WO2023229629A1 - Image forming apparatus and screen lock method - Google Patents
Image forming apparatus and screen lock method Download PDFInfo
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- WO2023229629A1 WO2023229629A1 PCT/US2022/048361 US2022048361W WO2023229629A1 WO 2023229629 A1 WO2023229629 A1 WO 2023229629A1 US 2022048361 W US2022048361 W US 2022048361W WO 2023229629 A1 WO2023229629 A1 WO 2023229629A1
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- Prior art keywords
- application
- user
- temporary lock
- authentication information
- image forming
- Prior art date
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 58
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000010365 information processing Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
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- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 19
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- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 5
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/44—Secrecy systems
- H04N1/4406—Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity
- H04N1/4413—Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
- G06F21/30—Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
- G06F21/31—User authentication
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
- G06F21/60—Protecting data
- G06F21/606—Protecting data by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
- G06F21/608—Secure printing
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/0412—Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/0035—User-machine interface; Control console
- H04N1/00352—Input means
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/0035—User-machine interface; Control console
- H04N1/00501—Tailoring a user interface [UI] to specific requirements
- H04N1/00503—Customising to a particular machine or model, machine function or application
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/44—Secrecy systems
- H04N1/4406—Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity
- H04N1/4433—Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity to an apparatus, part of an apparatus or an apparatus function
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- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
- G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
- G06F3/1204—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
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- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
- G06F3/1222—Increasing security of the print job
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- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
- G06F3/1237—Print job management
- G06F3/1238—Secure printing, e.g. user identification, user rights for device usage, unallowed content, blanking portions or fields of a page, releasing held jobs
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- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
- G06F3/1279—Controller construction, e.g. aspects of the interface hardware
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/0077—Types of the still picture apparatus
- H04N2201/0094—Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
Definitions
- MFPs multi-function products
- Such an image forming apparatus may have a user login process for use thereof, which may also be utilized with a number of applications installed therein, some of which may not work except through their respective user login processes.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an image forming apparatus that supports a temporary lock function according to an example.
- FIGS. 2 to 6 are schematic diagrams of interfaces of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing temporary lock functions according to various examples.
- FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an interface of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing a temporary lock function according to an example.
- FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an interface of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing a temporary lock function according to an example.
- FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
- FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of interfaces of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing temporary lock functions according to various examples.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram illustratively showing records to support a temporary lock function according to an example.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium including instructions according to an example.
- An image forming apparatus may be utilized with a number of applications installed therein. Some of these applications may have a user authentication procedure, for example, a user login procedure, for use thereof. For example, a user who desires to use an application that provides a cloudbased service on the image forming apparatus may execute a procedure of logging in to the application of the image forming apparatus to use a function of the application. As an example, the user may provide information such as his/her identifier (ID) and password for use in authentication of the user with the application or run a biometrics-based or other authentication process, thereby completing the login procedure for the application.
- ID his/her identifier
- password password
- the user may pause the use of the application.
- the user may move away for some time from the image forming apparatus with a view to, for example, supply printing paper, pick up a document to be scanned, perform a personal task, and the like.
- the user may desire to prevent his/her personal information from being exposed.
- the user may desire to prevent his/her personal information from being indicated on a display of the image forming apparatus such as a screen of the application to which the user is currently logged in.
- the user may desire to prevent another user from using the application with the user’s specific content of the application being exposed to the other user.
- One solution is to, if no input is received for more than a certain period of time from the user who is logged in to the application, switch the image forming apparatus into a deactivated or sleep mode and log the user out of the application.
- switch the image forming apparatus into a deactivated or sleep mode and log the user out of the application.
- such solution may be less convenient since the logged-out user may need to go through the login procedure once more on the image forming apparatus.
- an image forming apparatus supports a function of temporarily locking an application, thereby delivering enhanced user convenience and improved security.
- a limited resource may be utilized in carrying out the temporary lock function, thereby achieving both user convenience and security without extra resource consumption.
- the image forming apparatus may perform a login procedure of the user for the application based on the first authentication information. While staying logged in to the application after the login procedure is completed, the user may make a request to the image forming apparatus to temporarily lock the application in order, for example, to prevent an exposure of personal information while he/she is away for some time from the image forming apparatus and to avoid a repetition of the login procedure.
- the temporary lock request may include second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information for use in logging in to the application.
- the image forming apparatus may switch the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the user logged in to the application. Based on the second authentication information being input during the temporary lock status of the application, the image forming apparatus may cancel the temporary lock status. For example, the application may be switched back into a status that precedes the temporary locking, i.e. , the status in which the user is previously (e.g., originally) logged in thereto.
- the first authentication information and the second authentication information may include their respective passwords, and the password in the second authentication information may have a cryptographic strength less than that of the password in the first authentication information.
- the password in the second authentication information may be less complex than that in the first authentication information. Therefore, the user may easily avoid repetition of logging in to the application and may also have a secure way of preventing an exposure of information regarding the user.
- ordinal terms “first,” “second,” and so forth are meant to identify several similar elements. Unless otherwise specified, such terms are not intended to impose limitations, e.g., a particular order of these elements or of their use, but rather are used merely for referring to multiple elements separately. For instance, an element may be referred to in an example with the term “first” while the same element may be referred to in another example with a different ordinal number such as “second” or “third.” In such examples, such ordinal terms are not to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the use of the term “and/or” in a list of multiple elements is inclusive of all possible combinations of the listed items, including any one or plurality of the items.
- image forming job may encompass any of a variety of image-related jobs that involve an operation of forming an image and/or other processing operations, e.g., creation, generation, and/or transfer of an image file.
- job as used herein may encompass a chain of processes that facilitate an image forming job, as well as the image forming job per se.
- an image forming device may perform an image forming job, such as a print job, a copy job, a scan job, a facsimile or other transmission job, a storage job, a coating job, or the like.
- image forming device or “image forming apparatus” as used herein may encompass any of a variety of devices, such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a multi-function product (MFP), a display device, and the like, that are capable of performing an image forming job.
- an image forming device may be a two-dimensional (2D) or three- dimensional (3D) image forming device.
- Such image forming device may provide various additional functions, as well as basic ones, for example, print, copy, and scan functions.
- the term “user” as used herein may refer to a person/organization who manipulates an image forming device to operate an image forming job.
- an administrator may refer to a person/organization who has access to the entire functionality of an image forming device.
- an administrator may be a person/organization who can set up configuration data of a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a remote management server.
- one person may have both roles of an administrator and a user.
- service provider may refer to a person/organization who supplies an image forming device to a user and has control of the functions and settings of the image forming device.
- a service provider may be a reseller who lends a plurality of image forming devices to a user or group, applies device setting values of the plurality of image forming devices according to an established contract, and controls and manages installation of an application and a setting value of the application.
- one person may have both roles of an administrator and a service provider.
- electronic device may refer to any information processing device, such as, for example, a computer, a laptop, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile telephone terminal, or the like, that may be used by a user.
- PC personal computer
- mobile telephone terminal or the like
- FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an image forming apparatus that supports a temporary lock function according to an example.
- an image forming apparatus 100 may include a processor 110, a memory 120, a display 130, an input device 140, a temporary lock manager 150, and an operating system 160. Other examples of the image forming apparatus 100 are also contemplated. In an example, the image forming apparatus 100 may also include an additional component, e.g., a power supply unit to supply power to the above-mentioned components, a communications unit to communicate with external entities, or the like. In another example, the image forming apparatus 100 may include some of, but not all of, the components shown in FIG. 1. Further, it may be appreciated that the image forming apparatus 100 is not necessarily a single device, but may include a plurality of interconnected devices.
- the processor 110 may control a function of the image forming apparatus 100.
- the processor 110 may be implemented with a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other processing circuitry to perform example operations described herein.
- the processor 110 may execute an instruction stored in the memory 120.
- the processor 110 may also read other information stored in the memory 120.
- the processor 110 may store new information in the memory 120 and may update some information stored in the memory 120.
- the processor 110 may obtain, from the memory 120, information to control the image forming apparatus 100 or may store such information in the memory 120.
- the memory 120 may include any computer- readable storage medium that stores data in a non-transitory form.
- the memory 120 may be implemented with Random Access Memory (RAM), Read- Only Memory (ROM), or any other type of storage medium.
