Method and apparatus for managing private data in multi-function products

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for managing private data, such as a phone book, in a multi-function product (MFP) used by multiple users. The method involves receiving user information and performing user authentication, and reading data stored in a user area allocated to the authenticated user in a storage unit divided into a number of user areas. Accordingly, when private data is managed in an MFP used by multiple users, by dividing a storage unit in which data is stored into a number of user areas, allocating the divided user areas to users, and allowing a user to access only a user area allocated to the user through an authentication process, the private data can be fully prevented from being accessed by other users, and it will be unlikely for a user to be confused because of other user data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of managing private data in a multifunction peripheral, the method comprising:
 receiving user information;   performing user authentication;   determining whether a user area allocated to an authenticated user exists in a storage unit comprising a plurality of predefined user areas by using a table comprising information regarding each user and user area allocated to the user;   if a user area allocated to the authenticated user exists, reading data stored in the user area allocated to the authenticated user in the storage unit;   if a user area allocated to the authenticated user does not exist, allocating to the authenticated user a user area unallocated to other users automatically;   prohibiting the authenticated user from accessing the plurality of user areas in the storage unit other than the user area allocated to the authenticated user; and   updating the table automatically when the information regarding each user and user area allocated to the user is changed;   wherein each of the plurality of user areas is allocable to each of a plurality of users which uses the multifunction peripheral.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, if the user area allocated to the authenticated user does not exist in the storage unit, allocating to the authenticated user a user area unallocated to other users among the plurality of user areas. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving data from the authenticated user; and   storing the data in the user area allocated to the authenticated user in the storage unit.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user authentication is performed by authenticating an ID and password provided by a user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data stored in the user area of the storage unit comprises at least one of a facsimile number list, a phone number list, an email address list, a prefix dial, a user ID, and a user password. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the data read. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising printing the data read. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the user to access the user area allocated to the authenticated user. 
     
     
         9 . A multifunction peripheral for managing private data, the multifunction peripheral comprising:
 a user authentication unit for receiving user information and performing user authentication;   a storage unit comprising a plurality of predefined user areas, and configured to prohibit an authenticated user from accessing user areas in the storage unit other than the user area allocated to the authenticated user; and   a controller for   determining whether the user area allocated to the authenticated user exists in the storage unit by using a table comprising information regarding each user and user area allocated to the user,   if the user area allocated to the authenticated user exists, reading data stored in the user area allocated to the authenticated user in the storage unit,   if the user area allocated to the authenticated user does not exist, allocating to the authenticated user a user area unallocated to other users automatically, and   updating the table automatically when the information regarding each user and user area allocated to the user is changed;   wherein each of the plurality of user areas is allocable to each of a plurality of users which uses the multifunction peripheral.   
     
     
         10 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 9 , wherein the controller allocates to the authenticated user a user area unallocated to other users among the plurality of user areas if the user area allocated to the authenticated user does not exist in the storage unit. 
     
     
         11 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to store data provided by the authenticated user in the user area allocated to the authenticated user in the storage unit. 
     
     
         12 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 9 , wherein the user authentication unit is configured to perform user authentication by authenticating an ID and password provided by a user. 
     
     
         13 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 9 , wherein data stored in the user area of the storage unit comprises at least one of a facsimile number list, a phone number list, an email address list, a prefix dial, a user ID, and a user password. 
     
     
         14 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to store data so that information on the user area allocable to an authenticated user and information on a user to which the user area is allocated correspond. 
     
     
         15 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 9 , further comprising a printing unit for printing the data read.