboard 106-2. If the authentication is successful, a screen for operating the image forming apparatus 301 is displayed on the LCD 106-1, and operations such as copying, scanning, and printing are possible.

  In the present embodiment, an authentication method for transmitting authentication information to the authentication server 402 via the network 403 and obtaining an authentication result is adopted as an authentication method for the image forming apparatus 301. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, an authentication method in which the authentication server 402 is not used, the same function as the authentication server 402 is held in the image forming apparatus 301, and a network is not used may be used.

  As for the control of the authentication screen, the image forming apparatus 301 cannot be used unless the authentication is successful in this embodiment. However, the control of the authentication screen is not limited to this embodiment. For example, after issuing an instruction to the image forming apparatus 301 such as a scanner or a print, an authentication screen may be displayed if an unauthenticated state or an error is set.

  Further, regarding the operation of the image forming apparatus 301, not only the user interface 106 of the image forming apparatus 301 but also the operation from the client PC 401 to the image forming apparatus 301 via the network 403 is possible. Details of the operation of the image forming apparatus 301 from the client PC 401 and the authentication function associated therewith are omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an authentication session management table in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the session management table has an index 501 and an authentication means type 502. In the authentication means type 502, the LLS indicates that the user is authenticated through the user interface 106. RLS indicates that the client PC 401 has been authenticated via the communication interface 102.

  The LUI login state 503 indicates whether or not the user is in a logout state via the user interface 106. TRUE indicates that the user interface 106 is available, and FALSE indicates that the user interface 106 is available.

  When the information processing apparatus is connected, the device session ID 504 holds a session ID created when the information processing apparatus is connected. The context ID 505 is associated with a context ID corresponding to the user information.

  Further, the information of each index of this management table is discarded when the remote operation from the client PC 401 is finished, the session is closed, and the user logs out. Further, the information of each index of this management table is discarded even when logged out from the LUI and there is no session with the information processing apparatus.

  For example, index 3 in FIG. 5 indicates that the user is authenticated through the user interface 106 and is currently in the LUI login state.

  Indexes 2, 4, and 5 indicate users who are authenticated by RLS, and each indicates a different object ID, that is, a different user is currently operating from a remote.

  Further, index 1 indicates that the user is authenticated by LLS and is in a logout state from the user interface 106 of the image forming apparatus 301. The user with index 1 indicates that the user is operating the information processing apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a context table of an authenticated user in the image forming apparatus in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the context table includes a context ID 601, a user identifier 602, a domain 603 to which the user belongs, a department ID 604 in department management, and a user mail address 605. For example, it can be seen from the context IDs 505 and 601 that the user at index 1 in FIG. 5 has a user identifier of Yashara, a domain of DomainA, a department ID of 1, and a mail address of yasu @ domaina.

  This information is used for functions that handle user-specific information, such as operation history of the image forming apparatus 301 and access restrictions. Further, the information regarding each context ID of this table is paired with the index of the session management table of FIG. 5, and when the item of the session management table is deleted, the information is also deleted from this table.

  Further, in the present invention, the information of the domain 603 in the context table, the department ID 604 in the department management, and the user mail address 605 is not limited to the information described in the present embodiment. Other user-specific attributes may be added, and at the same time, the items of the present embodiment may not be present.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of authentication processing executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. This process is executed by the controller 101 in FIG. 1, and more specifically by the CPU 201 in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the initial state is waiting for LUI login (step S701). In the LUI login waiting step, an authentication information input screen is displayed on the LCD 106-1, and an input of authentication information is accepted from the user via the keyboard 106-2.

  Step S702 is a login button pressing step, in which it is determined whether or not the login button has been pressed. If the login button is not pressed, the LUI login waiting step remains. When the login button is pressed, the authentication information is transmitted to the authentication server 402 (step S703). Step S <b> 704 is a step of receiving an authentication result from the authentication server 402.

  If the authentication is successful in step S705, the process proceeds to the login session generation step in step S706. If the authentication fails, the process proceeds to an error screen display step in step S708. In step S708, after the error screen is displayed, the process proceeds to the LUI login waiting step in step S701.

  In the login session generation step of step S706, a new session is added to the session management table of FIG. Specifically, a session index is added, and the authentication means is LLS because authentication is performed via the user interface 106. Furthermore, since it is in the LUI login state, TRUE is set in the LUI login state 503.

