Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an information processing system, input apparatus, and information processing method for performing user authentication when processing information. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Access control based on user authentication is carried out to prevent misuse of information processing apparatus such as printers, scanners, facsimile machines, and multifunction devices (e.g., copiers) that combine the functions of two or more of these types of apparatus. In conventional information processing apparatus, the information necessary for user authentication and access control is generally stored in the information processing apparatus, and user authentication and access control processing is generally carried out in the information processing apparatus itself. For one example, see paragraphs 0014-0017 and  FIG. 1  in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H8-32801. 
         [0005]    A problem is that there are many methods of user authentication, some requiring special devices such as smart card readers or biometric coprocessors, and different authentication protocols are in use, such as the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Kerberos, to name just two. It is difficult to equip each piece of information processing apparatus to deal with the many authentication methods and protocols that it might be called on to employ. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide a more flexible way to control the use of information processing apparatus in an information processing system. 
         [0007]    An information processing system according to the present invention includes an input apparatus and an information processing apparatus. 
         [0008]    The input apparatus includes a user information input unit for input of user information, and a control information transmitting unit for transmitting control information based on available function information corresponding to the user information. 
         [0009]    The information processing apparatus has functions for processing received information. The information processing apparatus also includes a control information receiving unit for receiving the control information transmitted by the input apparatus, and a function control unit for restricting use of the functions of the information processing apparatus according to the control information. 
         [0010]    The input unit may also perform authentication processing on the user information. Alternatively, the information processing system may include an authentication server to which the input unit sends the user information for authentication. The available function information may be stored in the input apparatus or in the authentication server. 
         [0011]    In this information processing system, the input apparatus, or the input apparatus and authentication server, can perform authentication by any method or protocol, after which the input apparatus can send the information processing apparatus control information that can be analyzed in the information processing apparatus regardless of the authentication method or protocol used. New authentication methods and protocols can handled flexibly without requiring modification of the information processing apparatus. 
         [0012]    The invention also provides an input apparatus, connectable to an information processing apparatus, including an input unit for input of user information and a transmitting unit for transmitting control information to the information processing apparatus. The control information is based on available function information corresponding to the user information. The available function information indicates available functions of the information processing apparatus. 
         [0013]    The input apparatus may also perform authentication processing on the user information, or may be connectable to an authentication server that performs authentication processing as described above. 
         [0014]    The invention furthermore provides an information processing system including an input apparatus that inputs user information and an information processing apparatus that processes received information, in which the input apparatus includes a user information input unit for input of the user information, a processing information input unit for input of requested processing information, and an information transmitting unit for transmitting the user information and the requested processing information, and the information processing apparatus includes an information receiving unit for receiving the user information and the requested processing information, a data storage unit for storing a plurality of processing data, a data selecting unit for selecting the processing data from the data storage unit according to the user information and the requested processing information, and a data processor for processing the selected processing data. 
         [0015]    This system enables different users to store data in the information processing unit and request processing of their own data via the input apparatus, without exposing their data to perusal or processing by other users. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In the attached drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the general configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the main components of an authentication apparatus in the first embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the main components of an information processing apparatus in the first embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating program units and databases and their interrelationships in the authentication apparatus in the first embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating program units, stored parameters and information, and their interrelationships in the information processing apparatus in the first embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows exemplary information stored in a user authentication information database in the first embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows exemplary information stored in an access control information database in the first embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows an exemplary access control command table used in the first embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows an exemplary table of information given by access control commands in the first embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows an exemplary table of accessible function information parameter IDs and enable/disable settings given by the access control commands in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  shows a table of updated accessible function information parameter IDs and enable/disable settings after a logout button is pressed in the first embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of authentication processing by the authentication apparatus in the first embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of information processing by the information processing apparatus in the first embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations when the logout button displayed on the screen on the operation panel is pressed in the first embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  shows an exemplary screen displayed on the operation panel when use of the panel function is disabled, before the information processing apparatus receives access control commands in the first embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  shows an exemplary screen displayed on the operation panel when use of the panel function is enabled, after the access control commands are received in the first embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing the general configuration of an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram showing the main components of the smart card authentication apparatus in the second embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  is a block diagram showing the main components of the fingerprint authentication apparatus in the second embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  is a block diagram showing the main components of the smart card authentication server in the second embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  is a block diagram showing the main components of the fingerprint authentication server in the second embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 22  is a block diagram illustrating program units and their interrelationships in the smart card authentication apparatus in the second embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 23  is a block diagram illustrating program units and their interrelationships in the fingerprint authentication apparatus in the second embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 24  is a block diagram illustrating program units and databases and their interrelationships in the smart card authentication server in the second embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 25  is a block diagram illustrating program units and databases and their interrelationships in the fingerprint authentication server in the second embodiment; 
           [0042]      FIG. 26  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of authentication processing by the smart card authentication apparatus in the second embodiment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 27  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of authentication processing by the fingerprint authentication apparatus in the second embodiment; 
           [0044]      FIG. 28  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of information processing by the smart card authentication server in the second embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 29  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of information processing by the fingerprint authentication server in the second embodiment; 
           [0046]      FIG. 30  shows exemplary user authentication information stored in the user authentication information database in the fingerprint authentication server in the second embodiment; 
           [0047]      FIG. 31  shows exemplary accessible function information stored in an accessible function information database in the fingerprint authentication server in the second embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 32  shows a table of accessible function information obtained by performing smart card authentication in the second embodiment; 
           [0049]      FIG. 33  shows a table of access control commands obtained by performing smart card authentication in the second embodiment; 
           [0050]      FIG. 34  shows an exemplary screen displayed on the operation panel for selecting usable information processing apparatus when smart card authentication is performed, in the second embodiment; 
           [0051]      FIG. 35  shows an exemplary screen displayed on the operation panel when smart card authentication is performed and use of the panel function is enabled, after the access control commands are received in the second embodiment; 
           [0052]      FIG. 36  shows a table of exemplary accessible function information obtained by performing fingerprint authentication in the second embodiment; 
           [0053]      FIG. 37  shows a table of exemplary access control commands obtained by performing fingerprint authentication in the second embodiment; 
           [0054]      FIG. 38  shows an exemplary screen displayed on the operation panel for selecting a usable information processing apparatus when fingerprint authentication is performed in the second embodiment; 
           [0055]      FIG. 39  shows an exemplary screen displayed on the operation panel when fingerprint authentication is performed and use of the panel function is enabled, after the access control commands are received in the second embodiment; 
           [0056]      FIG. 40  is a block diagram showing the general configuration of an information processing system according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0057]      FIG. 41  shows an exemplary screen displayed on a panel on a smart card authentication apparatus in the third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0058]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which like elements are indicated by like reference characters. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the first embodiment is an information processing system comprising an authentication apparatus  101  and an information processing apparatus. 
