Image processing apparatus and method, including user authentication, and storage medium

Abstract

An image processing apparatus which is capable of realizing security improvements without degrading the usability. A user is authenticated, and an operation screen accepting an operation input from the user is displayed. A job is executed according to an instruction of the user authenticated by the user authenticating unit. It is determined whether or not the job of which execution is instructed by the user, is being executed when the user authenticating unit authenticates the user. A first operation screen through which the user inputs an instruction for the job in execution is displayed when the job executing unit is executing the job, of which execution is instructed by the user, whereas another operation screen through which another user inputs an instruction for another job is displayed when not.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An image processing apparatus, comprising:
 at least one non-transitory memory device;   at least one processor;   a user authenticating unit configured to authenticate a user on the basis of user information obtained from the user;   a job situation determining unit configured to determine, in response to the authentication of the user, whether or not a job of the authenticated user is in execution; and   a screen display control unit configured to display an initial screen according to a result of the determination by the job situation determining unit,   wherein the user authenticating unit, the job situation determining unit, and the screen display control unit are implemented at least in part by the at least one processor executing a program recorded on the at least one non-transitory memory device.   
     
     
         8 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the screen display control unit displays an instruction screen, through which the job is instructed to be cancelled, as the initial screen when the job of the authenticated user is executed. 
     
     
         9 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the screen display control unit restricts display of the instruction screen when another job except the job of the authenticated user is executed. 
     
     
         10 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the screen display control unit displays a screen of displaying a status of the job, when the initial screen when the job of the authenticated user is executed. 
     
     
         11 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the job comprises a copy job. 
     
     
         12 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the initial screen comprises a screen displayed in response to login by the user. 
     
     
         13 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the user information is obtained through an IC card. 
     
     
         14 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the user logs out without cancelling the job being executed, after the user instructs execution of the job. 
     
     
         15 . An image processing method, comprising the steps of:
 authenticating a user on the basis of user information obtained from the user;   determining, in response to the authentication of the user, whether or not a job of the authenticated user is in execution; and   displaying an initial screen according to a result of the determination by the job situation determining step.   
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a program causing a computer to execute an image processing method, the image processing method comprising the steps of:
 authenticating a user on the basis of user information obtained from the user;   determining, in response to the authentication of the user, whether or not a job of the authenticated user is in execution; and   displaying an initial screen according to a result of the determination by the job situation determining step.