  Further, it is assumed that the information received from the authentication server 402 at the same time as the authentication result includes a user identifier, a domain name, a department ID, and an e-mail address, and a user login context is generated based on the information. Add to the context table. When a context is added to the context table, a context ID is uniquely generated, and the generated context ID is set in the context IDs 505 and 601.

  In the generation of the login session, after adding information to the session management table and the context table, the process proceeds to the operation screen display step in step S707. In the operation screen display step of step S707, the screen is switched from the screen indicating the login waiting state displayed on the LCD 106-1 to the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 301 and displayed. The authentication process is completed through the above steps.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of connection processing with the information processing apparatus (digital camera) in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  In FIG. 8, step S <b> 801 is a connection request reception step of the information processing apparatus 302. That is, step S801 is a receiving unit that receives a connection request from the information processing apparatus 302. When the information processing apparatus 302 and the image forming apparatus 301 are connected by a connection interface (USB cable) 303, a connection request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 302 to the image forming apparatus 301.

  When the image forming apparatus 301 receives a connection request from the information processing apparatus 302 via the communication interface 102, the image forming apparatus 301 transitions to the LUI login state determination step in step S802. In the LUI login state determination step of step S802, it is determined whether or not the series of processing of the authentication flow of FIG. 7 is completed and the user is in the login state of the LUI. That is, step S802 is a determination unit that determines whether the user is authenticated by the image forming apparatus 301 when a connection request is received. Specifically, it is determined whether there is a session that is TRUE in the LUI login state 503 of the session management table of FIG.

  If there is a TURE session, it is determined that there is a user who is in the LUI login state 503, the process proceeds to the information processing apparatus connection processing step in step S 803, and the connection process of the image forming apparatus 301 is started.

  If there is no user who is TRUE in the LUI login state 503, it is determined that there is no user logged in to the LUI, and the process proceeds to the information processing apparatus connection rejection step in step S805.

  After connecting the image forming apparatus 301 and the information processing apparatus 302 in the information processing apparatus connection processing step in step S803, the process proceeds to an information adding step to the session management table in step S804. In step S804, a device session ID 504 indicating a connection session with the information processing apparatus 302 is uniquely generated and added to the session management table of FIG. 5 to complete the connection process with the information processing apparatus 302.

  In the connection refusal step with the information processing apparatus 302 in step S805, an error is returned in response to the connection request from the information processing apparatus 302, and the process ends.

  In the above steps, connection to the information processing apparatus 302 is enabled only when the user is logged in to the LUI.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the login session management process of the information processing apparatus regarding the connection between the image forming apparatus of FIG. 3 and the information processing apparatus.

  Step S901 is an LUI login state step, and shows a state where the connection processing between the image forming apparatus 301 and the information processing apparatus 302 shown in FIG. 8 has been completed. Step S902 is an LUI logout determination step. If the user has logged out from the LUI, the process proceeds to a device session ID determination step in step S903. If the LUI logout has not been performed, the process proceeds to the information processing apparatus connection release determination step in step S908.

  In the information processing apparatus connection release step in step S908, it is determined whether or not the information processing apparatus 302 is connected. If it is determined that the connection of the information processing apparatus 302 has been released, the process proceeds to the device session ID deletion step of the session management table in step S910.

  In step S910, the device session ID 504 in the session management table of FIG. 5 is deleted, and the process proceeds to the LUI login state step in step S901. In the device session ID determination step in step S903, it is determined whether or not a device session ID 504 exists for a user whose LUI login state 503 is TRUE. If the device session ID 504 exists, the LUI login state of the corresponding user's session management table is set to FALSE (step S904), and the process shifts to the LUI login waiting state in step S905.

  If it is determined in step S903 that the device session ID 504 does not exist, the process proceeds to the login context discarding step in step S909. In the login context discarding step, the session of the user whose LUI login state 503 of the session management table in FIG. 5 is TRUE is deleted, information on the corresponding context ID in the context table of FIG. 6 is deleted, and the process ends.

  In the LUI login waiting state in step S905, the LUI is in a login waiting state, and is in the state of step S701 in the authentication process of FIG. However, since the device session ID 504 exists and the information processing apparatus 302 is connected, an image can be output from the information processing apparatus 302. Also, other users can log in and perform local copy. Step S905 functions as a permission unit that permits authentication by the second user while the image forming apparatus 301 is being used from the information processing apparatus 302 after authentication of the first user.

