Image processing apparatus and image processing apparatus system

Abstract

An image processing apparatus includes an input unit that receives setting information and a processor. The processor logs in a user based on authentication information received by the input unit, and then sets a setting state of the image processing apparatus for performing an image processing function, according to the setting information received by the input unit after the user is logged in. In response to a logout instruction received by the input unit, the processor provides the setting information to a storage unit accessible to the processor so that the setting information is stored in correspondence with the authentication information in the storage unit, and logs the user out. When the user is logged in again, the processor retrieves the stored setting information corresponding to the authentication information of the user, and sets the setting state of the image processing apparatus according to the retrieved setting information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image processing apparatus comprising:
 an input unit configured to receive setting information; and   a processor configured to:
 log in a user based on authentication information received by the input unit, 
 set a setting state of the image processing apparatus for performing an image processing function, according to the setting information received by the input unit after the user is logged in, 
 in response to a logout instruction received by the input unit, provide the setting information to a storage unit accessible to the processor so that the setting information is stored in correspondence with the authentication information in the storage unit, and log the user out, and 
 when the user is logged in again, retrieve the stored setting information corresponding to the authentication information of the user, and set the setting state of the image processing apparatus for performing the image processing function according to the retrieved setting information. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the setting information is a selection of one of a copy function, a print function, a scan function and a facsimile function. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the setting information is a size of a sheet to be used in a printing operation. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the setting information is a transmission destination for a facsimile operation. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor provides the setting information for each of a plurality of authenticated users to the storage unit. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor communicates with the storage unit via one of an internal connection and an external network connection. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor selects the storage unit from one of an internal storage unit and an external storage unit, based on a communication status between the image processing apparatus and the external storage unit. 
     
     
         8 . An image processing system comprising:
 a plurality of image processing apparatuses; and   a storage device connected to each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses through a network, wherein:   each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses includes:
 an input unit that receives setting information, 
 a communication interface for communicating data over the network, and 
 a processor configured to:
 log in a user based on authentication information received by the input unit, 
 set a setting state of the image processing apparatus for performing an image processing function, according to the setting information received by the input unit after the user is logged in, 
 in response to a logout instruction received by the input unit, transmit the setting information to the storage device so that the setting information is stored in correspondence with the authentication information, and log the user out, 
 when the user is logged in again, retrieve the stored setting information corresponding to the authentication information of the user, and set the setting state of the image processing apparatus for performing the image processing function according to the retrieved setting information. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the setting information is a selection of one of a copy function, a print function, a scan function and a facsimile function. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the setting information is a size of a sheet to be used in a printing operation. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the setting information is a transmission destination for a facsimile operation. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the storage device stores setting information for each of a plurality of authenticated users. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the processor in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses causes an internal storage unit to store the setting information while the user is logged in so that the setting information is also stored when the user logs out. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the processor in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses selects a storage destination of the setting information from either the internal storage unit or the storage device, based on a communication status between the corresponding image processing apparatus and the storage device. 
     
     
         15 . An image processing method comprising the steps of:
 authenticating a login event corresponding to a user identification;   receiving a setting for performing an image processing function of an image processing apparatus;   setting a setting state of the image processing apparatus according to the received setting;   at a logout event, causing a storage unit to store setting information corresponding to the setting in correspondence with the user identification; and   when a new login event corresponding to the user identification is authenticated, retrieving the setting information and setting a setting state of the image processing apparatus for performing the image processing function according to the retrieved setting information.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the setting information is a selection of one of a copy function, a print function, a scan function and a facsimile function. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the setting information is a size of a sheet to be used in a printing operation. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the setting information is a transmission destination for a facsimile operation. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 causing the storage unit to store setting information for each of a plurality of authenticated users.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 monitoring a communication status between the image processing apparatus and an external storage unit; and   based on the communication status, selecting the external storage unit or an internal storage unit as the storage unit for storing the setting information in correspondence with the user identification.