Patent ID: 8648696

Claim:
An image processing device having an operation panel on which a plurality of operation keys is arranged, comprising: a storage part for storing: key information allocated to each of a plurality of predetermined operation keys of said plurality of operation keys; user authentication information corresponding to the key information and for authenticating a user authorized to use a function corresponding to a predetermined operation key; and authentication activation information corresponding to the key information and which defines conditions for whether user authentication is to be executed when said predetermined operation key is operated; a key operation detection part for detecting when any of said plurality of operation keys is operated; judgment part for reading said user authentication information and said authentication activation information based on said key information when said key operation detection part detects that said predetermined operation key is operated, and judging whether the status of said image processing device meets the conditions defined in said authentication activation information or not; an authentication part for executing user authentication based on said user authentication information if the conditions are met; and a key operation activation part for activating a key operation of said predetermined operation key selected by the user when the judging does not meet the conditions, and for activating a key operation of said predetermined operation key, which is selected by the user before user authentication is executed, when user authentication executed by said authentication part results in success.