Patent ID: 8185950
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. An information forming apparatus comprising: a communication unit that carries out data communication with an authentication card inserted into a card slot; an authentication unit that authenticates that a user who attempts to operate the apparatus is an authorized user by sending entered authenticating information to the authentication card; a storing unit that stores the entered authenticating information; a process execution unit that, when a process is invoked that requires input of authenticating information to the authentication card, executes the process using the authenticating information stored in the storing unit; and an erasure unit that always erases the authenticating information stored in the storing unit in response to removal of the authentication card from the card slot when power of the apparatus is ON, wherein the erasing occurs before a next instance when the power of the apparatus is OFF, and wherein no authentication information exists in the storing unit while the authentication card is not inserted in the card slot.