- RAM Random Access Memory
- ROM Read- Only Memory
- the memory 120 may have stored therein a variety of information, for example, a set of instructions that are to be executed by the processor 110.
- the display 130 may be provided for the image forming apparatus to function as a user interface of the image forming apparatus 100 to, e.g., output, display, or otherwise present a status, a certain message, an installed application, or the like, of the image forming apparatus.
- the display 130 may be implemented as a touch screen or other device.
- the input device 140 may receive various inputs from a user. For example, the user may select his/her desired image forming job, or select among various options related to the image forming job, through the input device 140. Further, the user may launch the above-mentioned application, which is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, through the input device 140.
- Example implementations of the input device 140 may include a keyboard, a keypad, a physical button, a touch pad, a touch screen, and many other types of devices that are capable of receiving user inputs.
- the display 130 and the input device 140 may be implemented as separate components or may be combined in a single component, e.g., a touch screen.
- the touch screen may operate both as the display 130 to provide an output to the user and as the input device 140 to receive an input from the user.
- the temporary lock manager 150 is to implement an example temporary lock function.
- the temporary lock manager 150 may be a module including a library so as to be operable for any of a plurality of applications installed in the image forming apparatus 100 or otherwise may be implemented to be included in each application installed in the image forming apparatus 100.
- the temporary lock manager 150 may be arranged on a separate apparatus that is communicatively coupled to the image forming apparatus 100 and provide functionality by communicating with the image forming apparatus 100.
- the temporary lock manager 150 may be a part of the operating system 160 of the image forming apparatus 100, which will be described below.
- the temporary lock manager 150 may encompass a module or component that implements, together with the processor 110 of the image forming apparatus, or causes the processor 110 to implement, the temporary lock function in the image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. It should be understood that implementations of the temporary lock manager 150 are not limited to any specific hardware/machine readable instruction examples as described herein.
- the operating system 160 may provide a basic environment for control of individual hardware components of the image forming apparatus 100 and for use of machine readable instructions/applications.
- FIGS. 2 to 6 are schematic diagrams of interfaces of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing temporary lock functions according to various examples.
- An application installed in the image forming apparatus 100 may be used by a user of the image forming apparatus 100 through the display 130 of the image forming apparatus 100.
- the user may log in to the application on the image forming apparatus 100.
- the application may provide a cloud service by which the user may view and print a document stored in a cloud and/or upload, to the cloud, a document scanned at the image forming apparatus 100.
- Other examples of the application are also contemplated herein.
- the use of the application may involve the user of the image forming apparatus 100 performing a process of logging in to the application.
- the display 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may display an application login screen, such as in an interface 200 of FIG.
- log-in schemes are also contemplated herein, including, e.g., a biometrics-based technology, a CAPTCHA stage, a two-channel authentication approach, and so forth.
- the log-in schemes are not limited to the above-described examples.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may indicate, on the display 130, a usage screen of the application.
- FIG. 3 shows an example interface 300 of the application for which the login procedure is performed.
- the user may conduct, via the interface of the application, a desired action, for example, an action of accessing a document that is stored in a folder, an action of uploading from or downloading to the application a document that is scanned, printed, or otherwise processed by the image forming apparatus 100, or the like.
- a desired action for example, an action of accessing a document that is stored in a folder, an action of uploading from or downloading to the application a document that is scanned, printed, or otherwise processed by the image forming apparatus 100, or the like.
- the functionality of the application is not limited to the above-described examples.
- the user may request a temporary lock of the application.
- the user may make a request to the image forming apparatus for the temporary lock.
- the user may request the temporary lock by selecting a temporary lock icon 310 on the interface 300 of FIG. 3.
- the operating system 160 may generate a touch event which is processed by the application, the temporary lock manager 150, and/or the processor 110 so that the temporary lock of the application may be initiated.
- Other examples of requesting the temporary lock are also contemplated herein, such as use of a voice command, manipulation of a certain keypad, and so forth.
- FIG. 4 shows an example interface 400 of the application, which appears after the temporary lock request is received.
- the temporary lock request may include second authentication information for use in temporarily locking the application and unlocking the temporarily locked application.
- the second authentication information for use with the temporary lock function may be different from the first authentication information used for logging in to the application.
- the first authentication information and the second authentication information may include their respective passwords, and the password in the second authentication information may have a cryptographic strength less than that of the password in the first authentication information.
- the password in the second authentication information may be less complex than that in the first authentication information and may thus be easy for the user to set.
- the password in the second authentication information may be set as a two-digit number while the password in the first authentication information may have a combination of ten or more letters, digits, or other characters.
- Other examples are also contemplated in which the user’s password for the temporary lock may be simple to create and remember.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may display an interface 410 through which to receive the second authentication information for the temporary lock.
- the second authentication information may be a temporary lock password in the form of a personal identification number (PIN) having a certain number of digits.
- PIN personal identification number
- the temporary lock password may be directly set by the user through the input device 140.
- the temporary lock manager 150 may generate arbitrary digits/characters as the temporary lock password and present the same on the interface 410. Other ways of generating the temporary lock password are also contemplated herein.
- the second authentication information for use with the temporary lock function may further include at least one of a temporary lock time duration that specifies a period of time for which to continue the temporary lock and a temporary lock identifier that indicates which user requests the temporary lock or includes a message from the requesting user.
- the temporary lock time duration may be a period of time for which the application is kept in a status of being temporarily locked.
- the temporary lock time duration may be directly set by the user through the input device 140.
- the temporary lock manager 150 may set up an arbitrary time duration as the temporary lock time duration and present the same on the interface 410.
- the temporary lock time duration may be set to be a predetermined time duration.
- the temporary lock time duration may be set with, e.g., switching of the application into the temporary lock status.
- the temporary lock status which is set for the user, may be canceled and the user may be freed from staying logged in to the application, thereby being logged out of the application.
- the temporary lock identifier may be used as a message based on the application being temporarily locked.
- the temporary lock identifier may include an identifier for verifying the user requesting the temporary lock, a note that the requesting user may have completed, or the like.
- Other examples of the temporary lock identifier are also contemplated herein.
- the second authentication information such as the temporary lock password, the temporary lock time duration, and the temporary lock identifier, may not necessarily be indicated on the interface 410 of the image forming apparatus, but may be indicated on an electronic device such as a mobile phone of the user and/or inputted or set through the electronic device.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may switch the application into the temporary lock status while keeping the user logged in to the application.
- switching the application into the temporary lock status while keeping the user logged in to the application may include indicating, on the display 130, a type of interface on which the user’s specific content of the application is not available to another user.
- information regarding a current status of the application may be stored, as records, in the memory 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 so as to keep the user logged in. That is, with the user getting logged in to the application and requesting the temporary lock, the image forming apparatus 100 may store information regarding his/her log-in and/or job with respect to the application and may switch the application into the temporary lock status.
- FIG. 5 shows an example interface 500 of an application, which may be presented after switching into the temporary lock status.
- the interface 500 indicates that the application is now switched to the temporary lock status.
- the interface 500 may include an interface 510 indicating how much of the temporary lock time duration is left.
- the screen of the application may be hidden, thereby preventing an exposure of personal information. It is also contemplated that the personal information exposure may be prevented in a manner other than or in addition to that described above, such as resolution reduction or blurring of the screen. Still further, the time left in the temporary lock time duration may be displayed in real time.
- FIG. 6 there is described an example operation of unlocking an application in a temporary lock status.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may perform an operation of receiving authentication information to undo the temporary lock.
- FIG. 6 shows an example interface 600 of the application, through which the user may input authentication information for canceling the temporary lock status.
- the second authentication information for example, the temporary lock password
- the user may make a request for undoing of the temporary lock. That is, the user may request the unlocking by inputting the second authentication information, rather than the different, first authentication information, which is used in a situation in which the user is initially logged in to the application.
- the user may input the password, for example, the PIN information as discussed above with reference to FIG.
- the user may have inputted his/her identifier, for example, the identifier as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4, at the time of requesting the temporary lock.
- the identifier may be indicated in the form of, e.g., “Message: userOOl ,” on the interface 610 so that the user may check such information.
- different implementations are possible.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may receive the unlock request, compare the second authentication information included in the unlock request with the second authentication information included in the temporary lock request that was received before the switching to the temporary lock status, and, based on the comparison resulting in a match therebetween, cancel the temporary lock status.