         [0060]    The authentication apparatus  101  includes a device such as a smart card reader for input of user authentication information, performs user authentication according to the input user authentication information, decides, according to the authenticated user information, what functions may be accessed, and sends access control commands based on the accessible functions to the information processing apparatus  102 . The information processing apparatus  102 , which is a device such as a multifunction printer (MFP) that provides various information processing functions, carries out access control of the accessible functions based on the access control commands. A network interconnects the authentication apparatus  101  to the information processing apparatus  102  by conventional methods. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the main components of the authentication apparatus  101  are a central processing unit (CPU)  201  for controlling the overall operation of the authentication apparatus  101 , random-access memory (RAM)  202  for volatile storage of various information, read-only memory (ROM)  203  for storage of programs executed by the CPU  201 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  204  for nonvolatile storage of various information, a smart card reader  205  for reading user authentication information from smart cards, and a network interface  206  for connecting the authentication apparatus  101  to the network  103 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the main components of the information processing apparatus  102  are a CPU  301  for controlling the overall operation of the information processing apparatus  102 , RAM  302  for volatile storage of various information, ROM  303  for storage of programs executed by the CPU  301 , an operation panel  304  having a touch screen, a printing unit  305  for producing printed output by using a known printing method such as an electrophotographic method, a scanning unit  306  for reading image data by using a known optical scanning method, a facsimile unit  307  for transmitting and receiving image data via telephone lines by known methods, a network interface  308  for transmitting and receiving data via the network  103  by known methods, and a nonvolatile flash memory  309 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the program units stored in the ROM  203  include a user authentication information input unit  401 , a user authentication processing unit  402 , an access control processing unit  403 , an access control command transmitting unit  404 , and a network protocol processing unit  405 , and the information stored in the HDD  204  includes a user authentication information database  406  and an access control information database  407 . In the authentication processing performed in the authentication apparatus  101 , these program units and databases are related to each other and to the smart card reader  205  and network interface  206  as indicated by the arrows. 
         [0064]    The user authentication information input unit  401  in  FIG. 4  reads user authentication information from the smart card reader  205 . In the first embodiment, the user authentication information is personal information individually assigned to and stored in a smart card. The user authentication processing unit  402 , functioning as an authentication processor, searches the user authentication information database  406  according to the user authentication information read from-the smart card reader  205  to decide whether the user is registered as an authorized user. The access control processing unit  403  searches the access control information database  407  according to authenticated user information, and decides what functions are accessible according to the authenticated user information. 
         [0065]    The access control command transmitting unit  404  functions as a command generator by generating access control commands based on the accessible function information, and then transmits the generated access control commands via the network protocol processing unit  405 . The network protocol processing unit  405  performs network communication by using a known network protocol. In this embodiment the network protocol processing unit  405  transmits the access control commands by using the simple network management protocol (SNMP). 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the programs stored in the ROM  303  include a network protocol processing unit  501 , an access control command receiving unit  502 , an access control management unit  503 , and an operation panel control unit  504 , the information stored in the RAM  302  includes access control information parameters  505 , and the information stored in the flash memory  309  includes authentication apparatus information  506 . In the information processing performed in the information processing apparatus  102 , these program units, parameters, and information are related to each other and to the operation panel  304  and network interface  308  as indicated by the arrows. 
         [0067]    The network protocol processing unit  501  performs network communication by using a known network protocol. In this embodiment the network protocol processing unit  501  uses SNMP to receive access control commands. When access control commands are received, the access control command receiving unit  502  sets the specified accessible function information in the access control information parameters  505  and, by comparing the authentication apparatus information  506  stored in the flash memory  309  with information about the authentication apparatus  101  that sent the access control commands, decides whether the access control commands have been received from an authentication apparatus  101  authorized to send access control commands. 
         [0068]    The access control management unit  503  directs the operation panel control unit  504  to produce a panel display according to the access control information parameters  505 , that is, the accessible function information specified by the present access control commands. The operation panel control unit  504  generates an operation panel menu at the direction of the access control management unit  503 , and displays the operation panel menu on a screen on the operation panel  304 . 
         [0069]    In the present example, it will be assumed that the user authentication information database  406  and access control information database  407  store the information shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , respectively, and that the access control commands are as listed in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0070]    The flow of the operations performed by the information processing system in the first embodiment is illustrated in the flowcharts in  FIGS. 12 to 14 . These operations will now be explained through specific examples with reference to these flowcharts. 
         [0071]    The flow of authentication processing by the authentication apparatus  101  is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . First, the operation of the authentication apparatus  101  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  12 . 
         [0072]    The user authentication information input unit  401  regularly queries the smart card reader  205  to decide whether a smart card is set in the smart card reader  205  (step S 201 ), and reads user authentication information if the user authentication information input unit  401  detects the setting of a smart card (step S 202 ). In the first embodiment, the user authentication information is personal information individually assigned to and stored in a smart card as noted above. As an example, it will be assumed that the hexadecimal value 0x011012345678ABCD is read as user authentication information. 
         [0073]    To perform user authentication, the user authentication processing unit  402  searches the user authentication information database  406  ( FIG. 6 ) according to the user authentication information read from the smart card reader  205  (step S 203 ). In this embodiment, the user authentication information 0x011012345678ABCD read from the smart card reader  205  is found in the second row in the table of information stored in the user authentication information database  406  shown in  FIG. 6 . Accordingly, user authentication succeeds and the user authentication processing unit  402  identifies the user as the user with the user ID ‘2’ as user information (step S 204 , ‘Yes’). If user authentication fails, the authentication processing ends (step S 204 , ‘No’). 