  Step S906 is an information processing apparatus connection release determination step. If it is determined that the connection of the information processing apparatus 302 has been released, the process proceeds to the login context discard step of step S907. In the login context discarding step, the user session of the corresponding device session ID 504 in the session management table of FIG. 5 is deleted, the information of the corresponding context ID of the context table of FIG. 6 is deleted, and the process ends.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by executing the following processing. That is, a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. This is the process of reading the code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Moreover, the following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

  Furthermore, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing is also included in the present invention. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

101 Controller 102 Communication Interface 106 User Interface 201 CPU
301 Image forming apparatus 302 Digital camera (information processing apparatus)
303 USB cable (connection interface)
401 Client PC
402 Authentication server 403 Network

Claims (19)

An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external device via a network,
A user interface that accepts user operations;
Authentication means for performing user authentication based on authentication information received by the user interface and authentication information received from the external device via the network;
Receiving means for receiving a connection request transmitted from the information processing device;
When the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on the authentication information received by the user interface, the receiving means controls to connect to the information processing apparatus in response to the connection request received, When the user is authenticated by the authentication unit based on the authentication information received from the device via the network, the reception unit is controlled not to connect to the information processing device according to the connection request received Control means to
An image forming apparatus comprising:   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a permission unit that permits authentication by the second user while the image forming apparatus is being used by the information processing apparatus after authentication of the first user. . Cancellation means for canceling authentication by the authentication means of the user in a state connected to the information processing apparatus;
Management means for managing that the authentication of the user is canceled and the information processing apparatus is connected when authentication is canceled by the cancellation means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a digital camera, and the image forming apparatus performs an image forming process based on image data transmitted from the digital camera. The image forming apparatus described.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit performs communication for user authentication with an authentication server capable of communicating via the network.   6. The user interface displays a screen for operating the image forming apparatus when user authentication by the authentication unit based on authentication information received by the user interface is successful. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores information indicating a state of user authentication by the authentication unit.   The information indicating the state of user authentication stored in the storage means is based on whether the user authentication is performed based on the authentication information received by the user interface or based on the authentication information received from the external device via the network. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: information indicating whether the operation has been performed.   9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with the information processing apparatus via at least one of USB, wireless, and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus control method capable of communicating with an external device via a network,
The image forming apparatus includes a user interface that receives an operation from a user, authentication information that is received by the user interface, and an authentication unit that performs user authentication based on authentication information that is received from the external device via the network. ,
A receiving step of receiving a connection request transmitted from the information processing device;
When the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on the authentication information received by the user interface, control is performed to connect to the information processing apparatus in response to the connection request received in the receiving step, and the external interface Control is performed so as not to connect to the information processing apparatus in response to the connection request received in the reception step when the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on authentication information received from the apparatus via the network. A control step to
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a permission step of permitting authentication by a second user while the image forming apparatus is being used from the information processing apparatus after authentication of the first user. Control method. A cancellation step of canceling authentication by the authentication means of the user in a state connected to the information processing apparatus;
A management step for managing that the authentication of the user is canceled and the information processing apparatus is connected when the authentication is canceled in the releasing step;
The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein   13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the information processing apparatus is a digital camera, and the image forming apparatus performs image forming processing based on image data transmitted from the digital camera. A control method of the image forming apparatus described.   The control of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the authentication unit performs communication for user authentication with an authentication server capable of communication via the network. Method.   15. The user interface displays a screen for operating the image forming apparatus when user authentication by the authentication unit based on authentication information received by the user interface is successful. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   16. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a storage step of storing information indicating a state of user authentication by the authentication unit in a storage unit.   The information indicating the state of user authentication stored in the storage means is based on whether the user authentication is performed based on the authentication information received by the user interface or based on the authentication information received from the external device via the network. 17. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: information indicating whether or not the processing has been performed.   18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with the information processing apparatus via at least one of USB, wireless, and Bluetooth (registered trademark). A method for controlling an image forming apparatus. A program for causing an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus via a network to execute a control method,
The image forming apparatus includes a user interface that receives an operation from a user, authentication information that is received by the user interface, and an authentication unit that performs user authentication based on authentication information that is received from the external device via the network. ,
The control method is:
A receiving step of receiving a connection request transmitted from the information processing device;
When the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on the authentication information received by the user interface, control is performed to connect to the information processing apparatus in response to the connection request received in the receiving step, and the external interface Control is performed so as not to connect to the information processing apparatus in response to the connection request received in the reception step when the user is authenticated by the authentication means based on authentication information received from the apparatus via the network. A control step to
The program characterized by having.

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