IMAGE FORMATION DEVICE, METHOD OF PERMITTING IMAGE DATA OUTPUT, AND PROGRAM

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict a user without adding a special mechanism to an image input device even when data input from the image input device incapable of attaching user information to input data is used for output. SOLUTION: In the image formation device MFP, authentication information as user information and availability information of a print function or the like are previously registered. When authentication information is attached to image data input from an image input device (a PC or a digital camera) in using the print function, it is compared with the registered authentication information, and the use of the print function (output of the input image data) is permitted if the information coincide with each other. When the authentication information is not attached to the input image data, the image data are stored in a RAM and thereafter an authentication screen is displayed when the print function is selected by an operation on an operation part. When the authentication information is input, it is compared with the registered authentication information, and the use of the print function (output of the image data in the RAM) is permitted if the information coincide with each other. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT