Patent Publication Number: US-2023156129-A1

Title: Processing device, image processing apparatus, and processing method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a processing device and the like. 
     Description of the Background Art 
     There are known image processing apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals that have, for example, a fax mode that allows image data generated through reading by a scanner device to be faxed and an e-mail mode that allows image data to be attached to e-mail and transmitted. 
     In sending faxes or e-mails, users can specify the transmission destination from destination information managed by an image processing apparatus to execute a job pertaining to a fax mode or an e-mail mode. The destination information according to the present disclosure refers to information for specifying the destination of communication, such as a telephone number, an e-mail address, a fax number, account information, an address, a place of employment, and the like. The image processing apparatus can accumulate destination information for each communication destination and manage the destination information in the form of an address book. In the present disclosure, the destination information managed internally by the image processing apparatus and the address book that is a collection of the destination information are collectively referred to as internal address information. 
     When desired destination information is not included in the internal address information managed by the image processing apparatus, or the image processing apparatus installed in convenience stores, copy service providers, or the like is temporarily used to execute the job, it is recently practiced that the destination information (hereinafter referred to external address information) managed by a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a mobile phone is temporarily forwarded to the image processing apparatus. Users can perform jobs such as e-mails and faxes by specifying the destination by using the destination information forwarded to the image processing apparatus. 
     For such an image processing apparatus according to the conventional technique, for example, there is known as a multifunction system in which, when some kind of instruction is given to the multifunction system from a portable terminal, some kind of information for specifying the portable terminal or some kind of information for specifying an individual using the portable terminal is acquired from the portable terminal, and whether or not to execute the instruction from the portable terminal is determined on the basis of the result of comparison with the information preliminarily stored in the multifunction system. 
     The technique described in the conventional techniques limits the users who can realize the functions of an image processing apparatus (e.g., sending e-mails or faxes) by using destination information stored in the terminal device, in order to prevent unauthorized use of these functions. 
     The management of the image processing apparatus exemplified by the conventional technique is performed by an administrator who has administrative authority. In general, image processing apparatuses are managed by different administrators at different installation sites, and the operational system differs depending on the settings of the image processing apparatus and the administrators. 
     Under such circumstances, for example, an image processing apparatus installed in one location can execute jobs by using a terminal device, but an image processing apparatus installed in another location cannot execute jobs by using a terminal device. This is not only due to the user management settings by the administrator. For example, the execution of jobs is also restricted when some restriction settings are imposed on function settings (system settings), and the convenience of using the terminal device to execute jobs can be significantly impaired. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide a processing device or the like that enables the transmission and reception of information by canceling restrictions on the transmission and reception of information when predetermined conditions are met, even when restrictions are imposed on the basis of function settings or user authority. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to solve the above issues, a processing device according to the present disclosure includes a communicator that transmits and receives information by using management information; and a controller that restricts the transmission and reception of the information via the communicator based on a restriction setting, wherein, when the management information is management information acquired from a terminal device, the controller cancels the restriction setting and transmits and receives the information via the communicator. 
     Another processing device according to the present disclosure includes a communicator that transmits and receives information by using management information; an authority determiner that determines whether or not authority regarding the transmission and reception of the information is granted to an authenticated user; and a controller that restricts the transmission and reception of information via the communicator, wherein the controller restricts the transmission and reception of the information via the communicator based on a determination result of the authority determiner. 
     An image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes the above-described processing device; and an image processor. 
     A processing method according to the present disclosure includes transmitting and receiving information by using management information; and restricting the transmission and reception of the information based on a restriction setting, wherein, when the management information is management information acquired from a terminal device, the restriction setting is canceled and the information is transmitted and received. 
     Here, the management information according to the present disclosure may be destination information managed by a processing device or a terminal device, or may be setting information including destination information related to the execution of a job in each mode, such as a fax mode or an e-mail mode. 
     The present disclosure can provide a processing device or the like that enables the transmission and reception of information by canceling restrictions on the transmission and reception of information when predetermined conditions are met, even when restrictions are imposed on the basis of function settings or user authority. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front view diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates the functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates the functional configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating a process flow according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an operation example in the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an operation example in the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an operation example in the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an operation example in the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an operation example in the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a flowchart illustrating a process flow according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an operation example in the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an operation example in the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an operation example in the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  15    illustrates an operation example in the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  16    illustrates the functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a user authority management table. 
         FIG.  18    is a flowchart illustrating a process flow according to the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  19    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  20    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  21    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  22    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  23    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  24    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  25    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  26    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
         FIG.  27    illustrates an operation example in the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present disclosure, a multifunction peripheral having a copy function, a scan function, a fax function, an e-mail function, and the like is described as an example form of a processing device or an image processing apparatus including the processing device. The embodiments described below are presented as examples for explaining the present disclosure, and therefore the technical scope thereof as recited in the appended claims is not limited by the following description. 
     1 First Embodiment 
     In the first embodiment, when destination information as management information is external address information acquired from a terminal device, an imposed restriction setting can be canceled, and transmission and reception of information, such as e-mail transmission, can be performed via a communicator. 