         [0074]    Next, the access control processing unit  403  searches the access control information database  407  ( FIG. 7 ) according to the authenticated user information to obtain accessible function information (step S 205 ). In this embodiment, the accessible function information for the user with user ID ‘2’ is found in the second row in  FIG. 7 , indicating ‘ON’ for the printing, scanning, and network (i.e., network access) functions, and ‘OFF’ for the facsimile function. Accordingly, the access control processing unit  403  succeeds in obtaining accessible function information (step S 206 , ‘Yes’). If the access control processing unit  403  fails to obtain accessible function information, the authentication processing ends (step S 206 , ‘No’). 
         [0075]    When accessible function information is obtained, the access control command transmitting unit  404  generates access control commands based on the accessible function information (step S 207 ), and sends the access control commands via the network protocol processing unit  405  (step S 208 ). In the present example, the access control commands give the management information base (MIB) names and enable/disable settings indicated in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, an additional panel access control command enabling use of the panel function is generated when the user authentication processing unit  402  succeeds in user authentication, and this access control command is sent in addition to the access control commands generated from the database information, as shown in the bottom line in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0076]    The flow of information processing by the information processing apparatus  102  is illustrated in the flowchart in  FIG. 13 . Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus  102  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  13 . 
         [0077]    When the access control commands shown in  FIG. 9  are received, the network protocol processing unit  501  activates the access control command receiving unit  502 . By comparing the authentication apparatus information  506  prestored in the flash memory  309  with information about the authentication apparatus  101  that sent the access control commands, the access control command receiving unit  502  decides whether the access control commands have been received from an authentication apparatus  101  authorized to send access control commands, and proceeds to the next step if the access control commands have been received from an authorized authentication apparatus  101  (step S 301 , ‘Yes’), or halts processing of the access control commands and terminates the authentication process if the access control commands have been received from an unauthorized authentication apparatus  101  (step S 301 , ‘No’). 
         [0078]    In this embodiment, media access control (MAC) addresses are used as the authentication apparatus information  506 . Before any authentication takes place, an administrator starts up the information processing apparatus  102  in a mode that only the administrator can use and enters information about a plurality of authentication apparatuses as the authentication apparatus information  506  from the operation panel  304 . 
         [0079]    As described above, only access control commands received from an authentication apparatus with a MAC address that has been stored in the information processing apparatus  102  are processed; access control commands received from an authentication apparatus with a MAC address that has not been stored in the information processing apparatus  102  are discarded. This scheme improves security by avoiding unauthorized use of the information processing apparatus  102  with unauthorized access control commands. 
         [0080]    In the next step, the access control command receiving unit  502  updates the access control information parameters  505  according to the accessible function information specified by the access control commands (step S 302 ). In the present example, the access control commands give the accessible function information parameter IDs and enable/disable settings indicated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0081]    If use of the panel function is disabled (step S 303 , ‘No’), the authentication processing ends. If use of the panel function is enabled according to the updated access control information parameters  505  (step S 303 , ‘Yes’), the access control management unit  503  directs the operation panel control unit  504  to enable use of the panel function. The operation panel control unit  504  generates an operation panel menu according to the enable/disable settings of the access control information parameters  505  (step S 304 ), and displays the operation panel menu on the screen on the operation panel  304  (step S 305 ). 
         [0082]    Before the information processing apparatus  102  receives the access control commands, use of the panel function is disabled and the screen display  350  shown in FIG.  15 , for example, is displayed on the operation panel  304 . After the access control commands are received, if use of the panel function is enabled, the main menu  361  shown in  FIG. 16 , for example, is displayed on the operation panel  304 . When use of the panel function is disabled, this is indicated by the ‘panel locked’ message  351  displayed on the screen display  350  in  FIG. 15 . When use of the panel function is enabled, the display panel  360  in  FIG. 16  displays a main menu  361  indicating the accessible functions. In the present example, based on the access control information database  407  in  FIG. 10 , the main menu  361  includes a print menu button  362 , scan menu button  363 , network menu button  365 , and logout button  366 , the use of all of which is enabled, and a facsimile (fax) menu button  364 , the use of which is disabled. Disabled functions are indicated by an appropriate icon. 
         [0083]    If the user presses one of the usable buttons  362 ,  363 ,  365 , the control unit (not shown) of the printing unit  305 , scanning unit  306 , or network interface  308  executes the relevant data processing function, by known methods which will not be described. 
         [0084]    Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus  102  when the logout button  366  displayed on the display panel  360  on the operation panel  304  shown in  FIG. 16  is pressed will be explained with reference to  FIG. 5  and the flowchart in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0085]    When the logout button  366  is pressed, the access control management unit  503  updates the access control information parameters  505  to disable use of the panel function (step S 401 ). The updated accessible function information parameter IDs and enable/disable settings are indicated in  FIG. 11 . The access control management unit  503  also directs the operation panel control unit  504  to disable use of the panel function. The operation panel control unit  504  generates the screen display  350  shown in  FIG. 15 , for example, for display on the operation panel  304  when use of the panel function is disabled, and displays the screen display  350  on the operation panel  304  (step S 402 ). 
         [0086]    The identification information used to decide whether access control commands have been received from an authorized authentication apparatus  101  is not restricted to MAC addresses as described in the first embodiment. Other identification information such as IP addresses may be used. If, for example, IP addresses are used, in step S 208  in the flowchart in  FIG. 12 , the authentication apparatus  101  sends the access control commands to an information processing apparatus  102  with an IP address prestored in the authentication apparatus  101 , and in step S 301  in the flowchart in  FIG. 13 , the information processing apparatus  102  decides whether the access control commands have been received from an authentication apparatus  101  with an identifying number (IP address) prestored in the information processing apparatus  102 . 
         [0087]    The command format and protocol by which the access control commands are sent is not restricted to the protocol (SNMP) used in the first embodiment. 
         [0088]    The method of interconnecting an authentication apparatus  101  to an information processing apparatus  102  is not restricted to use of a network as described in the first embodiment. Other interconnection methods such as a universal serial bus (USB) may be used. 
         [0089]    The user information input device is not restricted to a smart card reader as described in the first embodiment. Other devices such as a vein authentication device or a general-purpose operation panel may be used. 