- Canceling the temporary lock status may include re-displaying, on the display, the previous screen of the application, on which the user may thus use the application while still remaining logged in thereto.
- the information regarding a current status of the application may be stored, as records, in the memory 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 based on the application being switched into the temporary lock status and may be used based on the temporary lock status being canceled.
- using the application while the user stays logged in thereto may involve using certain data to communicate with a server side that maintains the application, for example, using token information, session information, or other information to authenticate the application with the server side.
- such data may be stored as records in the memory so as to be used based on the temporary lock status being canceled.
- the job information may be stored regarding the pending job and used in switching the application back into its immediately preceding status.
- the user may proceed to use the application without any additional login procedure nor any further repeated manipulation.
- the interface 300 of FIG. 3 may be indicated to the user.
- FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
- the image forming apparatus 100 performs a login procedure of a first user for an application based on the first user’s first authentication information regarding the application at operation S710.
- the image forming apparatus 100 has the application installed thereon and performs the login procedure for the application based on the user requesting authentication for the application by launching the application and providing the first authentication information for use in logging in to the application.
- the running application is caused to operate in a manner as described, for example, with respect to FIG. 3.
- the image forming apparatus 100 receives a request for temporary lock of the application at operation S720.
- the request includes second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information for use in performing the login procedure for the application.
- the first authentication information and the second authentication information may include their respective passwords, and the password in the second authentication information may have a cryptographic strength less than that of the password in the first authentication information.
- the second authentication information may include a time duration of the temporary lock and an identifier for identifying which user requests the temporary lock, as described above.
- the image forming apparatus 100 switches the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the user logged in to the application in operation S730. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 may switch the application into the temporary lock status and indicate on the display 130 an interface corresponding to the temporary lock status.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may associate login information and ongoing job information with the temporary lock request to store, as records, the login information and the ongoing job information.
- the login information may include information regarding the user’s log-in, which information is available for keeping the user logged in to the application.
- the ongoing job information may include information regarding the user’s job that is in progress in a situation in which the application is temporarily locked.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may perform an operation of canceling the temporary lock status of the application in response to receiving the second authentication information while the temporary lock status is kept at operation S740. Descriptions of example operations of canceling the temporary lock status are provided above.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may check whether the temporary lock time duration has elapsed and may cancel the temporary lock status based on receiving a request for undoing of the temporary lock, including, e.g., the second authentication information, before the temporary lock time duration elapses. For example, based on the temporary lock time duration elapsing after being set with the switching into the temporary lock status, which is set for the user, the temporary lock status may be canceled and the user may be freed from staying logged in to the application, thereby being logged out of the application.
- the image forming apparatus supports the function of temporarily locking the application so that even in a situation in which a user moves away from and back to the image forming apparatus, the user may avoid a repetition of logging in to the application and may also have a secure way of preventing an exposure of information regarding the user.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an interface 800 of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing a temporary lock function according to an example.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may support use of the application by other users.
- the interface 800 of FIG. 8 shows an example screen on which to receive, from the user, denoted as “user001 ,” upon whose request the application has been temporarily locked, an input of a temporary lock password, for example, a PIN, for undoing of the temporary lock.
- a temporary lock password for example, a PIN
- Another, second user may be unaware of the temporary lock password or may desire to use the application with his/her own account. In such cases, the second user may make a new request to log in to the temporarily locked application with the account different than the first user’s by, e.g., clicking the “Log in” button on the interface 810 of FIG. 8, without undoing the temporary lock by, e.g., clicking the “Unlock” button on the interface 810.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may perform an operation of receiving the to-be-newly-logged-in user’s authentication information.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may indicate the login screen as shown in FIG. 2 to receive the second user’s first authentication information regarding the application.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may perform a login procedure of the second user for the application based on the second user’s first authentication information regarding the application.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may display an interface of the application with the second user logged in thereto based on the second user’s account.
- FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
- the example operations illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG. 9 may be performed by the image forming apparatus 100 to allow the second user to use the application while the temporary lock status requested by the first user is kept.
- Example operations of switching an application of the image forming apparatus 100 into the temporary lock status as requested by the first user are provided above with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7. While the temporary lock status is kept, the image forming apparatus 100 receives the second user’s authentication information regarding the application at operation S910. For example, as described above with reference to FIG.
- the second user may request authentication for the temporarily locked application by attempting to log in to the application with the different account, for example, by clicking the “Log in” button on the interface 810, followed by providing his/her respective first authentication information regarding the application.
- the image forming apparatus may perform the login procedure of the second user for the application at operation S920. Based on the login procedure being successfully performed, the running application may operate in a manner as described, for example, with respect to FIG. 3.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may free the user who requested the existing temporary lock of the application, e.g., the first user, from being logged in to the application. That is, the application may not be kept any more in the temporary lock status for the first user once the application is used as such by the second user.
- This may provide a solution for utilizing a limited resource in carrying out the temporary lock function, thereby achieving both user convenience and security without extra resource consumption in an environment in which the resource-constrained image forming apparatus is shared by multiple users.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may keep the user who requested the existing temporary lock of the application, e.g., the first user, logged in to the application for a certain period of time. For example, the first user may be kept logged in for the temporary lock time duration that is set for the first user. Based on the second user logging out of the application after closing the application, the image forming apparatus 100 may identify whether the first user should continue to be kept logged in and, if so, switch the application back into the temporary lock status. Examples thereof are described below with reference to FIGS. and 11.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an interface 1000 of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing a temporary lock function according to an example.
- the second user may log in to the application with his/her account to use the application. Thereafter, based on the second user logging out of the application, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the user who requested the existing temporary lock of the application, e.g., the first user, should be kept logged in to the application. Based on the first user being kept logged in to the application and the temporary lock time duration set for the first user not elapsing, the image forming apparatus 100 may output the interface 1000, indicating that the application is in the temporary lock status. For example, the interface 1000 may include an interface 1010 to indicate how much of the temporary lock time duration is left.
- FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
- the image forming apparatus performs a logout procedure of the second user for the application at operation S1130.
- the second user may request to log out of the application after closing the application.
- the image forming apparatus 100 determines, for the temporary lock status that has been set for the existing user, e.g., the first user, and kept since before the second user logs in to the application, whether the temporary lock time duration elapses at operation S1140. Based on the temporary lock time duration elapsing, the image forming apparatus performs a logout procedure of the corresponding user, e.g., the first user, for the application and cancels the temporary lock status of the application at operation S1150.
- the image forming apparatus restores the application to the temporary lock status for the corresponding user, e.g., the first user at operation S1160, and may display the interface 1000, for example as shown in FIG. 10.
- the image forming apparatus supports the function of temporarily locking the application so that even in a situation in which a user moves away from and back to the image forming apparatus, the user may avoid a repetition of logging in to the application and may also have a secure way of preventing an exposure of information regarding the user.
- FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of interfaces of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing temporary lock functions according to various examples.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may support a feature of logging a plurality of users in to the application, as discussed above, and may further allow the plurality of users to request the application to be temporarily locked. For example, with the application remaining switched into the temporary lock status as requested by a first user, a second user may log in to the application with the second user’s account. Thereafter, instead of logging out of the application, the second user may request the application to be temporarily locked for the second user. In this connection, the second user’s temporary lock request may be processed in a manner identical to that for the first user’s temporary lock request.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may temporarily lock the application for the second user as well while keeping the first user and the second user logged in to the application.
- the image forming apparatus may indicate, on an interface 1200, information identifying which users have requested the application to be switched into the temporary lock status. For example, for each of the users, the identifier included in that user’s respective second authentication information, for example, “user001” for the first user, “user002” for the second user, and so forth, may be stored. These identifiers may be indicated on an interface 1210 as being user-selectable. A user who desires the temporarily locked application to be unlocked may select his/her identifier and input his/her respective second authentication information, for example, his/her temporary lock password, to make a request for the unlocking.
- respective second authentication information for example, “user001” for the first user, “user002” for the second user, and so forth.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may perform, based on the second authentication information associated with “user001 ,” the unlocking of the temporarily locked application for the corresponding user.
- an identifier may be a user-input message or identifier or may be any other type of information that distinguishes among multiple users. For example, a user may not directly input information as an identifier. Instead, the identifier may be generated by the temporary lock manager 150 and provided for the user. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may perform an additional process of encrypting, converting, or otherwise processing information such as the identifier into a differently formatted one and then store the same as a record.