     1.1 Functional Configuration 
     1.1.1 Multifunction Peripheral  10   
       FIG.  1    is a front view diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a multifunction peripheral  10  according to the first embodiment. The multifunction peripheral  10  can communicate with a terminal device  30 . There is no restriction on the communication methods used, but the near field communication technologies such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Wireless Smart Utility Network (Wi-SUN) (registered trademark), the infrared data association protocols (Irda), or the like can be adopted. In  FIG.  1   , the multifunction peripheral  10  is illustrated as an example of communicating directly with the terminal device  30 , but it is also possible to establish communication via a network not illustrated, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the multifunction peripheral  10 .  FIG.  3    illustrates the functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral  10 . The multifunction peripheral  10  includes a controller  11 , a display  13 , an operation inputter  15 , a communicator  17 , an image former  19 , an image reader  21 , and a storage  23 . 
     The controller  11  comprehensively controls the multifunction peripheral  10 . The controller  11  includes, for example, one or more arithmetic devices (such as central processing units (CPUs)). The controller  11  reads and executes various programs stored in the storage  23 , thereby implementing functions. 
     The display  13  displays various kinds of information to a user, for example. The display  13  may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display, or the like. 
     The operation inputter  15  accepts input of information by the user or the like. The operation inputter  15  may be provided as hard keys (for example, a numeric keypad), buttons, or the like. The operation inputter  15  may be provided as a touch panel that allows input via the display  13 . In such a case, the input on the touch panel may be detected using a resistive film, an infrared light, electromagnetic induction, capacitance, or the like. 
     The communicator  17  has an interface for the near field communication, as mentioned above, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-SUN, Irda, or the like. The communicator  17  can also have at least one of a wired interface and a wireless interface to communicate with other devices via a network not illustrated, such as LAN, WAN, the Internet, telephone lines, fax lines, or the like. 
     The image former  19  forms images on sheets, which are recording media, in accordance with image data. The image former  19  feeds a sheet from a sheet feeder  25 , forms an image in accordance with image data on the sheet, and then outputs the sheet from a sheet output portion  27 . The image former  19  can include, for example, a laser printer using electrophotography. The image former  19  forms images using toner supplied from toner cartridges (not illustrated) corresponding to the toner colors (for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K)). 
     The image reader  21  generates scan data by scanning and reading a target document image. The image reader  21  can be provided as a scanner device including an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD), a contact image sensor (CIS), or the like. The image reader  21  may be any image reader that allows reading of the reflected light image from the document image with the image sensor and generates scan data consisting of red-green-blue (RGB) analog signals. 
     The storage  23  stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the multifunction peripheral  10 . The storage  23  may include, for example, a storage device such as random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and a read only memory (ROM). 
     In the first embodiment, the storage  23  stores a job execution program  231 , a display processing program  232 , a destination information acquisition program  233 , and a restriction setting determination program  234 , and has a destination information storage area  235 . 
     The job execution program  231  is a program that is read by the controller  11  to perform processing in the copy mode, the scan mode, the fax mode, the e-mail mode, and other modes on a job-by-job basis. The controller  11  reads the job execution program  231  and executes each job by controlling the communicator  17 , the image former  19 , the image reader  21 , and the like. 
     The display processing program  232  is a program read by the controller  11  in displaying a setting screen that receives input of various setting values, execution instructions, termination instructions, or the like related to execution of a job, an initial screen (for example, a home screen) that displays the setting screen in a switchable manner, an authentication screen for user authentication, an address book screen for displaying the internal address information, external address information, etc., various message screens, or the like. 
     The destination information acquisition program  233  is a program read by the controller  11  in acquiring the external address information from the terminal device  30 . The controller  11 , having read the destination information acquisition program  233 , controls the communicator  17  and the like to communicate with the terminal device  30  and acquires the destination information managed by the terminal device  30  as the external address information. For example, when using Bluetooth as the communication method, the controller  11  can follow a phone book access profile (PBAP) to collectively acquire the destination information managed by the terminal device  30  in a vCard format. 
     The restriction setting determination program  234  is a program read by the controller  11  in determining whether or not a restriction setting regarding the transmission and reception of information via the communicator  17  or a restriction setting regarding communication, such as “prohibition of selection from the address book” or “prohibition of direct input (prohibition of direct designation)” is imposed, or whether or not a user is authorized to execute a job, such as fax or e-mail, through the system settings of the multifunction peripheral  10 . The controller  11 , which has read the restriction setting determination program  234 , permits the communicator  17  to execute the function or imposes a restriction on the function execution on the basis of the determination result. The phrase “imposing a restriction” in the present disclosure means that the controller  11  outputs a prohibition command to the communicator  17  so that some or all functions (e.g., sending and receiving information, controlling various interfaces for communication with other devices) that can be implemented by the communicator  17  is prevented from being provided. The communicator  17  that receives a prohibition command is restricted from executing the corresponding function until the restriction is canceled by the controller  11  (i.e., unless a prohibition cancellation order is output). 
     The destination information storage area  235  is a storage area for storing destination information (external address information) acquired from the terminal device  30  and destination information (internal address information) managed internally by the multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     1.1.2 Terminal Device  30   
       FIG.  4    illustrates the functional configuration of the terminal device  30 . The terminal device  30  according to the present disclosure is assumed to be a so-called mobile terminal device including, but not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet, a cell phone, a laptop, or the like. A mounted-type terminal device, such as a desktop computer, is also provided as the terminal device of the present disclosure when such a terminal device is in an environment capable of communicating with the multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     The terminal device  30 , as described above, includes a controller  31 , a display  33 , an operation inputter  35 , a communicator  37 , and a storage  39 . 