         [0090]    The user authentication information in smart card authentication is not restricted to personal information individually assigned to a smart card as described in the first embodiment. Other information such as a user name or employee number stored in a smart card may be used. 
         [0091]    The accessible functions are not restricted to the printing, scanning, facsimile, and network access functions mentioned in the first embodiment. 
         [0092]    As described above, according to the information processing system in the first embodiment, since the authentication apparatus  101  carries out user authentication and access control processing and decides, according to the authenticated user information, which functions should be made accessible, the information processing apparatus  102  does not have to provide the user authentication function itself. The information processing apparatus  102  can easily be interfaced with authentication devices, including both smart card and biometric authentication devices, using a variety of authentication methods and protocols, such as LDAP and Kerberos, even if these methods are protocols were not originally contemplated by the designer of the information processing apparatus  102 . 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0093]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the second embodiment is an information processing system comprising a pair of smart card authentication apparatuses  1701 ,  1709 . 
         [0094]    Each of the smart card authentication apparatuses  1701 ,  1709  includes a smart card reader, sends user authentication information read by the smart card reader to a smart card authentication server  1706 , receives accessible function information determined by the smart card authentication server  1706  from the user authentication information, generates access control commands based on the accessible function information, and sends the access control commands to an information processing apparatus selected by the user. 
         [0095]    The system in  FIG. 17  also includes a fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  equipped with a fingerprint reader. The fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  sends user authentication information read by the fingerprint reader to a fingerprint authentication server  1707 , receives accessible function information determined by the fingerprint authentication server  1707  from the user authentication information, generates access control commands based on the accessible function information, and sends the access control commands to an information processing apparatus chosen by the user. 
         [0096]    The smart card authentication server  1706  and fingerprint authentication server  1707  both receive user authentication information, perform user authentication, and send accessible function information determined in the user authentication process to the device that sent the user authentication information. 
         [0097]    Each of information processing apparatuses  1703 ,  1704 ,  1710 ,  1713  has the same structure and performs the same operation as the information processing apparatus  102  in the first embodiment. Network  1705  interconnects smart card authentication apparatus  1701 , the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702 , information processing apparatuses  1703 ,  1704 , the smart card authentication server  1706 , and the fingerprint authentication server  1707 ; network  1712  interconnects smart card authentication apparatus  1709  and information processing apparatuses  1710 ,  1713 . Networks  1705  and  1712  are different network segments, placed on different floors of a building, and are interconnected by routers  1708 ,  1711 . Interconnection of devices through segmented networks is a known technology, a detailed description of which will be omitted. 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , the main components of each of the smart card authentication apparatuses  1701 ,  1709  are a CPU  1801  for controlling the overall operation of the smart card authentication apparatus  1701  or  1709 , RAM  1802  for volatile storage of various information, ROM  1803  for storage of programs executed by the CPU  1801 , a smart card reader  1804  for reading user authentication information from smart cards, a network interface  1805  for connecting the smart card authentication apparatus  1701  to network  1705  or the smart card authentication apparatus  1709  to network  1712 , and an operation panel  1806  having a touch screen. 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , the main components of the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  are a CPU  1901  for controlling the overall operation of the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702 , RAM  1902  for volatile storage of various information, ROM  1903  for storing programs executed by the CPU  1901 , a fingerprint reader  1904  for reading fingerprints, a network interface  1905  for connecting the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  to network  1705 , and an operation panel  1906  having a touch screen. 
         [0100]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , the main components of the smart card authentication server  1706  are a CPU  2001  for controlling the overall operation of the smart card authentication server  1706 , RAM  2002  for volatile storage of various information, ROM  2003  for storing programs executed by the CPU  2001 , a hard disk drive  2004  for nonvolatile storage of various information, and a network interface  2005  for connecting the smart card authentication server  1706  to network  1705 . 
         [0101]    Referring to  FIG. 21 , the main components of the fingerprint authentication server  1707  are a CPU  2101  for controlling the overall operation of the fingerprint authentication server  1707 , RAM  2102  for volatile storage of various information, ROM  2103  for storage of programs executed by the CPU  2101 , a hard disk drive  2104  for nonvolatile storage of various information, and a network interface  2105  for connecting the fingerprint authentication server  1707  to network  1705 . 
         [0102]    Referring to  FIG. 22 , the programs stored in the ROM  1803  include a user authentication information input unit  2201 , a network protocol processing unit  2202 , an information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203 , an operation panel control unit  2204 , a user authentication information transmitting unit  2205 , an access control information receiving unit  2206 , and an access control command transmitting unit  2207 , which are related to each other and to the smart card reader  1804 , network interface  1805 , and operation panel  1806  as indicated by the arrows. 
         [0103]    The user authentication information input unit  2201  in  FIG. 22  reads user authentication information from the smart card reader  1804 . The user authentication information is personal information individually assigned to and stored in a smart card. The user authentication information transmitting unit  2205  sends the user authentication information read by the smart card reader  1804  to the smart card authentication server  1706  ( FIG. 17 ) via the network protocol processing unit  2202 . The access control information receiving unit  2206  receives accessible function information from the smart card authentication server  1706  via the network protocol processing unit  2202 , and sends the accessible function information to the access control command transmitting unit  2207 . The access control command transmitting unit  2207  generates access control commands based on the specified accessible function information, and sends the access control commands via the network protocol processing unit  2202  to a chosen information processing apparatus found by the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203 . 
         [0104]    When activated by a query from the access control command transmitting unit  2207 , the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  searches for usable information processing apparatus via the network protocol processing unit  2202 , displays the usable information processing apparatus on the screen on the operation panel  1806  via the operation panel control unit  2204 , and sends information about the information processing apparatus chosen by the user on the operation panel  1806  back to the access control command transmitting unit  2207 . The operation panel control unit  2204  displays information about the usable information processing apparatus found by the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  on the operation panel  1806 , and informs the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  of the information processing apparatus chosen on the operation panel  1806  by the user. 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIG. 23 , the programs stored in the ROM  1903  include a user authentication information input unit  2301 , a network protocol processing unit  2302 , an information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303 , an operation panel control unit  2304 , a user authentication information transmitting unit  2305 , an access control information receiving unit  2306 , and an access control command transmitting unit  2307 , which are related to each other and to the fingerprint reader  1904 , network interface  1905 , and operation panel  1906  as indicated by the arrows. 
