Patent ID: 8479280

Claim:
An image processing device comprising: a reading unit configured to read information stored in a detachable storage medium, wherein the information stored in the detachable storage medium includes a private key; a transmission unit configured to transmit image data outwardly; a detection unit configured to detect occurrence of a factor for changing a state of permitting the reading unit to read the information stored in the detachable storage medium to a state of inhibiting the reading unit from reading the information stored in the detachable storage medium; a determination unit configured to determine, in a case where the transmission unit transmits the image data, whether or not the information stored in the detachable storage medium is necessary; and a control unit configured to execute, in a case where the detection unit detects the occurrence and the determination unit determines that the information stored in the detachable storage medium is necessary, control to maintain a state capable of reading the information stored in the detachable storage medium until the reading unit reads from the detachable storage medium the information necessary to transmit the image data, and to execute, in a case where the detection unit detects the occurrence and the determination unit determines that the information stored in the detachable storage medium is not necessary, control to change the state to the state of inhibiting the reading unit from reading the information stored in the detachable storage medium.