Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program for implementing the method, and storage medium storing the program

Abstract

An image processing apparatus which can be readily used by an authenticated user without laborsome setting even if the user uses the image processing apparatus for the first time through an authentication server. A user is authenticated with an authentication server connected to an image processing apparatus via a network. User unique setting information for the authenticated user is set, and the user unique setting information for each user is stored in user information storing areas. Initial setting information of initial setting of the image processing apparatus is stored in an initial setting information storing area. When the authenticated user uses the image processing apparatus for the first time, duplicate copy of the initial setting information stored in the initial setting information storing area is stored as the user unique setting information in the user information storing areas.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An image processing system comprising:
 an authentication server for user authentication; and   an image reading apparatus connected with the authentication server via a network,   wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:   a user authentication unit adapted to perform the user authentication with the authentication server;   a user setting information setting unit adapted to set user unique setting information;   a user setting information storage unit adapted to store therein the user unique setting information;   an initial setting information storage unit storing therein initial setting information of the image processing system; and   a duplicate unit adapted to duplicate the initial setting information stored in the initial setting information storage unit and storing therein the duplicated initial setting information as the user unique setting information when the authenticated user uses the image processing system for the first time.   
     
     
         21 . An image processing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the user authentication unit performs the user authentication for a new user with the authentication server by authenticating the new user with the duplicated initial setting information stored as the user unique setting information in the user setting information storage unit. 
     
     
         22 . An image processing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the initial setting information includes functional restriction information for the image reading apparatus. 
     
     
         23 . An image processing system according to  claim 22 , wherein the functional restriction information includes information restricting a right to edit an address book. 
     
     
         24 . An image processing system according to  claim 22 , further comprising a functional restriction information changing unit adapted to change the functional restriction information as the initial setting information. 
     
     
         25 . An image processing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the initial setting information includes image reading condition information for the image reading apparatus. 
     
     
         26 . An image processing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the duplicate unit creates a user management area in the user setting information storage unit to store therein the user unique setting information, wherein the duplicated initial setting information is stored in the created user management area as the user unique setting information. 
     
     
         27 . An image processing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the user setting information setting unit changes the duplicated initial setting information stored in the user setting information storage unit as the user unique setting information.