         [0106]    The user authentication information input unit  2301  in  FIG. 23  reads user authentication information from the fingerprint reader  1904 . The user authentication information is fingerprint feature information. The user authentication information transmitting unit  2305  sends the user authentication information read by the fingerprint reader  1904  to the fingerprint authentication server  1707  ( FIG. 17 ) via the network protocol processing unit  2302 . The access control information receiving unit  2306  receives accessible function information from the fingerprint authentication server  1707  via the network protocol processing unit  2302 , and sends the accessible function information to the access control command transmitting unit  2307 . The access control command transmitting unit  2307  generates access control commands based on the specified accessible function information, and sends the access control commands via the network protocol processing unit  2302  to chosen information processing apparatus found by the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303 . 
         [0107]    When activated by a query from the access control command transmitting unit  2307 , the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  searches for usable information processing apparatus via the network protocol processing unit  2302 , displays the usable information processing apparatus on the screen on the operation panel  1906  via the operation panel control unit  2304 , and sends information about the information processing apparatus chosen by the user on the operation panel  1906  back to the access control command transmitting unit  2307 . The operation panel control unit  2304  displays information about the usable information processing apparatus found by the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  on the operation panel  1906 , and informs the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  of the information processing apparatus chosen on the operation panel  1906  by the user. 
         [0108]    Referring to  FIG. 24 , the programs stored in the ROM  2003  include a user authentication information receiving unit  2407 , a user authentication processing unit  2402 , an access control processing unit  2403 , an access control information transmitting unit  2404 , and a network protocol processing unit  2405 , and the information stored in the HDD  2004  includes a user authentication information database  2406  and an access control information database  2407 . In the authentication processing performed in the smart card authentication server  1706 , these program units and databases are related to each other and to the network interface  2005  as indicated by the arrows. 
         [0109]    The user authentication information receiving unit  2407  in  FIG. 24  receives user authentication information from the smart card authentication apparatus  1701  or the smart card authentication apparatus  1709 . The user authentication processing unit  2402  searches the user authentication information database  2406  according to the user authentication information received from the smart card authentication apparatus  1701  or the smart card authentication apparatus  1709  to decide whether the user is registered as an authorized user. The access control processing unit  2403  searches the access control information database  2407  according to authenticated user information to obtain accessible function information. The access control information transmitting unit  2404  sends the obtained accessible function information via the network protocol processing unit  2405  to the device that sent the user authentication information. 
         [0110]    As an example, it will be assumed that the user authentication information shown in  FIG. 6  which was stored in the user authentication information database  406  in the first embodiment, is also stored in user authentication information database  2406 , and that the accessible function information shown in  FIG. 7 , which was stored in the access control information database  407  in the first embodiment is also stored in access control information database  2407 . 
         [0111]    Referring to  FIG. 25 , the programs stored in the ROM  2103  include a user authentication information receiving unit  2501 , a user authentication processing unit  2502 , an access control processing unit  2503 , an access control information transmitting unit  2504 , and a network protocol processing unit  2505 , and the information stored in the HDD  2104  includes a user authentication information database  2506  and an access control information database  2507 . In the authentication processing performed in the fingerprint authentication server  1707 , these program units and databases are related to each other and to the network interface  2105  as indicated by the arrows. 
         [0112]    The user authentication information receiving unit  2501  in  FIG. 25  receives user authentication information from the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702 . The user authentication processing unit  2502  searches the user authentication information database  2506  according to the user authentication information received from the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  to decide whether the user is registered as an authorized user. The access control processing unit  2503  searches the access control information database  2507  according to authenticated user information to obtain accessible function information. The access control information transmitting unit  2504  sends the obtained accessible function information via the network protocol processing unit  2505  to the device that sent the user authentication information. 
         [0113]    In the present example, it will be assumed that the user authentication information database  2506  and access control information database  2507  store the information shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 , respectively. 
         [0114]    The flow of the operations performed by the information processing system in the second embodiment is illustrated in the flowcharts in  FIGS. 26 to 29 . These operations will now be explained with reference to these flowcharts. 
         [0115]    The flow of authentication processing by the smart card authentication apparatus  1709  is illustrated in  FIG. 26 . First, the operation of the smart card authentication apparatus  1709  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 18 ,  22 , and  26 . 
         [0116]    The user authentication information input unit  2201  regularly queries the smart card reader  1804  to decide whether a smart card is set in the smart card reader  1804  (step S 2601 ), and reads user authentication information if the user authentication information input unit  2201  detects the setting of a smart card (step S 2602 ). The user authentication information is personal information individually assigned to and stored in the smart card. As an example, it will be assumed that the hexadecimal value 0x01010204050A00A8 is read as user authentication information. The user authentication information transmitting unit  2205  sends the user authentication information read by the user authentication information input unit  2201  via the network protocol processing unit  2202  to the smart card authentication server  1706  with the prestored server addresses (step S 2603 ). 
         [0117]    When the user authentication information is received, the smart card authentication server  1706  searches the access control information database  2407  and obtains the accessible function information shown in  FIG. 32 , and the access control information receiving unit  2206  receives the obtained accessible function information from the smart card authentication server  1706  (step S 2604 ). If the smart card authentication apparatus  1709  succeeds in obtaining accessible function information, the authentication processing proceeds to the next step (step S 2605 , ‘Yes’). If the smart card authentication apparatus  1709  fails to obtain accessible function information, the authentication processing ends (step S 2605 , ‘No’). When the accessible function information is received via the access control information receiving unit  2206  from the smart card authentication server  1706 , the access control command transmitting unit  2207  queries the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  about the information processing apparatus to which the accessible function information should be sent. The information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  finds information processing apparatus connected to the same network segment as smart card authentication apparatus  1709  by using a known network discovery method via the network protocol processing unit  2202 , and learns whether the panel functions of the information processing apparatus it finds are enabled or disabled by receiving access control commands sent by a protocol (SNMP) as described in relation to  FIG. 8  in the first embodiment (step S 2606 ). 