     The controller  31  comprehensively controls the terminal device  30 . The controller  31  is composed of, for example, one or more arithmetic devices (such as a CPU). The controller  31  implements its functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage  39 . 
     The display  33  displays various information to the user. The display  33  may include, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. 
     The operation inputter  35  accepts input of information by the user or the like. The operation inputter  35  may include a touch panel that allows input via the display  33 . In such a case, the input on the touch panel may be detected using a resistive film, an infrared light, electromagnetic induction, capacitance, or the like. 
     The communicator  37  has an interface for near field communication such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-SUN, Irda, or the like. The communicator  37  can also have at least one of a wired interface and a wireless interface to communicate with other devices via a network not illustrated, such as LAN, WAN, the Internet, telephone lines, fax lines, or the like. 
     The storage  39  stores various programs and various kinds of data necessary for the operation of the terminal device  30 . The storage  39  may include, for example, storage devices such as a RAM, an HDD, an SSD, and a ROM. 
     The storage  39  stores an application program  391  and a destination information management program  392 , and secures a destination information storage area  393 . 
     The application program  391  is a program read by the controller  31  in executing various applications, such as phone calls, e-mail, fax, SNS, video and music viewing, and game. 
     The destination information management program  392  is a program read by the controller  31  in managing destination information, such as a telephone number, an e-mail address, a fax number, and an account of the destination that are used in applications such as phone calls, e-mail, fax, SNS, or the like. The controller  31  performs processing such as new registration, editing, and deletion of the destination information in accordance with an instruction from the user. The controller  31  reads and outputs the managed destination information in accordance with a request to acquire the destination information from the multifunction peripheral  10 . When a request to acquire destination information is made in accordance with the PBAP, the controller  31  can export the destination information in the vCard format. The destination information can also be exported in a comma separated value (CSV) format. In such a case, the controller  31  can export all pieces of destination information and then transmit them collectively to the multifunction peripheral  10 . The destination information management program  392  may be provided as a management program incorporated in the application program  391 . 
     The destination information storage area  393  is a storage area for storing, for example, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, fax numbers, accounts, and the like as destination information managed by the terminal device  30 . 
     1.2 Process flow 
     The process flow according to the first embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG.  5   . The process described with reference to  FIG.  5    is a mode for determining whether the restriction setting is maintained or canceled in accordance with whether or not the destination information as management information is external address information acquired from the terminal device  30  or internal address information managed internally by the multifunction peripheral  10 . The process described with reference to  FIG.  5    is executed by the controller  11  by reading the job execution program  231 , the display processing program  232 , the restriction setting determination program  234 , or the like. 
     The controller  11  accepts input of a mode selection instruction for the copy mode, the scan mode, the E-mail mode, the fax mode, or the like by a user via the home screen or the like (step S 100 ). 
     The controller  11  determines whether or not the fax mode or the e-mail mode has been selected among the modes accepted for selection (step S 110 ). 
     If it is determined that the fax mode or the e-mail mode has been selected by the user, the controller  11  causes the setting screen of the fax mode or the e-mail mode to appear on the display  13  (step S 110 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 120 ). 
     Subsequently, the controller  11  determines whether or not the fax transmission in the fax mode or the e-mail transmission in the e-mail mode is information transmission using the external address information (step S 130 ). Here, when the acquisition of the external address information from the terminal device  30  is completed, the controller  11  can determine that the information is transmitted using the external address information by receiving input of a selection instruction of the destination information included in the acquired external address information. When the acquisition of the external address information from the terminal device  30  is not completed, the controller  11  can determine that the information is transmitted using the external address information by receiving an acquisition request of the external address information. 
     If it is determined that the information is transmitted using the external address information, the controller  11  determines whether or not the restriction setting is imposed on the multifunction peripheral  10  (step S 130 : if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 140 ). 
     If it is determined that the restriction setting is imposed on the multifunction peripheral  10 , the controller  11  determines whether or not the imposed restriction setting is, for example, a setting regarding restrictions on the transmission and reception of information via the communicator  17  (system restrictions), such as “prohibition of selection from the address book” and “prohibition of direct input” (step S 140 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 150 ). 
     If it is determined that a setting regarding restrictions on the transmission and reception of information is imposed, the controller  11  temporarily cancels the restriction setting (step S 150 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 160 ). 
     The controller  11  then sends the information to the destination specified by the destination information (step S 170 ). The controller  11  re-applies the restriction setting temporarily canceled in step S 160  (step S 180 ), and the process ends. 
     If it is determined in step S 110  that the fax mode or the e-mail mode is not selected by the user, the controller  11  causes a setting screen (for example, a copy setting screen) of another mode selected by the user to appear on the display  13  (step S 110 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 190 ). 
     Upon accepting input of a job execution instruction in the other mode, the controller  11  executes the job of the mode (step S 200 ; the process proceeds to step S 210 ), and the process ends. 
     When it is determined in step S 130  that the information is not transmitted using the external address information, the controller  11  determines whether or not the information is transmitted using the internal address information (step S 130 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 220 ). Here, the controller  11  can determine that the information is transmitted using the internal address information by receiving input of a selection instruction of the destination information included in the internal address information. 
     If it is determined that the information is transmitted using the internal address information, the controller  11  maintains the restriction setting, and the process ends (step S 220 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 250 ). 
     When it is determined that the information is not transmitted using the internal address information, the controller  11  determines whether or not direct input of the destination has been accepted (step S 220 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 230 ). 
