Method of controlling user information and information processing apparatus

• US 20040030986A1
• Filed: 02/26/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Matsuda, Toru
• Application Number:
  US10/372,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20040030986A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/500
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90335 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0096 Simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous functioning of a plurality of operations H04N1/32545 takes precedence; multiprogramming arrangements of computers G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0097 Storage of instructions or parameters, e.g. customised instructions or different parameters for different user IDs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32598 Bus based systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4433 to an apparatus, part of an apparatus or an apparatus function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

A method of controlling user information for an information processing apparatus includes the steps of a process of an application program requesting user information controlling unit to obtain an item of said user information, and said user information controlling unit providing the obtained item of said user information to said process. The user information controlling unit obtains the user information requested by the process of the application program and provides the user information to the process. Accordingly, the user information can be shared by the application programs and centrally controlled.

Claims

1. A method of controlling user information for an information processing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a process of an application program requesting an user information controlling unit to obtain an item of said user information; and

said user information controlling unit providing the obtained item of said user information to said process.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user information controlling unit, in response to the request from said process, obtains said item of said user information from information storage units.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said user information controlling unit identifies one of said information storage units, and obtains said item of said user information from the identified one of information storage units.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said information storage units include a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, using a predefined function, said process requests said user information controlling unit to obtain said item of said user information.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said function is a request to obtain configuration information of said user information controlling unit.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said function is a request to inform, when said user information is updated, said process of the update.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said function is a request to obtain tags that categorizes said distribution address information into predetermined categories.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said function is a request to obtain items of said distribution address information categorized in one of said tags.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said function is a request to obtain a position of an item of said distribution address information in one of said tags.

12. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said function is a request to obtain a control number of an item of said distribution address information of which index number is input by a user.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said function is a request to obtain a tag to which an item of said distribution address information corresponding to said control number.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said function is a request to obtain e-mail address information corresponding to said control number.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said function is a request to obtain sender authentication information corresponding to said control number.

16. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said function is a request to user restriction information corresponding to said control number.

17. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said function is a request to obtain e-mail group information corresponding to said control number.

18. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said function is a request to obtain distribution address information corresponding to a search condition.

19. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of information storage units storing user information; and

a user information controlling unit that, in response to a request from a process of an application program, obtains said user information from said information storage units and provides the, obtained user information to said process of said application program.

20. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said user information controlling unit identifies one of said information storage units in which the requested user information is stored and obtains the requested user information from the identified one of said information storage units.

21. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said user information controlling unit is a process of a user information controlling service.

22. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

23. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said information storage unit further comprises:

a distribution address information storage unit storing therein said distribution address information included in said user information; and

a user restriction/charge information storage therein unit storing said user restriction/charge information included in said user information.

24. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said process of said application program requests said user information controlling unit to obtain said user information using a predefined function.

25. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said function is a request to obtain configuration information of said user information controlling unit.

26. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said function is a request to inform, when said user information is updated, said process of the update.

27. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said function is a request to obtain tags that categorizes said distribution address information into predetermined categories.

28. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said function is a request to obtain items of said distribution address information categorized in one of said tags.

29. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said function is a request to obtain a position of an item of said distribution address information in one of said tags.

30. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said function is a request to obtain a control number of an item of said distribution address information of which index number is input by a user.

31. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said function is a request to obtain a tag to which an item of said distribution address information corresponding to said control number.

32. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said function is a request to obtain e-mail address information corresponding to said control number.

33. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said function is a request to obtain sender authentication information corresponding to said control number.

34. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said function is a request to user restriction information corresponding to said control number.

35. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said function is a request to obtain e-mail group information corresponding to said control number.

36. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said function is a request to obtain distribution address information corresponding to a search condition.

37. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:

a controlling unit that controls hardware resources to be used for information processing; and

an operating system.

38. A method of controlling user information for an information processing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a system initialization module requesting a user information controlling unit to update user information; and

said user information controlling unit updating, in response to the request from said system initialization module, said user information.

