Image processing apparatus, control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium storing program for implementing the method

Abstract

An image processing apparatus capable of reducing the frequency of a user's inputting work for authentication information to improve the convenience. When the number of the logged-in users is one, the logged-in user is set as an executor of the predetermined function, and when the number of the logged-in users is two or more, the user is caused to select one of the logged-in users to set the selected one as the executor of the predetermined function.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions, the apparatus comprising:
 a permitting unit adapted to permit a user to execute a first function among the plurality of functions in a first state where the information processing apparatus has been used by the user with no user information inputted to the information processing apparatus;   a display unit adapted to display an authentication screen for performing authentication of a first user having authority to execute a second function among the plurality of functions, the second function being prohibited from being executed in the first state; and   a control unit adapted to change the first state to a second state where the information processing apparatus permits the user to execute the second function, in a case where authentication information about the first user is inputted by the user via the authentication screen displayed by said display unit,   wherein said display unit is adapted to display a screen notifying that the user cannot execute the second function without displaying the authentication screen, in a third state where the user has logged into the information processing apparatus as a second user having another authority to execute a third function among the plurality of functions but not having the authority to execute the second function, by inputting second user authentication information to the information processing apparatus.   
     
     
         8 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said first control unit is adapted to permit the user to execute the second function in the second state in a case where the second function is selected by the user having logged into the information processing apparatus as the first user. 
     
     
         9 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the screen notifying that the user cannot execute the second function further displays information urging the user to log out. 
     
     
         10 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said image information processing apparatus is adapted to shift to the first state automatically when the information processing apparatus is activated. 
     
     
         11 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the first function permitted be executed by said permitting unit includes a copying function. 
     
     
         12 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the second function is a network management function. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A control method for an information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions, the method comprising:
 a permitting step of permitting a user to execute a first function among the plurality of functions in a first state where the information processing apparatus has been used by the user with no user information inputted to the information processing apparatus;   a display step of a display unit displaying an authentication screen for performing authentication of a first user having authority to execute a second function among the plurality of functions, the second function being prohibited from being executed in the first state; and   a control step of changing the first state to a second state where the information processing apparatus permits the user to execute the second function, in a case where authentication information about the first user is inputted by the user via the authentication screen displayed by said display unit,   wherein said display step includes the display unit displaying a screen notifying that the user cannot execute the second function without displaying the authentication screen, in a third state where the user has logged into the information processing apparatus as a second user having another authority to execute a third function among the plurality of functions but not having the authority to execute the second function, by inputting second user authentication information to the information processing apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program for implementing a control method for an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions, the method comprising:
 a permitting step of permitting a user to execute a first function among the plurality of functions in a first state where the information processing apparatus has been used by the user with no user information inputted to the information processing apparatus;   a display step of a display unit displaying an authentication screen for performing authentication of a first user having authority to execute a second function among the plurality of functions, the second function being prohibited from being executed in the first state; and   a control step of changing the first state to a second state where the information processing apparatus permits the user to execute the second function, in a case where authentication information about the first user is inputted by the user via the authentication screen displayed by said display unit,   wherein said display step includes the display unit displaying a screen notifying that the user cannot execute the second function without displaying the authentication screen, in a third state where the user has logged into the information processing apparatus as a second user having another authority to execute a third function among the plurality of functions but not having the authority to execute the second function, by inputting second user authentication information to the information processing apparatus.