     If it is determined that direct input of the destination has been accepted, the controller  11  maintains the restriction setting, and the process ends (step S 230 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 250 ). If it is determined that direct input of the destination has not been accepted, the controller  11  determines that the process is another process and executes operations corresponding to the other process (step S 230 ; if No, the process proceeds to “other operations”). 
     If it is determined in step S 140  that no restriction setting is imposed on the multifunction peripheral  10 , the controller  11  sends the information to the destination corresponding to the destination information, and the process ends (step S 140 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 240 ). 
     If it is determined in step S 150  that no restriction setting regarding the transmission and reception of information is imposed, the controller  11  maintains the restriction setting in accordance with other restriction settings, and the process ends (step S 150 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 250 ). 
     1.3 Operation Example 
     An operation example according to the first embodiment will now be explained.  FIGS.  6  and  7    are diagrams for explaining an operation example in sending information by using the internal address information managed internally by the multifunction peripheral  10  when a restriction setting (system restriction) regarding the transmission and reception of information via the communicator  17 , such as “prohibition of selection from the address book” and “prohibition of direct input,” is imposed as a restriction setting. Note that the operation example corresponds to the processing of steps S 120 , S 130  (No), S 220 , S 230 , S 250 , etc., in  FIG.  5   . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a configuration example of a setting screen W 10  of the e-mail mode. The setting screen W 10  includes a mode display area R 10 , a setting value display area R 12 , a function selection area R 14 , an address book button B 10 , a start button B 12 , a destination input box B x   10 , and a subject input box B x   12 . 
     The mode display area R 10  is a display area for displaying icons representing the respective modes. Since  FIG.  6    illustrates a configuration example of the setting screen W 10  of the e-mail mode, the icon representing the e-mail mode in the mode display area R 10  is provided with an underbar indicating that the e-mail mode is selected. 
     The setting value display area R 12  is a display area for displaying setting values (setting items) of e-mail transmission executed via the setting screen W 10 .  FIG.  6    illustrates an example in which a color mode “auto/monochrome binary,” a resolution “200 x 200 dpi,” a format “PDF,” etc., are displayed as setting values for the e-mail transmission job. 
     The function selection area R 14  is a display area for displaying function selection keys that accept selection of a function settable for executing the e-mail transmission.  FIG.  6    illustrates an example of the function selection keys, such as a “see mobile address book” key, a “recent job” key, a “transmission history” key, etc., as described below. 
     The address book button B 10  is a button for accepting input of a reference instruction for the internal address information managed by the multifunction peripheral  10 . Upon receiving an instruction to select the address book button B 10 , the controller  11  causes the address book screen, which is described with reference to  FIG.  7   , to appear. 
     The start button B 12  is a button for accepting input of an instruction for executing an e-mail transmission whose destination is the e-mail address set in the destination input box B x   10 . 
     The destination input box B x   10  is an input box for accepting input of an e-mail address as a destination of the e-mail transmission. In the first embodiment, when a restriction setting regarding the transmission and reception of information is imposed, direct input of the destination information into the destination input box B x   10  is restricted. 
     The subject input box B x   12  is an input box for accepting input of the subject of the e-mail and the file name of the file to be attached to the e-mail. 
       FIG.  7    is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of an address book screen W 20  that appears when the controller  11  receives a selection input of the address book button B 10  of the setting screen W 10  of  FIG.  6   . The address book screen W 20  has a destination information display area R 16 . 
     The destination information display area R 16  is a display area for displaying the internal address information managed by the multifunction peripheral  10 . However, when a restriction setting regarding the transmission and reception of information is imposed as a restriction setting, the displayed destination information appears in a grayed-out state, so that the destination information cannot be selected. 
     In a case where a restriction setting (system restriction) regarding the transmission and reception of information via the communicator  17 , such as “prohibition of selection from the address book” and “prohibition of direct input,” is imposed as a restriction setting, information cannot be transmitted using the internal address information managed internally by the multifunction peripheral  10 . According to the specifications of the multifunction peripheral  10 , the e-mail mode itself cannot be prohibited, but as illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , transmission in the e-mail mode can be indirectly restricted by prohibiting selection of destination information from internal address information and direct input of destination information. 
     An operation example will now be explained in which information is sent by using the external address information acquired by the terminal device  30  when a restriction setting (system restriction) regarding the transmission and reception of information via the communicator  17 , such as “prohibition of selection from the address book” and “prohibition of direct input,” is imposed as a restriction setting. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates the same setting screen W 10  for e-mail transmission described in  FIG.  6   . The user can use the external address information by selecting a “see mobile address book” key K 10  in the function selection area R 14 . Upon receiving an instruction to select the “see mobile address book” key K 10 , the controller  11  causes the address book screen, which is described with reference to  FIG.  9   , to appear. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a configuration of the address book screen W 20  that appears in response to the controller  11  receiving the selection of the “see mobile address book” key K 10  on the setting screen W 10  of  FIG.  8   . The address book screen W 20  illustrated in  FIG.  9    may have the same configuration as the address book screen W 20  illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
     Unlike the example in  FIG.  7   , in  FIG.  9   , the destination information for user names “User01” to “User06” (e.g., e-mail address “aa01@sample.com, etc.) are displayed as the external address information that can be selected. 
     The user can select the desired destination information from the external address information displayed in the destination information display area R 16  and set it as the destination for the e-mail transmission. 