         [0118]    If use of the panel function is disabled, the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  assumes that the information processing apparatus is not currently being used and is thus available for use. In the present example, the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  finds that information processing apparatuses  1710 ,  1713  are connected to the same network segment  1712  as the smart card authentication apparatus  1709 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . If, for example, the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  determines from the access control commands sent by the protocol (SNMP) mentioned in the first embodiment that use of the panel functions of both information processing apparatuses  1710 ,  1713  is disabled, indicating that the information processing apparatuses  1710 ,  1713  are not currently being used, the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  decides that both apparatuses are available for use. If the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  succeeds in finding a usable information processing apparatus, the authentication processing proceeds to the next step (step S 2607 , ‘Yes’). If the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  fails to find any usable information processing apparatus, the authentication processing ends (step S 2607 , ‘No’). 
         [0119]    When a usable information processing apparatus is found, the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  informs the operation panel control unit  2204 . The operation panel control unit  2204  displays an information processing apparatus selection menu as shown in  FIG. 34  on the screen on the operation panel  1806  according to the information specified by the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  about the usable information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus selection menu includes a ‘select device to use’ title  3401 , a,selection button  3402  for choosing information processing apparatus  1710 , and a selection button  3403  for choosing information processing apparatus  1713 . If, for example, the user presses selection button  3402 , the operation panel control unit  2204  informs the access control command transmitting unit  2207  via the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  that the user has chosen information processing apparatus  1710  (step S 2608 ). 
         [0120]    The access control command transmitting unit  2207  generates access control commands based on the accessible function information (step S 2609 ), and sends the access control commands via the network protocol processing unit  2202  to the chosen information processing apparatus  1710  (step S 2610 ). In this example, the access control commands give the MIB names and enable/disable settings indicated in  FIG. 33 . An additional panel access control command enabling use of the panel function is generated when the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  succeeds in finding a usable information processing apparatus, and this access control command is sent in addition to the access control commands generated from the access control information. 
         [0121]    The flow of information processing by the smart card authentication server  1706  is illustrated in  FIG. 28 . Next, the operation of the smart card authentication server  1706  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 20 ,  FIG. 24 , and  FIG. 28 . 
         [0122]    The user authentication information receiving unit  2407  receives user authentication information via the network protocol processing unit  2405  (step S 2801 ). As an example, it will be assumed that the user authentication information receiving unit  2407  receives the hexadecimal value 0x01010204050A00A8 sent as user authentication information by smart card authentication apparatus  1709 . The user authentication processing unit  2402  searches the user authentication information database  2406  according to the received user authentication information and performs user authentication (step S 2802 ). As noted above, the user authentication information shown in  FIG. 6  is stored in the user authentication information database  2406 . The user authentication information 0x01010204050A00A8 is found in the bottom line in  FIG. 6 . Accordingly, user authentication succeeds and the user authentication processing unit  2402  identifies the user as the user with the user ID ‘5’ as user information (step S 2803 , ‘Yes’). If user authentication fails (step S 2803 , ‘No’), the user authentication processing unit  2402  sends error information to the device that sent the user authentication information (step S 2807 ), and the processing ends. 
         [0123]    When the user is authenticated, the access control processing unit  2403  searches the access control information database  2407  according to user information to obtain accessible function information (step S 2804 ). As noted above, the accessible function information stored shown in  FIG. 7  is stored in the access control information database  2407 . The accessible function information for the user with user ID ‘5’ is found in the bottom line in  FIG. 7 , indicating ‘ON’ for the printing function, and ‘OFF’ for the scanning, network, and facsimile functions. When accessible function information is obtained as above (step S 2805 , ‘Yes’), the access control information transmitting unit  2404  sends the obtained accessible function information, shown in  FIG. 32 , to the device that sent the user authentication information (step S 2806 ). If accessible function information cannot be obtained (step S 2805 , ‘No’), the access control information transmitting unit  2404  sends error information to the device that sent the user authentication information (step S 2807 ), and the processing ends. 
         [0124]    The operation of information processing apparatus  1710  is the same as the operation of the information processing apparatus  102  in the first embodiment. After the access control commands are received, if use of the panel function is enabled, the screen shown in  FIG. 35 , for example, is displayed on the operation panel  1720 . When use of the scanning, facsimile, and network functions is disabled as indicated in  FIG. 32 , the  3501  in  FIG. 35  includes a print menu button  3502  and logout button  3506 , the use of which is enabled, and a scan menu button  3503 , facsimile menu button  3504 , and network menu button  3505 , the use of which is disabled as indicated by icons. 
         [0125]    The flow of authentication processing by the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  is illustrated in  FIG. 27 . Next, the operation of the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 19 ,  23 , and  27 . 
         [0126]    The user authentication information input unit  2301  regularly queries the fingerprint reader  1904  as to the presence of a finger (step S 2701 ), and reads user authentication information from the fingerprint reader  1904  if a finger is present (step S 2702 ). The user authentication information is fingerprint feature information. The user authentication information transmitting unit  2305  sends the user authentication information read by the user authentication information input unit  2301  via the network protocol processing unit  2302  to the fingerprint authentication server  1707 , the address of which is prestored (step S 2703 ). 
         [0127]    The fingerprint authentication server  1707  uses the fingerprint feature information received as user authentication information to obtain the accessible function information shown in  FIG. 36 , which is returned to the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  and received by the access control information receiving unit  2306  (step S 2704 ). When accessible function information is obtained (step S 2705 , ‘Yes’), the authentication processing proceeds to the next step; if accessible function information is not obtained (step S 2705 , ‘No’), the authentication processing ends. When the accessible function information is obtained, it is received via the access control information receiving unit  2306  by the access control command transmitting unit  2307 , which queries the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  about the information processing apparatus to which the accessible function information should be sent. The information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  finds information processing apparatus connected to the same network segment as the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  by using a known network discovery method via the network protocol processing unit  2302 , and learns whether the panel function of the information processing apparatus it finds is enabled or disabled by receiving SNMP commands as described in relation to  FIG. 8  in the first embodiment (step S 2706 ). 