39. The method as claimed in claim 38, wherein said user information controlling unit identifies one of information storage units in which the requested user information is stored and updates the requested user information stored in the identified one of said information storage units.

40. The method as claimed in claim 38, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

41. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein said information storage unit includes a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

42. The method as claimed in claim 38, wherein said system initialization module uses a predefined function to request said user information controlling unit to update said user information.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function is a request to update tags that categorizes said distribution address information into predetermined categories.

44. The method as claimed in claim 43, wherein said function changes a display position of an item of said distribution address information categorized in said tag.

45. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function crates a new item of said distribution address information.

46. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function updates an item of said distribution address information.

47. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function deletes an item of said distribution address information.

48. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function sets an e-mail group to which an item of said distribution address information is categorized.

49. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function obtains an e-mail group to which an item of said distribution address is categorized.

50. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function sets a tag to which an item of said distribution addresses information is categorized.

51. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function sets an e-mail address corresponding to an item of said distribution address information.

52. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function sets a sender authentication information corresponding to an item of said distribution address information.

53. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said functions sets user restriction information corresponding to said distribution address information.

54. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function determines whether an index number input by a user is already used, and if said index number is already used, obtains another index number that is close to said index number input by said user.

55. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of said distribution address information.

56. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function obtains a number of accounts corresponding to said distribution address information.

57. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of an e-mail group corresponding to said distribution address information.

58. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of e-mail addresses corresponding to said distribution address information.

59. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of user restriction information corresponding to said distribution address information.

60. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of information storage units storing user information therein; and

a user information controlling unit that updates, in response to a request from a system initialization module, said user information stored in said information storage unit.

61. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein said user information controlling unit identifies one of information storage units in which the requested user information is stored and updates the requested user information stored in the identified one of said information storage units.

62. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein said user information controlling unit is a process of a user information controlling service.

63. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

64. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said information storage units include a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

65. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein said system initialization module uses a predefined function to request said user information controlling unit to update said user information.

66. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function is a request to update tags that categorizes said distribution address information into predetermined categories.

67. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function changes a display position of an-item-of said distribution address information categorized in said tag.

68. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function crates a new item of said distribution address information.

69. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function updates an item of said distribution address information.

70. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function deletes an item of said distribution address information.

71. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function sets an email group to which an item of said distribution address information is categorized.

72. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function obtains an e-mail group to which an item of said distribution address is categorized.

73. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function sets a tag to which an item of said distribution addresses information is categorized.

74. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function sets an email address corresponding to an item of said distribution address information.

75. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function sets a sender authentication information corresponding to an item of said distribution address information.

76. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said functions sets user restriction information corresponding to said distribution address information.

77. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function determines whether an index number input by a user is already used, and if said index number is already used, obtains another index number that is close to said index number input by said user.

78. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of said distribution address information.

79. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function obtains a number of accounts corresponding to said distribution address information.

80. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of an e-mail group corresponding to said distribution address information.

81. The information processing-apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of e-mail addresses corresponding to said distribution address information.

82. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 65, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of user restriction information corresponding to said distribution address information.

83. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 60, further comprising:

a control unit that controls hardware resources used for information processing; and

an operating system.

84. A method of controlling user information for an information processing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a user information control unit receiving a request in connection with user information from an external control apparatus connected to said information processing apparatus via a network; and

said user information control unit processing said request using predefined functions.

85. The method claimed in claim 84, wherein a remote interface unit provided in said user information controlling unit receives said request from said external control apparatus using a prescribed protocol for exchanging messages-expressed in a description language.

86. The method as claimed in claim 85, wherein said protocol is simple object access protocol.

87. The method as claimed in claim 84, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

88. The method as claimed in claim 87, wherein said information processing apparatus includes an-information storage unit comprising a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge-information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

89. The method as claimed in claim 84, wherein said remote interface unit provided in said user information control unit uses a predefined function to handle said user information in compliance with said request from said external control apparatus.