- the user identification may not necessarily involve indicating the identifier or message on an interface of the image forming apparatus 100, but may employ various techniques, such as a near field communication (NFC) scheme, a quick response (QR) code scheme, or the like, supported by, e.g., the user’s portable electronic device.
- NFC near field communication
- QR quick response
- the image forming apparatus supports the function of temporarily locking the application so that even in a situation in which a user moves away from and back to the image forming apparatus, the user may avoid a repetition of logging in to the application and may also have a secure way of preventing an exposure of information regarding the user.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram illustratively showing records to support a temporary lock function according to an example.
- the image forming apparatus may generate and manage records 1400 in order to keep a user logged in to an application based on the application being switched into and out of a temporary lock status.
- the records 1400 may include temporary lock data 1410 for each of a plurality of users.
- temporary lock data 1420 may include each user’s second authentication information, i.e., authentication information for use in temporarily locking the application and unlocking the temporarily locked application for the user.
- the second authentication information may include, for example, a temporary lock password, a temporary lock time duration, a user identifier, and so forth.
- the temporary lock data 1420 may also include each user’s login information, i.e., information for use in keeping the user logged in to the application.
- the user login information may be stored in the form of JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) based on the application supporting token-based authentication.
- JSON JavaScript Object Notation
- the login information may also be stored in another form with which to switch the application back into its previous status (e.g., a status in which the user is originally logged in thereto).
- the temporary lock data 1410 may further include each user’s job information. For example, based on there being a job on which the user has been working in a situation in which the application is switched into the temporary lock status, the job information may be stored regarding the pending job and used in switching the application back into its immediately preceding status. For example, based on the user entering certain text in an input window on the application at the time of the switching, the text may be stored as such.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium including instructions according to an example.
- a non-transitory computer readable recording medium 1500 stores a computer program that is executable by a processor and programmable to implement example operations of the aforementioned methodology, such as the example operations of the image forming apparatus described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 14 and the operations of the temporary lock method described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 14.
- the computer program on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium 1500 may include a set of program instructions that direct the processor to perform specific operations. With reference to FIG. 15, examples of the computer program stored in the computer readable recording medium 1500 will be described.
- the non-transitory computer readable storage medium 1500 may include an instruction 1510 to perform a login procedure of a first user for an application based on the first user’s first authentication information regarding the application, an instruction 1520 to receive a request for temporary lock of the application, the request including second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information, an instruction 1530 to, in response to the temporary lock request, switch the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the first user logged in to the application, and an instruction 1540 to, in response to receiving the second authentication information while the temporary lock status of the application is kept, cancel the temporary lock status.
- the above-described computer readable recording medium may be a non-transitory readable medium.
- the term “non-transitory readable medium” as used herein refers to a medium that is capable of semi-permanently storing data and is readable by an apparatus, rather than a medium, e.g., a register, a cache, a volatile memory device, etc., that temporarily stores data.
- the foregoing program instructions may be stored and provided in a CD, a DVD, a hard disk, a Blu-ray disc, a USB, a memory card, a ROM device, or any of other types of non-transitory readable media.
- the methodology disclosed herein may be incorporated into a computer program product.
- the computer program product may be available as a product for trading between a seller and a buyer.
- the computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), or distributed online through an application store, e.g., PlayStoreTM.
- an application store e.g., PlayStoreTM.
- at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored, or temporarily created, in a storage medium such as a server of the manufacturer, a server of the application store, or a storage medium such as memory of a relay server.
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Abstract
An example information processing apparatus performs a login procedure of a first user for an application based on first authentication information of the first user regarding the application, receives a request for temporary lock of the application, the request including second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information, in response to the temporary lock request, switches the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the first user logged in to the application, and, in response to receiving the second authentication information while the temporary lock status of the application is kept, cancels the temporary lock status.
Description
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND SCREEN LOCK METHOD
BACKGROUND
[0001] There exist many different types of image forming apparatuses, including dedicated printers, scanners, copiers, facsimile machines, etc., and also multi-function products (MFPs) that act as an all-in-one solution to provide a combination of, e.g., print, copy, scan, and fax functions.
[0002] Such an image forming apparatus may have a user login process for use thereof, which may also be utilized with a number of applications installed therein, some of which may not work except through their respective user login processes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an image forming apparatus that supports a temporary lock function according to an example.
[0005] FIGS. 2 to 6 are schematic diagrams of interfaces of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing temporary lock functions according to various examples.
[0006] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
[0007] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an interface of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing a temporary lock function according to an example.
[0008] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
[0009] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an interface of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing a temporary lock function according to an example.
[0010] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
[0011] FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of interfaces of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing temporary lock functions according to various examples.
[0012] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustratively showing records to support a temporary lock function according to an example.
[0013] FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium including instructions according to an example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] An image forming apparatus may be utilized with a number of applications installed therein. Some of these applications may have a user authentication procedure, for example, a user login procedure, for use thereof. For example, a user who desires to use an application that provides a cloudbased service on the image forming apparatus may execute a procedure of logging in to the application of the image forming apparatus to use a function of the application. As an example, the user may provide information such as his/her identifier (ID) and password for use in authentication of the user with the application or run a biometrics-based or other authentication process, thereby completing the login procedure for the application.
[0015] After completing the login procedure for the application, the user may pause the use of the application. In various example scenarios, the user may move away for some time from the image forming apparatus with a view to, for example, supply printing paper, pick up a document to be scanned, perform a personal task, and the like. In such examples, the user may desire to prevent his/her personal information from being exposed. For example, the user may desire to prevent his/her personal information from being indicated on a display of the image forming apparatus such as a screen of the application to which the user is currently logged in. Further, the user may desire to prevent another user from using the application with the user’s specific content of the application being
exposed to the other user.
[0016] One solution is to, if no input is received for more than a certain period of time from the user who is logged in to the application, switch the image forming apparatus into a deactivated or sleep mode and log the user out of the application. However, such solution may be less convenient since the logged-out user may need to go through the login procedure once more on the image forming apparatus.
[0017] Thus, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus supports a function of temporarily locking an application, thereby delivering enhanced user convenience and improved security. [0018] Further, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure, a limited resource may be utilized in carrying out the temporary lock function, thereby achieving both user convenience and security without extra resource consumption.
[0019] In an example, based on a user of an image forming apparatus inputting first authentication information regarding the application, including, e.g., his/her ID, password, or the like, the image forming apparatus may perform a login procedure of the user for the application based on the first authentication information. While staying logged in to the application after the login procedure is completed, the user may make a request to the image forming apparatus to temporarily lock the application in order, for example, to prevent an exposure of personal information while he/she is away for some time from the image forming apparatus and to avoid a repetition of the login procedure. For example, the temporary lock request may include second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information for use in logging in to the application. Based on receiving the temporary lock request, the image forming apparatus may switch the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the user logged in to the application. Based on the second authentication information being input during the temporary lock status of the application, the image forming apparatus may cancel the temporary lock status. For example, the application may be switched back into a status that precedes the temporary locking, i.e. , the status in which the user is previously (e.g., originally) logged in
thereto. In an example, the first authentication information and the second authentication information may include their respective passwords, and the password in the second authentication information may have a cryptographic strength less than that of the password in the first authentication information. For example, the password in the second authentication information may be less complex than that in the first authentication information. Therefore, the user may easily avoid repetition of logging in to the application and may also have a secure way of preventing an exposure of information regarding the user.
[0020] Various terms used in the present disclosure are chosen from a terminology of commonly used terms in consideration of their function herein, which may be appreciated differently depending on an intention of a user, a precedent case, or an emerging new technology. In various examples, some terms are to be construed as set forth in the detailed description. Accordingly, the terms used herein are to be defined consistently with their meanings in the context of the present disclosure, rather than simply by their plain and ordinary meaning. [0021] The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” etc. are used herein to describe the presence of the elements listed thereafter. Unless otherwise indicated, these terms and variations thereof are not meant to exclude the presence or addition of other elements.
