Patent ID: 8248630
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A multifunction machine in which settings information including use restriction settings information that indicates use restriction settings of various functions for individual users is set in synchronization with other multifunction machines that are connected via a network, the multifunction machine comprising: a clock means for recognizing time; a settings information storing means that stores settings information and an updated time recognized by the clock means when the settings information is updated; a synchronization target information storing means that stores synchronization target information that specifies synchronization target multifunction machines whose settings information is to be synchronized; a sending means that sends updated settings information and the updated time of the settings information to the synchronization target multifunction machines specified by the synchronization target information stored in the synchronization target information storing means when the settings information stored in the settings information storing means is updated by a user's operation; a receiving means that receives the settings information and the updated time of the settings information sent from the other multifunction machines; and a synchronization/update means that updates the settings information stored in the settings information storing means based on the received settings information when the updated time received by the receiving means is later than the updated time stored in the settings information storing means.