         [0128]    If use of the panel function is disabled, the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  assumes that the information processing apparatus is not currently being used and is thus available for use. In the present example, the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  finds that information processing apparatuses  1703  and  1704  are connected to the same network segment  1705  as the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702 , as shown in  FIG. 17 , and determines from the SNMP commands described in  FIG. 8  in the first embodiment that use of the panel function of both information processing apparatuses  1703 ,  1704  is disabled, indicating that the information processing apparatuses  1703 ,  1704  are not currently being used. The information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  decides that both apparatuses are available for use (step S 2707 , ‘Yes’) and, since it has succeeded in finding a usable information processing apparatus, proceeds to the next step. If the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  fails to find any usable information processing apparatus (step S 2707 , ‘No’), the authentication processing ends. 
         [0129]    When usable information processing apparatus is found, the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  informs the operation panel control unit  2304 . The operation panel control unit  2304  displays an information processing apparatus selection menu as shown in  FIG. 38  on the screen on the operation panel  1906  according to the information specified by the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  about the usable information processing apparatus. In this example, the information processing apparatus selection menu includes a ‘select device to use’ title  3801 , a selection button  3802  for choosing information processing apparatus  1703 , and a selection button  3803  for choosing information processing apparatus  1704 . If, for example, the user presses selection button  3803 , the operation panel control unit  2304  informs the access control command transmitting unit  2307  via the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  that the user has chosen information processing apparatus  1704  (step S 2708 ). 
         [0130]    The access control command transmitting unit  2307  generates access control commands based on the accessible function information (step S 2709 ), and sends the access control commands via the network protocol processing unit  2302  to the chosen information processing apparatus  1704  (step S 2710 ). In this example, the access control commands give the MIB names and enable/disable settings indicated in  FIG. 37 , including the additional panel access control command enabling use of the panel function that is generated when the information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2303  succeeds in finding usable information processing apparatus. 
         [0131]    The flow of information processing by the fingerprint authentication server  1707  is illustrated in  FIG. 29 . Next, the operation of the fingerprint authentication server  1707  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 21 ,  25 , and  29 . 
         [0132]    The user authentication information receiving unit  2501  receives user authentication information via the network protocol processing unit  2505  (step S 2901 ). It will be assumed that the user authentication information receiving unit  2501  receives the fingerprint feature information sent as user authentication information by the fingerprint reader  1904 . The user authentication processing unit  2502  searches the user authentication information database  2506  according to the user authentication information received from the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  to perform user authentication (step S 2902 ). The user authentication information shown in  FIG. 30  is stored in the user authentication information database  2506 . It will be assumed that the fingerprint feature information received as user authentication information matches feature information ‘3’ in  FIG. 30 . Accordingly, user authentication succeeds and the user is identified as the user with the user ID ‘103’ as user information (step S 2903 , ‘Yes’). If user authentication fails (step S 2903 , ‘No’), the user authentication processing unit  2502  sends error information to the device that sent the user authentication information (step S 2907 ), and the processing ends. 
         [0133]    When the user has been authenticated, the access control processing unit  2503  searches the access control information database  2507  according to the user information to obtain accessible function information (step S 2904 ). The accessible function information shown in  FIG. 31  is stored in the access control information database  2507 . The accessible function information for the user with user ID ‘103’ is found in the third row in  FIG. 31 , indicating ‘ON’ for the scanning and facsimile functions, and ‘OFF’ for the printing and network functions. Since accessible function information has been successfully obtained (step S 2905 , ‘Yes’), the access control information transmitting unit  2504  sends the obtained accessible function information, shown in  FIG. 36 , to the device that sent the user authentication information (step S 2906 ). If accessible function information cannot be obtained (step S 2905 , ‘No’), the access control information transmitting unit  2504  sends error information to the device that sent the user authentication information (step S 2907 ) and the processing ends. 
         [0134]    Accordingly, in this example, in step S 2704  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 27 , the fingerprint authentication apparatus  1702  receives the accessible function information shown in  FIG. 36 . 
         [0135]    The operation of the information processing apparatus  1704  is the same as the operation of the information processing apparatus in the first embodiment. After the access control commands are received, if use of the panel function is enabled, the main menu  3901  shown in  FIG. 39 , for example, is displayed on the operation panel  1730 . In the present example, the main menu  3901  includes a scan menu button  3903 , facsimile menu button  3904 , and logout button  3906 , the use of which is enabled, and a print menu button  3902  and network menu button  3905 , the use of which is disabled as indicated by icons. 
         [0136]    Providing an authentication apparatus with a function for selecting an available information processing apparatus enables a single authentication apparatus to perform authentication for a plurality of information processing apparatuses. One anticipated effect is a reduction in the space used for installing authentication apparatus. It is also anticipated that selective use of a plurality of information processing apparatus will be more convenient for the user. 
         [0137]    The accessible function information database in the second embodiment is not limited to prescribing the accessibility per user ID of printing, scanning, facsimile, and network functions as shown in  FIG. 7 . If, for example, there is a color printing capability, information indicating whether the color printing function may be accessed can be added to the database, and when the screen shown in  FIG. 35  is displayed on the operation panel  1720 , the single print menu button  3502  may be replaced by a color printing menu button and a black-and-white printing menu button. If use of the color printing function is disabled but use of the black-and-white printing function is allowed, this can then be indicated by an icon. 
         [0138]    The scheme for selecting an information processing apparatus is not restricted to the scheme illustrated in  FIG. 26 , in which the user chooses a single information processing apparatus from a menu as shown in  FIG. 34  and access control commands are sent only to the chosen information processing apparatus. In another exemplary scheme, access control commands are sent to all information processing apparatuses found to be available for use, and when the user uses one of the available information processing apparatuses, use of the other available information processing apparatuses is disabled by a control command, e.g., a command disabling use of the panel function, sent from the information processing apparatus used by the user to the other information processing apparatuses, either directly or via the smart card authentication apparatus  1709 . Accordingly, the user can use whichever of the available information processing apparatuses he or she prefers, while misuse of the unused information processing apparatuses by a third party is prevented. 
         [0139]    The command format and protocol by which the access control commands are sent is not restricted to the protocol (SNMP) used in the second embodiment. 
         [0140]    The user information input devices are not restricted to the smart card reader and fingerprint reader shown in the second embodiment. Other devices such as a vein authentication device  6 r a general-purpose operation panel may be used. 
         [0141]    The user authentication information in smart card authentication is not restricted to personal information individually assigned to a smart card as described in the second embodiment. Other information such as a user name or employee number stored in a smart card may be used. 