       FIG.  10    is a diagram for explaining one piece of destination information (for example, User01 (aa01@sample.com)) being selected by the user from the external address information displayed in the destination information display area R 16 , and the destination information being set in the destination input box B x   10 . 
     The user confirms that the selected destination information is set in the destination input box B x   10  and selects the start button B 12 , to perform e-mail transmission with the destination information as the transmission destination. 
     Even when a restriction setting (system restriction) regarding the transmission and reception of information via the communicator  17 , such as “prohibition of selection from the address book” and “prohibition of direct input,” is imposed as a restriction setting, the usage of the external address information acquired from the terminal device  30  cancels the “prohibition of selection from the address book” as a restriction setting, and destination information can be selected from the external address information. 
     In the setting screen W 10  regarding e-mail transmission, specific destination information selected from the external address information can be set as a transmission destination. Thus, according to the first embodiment, when the address information as management information is the external address information acquired from the terminal device, the imposed restriction setting can be canceled, and information such as e-mail transmission can be sent and received via the communicator. 
     2. Second Embodiment 
     The second embodiment allows the imposed restriction setting to be canceled and external address information to be acquired when an acquisition request for the external address information to the terminal device is satisfied, and the restriction setting relates to communication connection restrictions. 
     2.1 Functional Configuration 
     The functional configurations according to the second embodiment can be the same functional configurations as those of the multifunction peripheral  10  and the terminal device  30  according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     2.2 Process Flow 
       FIG.  11    is a flowchart illustrating a process flow according to the second embodiment. The process explained with reference to  FIG.  11    is executed by the controller  11  by reading the job execution program  231 , the display processing program  232 , the destination information acquisition program  233 , or the like. The process explained below is initiated by the reception of an instruction to select the mobile address book button on the home screen, which is described below. 
     The controller  11  causes the home screen as the initial screen to appear at an appropriate timing, for example, when the power is turned on, when the device is restored from sleep mode, or when the device is initialized (step S 300 ). Subsequently, the controller  11  determines whether or not an acquisition request for the external address information has been accepted via the home screen (step S 310 ). 
     In such a case, the controller  11  can determine whether or not an acquisition request for the external address information has been received by accepting input of a selection instruction for the mobile address book button on the home screen. 
     If it is determined that input of an acquisition request for external address information has been accepted, the controller  11  determines whether or not a restriction setting regarding communication connection, such as “prohibition of Bluetooth communication,” is imposed on the multifunction peripheral  10  (step S 310 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 320 ). 
     If it is determined that a restriction setting regarding the transmission connection to the multifunction peripheral  10  is imposed, the controller  11  (temporarily) cancels the restriction setting (step S 320 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 330 ). 
     Subsequently, the controller  11  controls the communicator  17  to send an acquisition request of the external address information to the terminal device  30 , and determines whether or not the external address information has been acquired from the terminal device  30  (step S 340 ; the process proceeds to step S 350 ). Upon receiving an acquisition request of the external address information, the terminal device  30  outputs the destination information it manages as external destination information. 
     In step S 350 , when it is determined that external address information has been acquired from terminal device  30 , the controller  11  re-applies the temporarily canceled restriction setting, and the process ends (step S 350 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 360 ). If the address information cannot be acquired from the terminal device  30 , the controller  11  waits until the address information is acquired (step S 350 ; No). 
     If no input of an acquisition request for the external address information is accepted, the controller  11  determines whether or not input of a mode selection instruction is accepted. That is, the controller  11  determines whether or not input of a mode selection instruction for the copy mode, the scan mode, the e-mail mode, or the fax mode by a user has been accepted via the home screen or the like (step S 310 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 370 ). 
     If it is determined that input of a mode selection instruction of the copy mode, the scan mode, the e-mail mode, or the fax mode by the user has been accepted via the home screen or the like, the controller  11  causes the setting screen of the mode selected by the user to appear on the display  13  (step S 370 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 380 ). If the controller  11  determines that no input of a mode selection instruction by the user has been accepted, the process returns to step S 300  (step S 370 ; if No, the process returns to step S 300 ). 
     Upon accepting input of a job execution instruction via a mode setting screen, the controller  11  executes the job, and the process ends (step S 390 ; the process proceeds to step S 400 ). 
     If it is determined in step S 320  that no restriction setting regarding the communication connection to the multifunction peripheral  10  is imposed, the controller  11  maintains the restriction setting when a restriction setting other than that of the communication connection is imposed, and the process ends (step S 320 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 410 ). 
     2.2 Operation Example 
     An operation example according to the second embodiment will now be explained.  FIG.  12    illustrates a configuration example of a home screen W 30  of the multifunction peripheral  10 . The home screen W 30  is an initial screen that is displayed on the display  13  when, for example, power is turned on, or the multifunction peripheral is in a standby mode, or recovered from a sleep mode, and receives an operation input from the user. The home screen W 30  includes a system information button B 14 , mode selection buttons B 16 , a device status display area R 18 , and function selection buttons B 18 . 
     The system information button B 14  is a button that accepts q display instruction for a system information screen, which will be described with reference to  FIG.  13   . Upon accepting selection input of the system information button B 14  by the user, the controller  11  causes a system information screen W 40  to be displayed. 