[0022] As used herein, the ordinal terms “first,” “second,” and so forth are meant to identify several similar elements. Unless otherwise specified, such terms are not intended to impose limitations, e.g., a particular order of these elements or of their use, but rather are used merely for referring to multiple elements separately. For instance, an element may be referred to in an example with the term “first” while the same element may be referred to in another example with a different ordinal number such as “second” or “third.” In such examples, such ordinal terms are not to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the use of the term “and/or” in a list of multiple elements is inclusive of all possible combinations of the listed items, including any one or plurality of the items.
[0023] The term “image forming job” as used herein may encompass any of a variety of image-related jobs that involve an operation of forming an image and/or other processing operations, e.g., creation, generation, and/or transfer of
an image file. The term “job” as used herein may encompass a chain of processes that facilitate an image forming job, as well as the image forming job per se. By way of example and not limitation, an image forming device may perform an image forming job, such as a print job, a copy job, a scan job, a facsimile or other transmission job, a storage job, a coating job, or the like.
[0024] The term “image forming device” or “image forming apparatus” as used herein may encompass any of a variety of devices, such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a multi-function product (MFP), a display device, and the like, that are capable of performing an image forming job. In some examples, an image forming device may be a two-dimensional (2D) or three- dimensional (3D) image forming device. Such image forming device may provide various additional functions, as well as basic ones, for example, print, copy, and scan functions.
[0025] The term “user” as used herein may refer to a person/organization who manipulates an image forming device to operate an image forming job.
[0026] The term “administrator” as used herein may refer to a person/organization who has access to the entire functionality of an image forming device. By way of example and not limitation, an administrator may be a person/organization who can set up configuration data of a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a remote management server. In some examples, one person may have both roles of an administrator and a user.
[0027] The term “service provider” as used herein may refer to a person/organization who supplies an image forming device to a user and has control of the functions and settings of the image forming device. By way of example and not limitation, a service provider may be a reseller who lends a plurality of image forming devices to a user or group, applies device setting values of the plurality of image forming devices according to an established contract, and controls and manages installation of an application and a setting value of the application. In some examples, one person may have both roles of an administrator and a service provider.
[0028] The terms “electronic device”, “electronic apparatus,” or “user device” as used herein may refer to any information processing device, such as,
for example, a computer, a laptop, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile telephone terminal, or the like, that may be used by a user.
[0029] Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are given in order to provide a better understanding of the scope of the present disclosure.
[0030] These and other features of the examples will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an image forming apparatus that supports a temporary lock function according to an example.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 , an image forming apparatus 100 may include a processor 110, a memory 120, a display 130, an input device 140, a temporary lock manager 150, and an operating system 160. Other examples of the image forming apparatus 100 are also contemplated. In an example, the image forming apparatus 100 may also include an additional component, e.g., a power supply unit to supply power to the above-mentioned components, a communications unit to communicate with external entities, or the like. In another example, the image forming apparatus 100 may include some of, but not all of, the components shown in FIG. 1. Further, it may be appreciated that the image forming apparatus 100 is not necessarily a single device, but may include a plurality of interconnected devices.
[0033] In some examples, the processor 110 may control a function of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the processor 110 may be implemented with a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other processing circuitry to perform example operations described herein. For example, the processor 110 may execute an instruction stored in the memory 120. The processor 110 may also read other information stored in the memory 120. In addition, the processor 110 may store new information in the memory 120 and may update some information stored in the memory 120. For example, the processor 110 may obtain, from the memory 120, information to
control the image forming apparatus 100 or may store such information in the memory 120.
[0034] In some examples, the memory 120 may include any computer- readable storage medium that stores data in a non-transitory form. Thus, the memory 120 may be implemented with Random Access Memory (RAM), Read- Only Memory (ROM), or any other type of storage medium. The memory 120 may have stored therein a variety of information, for example, a set of instructions that are to be executed by the processor 110.
[0035] In some examples, the display 130 may be provided for the image forming apparatus to function as a user interface of the image forming apparatus 100 to, e.g., output, display, or otherwise present a status, a certain message, an installed application, or the like, of the image forming apparatus. The display 130 may be implemented as a touch screen or other device.
[0036] In some examples, the input device 140 may receive various inputs from a user. For example, the user may select his/her desired image forming job, or select among various options related to the image forming job, through the input device 140. Further, the user may launch the above-mentioned application, which is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, through the input device 140. Example implementations of the input device 140 may include a keyboard, a keypad, a physical button, a touch pad, a touch screen, and many other types of devices that are capable of receiving user inputs.
[0037] In an example, the display 130 and the input device 140 may be implemented as separate components or may be combined in a single component, e.g., a touch screen. In the latter case, the touch screen may operate both as the display 130 to provide an output to the user and as the input device 140 to receive an input from the user.
[0038] The temporary lock manager 150 is to implement an example temporary lock function. In some examples, the temporary lock manager 150 may be a module including a library so as to be operable for any of a plurality of applications installed in the image forming apparatus 100 or otherwise may be implemented to be included in each application installed in the image forming apparatus 100. In other examples, the temporary lock manager 150 may be
arranged on a separate apparatus that is communicatively coupled to the image forming apparatus 100 and provide functionality by communicating with the image forming apparatus 100. In still other examples, the temporary lock manager 150 may be a part of the operating system 160 of the image forming apparatus 100, which will be described below.
[0039] In an example, the temporary lock manager 150 may encompass a module or component that implements, together with the processor 110 of the image forming apparatus, or causes the processor 110 to implement, the temporary lock function in the image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. It should be understood that implementations of the temporary lock manager 150 are not limited to any specific hardware/machine readable instruction examples as described herein.
[0040] In some examples, the operating system 160 may provide a basic environment for control of individual hardware components of the image forming apparatus 100 and for use of machine readable instructions/applications.
[0041] The following describes an example of a temporary lock function supported by the image forming apparatus 100.
[0042] FIGS. 2 to 6 are schematic diagrams of interfaces of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing temporary lock functions according to various examples.
[0043] An application installed in the image forming apparatus 100 may be used by a user of the image forming apparatus 100 through the display 130 of the image forming apparatus 100. In some examples, the user may log in to the application on the image forming apparatus 100. In an example, the application may provide a cloud service by which the user may view and print a document stored in a cloud and/or upload, to the cloud, a document scanned at the image forming apparatus 100. Other examples of the application are also contemplated herein. In some examples, the use of the application may involve the user of the image forming apparatus 100 performing a process of logging in to the application. The display 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may display an application login screen, such as in an interface 200 of FIG. 2, on which the user may log in to the application in a certain manner, such as by providing authentication
information, for example, first authentication information such as the user’s identifier and password. Other additional or different log-in schemes are also contemplated herein, including, e.g., a biometrics-based technology, a CAPTCHA stage, a two-channel authentication approach, and so forth. The log-in schemes are not limited to the above-described examples.
[0044] Based on the login procedure being successfully performed for the application in accordance with the authentication information received from the user, the image forming apparatus 100 may indicate, on the display 130, a usage screen of the application. FIG. 3 shows an example interface 300 of the application for which the login procedure is performed. The user may conduct, via the interface of the application, a desired action, for example, an action of accessing a document that is stored in a folder, an action of uploading from or downloading to the application a document that is scanned, printed, or otherwise processed by the image forming apparatus 100, or the like. The functionality of the application is not limited to the above-described examples.
[0045] While the application is in use, the user may request a temporary lock of the application. For example, in order to prevent an exposure of personal information while the user is away from the image forming apparatus 100 and to avoid a repetition of the login procedure, the user may make a request to the image forming apparatus for the temporary lock. In an example, the user may request the temporary lock by selecting a temporary lock icon 310 on the interface 300 of FIG. 3. For example, based on the temporary lock icon 310 being selected (e.g., touched) on the display 130 of the image forming apparatus, the operating system 160 may generate a touch event which is processed by the application, the temporary lock manager 150, and/or the processor 110 so that the temporary lock of the application may be initiated. Other examples of requesting the temporary lock are also contemplated herein, such as use of a voice command, manipulation of a certain keypad, and so forth.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows an example interface 400 of the application, which appears after the temporary lock request is received. The temporary lock request may include second authentication information for use in temporarily locking the application and unlocking the temporarily locked application. In some examples,
the second authentication information for use with the temporary lock function may be different from the first authentication information used for logging in to the application. In an example, the first authentication information and the second authentication information may include their respective passwords, and the password in the second authentication information may have a cryptographic strength less than that of the password in the first authentication information. For example, the password in the second authentication information may be less complex than that in the first authentication information and may thus be easy for the user to set. In a non-limiting example, the password in the second authentication information may be set as a two-digit number while the password in the first authentication information may have a combination of ten or more letters, digits, or other characters. In a further non-limiting example, there may be a constraint that a repetition of a letter, a digit, or another character not be used in the password in the first authentication information, whereas such constraint may not be imposed on the password in the second authentication information. Other examples are also contemplated in which the user’s password for the temporary lock may be simple to create and remember.