90. The method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said remote interface unit provided in said user information control unit uses a predefined function to handle said user information in compliance with said request.

91. The method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said function requests for a user authentication to operate said external control apparatus.

92. The method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said function obtains a generation number of said user information.

93. The method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said function obtains said user information stored in an information storage unit.

94. The method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said function obtains an item of said user information satisfies a predetermined condition.

95. The method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said function updates said user information stored in an information storage unit.

96. The method as claimed in-claim 91, wherein,

when a user operating said external control apparatus is successfully authenticated, the authentication information is transmitted to said external control apparatus;

and

said authentication information is attached to messages provided from said external control apparatus to said information processing apparatus.

97. The method as claimed in claim 92, wherein

said generation number, in response to a request from said external control apparatus, is transmitted thereto;

and

said generation number is attached to messages provided by said external control apparatus.

98. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of information storage units storing user information therein; and

a user information control unit that receives a request in connection with said user information stored in the information storage units from an external control apparatus through a network and handles said user information using a predefined function corresponding to said request.

101. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 98, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

102. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 101, wherein said information storage units include a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

103. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 98, wherein said user information control unit further comprises a remote interface unit that handles said user information in compliance with said request using a predefined function.

104. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 103, wherein said function obtains functional information of said user information control unit.

105. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 103, wherein said function request authentication of a user operating said external control apparatus.

106. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 103, wherein said function obtains a generation number of said user information.

107. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 103, wherein said function obtains said user information stored in an information storage unit.

108. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 103, wherein said function obtains an item of said user information satisfies a predetermined condition.

109. The information-processing apparatus as claimed in claim 103, wherein said function updates said user information stored in an information storage unit.

110. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 105, wherein,

when a user operating said external control apparatus is successfully authenticated, the authentication information is transmitted to said external control apparatus;

and

said authentication information is attached to messages provided from said external control apparatus to said information processing apparatus.

111. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 106, wherein

said generation number, in response to a request from said external control apparatus, is transmitted thereto;

and

said generation number is attached to messages provided by said external control apparatus.

112. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 98, further comprising:

a control unit that controls hardware resources used for information processing; and

an operating system.

99. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 99, wherein said user information control unit further comprises a remote interface unit that receives said request from said external control apparatus using a prescribed protocol for exchanging messages expressed in a description language.

100. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 99, wherein said protocol is simple object access protocol.

113. A computer program that causes a computer to control user information, comprising the steps of:

requesting an information processing apparatus connected via a network to transmit said user information using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages expressed in a description language;

receiving said user information from said information processing apparatus in compliance with said protocol;

displaying a screen based on the received user information; and

requesting, in response to a request to update said user information input by a user, said information processing apparatus to update said user information using said protocol.

114. A computer readable recording medium storing therein a computer program that causes a computer to control user information, said computer program comprising the steps of:

requesting an information processing apparatus connected via a network to transmit said user information using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages expressed in a description language;

receiving said user information from said information processing apparatus in compliance with said protocol;

displaying a screen based on the received user information; and

requesting, in response to a request to update said user information input by a user, said information processing apparatus to update said user information using said protocol.

115. A method of controlling user information for an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a process of an application program requesting an user information controlling unit to obtain an item of said user information; and

said user information controlling unit providing the obtained item of said user information to said process.

116. The method as claimed in claim 115, wherein said user information controlling unit, in response to the request from said process, obtains said item of said user information from information storage units.

117. The method as claimed in claim 116, wherein said user information controlling unit identifies one of said information storage units, and obtains said item of said user information from the identified one of information storage units.

118. The method as claimed in claim 115, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

119. The method as claimed in claim 118, wherein said information storage units include a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

120. The method as claimed in claim 115, wherein, using a predefined function, said process requests said user information controlling unit to obtain said item of said user information.

121. The method as claimed in claim 120, wherein said function is a request to obtain configuration information of said user information controlling unit.

122. The method as claimed in claim 120, wherein said function is a request to inform, when said user information is updated, said process of the update.