     The mode selection buttons B 16  are buttons that accept selection of the mode. Upon accepting selection input of the mode selection buttons B 16 , the controller  11  causes the setting screen of the corresponding mode to be displayed. The mode selection buttons B 16  include a “mobile address book” button B 161  that accepts input of an acquisition request of the external address information. When the controller  11  receives input of the “mobile address book” button B 161  selected by the user, the controller  11  executes the process of step S 320  and the subsequent steps in  FIG.  11    and acquires the external address information from the terminal device  30 . 
     The device status display area R 18  is an area for displaying the device status of the multifunction peripheral  10 . In the example of  FIG.  12   , the toner level is displayed in the device status display area R 18 . 
     The function selection buttons B 18  are buttons that accept a change instruction, a reference instruction, or the like, regarding function settings of the multifunction peripheral  10 . Upon accepting selection input of the function selection buttons B 18 , the controller  11  causes each setting screen (not illustrated) for executing the change instruction or the reference instruction for the corresponding function. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a configuration example of the system information screen W 40  that is displayed by the controller  11  in response to selection input of the system information button B 14  of the home screen W 30 . The system information screen W 40  is a screen that displays information about the system of the multifunction peripheral  10 . The system information screen W 40  includes an information display area R 20  for displaying information including, for example, maintenance information of the device such as paper-out or firmware updates, and machine information such as communication settings. To enable communication using Bluetooth, the user needs to set a slider S 10  in the machine information section to an “ON” state to activate Bluetooth communication. In  FIG.  13   , the slider S 10  is in an “OFF” state, and a restriction setting regarding communication connection (Bluetooth) is being imposed. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a configuration example of a message screen M 10  that is displayed on the home screen W 30  until the connection (pairing) with the terminal device  30  is established after the “mobile address book” button B 161  of the mode selection buttons B 16  is pressed. 
     The message screen M 10  can be a screen equivalent to a message screen usually displayed on typical devices that are to be connected using Bluetooth. That is, the message screen displays the name of the device to be connected (in the example of  FIG.  14   , the device name: BP-aaaa (bb:cc:dd:ee)). Although not illustrated in  FIG.  14   , a passkey (for example, pass key: 1234) for establishing connection may also be displayed. The user can establish the connection by entering the passkey to permit connection to the corresponding device. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a configuration example of a message screen M 12  that is displayed after the connection with the terminal device  30  is established. Once the connection with the terminal device  30  is established, the controller  11  starts forwarding the destination information. The message screen M 12  displays a message to report the forwarding status of the destination information. 
     Once the forwarding of the destination information as the external address information is completed, the controller  11  can cause the acquired external address information to be displayed in the destination information display area R 16  of the address book screen W 20  as illustrated in  FIG.  9   . 
     As described above, the second embodiment allows an imposed restriction setting to be canceled and external address information to be acquired when an acquisition request for external address information made to the terminal device is satisfied and when the restriction setting relates to communication connection restrictions. 
     3. Third Embodiment 
     In the third embodiment, the transmission and reception of information via the communicator is restricted on the basis of the authority determination result of whether or not operation authority in the fax mode, the e-mail mode, or the like is granted to an authenticated user. 
     3.1 Functional Configuration 
       FIG.  16    is a functional configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral  50  according to the third embodiment. The configuration according to the multifunction peripheral  50  according to the third embodiment can be substantially identical to the functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral  10  according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the different configurations are described. 
     The multifunction peripheral  50  includes a controller  11 , a display  13 , an operation inputter  15 , a communicator  17 , an image former  19 , an image reader  21 , and a storage  53 . 
     In the third embodiment, the storage  53  stores a job execution program  231 , a display processing program  232 , a destination information acquisition program  233 , a user authentication program  531  and an authority determination program  532 , and has a destination information storage area  235 . 
     The user authentication program  531  is a program that the controller  11  reads in authenticating the user (login user) who logs in to the multifunction peripheral  50 . The controller  11  that has read the user authentication program  531  causes an authentication screen, which will be described later, to appear on the display  13  when the user authentication function is enabled. For example, the controller  11  stores the login user name associated with the login password in advance, and authenticates the user by matching the login user name and login password entered via the login screen. In addition to knowledge authentication based on the input of the login user name and login password, the login authentication can also be performed by possession authentication using a token, a key, an IC card, a smartphone, or the like, or biometric authentication using fingerprint, palm print, or blood vessel. 
     The authority determination program  532  is, for example, a program that is read by the controller  11  when the fax mode or the e-mail mode is selected, for example, via the home screen. The controller  11  that has read the authority determination program  532  can determine whether or not the operation authority is granted to the user who has selected the mode by referring to, for example, the user authority management table. 
     Here,  FIG.  17    illustrates a configuration example of the data structure of the user authority management table. As illustrated in  FIG.  17   , the user authority management table can be configured by associating “Yes/No” indicating the presence/absence of the operation authority of each mode (fax mode, e-mail mode, etc.) with each login user name. The operation authority of each mode to the login user may be granted, for example, as user management information registered and managed by the administrator via a system setting screen (not illustrated). The results of the registration and management by the administrator are reflected in the user authority management table. 
     3.2 Process Flow 
       FIG.  18    is a flowchart illustrating a process flow according to the third embodiment. The process described with reference to  FIG.  18    is executed by the controller  11  by reading the job execution program  231 , the display processing program  232 , the user authentication program  531 , the authority determination program  532 , or the like. The process described with reference to  FIG.  18    assumes that the user authentication function is enabled. 