[0047] As illustrated on the interface 400 of FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 may display an interface 410 through which to receive the second authentication information for the temporary lock. In the example of FIG. 4, the second authentication information may be a temporary lock password in the form of a personal identification number (PIN) having a certain number of digits. For example, the temporary lock password may be directly set by the user through the input device 140. By way of another example, the temporary lock manager 150 may generate arbitrary digits/characters as the temporary lock password and present the same on the interface 410. Other ways of generating the temporary lock password are also contemplated herein.
[0048] In an example, the second authentication information for use with the temporary lock function may further include at least one of a temporary lock time duration that specifies a period of time for which to continue the temporary lock and a temporary lock identifier that indicates which user requests the temporary lock or includes a message from the requesting user.
[0049] As an example, the temporary lock time duration may be a period of time for which the application is kept in a status of being temporarily locked. In an example, the temporary lock time duration may be directly set by the user through the input device 140. In another example, the temporary lock manager 150 may set up an arbitrary time duration as the temporary lock time duration and present the same on the interface 410. In still another example, the temporary lock time duration may be set to be a predetermined time duration. Other ways of setting the temporary lock time duration are also contemplated herein. For example, based on the temporary lock time duration elapsing after being set with, e.g., switching of the application into the temporary lock status, the temporary lock status, which is set for the user, may be canceled and the user may be freed from staying logged in to the application, thereby being logged out of the application.
[0050] The temporary lock identifier may be used as a message based on the application being temporarily locked. For example, the temporary lock identifier may include an identifier for verifying the user requesting the temporary lock, a note that the requesting user may have completed, or the like. Other examples of the temporary lock identifier are also contemplated herein.
[0051] Further, unlike the example of FIG. 4, the second authentication information, such as the temporary lock password, the temporary lock time duration, and the temporary lock identifier, may not necessarily be indicated on the interface 410 of the image forming apparatus, but may be indicated on an electronic device such as a mobile phone of the user and/or inputted or set through the electronic device.
[0052] Based on receiving the temporary lock request, including the second authentication information for the temporary lock, the image forming apparatus 100 may switch the application into the temporary lock status while keeping the user logged in to the application.
[0053] In an example, switching the application into the temporary lock status while keeping the user logged in to the application may include indicating, on the display 130, a type of interface on which the user’s specific content of the application is not available to another user.
[0054] Optionally or alternatively, information regarding a current status of the application may be stored, as records, in the memory 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 so as to keep the user logged in. That is, with the user getting logged in to the application and requesting the temporary lock, the image forming apparatus 100 may store information regarding his/her log-in and/or job with respect to the application and may switch the application into the temporary lock status. These records may be used in undoing the temporary lock and restoring the application to its previous status, examples of which will be described herein below. It is also to be understood that other example implementations of keeping the user logged in are possible and that such implementations may depend on specifications or conditions of the image forming apparatus 100.
[0055] FIG. 5 shows an example interface 500 of an application, which may be presented after switching into the temporary lock status.
[0056] In FIG. 5, the interface 500 indicates that the application is now switched to the temporary lock status. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the interface 500 may include an interface 510 indicating how much of the temporary lock time duration is left. Further, based on the application being switched into the temporary lock status, the screen of the application may be hidden, thereby preventing an exposure of personal information. It is also contemplated that the personal information exposure may be prevented in a manner other than or in addition to that described above, such as resolution reduction or blurring of the screen. Still further, the time left in the temporary lock time duration may be displayed in real time.
[0057] With reference to FIG. 6, there is described an example operation of unlocking an application in a temporary lock status. For example, based on the user conducting an action, for example, a screen touch input, for unlocking of the temporarily locked application, the image forming apparatus 100 may perform an operation of receiving authentication information to undo the temporary lock.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows an example interface 600 of the application, through which the user may input authentication information for canceling the temporary lock status. By inputting the second authentication information, for example, the
temporary lock password, which is already set based on temporarily locking the application, the user may make a request for undoing of the temporary lock. That is, the user may request the unlocking by inputting the second authentication information, rather than the different, first authentication information, which is used in a situation in which the user is initially logged in to the application. For example, there appears on the interface 600 of FIG. 6 an interface 610 showing that in order to undo the temporary lock, the user may input the password, for example, the PIN information as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4, and make the unlock request by, for example, clicking the “Unlock” button of the interface 610. In some examples, the user may have inputted his/her identifier, for example, the identifier as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4, at the time of requesting the temporary lock. The identifier may be indicated in the form of, e.g., “Message: userOOl ,” on the interface 610 so that the user may check such information. In other examples, different implementations are possible.
[0059] The image forming apparatus 100 may receive the unlock request, compare the second authentication information included in the unlock request with the second authentication information included in the temporary lock request that was received before the switching to the temporary lock status, and, based on the comparison resulting in a match therebetween, cancel the temporary lock status. Canceling the temporary lock status may include re-displaying, on the display, the previous screen of the application, on which the user may thus use the application while still remaining logged in thereto.
[0060] Optionally or alternatively, the information regarding a current status of the application, for example, the information regarding the user’s login and/or the information regarding the user’s job, may be stored, as records, in the memory 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 based on the application being switched into the temporary lock status and may be used based on the temporary lock status being canceled. In some examples, using the application while the user stays logged in thereto may involve using certain data to communicate with a server side that maintains the application, for example, using token information, session information, or other information to authenticate the application with the server side. In those examples, upon the switching into the temporary lock status,
such data may be stored as records in the memory so as to be used based on the temporary lock status being canceled. In addition, based on there being a job on which the user has been working in a situation in which the application is switched into the temporary lock status, the job information may be stored regarding the pending job and used in switching the application back into its immediately preceding status.
[0061] Thus, based on the temporary lock status being canceled, the user may proceed to use the application without any additional login procedure nor any further repeated manipulation. For example, based on the canceling of the temporary lock status being successful, the interface 300 of FIG. 3 may be indicated to the user.
[0062] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
[0063] In the example of FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 performs a login procedure of a first user for an application based on the first user’s first authentication information regarding the application at operation S710. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 has the application installed thereon and performs the login procedure for the application based on the user requesting authentication for the application by launching the application and providing the first authentication information for use in logging in to the application. Based on the login procedure being successfully performed, the running application is caused to operate in a manner as described, for example, with respect to FIG. 3.
[0064] The image forming apparatus 100 receives a request for temporary lock of the application at operation S720. In an example, the request includes second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information for use in performing the login procedure for the application. As discussed above, the first authentication information and the second authentication information may include their respective passwords, and the password in the second authentication information may have a cryptographic strength less than that of the password in the first authentication information. Further, the second authentication information may include a time duration of the
temporary lock and an identifier for identifying which user requests the temporary lock, as described above.
[0065] In response to the temporary lock request, the image forming apparatus 100 switches the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the user logged in to the application in operation S730. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 may switch the application into the temporary lock status and indicate on the display 130 an interface corresponding to the temporary lock status.
[0066] Optionally or additionally, the image forming apparatus 100 may associate login information and ongoing job information with the temporary lock request to store, as records, the login information and the ongoing job information. The login information may include information regarding the user’s log-in, which information is available for keeping the user logged in to the application. The ongoing job information may include information regarding the user’s job that is in progress in a situation in which the application is temporarily locked.
[0067] The image forming apparatus 100 may perform an operation of canceling the temporary lock status of the application in response to receiving the second authentication information while the temporary lock status is kept at operation S740. Descriptions of example operations of canceling the temporary lock status are provided above.
[0068] In an example where, based on the application being requested to be temporarily locked, the temporary lock time duration is set as, e.g., a value input by the user or a predetermined one, the image forming apparatus 100 may check whether the temporary lock time duration has elapsed and may cancel the temporary lock status based on receiving a request for undoing of the temporary lock, including, e.g., the second authentication information, before the temporary lock time duration elapses. For example, based on the temporary lock time duration elapsing after being set with the switching into the temporary lock status, which is set for the user, the temporary lock status may be canceled and the user may be freed from staying logged in to the application, thereby being logged out of the application.