         [0142]    The user authentication information in fingerprint authentication is not restricted to fingerprint feature information. Other information such as a fingerprint image may be used. 
         [0143]    The method for finding an available information processing apparatus is not restricted to the method of automatically finding information processing apparatuses connected to the same network segment as described in the second embodiment. Other methods, such as prestoring information about the information processing apparatuses in the authentication apparatus, may be used. 
         [0144]    The accessible functions are not restricted to the printing, scanning, facsimile, and network functions mentioned in the second embodiment. 
         [0145]    As described above, according to the information processing system in the second embodiment, since the authentication server carries out user authentication and access control processing and decides, according to the authenticated user information, which functions should be made accessible, and the authentication apparatus generates access control commands based on the accessible function information, the information processing apparatus does not have to provide a user authentication function itself. The information processing apparatus can easily be interfaced with authentication devices, including both smart card and biometric authentication devices, using a variety of authentication methods and protocols, such as LDAP and Kerberos, even if these methods and protocols were not originally contemplated by the designer of the information processing apparatus. The authentication server collectively controls the user authentication information and the accessible function information, reducing the work done by the system administrator in entering and updating the user authentication information and accessible function information. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0146]    Referring to  FIG. 40 , the third embodiment is an information processing system comprising a pair of smart card authentication apparatuses  5501 ,  5002 . 
         [0147]    Smart card authentication apparatus  5001  and a pair of multifunction printers  5007 ,  5008  are interconnected by a network  5005 ; smart card authentication apparatus  5002  and another pair of multifunction printers  5009 ,  5010  are interconnected by another network  5006 . Networks  5005  and  5006  are different network segments, placed on different floors of a building, and are interconnected by routers  5003 ,  5004  by known methods as in the second embodiment. The multifunction printers  5007  to  5010  are named MFP (A) to MFP (D), respectively. 
         [0148]    Each of the smart card authentication apparatuses  5501  and  5002  in the third embodiment has (1) a function for obtaining user authentication information, similar to the function of the smart card authentication apparatus  1709  in the second embodiment, (2) a user authentication function similar to the function of the smart card authentication server  1706  in the second embodiment, (3) a function for transmitting the user ID obtained in performing user authentication, (4) a function for exchanging information with the multifunction printers  5007  to  5010 , and (5) a function for information display and input on a panel. 
         [0149]    Each of the multifunction printers  5007  to  5010  has (1) functions for storing a plurality of printing data and printing the stored printing data, (2) a function for searching an internal directory listing the stored printing data, and (3) a function for exchanging information with the smart card authentication apparatuses  5501 ,  5002 . 
         [0150]    The operation of the information processing system having the basic functions described above will now be explained. 
         [0151]    If, for example, the smart card authentication apparatus  5001  performs user authentication with a smart card, the smart card authentication apparatus  5001  sends the user ID (see  FIG. 6 ) obtained in performing the user authentication, e.g., user ID ‘3’, to each of the multifunction printers  5007  to  5010 . 
         [0152]    A plurality of printing data have been stored in each of the multifunction printers  5007  to  5010 . When the printing data were stored, for example, user authentication was performed by the smart card authentication apparatuses  5501  and  5002 , and the user ID number of the user who entered the printing data is stored in association with the printing data in the internal directory of each multifunction printer. 
         [0153]    When the user ID ‘3’ is received from smart card authentication apparatus  5001 , each of the multifunction printers  5007  to  5010  searches its directory of stored printing data to find printing data associated with the user ID ‘3’, and sends corresponding printing data information to smart card authentication apparatus  5001 . 
         [0154]    Smart card authentication apparatus  5001  displays the printing data information associated with user ID ‘3’ received from each of the multifunction printers  5007  to  5010  in a list on its panel. The printing data information shown in  FIG. 41 , for example, is displayed on the panel  5100 . One item of printing data is stored in MFP (A)  5007 , one item of printing data is stored in MFP (B)  5008 , two items of printing data are stored in MFP (C)  5009 , and two items of printing data are stored in MFP (D)  5010 . Each item of printing data was stored by the user with user ID ‘3’. 
         [0155]    The user sees the screen, chooses the printing data information corresponding to the printing data he or she wishes to print, presses the corresponding one of six check buttons  5101  to  5106 , and presses a print button  5110  to execute printing of the chosen printing data. 
         [0156]    When the chosen printing data information and printing executing command are received from the smart card authentication apparatus  5001 , the chosen multifunction printer executes printing of the chosen printing data. 
         [0157]    The scheme for sending the user ID is not restricted to the above scheme in which smart card authentication apparatus  5001  sends the user ID to each of the multifunction printers  5007  to  5010  after user authentication. Smart card authentication apparatus  5001  may send the user ID only to a chosen multifunction printer. Alternatively, smart card authentication apparatus  5001  may send the user ID to the multifunction printers connected to the same network segment as smart card authentication apparatus  5001 : in this example, to multifunction printers  5007  and  5008 . 
         [0158]    The authentication apparatus is not restricted to the smart card authentication apparatus used in the third embodiment. Different authentication apparatus may be used, such as the fingerprint authentication apparatus used in the second embodiment, or iris authentication apparatus for checking iris patterns. 
         [0159]    The information processing system in the third embodiment enables the smooth execution of printing work, because when a user authenticated by the authentication apparatus chooses desired printing data which he or she has stored in one of the multifunction printers and prints the chosen printing data, only the printing data information stored by the user is displayed, and the user can choose the data to print, as described above. 
         [0160]    The scheme for providing an authentication apparatus and an information processing apparatus is not restricted to the scheme in which one authentication apparatus and one information processing apparatus are provided as in the first embodiment. If a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected, and an authentication apparatus includes a information processing apparatus selection processing unit  2203  ( FIG. 22 ) as a smart card authentication apparatus  1709  as in the second embodiment, available information processing apparatuses may be displayed, and access control commands may be sent to the information processing apparatus chosen by the user. 
         [0161]    The information processing apparatus is not restricted to image processing apparatus that includes the printing, scanning, facsimile, and networking functions noted in the first to third embodiments. The present invention may be used with other information processing apparatus such as personal computers (PCs), automatic teller machine (ATMs), and automobiles. 
         [0162]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that further variations are possible within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Technology Category: 3