     The controller  11  authenticates the user via an authentication screen described in  FIG.  19    (step S 500 ). For example, the controller  11  authenticates the user by using the login user name and login password input by the user via the authentication screen. If the user authentication is OK, the controller  11  causes the home screen as the initial screen to appear on the display  13  (step S 500 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 510 ). If the login authentication is NG, the controller  11  waits until the correct login user name and login password are entered (step S 500 ; No). 
     The controller  11  accepts input of a mode selection instruction by the login user via the displayed home screen (step S 520 ). Subsequently, the controller  11  determines whether or not the accepted mode is the fax mode, the e-mail mode, another mode (step S 530 ). 
     If it is determined that the accepted made is the fax mode or the e-mail mode, the controller  11  causes the setting screen of the fax mode or the e-mail mode to appear on the display  13  (step S 530 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 540 ). 
     Subsequently, the controller  11  determines whether or not the fax transmission in the fax mode or the e-mail transmission in the e-mail mode is information transmission using the external address information (step S 550 ). Here, when the acquisition of the external address information from the terminal device  30  is completed, the controller  11  can determine that the information is transmitted using the external address information by receiving input of a selection instruction of the destination information included in the acquired external address information. When the acquisition of the external address information from the terminal device  30  is not completed, the controller  11  can determine that the information is transmitted using the external address information by receiving an acquisition request of the external address information. 
     If it is determined that the information is transmitted using the external address information, the controller  11  determines whether or not the login user has the operation authority for the fax mode or the e-mail mode (step S 550 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 560 ). By referring to the user authority management table illustrated in  FIG.  17   , the controller  11  can determine whether or not the login user has the operation authority for the fax mode or the e-mail mode. 
     If it is determined that the login user has the operation authority for the fax mode or the e-mail mode, the controller  11  transmits the information to the destination specified by the destination information (step S 560 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 570 ), and the process ends. 
     If it is determined that the login user is not granted the operation authority for the fax mode or the e-mail mode, the controller  11  restricts the transmission of the information (step S 560 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 580 ). The controller  11  then causes an error message to appear on the display  13  (step S 590 ), and the process ends. 
     If it is determined in step S 530  that the fax mode or the e-mail mode is not selected by the user, the controller  11  causes a setting screen (for example, a copy setting screen) of another mode selected by the user to appear on the display  13  (step S 530 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 600 ). 
     Upon accepting input of a job execution instruction in the other mode, the controller  11  executes the job of the mode (step S 610 ; the process proceeds to step S 620 ), and the process ends. 
     When it is determined in step S 550  that the information is not transmitted using the external address information, the controller  11  determines whether or not the information is transmitted using the internal address information (step S 550 ; if No, the process proceeds to step S 630 ). Here, the controller  11  can determine that the information is transmitted using the internal address information by receiving input of a selection instruction of the destination information included in the internal address information. 
     If it is determined that the information is transmitted using the internal address information, the controller  11  determines whether or not the login user has the operation authority for the fax mode or the e-mail mode (step S 630 ; if Yes, the process returns to step S 560 ). By referring to the user authority management table illustrated in  FIG.  17   , the controller  11  can determine whether or not the login user has the operation authority for the fax mode or the e-mail mode. 
     If it is determined that the login user has the operation authority for the fax mode or the e-mail mode, the controller  11  transmits the information to the destination specified by the destination information (step S 560 ; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S 570 ), and the process ends. 
     If it is determined that the login user does not have the operation authority for the fax mode or the e-mail mode, the controller  11  restricts the transmission of the information (step S 580 ). The controller  11  then causes an error message to appear on the display  13  (step S 590 ), and the process ends. 
     If it is determined in step S 630  that the information is not transmitted using the internal address information, the controller  11  determines that it is another operation, and executes the operation corresponding to this operation (step S 630 ; if No, the process proceeds to “another operation”). 
     3.3 Operation Example 
     An operation example according to the third embodiment will now be explained. In the explanation of the operation example of the third embodiment, it is assumed that the e-mail mode is selected as the mode for transmitting information by the login user who does not have the operation authority of the e-mail mode. 
       FIG.  19    illustrates a configuration example of an authentication screen W 50  displayed on the display  13  by the controller  11 . The authentication screen W 50  can be provided as a login screen displayed on the display  13  by the controller  11  that has read the user authentication program  531  when the login authentication function is enabled. 
     The authentication screen W 50  includes a login user name input box B x   14 , a login password input box B x   16 , an authentication destination designation button B 20 , an OK button B 22 , and a cancel button B 24 . 
     The login user name input box B x   14  is an input box that accepts input of a login user name. A user attempting to log in to the multifunction peripheral  50  enters the login user name in the login user name input box B x   14 . The login user name can also be selected from a separately established user name list. 
     The login password input box B x   16  is an input box that accepts the input of the login password corresponding to the login user name. The user attempting to log in to the multifunction peripheral  50  enters the login password along with the login user name. 
     The authentication destination designation button B 20  is a button for accepting a destination where the user is to be authenticated. The user authentication may be performed locally by the device, or an authentication server or the like, for example, which is separately provided on the network (NW) may be designated. When it is designated that the authentication is made locally by the device, the controller  11  authenticates the user by comparing the entered login user name and login password with the authentication information prepared in advance (for example, a combination of the user name and the password, or the like). On the other hand, when using an authentication server or the like provided on the network (NW), the controller  11  can authenticate the user by transmitting the entered login user name and login password to the authentication server and receiving the authentication result from the authentication server. 
