Patent ID: 8169647

Claim:
An image processing apparatus, used with an external device capable of outputting first location information specifying a certain region, comprising: a first location information obtaining device obtaining said first location information from said external device; a second location information obtaining device obtaining second location information related to a location where said image processing apparatus is installed; and an authentication device connected to said first and second information obtaining devices and permitting use of said image processing apparatus if a prescribed condition indicating that locations indicated by said first location information and said second location information have a common part is satisfied, and restricting use of said image processing apparatus if not, wherein said second location information obtaining device includes a GPS module, and wherein said authentication device includes a determining device connected to said first and second location information obtaining devices, for determining whether a spot specified by latitude and longitude obtained by said GPS module is included in the region specified by said first location information and outputting a determination signal, and a control device connected to receive said determination signal, for controlling use of said image processing apparatus such that use of said image processing apparatus is permitted or restricted depending on said determination signal.