[0069] As discussed above, in various examples, the image forming
apparatus supports the function of temporarily locking the application so that even in a situation in which a user moves away from and back to the image forming apparatus, the user may avoid a repetition of logging in to the application and may also have a secure way of preventing an exposure of information regarding the user.
[0070] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an interface 800 of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing a temporary lock function according to an example.
[0071] For example, while the application is in the temporary lock status, the image forming apparatus 100 may support use of the application by other users. The interface 800 of FIG. 8 shows an example screen on which to receive, from the user, denoted as “user001 ,” upon whose request the application has been temporarily locked, an input of a temporary lock password, for example, a PIN, for undoing of the temporary lock. Another, second user may be unaware of the temporary lock password or may desire to use the application with his/her own account. In such cases, the second user may make a new request to log in to the temporarily locked application with the account different than the first user’s by, e.g., clicking the “Log in” button on the interface 810 of FIG. 8, without undoing the temporary lock by, e.g., clicking the “Unlock” button on the interface 810.
[0072] In response to receiving the new login request while the application stays in the temporary lock status, the image forming apparatus 100 may perform an operation of receiving the to-be-newly-logged-in user’s authentication information. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may indicate the login screen as shown in FIG. 2 to receive the second user’s first authentication information regarding the application. The image forming apparatus 100 may perform a login procedure of the second user for the application based on the second user’s first authentication information regarding the application. Based on the second user being successfully logged in, the image forming apparatus 100 may display an interface of the application with the second user logged in thereto based on the second user’s account.
[0073] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
[0074] The example operations illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG. 9 may be performed by the image forming apparatus 100 to allow the second user to use the application while the temporary lock status requested by the first user is kept. Example operations of switching an application of the image forming apparatus 100 into the temporary lock status as requested by the first user are provided above with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7. While the temporary lock status is kept, the image forming apparatus 100 receives the second user’s authentication information regarding the application at operation S910. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 8, the second user may request authentication for the temporarily locked application by attempting to log in to the application with the different account, for example, by clicking the “Log in” button on the interface 810, followed by providing his/her respective first authentication information regarding the application. The image forming apparatus may perform the login procedure of the second user for the application at operation S920. Based on the login procedure being successfully performed, the running application may operate in a manner as described, for example, with respect to FIG. 3.
[0075] In an example, based on the login procedure of the second user succeeding, the image forming apparatus 100 may free the user who requested the existing temporary lock of the application, e.g., the first user, from being logged in to the application. That is, the application may not be kept any more in the temporary lock status for the first user once the application is used as such by the second user. This may provide a solution for utilizing a limited resource in carrying out the temporary lock function, thereby achieving both user convenience and security without extra resource consumption in an environment in which the resource-constrained image forming apparatus is shared by multiple users.
[0076] In another example, based on the login procedure of the second user succeeding, the image forming apparatus 100 may keep the user who requested the existing temporary lock of the application, e.g., the first user, logged in to the application for a certain period of time. For example, the first user may be kept logged in for the temporary lock time duration that is set for the first user.
Based on the second user logging out of the application after closing the application, the image forming apparatus 100 may identify whether the first user should continue to be kept logged in and, if so, switch the application back into the temporary lock status. Examples thereof are described below with reference to FIGS. and 11.
[0077] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an interface 1000 of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing a temporary lock function according to an example.
[0078] With the application remaining switched into the temporary lock status as requested by the first user, the second user may log in to the application with his/her account to use the application. Thereafter, based on the second user logging out of the application, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the user who requested the existing temporary lock of the application, e.g., the first user, should be kept logged in to the application. Based on the first user being kept logged in to the application and the temporary lock time duration set for the first user not elapsing, the image forming apparatus 100 may output the interface 1000, indicating that the application is in the temporary lock status. For example, the interface 1000 may include an interface 1010 to indicate how much of the temporary lock time duration is left. Therefore, before the temporary lock time duration elapses, the first user may come back to and manipulate the image forming apparatus 100 for canceling of the temporary lock status set by the first user. Further, although not shown, there may also be an indication of the identifier for identifying the user for whom the current temporary lock status is set. [0079] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustratively showing operations of temporarily locking an image forming apparatus according to an example.
[0080] The operations S1110 and S1120 are performed for logging the second user in to the application with his/her account while the temporary lock status requested by the first user is kept. Examples thereof are described with respect to FIG. 9 and accordingly are not repeated here.
[0081] The image forming apparatus performs a logout procedure of the second user for the application at operation S1130. For example, the second user may request to log out of the application after closing the application. After
performing the logout procedure of the second user, the image forming apparatus 100 determines, for the temporary lock status that has been set for the existing user, e.g., the first user, and kept since before the second user logs in to the application, whether the temporary lock time duration elapses at operation S1140. Based on the temporary lock time duration elapsing, the image forming apparatus performs a logout procedure of the corresponding user, e.g., the first user, for the application and cancels the temporary lock status of the application at operation S1150. Based on the temporary lock time duration not elapsing, the image forming apparatus restores the application to the temporary lock status for the corresponding user, e.g., the first user at operation S1160, and may display the interface 1000, for example as shown in FIG. 10.
[0082] As discussed above, in various examples, the image forming apparatus supports the function of temporarily locking the application so that even in a situation in which a user moves away from and back to the image forming apparatus, the user may avoid a repetition of logging in to the application and may also have a secure way of preventing an exposure of information regarding the user.
[0083] Further, there may be provided a solution for utilizing a limited resource in carrying out the temporary lock function, thereby achieving both user convenience and security without extra resource consumption in an environment in which the resource-constrained image forming apparatus is shared by multiple users.
[0084] FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of interfaces of an image forming apparatus, illustratively showing temporary lock functions according to various examples.
[0085] The image forming apparatus 100 may support a feature of logging a plurality of users in to the application, as discussed above, and may further allow the plurality of users to request the application to be temporarily locked. For example, with the application remaining switched into the temporary lock status as requested by a first user, a second user may log in to the application with the second user’s account. Thereafter, instead of logging out of the application, the second user may request the application to be temporarily locked for the second
user. In this connection, the second user’s temporary lock request may be processed in a manner identical to that for the first user’s temporary lock request. For example, based on the second user’s second authentication information being received that is different from the second user’s first authentication information for use in logging the second user in to the application, the image forming apparatus 100 may temporarily lock the application for the second user as well while keeping the first user and the second user logged in to the application.
[0086] In an example, with the application remaining switched into the temporary lock status as requested by the plurality of users, the image forming apparatus may indicate, on an interface 1200, information identifying which users have requested the application to be switched into the temporary lock status. For example, for each of the users, the identifier included in that user’s respective second authentication information, for example, “user001” for the first user, “user002” for the second user, and so forth, may be stored. These identifiers may be indicated on an interface 1210 as being user-selectable. A user who desires the temporarily locked application to be unlocked may select his/her identifier and input his/her respective second authentication information, for example, his/her temporary lock password, to make a request for the unlocking. For example, as shown on an interface 1300 in FIG. 13, in response to a user selection of “user001 ” on an interface 1310, the image forming apparatus 100 may perform, based on the second authentication information associated with “user001 ,” the unlocking of the temporarily locked application for the corresponding user.
[0087] It may be appreciated that an identifier may be a user-input message or identifier or may be any other type of information that distinguishes among multiple users. For example, a user may not directly input information as an identifier. Instead, the identifier may be generated by the temporary lock manager 150 and provided for the user. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may perform an additional process of encrypting, converting, or otherwise processing information such as the identifier into a differently formatted one and then store the same as a record. Still further, the user identification may not necessarily involve indicating the identifier or message on an interface of the
image forming apparatus 100, but may employ various techniques, such as a near field communication (NFC) scheme, a quick response (QR) code scheme, or the like, supported by, e.g., the user’s portable electronic device.
[0088] As discussed above, in various examples, the image forming apparatus supports the function of temporarily locking the application so that even in a situation in which a user moves away from and back to the image forming apparatus, the user may avoid a repetition of logging in to the application and may also have a secure way of preventing an exposure of information regarding the user.
[0089] Further, there may be provided a solution for utilizing a limited resource in carrying out the temporary lock function, thereby achieving both user convenience and security without extra resource consumption in an environment in which the resource-constrained image forming apparatus is shared by multiple users.
[0090] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustratively showing records to support a temporary lock function according to an example.
[0091] In an example, the image forming apparatus may generate and manage records 1400 in order to keep a user logged in to an application based on the application being switched into and out of a temporary lock status. The records 1400 may include temporary lock data 1410 for each of a plurality of users. In an example, temporary lock data 1420 may include each user’s second authentication information, i.e., authentication information for use in temporarily locking the application and unlocking the temporarily locked application for the user. The second authentication information may include, for example, a temporary lock password, a temporary lock time duration, a user identifier, and so forth. The temporary lock data 1420 may also include each user’s login information, i.e., information for use in keeping the user logged in to the application. The user login information may be stored in the form of JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) based on the application supporting token-based authentication. The login information may also be stored in another form with which to switch the application back into its previous status (e.g., a status in which the user is originally logged in thereto). In addition, the temporary lock data 1410
may further include each user’s job information. For example, based on there being a job on which the user has been working in a situation in which the application is switched into the temporary lock status, the job information may be stored regarding the pending job and used in switching the application back into its immediately preceding status. For example, based on the user entering certain text in an input window on the application at the time of the switching, the text may be stored as such.
[0092] FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium including instructions according to an example.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 15, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium 1500 stores a computer program that is executable by a processor and programmable to implement example operations of the aforementioned methodology, such as the example operations of the image forming apparatus described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 14 and the operations of the temporary lock method described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 14.
[0094] The computer program on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium 1500 may include a set of program instructions that direct the processor to perform specific operations. With reference to FIG. 15, examples of the computer program stored in the computer readable recording medium 1500 will be described.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 15, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium 1500 may include an instruction 1510 to perform a login procedure of a first user for an application based on the first user’s first authentication information regarding the application, an instruction 1520 to receive a request for temporary lock of the application, the request including second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information, an instruction 1530 to, in response to the temporary lock request, switch the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the first user logged in to the application, and an instruction 1540 to, in response to receiving the second authentication information while the temporary lock status of the application is kept, cancel the temporary lock status.
[0096] As can be clearly seen, upon execution of the computer program
stored in the computer readable recording medium 1500, the instructions 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 illustrated in FIG. 15, as well as the operations or the method steps described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 14, may be performed by the computer, for example, the above-described image forming apparatus 100. [0097] The above-described computer readable recording medium may be a non-transitory readable medium. The term “non-transitory readable medium” as used herein refers to a medium that is capable of semi-permanently storing data and is readable by an apparatus, rather than a medium, e.g., a register, a cache, a volatile memory device, etc., that temporarily stores data. For example, the foregoing program instructions may be stored and provided in a CD, a DVD, a hard disk, a Blu-ray disc, a USB, a memory card, a ROM device, or any of other types of non-transitory readable media.
[0098] In a particular example, the methodology disclosed herein may be incorporated into a computer program product. The computer program product may be available as a product for trading between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), or distributed online through an application store, e.g., PlayStore™. For the online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored, or temporarily created, in a storage medium such as a server of the manufacturer, a server of the application store, or a storage medium such as memory of a relay server.
[0099] The foregoing description has been presented to illustrate and describe some examples. It should be understood that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. In various examples, suitable results may be achieved if the above-described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if some of the components of the abovedescribed systems, architectures, devices, circuits, and the like are coupled or combined in a different manner, or substituted for or replaced by other components or equivalents thereof.
[00100] Although the foregoing examples are described in the context of applications installed in an image forming apparatus, it should be understood that
the present disclosure is not limited to such applications and is applicable in other situations where a function of temporarily locking the image forming apparatus per se, rather than an application installed therein, is to be implemented.
[00101] Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is not to be limited to the precise form disclosed, but rather defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims
1 . An image forming apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory to store instructions, executable by the processor, to cause the processor to perform operations of: performing a login procedure of a first user for an application based on first authentication information of the first user regarding the application; receiving a request for a temporary lock of the application, the request comprising second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information; in response to the request, switching the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the first user logged in to the application; and in response to receiving the second authentication information while the temporary lock status of the application is kept, canceling the temporary lock status.
2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first authentication information and the second authentication information comprise respective passwords, and wherein the password in the second authentication information has a cryptographic strength less than that of the password in the first authentication information.
3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the request further comprises a time duration of the temporary lock and an identifier for identifying which user requests the temporary lock, and wherein the switching of the application into the temporary lock status while keeping the first user logged in to the application comprises associating, with the request, login information and ongoing job information to store, as records in the memory, the login information and the ongoing job information.
4. The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the canceling of the temporary lock status comprises, in response to the second authentication information being input within the time duration, switching, based on the stored records, the application back into a status in which the first user is previously logged in to the application.
5. The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the memory further stores instructions, executable by the processor, to cause the processor to perform an operation of: based on the time duration elapsing after the switching into the temporary lock status, freeing the first user from being logged in to the application.
6. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the memory further stores instructions, executable by the processor, to cause the processor to perform an operation of: while the temporary lock status is kept, performing a login procedure of a second user for the application based on first authentication information of the second user regarding the application.
7. The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein the memory further stores instructions, executable by the processor, to cause the processor to perform an operation of: based on the login procedure of the second user being successful, freeing the first user from being logged in to the application.
8. The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein the memory further stores instructions, executable by the processor, to cause the processor to perform operations of, after the login procedure of the second user succeeds: receiving a further request for temporary lock of the application, the further request comprising second authentication information of the second user that is different from the second user’s first authentication information;
in response to the further request, temporarily locking the application for the second user while keeping the first user and the second user logged in to the application; and in response to receiving the second user’s second authentication information while the temporary lock status of the application is kept, unlocking the temporarily locked application for the second user.
9. A method of locking an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: performing a login procedure of a first user for an application based on first authentication information of the first user regarding the application; receiving a request for temporary lock of the application, the request comprising second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information; in response to the request, switching the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the first user logged in to the application; and in response to receiving the second authentication information while the temporary lock status of the application is kept, canceling the temporary lock status.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first authentication information and the second authentication information comprise respective passwords, and wherein the password in the second authentication information has a cryptographic strength less than that of the password in the first authentication information.
11 . The method of claim 10, wherein the request further comprises a time duration of the temporary lock and an identifier for identifying which user requests the temporary lock, and wherein the switching of the application into the temporary lock status while keeping the first user logged in to the application comprises associating,
with the request, login information and ongoing job information to store, as records in a memory, the login information and the ongoing job information.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the canceling of the temporary lock status comprises, in response to the second authentication information being input within the time duration, switching, based on the stored records, the application back into a status in which the first user is previously logged in to the application.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: based on the time duration elapsing after the switching into the temporary lock status, freeing the first user from being logged in to the application.
14. The method of claim 9, further comprising: while the temporary lock status is kept, performing a login procedure of a second user for the application based on first authentication information of the second user regarding the application, wherein the method further comprises: based on the login procedure of the second user being successful, freeing the first user from being logged in to the application; or after the login procedure of the second user succeeds: receiving a further request for temporary lock of the application, comprising second authentication information of the second user that is different from the second user’s first authentication information; in response to the further request, temporarily locking the application for the second user while keeping the first user and the second user logged in to the application; and in response to receiving the second user’s second authentication information while the temporary lock status of the application is kept, unlocking the temporarily locked application for the second user.
15. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium having
stored therein a computer program for locking an image forming apparatus, the non-transitory computer readable recording medium comprising: instructions to perform a login procedure of a first user for an application based on first authentication information of the first user regarding the application; instructions to receive a request for temporary lock of the application, the request comprising second authentication information that is different from the first authentication information; instructions to, in response to the request, switch the application into a temporary lock status while keeping the first user logged in to the application; and instructions to, in response to receiving the second authentication information while the temporary lock status of the application is kept, cancel the temporary lock status.
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US20060288234A1 (en) * | 2005-06-16 | 2006-12-21 | Cyrus Azar | System and method for providing secure access to an electronic device using facial biometrics |
US8325995B1 (en) * | 2011-06-21 | 2012-12-04 | Google Inc. | Proximity wakeup |
EP2741486A2 (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2014-06-11 | Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. | Information processing apparatus having user authentication function and authentication method |
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