     The OK button B 22  is a button that accepts input of confirmation instruction of an input operation by the user. The user selects the OK button B 22  when the user confirms the input to the login user name input box B x   14  or the login password input box B x   16 , or the designation of the destination where the user is to be authenticated via the authentication destination designation button B 20 . The cancel button B 24  is a button that accepts input of a cancellation instruction of the input operation by the user. 
       FIG.  20    illustrates a configuration example of a home screen W 60  of the multifunction peripheral  50 . The home screen W 60  differs from the example of the home screen W 30  in  FIG.  12    in that the mode selection buttons B 16  includes an e-mail button B 163  and a login user name display area R 22  in which the name of the currently logged-in user appears. The e-mail button B 163  is a mode selection button that accepts selection of the e-mail mode as one of the modes. Upon accepting input of a selection instruction of the e-mail button B 163  by the user, the controller  11  causes a setting screen W 70  of the e-mail mode described in the  FIG.  21    to be displayed. The login user name display area R 22  is a display area for displaying the name of a logged-in user who has succeeded in user authentication. For example,  FIG.  20    illustrates an example in which the login user name “User01” is displayed. 
       FIG.  21    illustrates a configuration example of the setting screen W 70  of the e-mail mode. The setting screen W 70  may have substantially the same configuration as that of the setting screen W 10  illustrated in  FIG.  6   .  FIG.  21    illustrates an operation example of displaying a message screen M 14  indicating that the user is not granted the operation authority of the E-mail mode when the login user selects the address book button B 10  that accepts input of the selection of the internal address information as management information. 
       FIG.  22    illustrates an operation example in the case where the login user selects specific destination information “test” from the internal address information as management information and sets it in the destination input box B x   10 . In such a case, the message screen M 14  is displayed to indicate that the user is not granted the operation authority of the e-mail mode. 
       FIG.  23    is a diagram for explaining a message screen M 15  displayed by the controller  11  when input of the selection of the start button B 12  by the login user is accepted on the setting screen W 70  exemplified in  FIG.  22   .  FIG.  23    illustrates an operation example in which a message “Your administrator has restricted the destination and other settings. Unable to perform the transmission.” is displayed on the message screen M 15  in addition to the message screen M 14  illustrated in  FIGS.  21  and  22   . 
     In this way, when the login user is not granted the operation authority of the e-mail mode, the transmission of the information based on the e-mail mode is restricted even if the internal address information is selected as management information. 
     Similarly,  FIG.  24    illustrates an operation example of displaying the message screen M 14  indicating that the user is not granted the operation authority of the e-mail mode when the login user selects the “see mobile address book” key K 10  that accepts input of the selection of the external address information as management information. 
       FIG.  25    illustrates an operation example in the case where the login user selects specific destination information “aa01@sample.com” from the external address information as management information and sets it in the destination input box B x   10 . In such a case, the message screen M 14  is displayed to indicate that the user is not granted the operation authority of the e-mail mode. 
       FIG.  26    is a diagram for explaining the message screen M 15  displayed by the controller  11  when input of the selection of the start button B 12  by the login user is accepted on the setting screen W 70  exemplified in  FIG.  25   .  FIG.  26    illustrates an operation example in which a message “Your administrator has restricted the destination and other settings. Unable to perform the transmission.” is displayed on the message screen M 15  in addition to the message screen M 14  illustrated in  FIGS.  24  and  25   . 
     When specific destination information from the external address information is used as management information, for example, in consideration of the convenience of a login user, an e-mail transmission screen W 80  that enables the transmission of an E-mail with contents for inquiring the administrator about the restriction on the transmission of information may be displayed, as illustrated in  FIG.  27   . 
     In this way, when the login user is not granted the operation authority of the e-mail mode, the transmission of the information based on the e-mail mode is restricted even if the external address information is selected as management information. 
     As described above, in the third embodiment, the transmission and reception of information via the communicator is restricted on the basis of the authority determination result of whether or not operation authority in the fax mode, the e-mail mode, or the like is granted to an authenticated user. The administrator of the multifunction peripheral can control whether or not to authorize the owner of the terminal device that manages the external address information, and this also ensures security. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made. That is, the present disclosure also includes an embodiment to be obtained by combining technical means modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. 
     Although the embodiments described above have been described separately for convenience of explanation, it is indeed possible to combine and implement the embodiments within the technically possible range. 
     The program operating in each apparatus according to the embodiment is a program that controls the CPU and the like (a program that causes the computer to function) so as to perform the functions according to the above-described embodiments. The information handled by the devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (for example, a RAM) during processing of the information, and then is stored in various read only memories (ROMs), an HDD, or the like, and is read, modified, and written by the CPU as necessary. 
     The recording medium that stores a program may be any one of a semiconductor medium (for example, a ROM, a non-volatile memory card, or the like), an optical recording medium or a magnetooptical recording medium (for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a magnetooptical disc (MO), a mini disc (MD), a compact disc (CD), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc (BD), or the like), and a magnetic recording medium (for example, a magnetic tape, a flexible disk, or the like). The functions of the present disclosure may also be implemented not only by executing the loaded programs, but also by processing in cooperation with the operating system, other application programs, or the like in accordance with the instructions of the programs. 
     When it is desired to distribute in the market, the programs may be stored in a portable recording medium for distribution or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In such a case, a storage device of the server computer is indeed included in the present disclosure.