Image processing apparatus, control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium storing program for implementing the method

Abstract

An image processing apparatus capable of reducing the frequency of a user's inputting work for authentication information to improve the convenience. When the number of the logged-in users is one, the logged-in user is set as an executor of the predetermined function, and when the number of the logged-in users is two or more, the user is caused to select one of the logged-in users to set the selected one as the executor of the predetermined function.

1 . An image processing apparatus enabling a user who has logged in to multiply log in as a different user to execute a predetermined function, the image processing apparatus comprising:
 a user authentication unit adapted to perform authentication of a user;   an access restriction unit adapted to restrict access to a predetermined function depending on the user the authentication of which is performed by said user authentication unit;   a management unit adapted to manage user information about the user who has multiply logged in, for each login independently;   a confirmation unit adapted to confirm the number of logged-in users by referring to the user information managed by said management unit when the predetermined function is to be executed;   a first setting unit adapted to, when the number of the logged-in users is one as a result of the confirmation by said confirmation unit, set the logged-in user as an executor of the predetermined function; and   a second setting unit adapted to, when the number of the logged-in users is two or more as a result of the confirmation by said confirmation unit, cause the user to select one of the logged-in users to set the selected one as the executor of the predetermined function.   
     
     
         2 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third setting unit adapted to, if the number of users who have been logged in as the different user is one and the one different user is permitted to execute the predetermined function, set the one different user as the executor of the predetermined function while said second setting unit does not cause the user to select one of the logged-in users, even if the number of the logged-in users is two or more as a result of the confirmation by said confirmation unit. 
     
     
         3 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a display unit adapted to, when an operation for executing the predetermined function is performed, display the username of a user who executes the predetermined function among the users who have multiply logged in. 
     
     
         4 . An image processing apparatus enabling a user who has logged in to multiply log in as a different user to execute a predetermined function, the image processing apparatus comprising:
 a user authentication unit adapted to perform authentication of a user;   an access restriction unit adapted to restrict access to a predetermined function depending on the user the authentication of which is performed by said user authentication unit;   a management unit adapted to manage at least user type information about user classification, username information about a username, and user authority information about the access restriction as user information about the user who has multiply logged in, for each login; and   a determination unit adapted to determine whether or not to permit the logged-in user to log in as the different user according to the user type information about the logged-in user.   
     
     
         5 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the user type information includes at least an anonymous user who does not have user identification elements including a username and a mail address and a real-name user who has these user identification elements; and   said determination unit permits the logged-in user to log in as the different user if the logged-in user is the anonymous user, and prohibits the logged-in user to log in as the different user if the logged-in user is the real-name user.   
     
     
         6 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a synthesis unit adapted to synthesize the user information using the username of the real-name user as the username information and using information obtained by adding the user authority of the real-name user to the user authority of the anonymous user, as the user authority information. 
     
     
         7 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a display unit adapted to, when an operation for executing the predetermined function is performed, display the username of a user who executes the predetermined function among the users who have been multiply logged in. 
     
     
         8 . A control method for an image processing apparatus enabling a user who has logged in to multiply log in as a different user to execute a predetermined function, the method comprising:
 a user authentication step of authenticating a user;   an access restriction step of restricting access to a predetermined function depending on the user the authentication of which is performed in said user authentication step;   a management step of managing user information about the user who has multiply logged in, for each login independently;   a confirmation step of confirming the number of logged-in users by referring to the user information managed in said management step when the predetermined function is to be executed;   a first setting step of, when the number of the logged-in users is one as a result of the confirmation in said confirmation step, setting the logged-in user as an executor of the predetermined function; and   a second setting step of, when the number of the logged-in users is two or more as a result of the confirmation in said confirmation step, causing the user to select one of the logged-in users to set the selected one as the executor of the predetermined function.   
     
     
         9 . A control method for an image processing apparatus enabling a user who has logged in to multiply log in as a different user to execute a predetermined function, the method comprising:
 a user authentication step of authenticating a user;   an access restriction step of restricting access to a predetermined function depending on the user the authentication of which is performed in said user authentication step;   a management step of managing at least user type information about user classification, username information about a username, and user authority information about the access restriction as user information about the user who has multiply logged in, for each login; and   a determination step of determining whether or not to permit the logged-in user to log in as the different user according to the user type information about the logged-in user.   
     
     
         10 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program for implementing a control method for an image processing apparatus enabling a user who has logged in to multiply log in as a different user to execute a predetermined function, wherein
 the method comprises:   a user authentication step of authenticating a user;   an access restriction step of restricting access to a predetermined function depending on the user the authentication of which is performed in said user authentication step;   a management step of managing user information about the user who has multiply logged in, for each login independently;   a confirmation step of confirming the number of logged-in users by referring to the user information managed in said management step when the predetermined function is to be executed;   a first setting step of, when the number of the logged-in users is one as a result of the confirmation in said confirmation step, setting the logged-in user as an executor of the predetermined function; and   a second setting step of, when the number of the logged-in users is two or more as a result of the confirmation in said confirmation step, causing the user to select one of the logged-in users to set the selected one as the executor of the predetermined function.   
     
     
         11 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program for implementing a control method for an image processing apparatus enabling a user who has logged in to multiply log in as a different user to execute a predetermined function, wherein
 the method comprises:   a user authentication step of authenticating a user;   an access restriction step of restricting access to a predetermined function depending on the user the authentication of which is performed in said user authentication step;   a management step of managing at least user type information about user classification, username information about a username, and user authority information about the access restriction as user information about the user who has multiply logged in, for each login; and   a determination step of determining whether or not to permit the logged-in user to log in as the different user according to the user type information about the logged-in user.