123. The method as claimed in claim 120, wherein said function is a request to obtain tags that categorizes said distribution address information into predetermined categories.

124. The method as claimed in claim 123, wherein said function is a request to obtain items of said distribution address information categorized in one of said tags.

125. The method as claimed in claim 123, wherein said function is a request to obtain a position of an item of said distribution address information in one of said tags.

126. The method as claimed in claim 120, wherein said function is a request to-obtain a control number of an item of said distribution address information of which index number is input by a user.

127. The method as claimed in claim 126, wherein said function is a request to obtain a tag to which an item of said distribution address information corresponding to said control number.

128. The method as claimed in claim 126, wherein said function is a request to obtain e-mail address information corresponding to said control number.

129. The method as claimed in claim 126, wherein said function is a request to obtain sender authentication information corresponding to said control number.

130. The method as claimed in claim 126, wherein said function is a request to user restriction information corresponding to said control number.

131. The method as claimed in claim 126, wherein said function is a request to obtain e-mail group information corresponding to said control number.

132. The method as claimed in claim 120, wherein said function is a request to obtain distribution address information corresponding to a search condition.

133. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of information storage units storing user information; and

a user information controlling unit that, in response to a request from a process of an application program, obtains said user information from said information storage units and provides the obtained user information to said process of said application program.

134. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said user information controlling unit identifies one of said information storage units in which the requested user information is stored and obtains the requested user information from the identified one of said information storage units.

135. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said user information controlling unit is a process of a user information controlling service.

136. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

137. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 136, wherein said information storage unit further comprises:

a distribution address information storage unit storing therein said distribution address information included in said user information; and

a user restriction/charge information storage therein unit storing said user restriction/charge information included in said user information.

138. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said process of said application program requests said user information controlling unit to obtain said user information using a predefined function.

139. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 138, wherein said function is a request to obtain configuration information of said user information controlling unit.

140. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 138, wherein said function is a request to inform, when said user information is updated, said process of the update.

141. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 138, wherein said function is a request to obtain tags that categorizes said distribution address information into predetermined categories.

142. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 141, wherein said function is a request to obtain items of said distribution address information categorized in one of said tags.

143. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 141, wherein said function is a request to obtain a position of an item of said distribution address information in one of said tags.

144. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 138, wherein said function is a request to obtain a control number of an item of said distribution address information of which index number is input by a user.

145. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 144, wherein said function is a request to obtain a tag to which an item of said distribution address information corresponding to said control number.

146. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 144, wherein said function is a request to obtain e-mail address information corresponding to said control number.

147. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 144, wherein said function is a request to obtain sender authentication information corresponding to said control number.

148. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 144, wherein said function is a request to user restriction information corresponding to said control number.

149. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 144, wherein said function is a request to obtain e-mail group information corresponding to said control number.

150. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 138, wherein said function is a request to obtain distribution address information corresponding to a search condition.

151. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 133, further comprising:

a controlling unit that controls hardware resources to be used for image forming; and

an operating system.

152. A method of controlling user information for an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a system initialization module requesting a user information controlling unit to update user information; and

said user information controlling unit updating, in response to the request from said system initialization module, said user information.

153. The method as claimed in claim 152, wherein said user information controlling unit identifies one of information storage units in which the requested user information is stored and updates the requested user information stored in the identified one of said information storage units.

154. The method as claimed in claim 152, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

155. The method as claimed in claim 154, wherein said information storage unit includes a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

156. The method as claimed in claim 152, wherein said system initialization module uses a predefined function to request said user information controlling unit to update said user information.

157. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function is a request to update tags that categorizes said distribution address information into predetermined categories.

158. The method as claimed in claim 157, wherein said function changes a display position of an item of said distribution address information categorized in said tag.

159. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function crates a new item of said distribution address information.

160. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function updates an item of said distribution address information.

161. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function deletes an item of said distribution address information.

162. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function sets an e-mail group to which an item of said distribution address information is categorized.

163. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function obtains an e-mail group to which an item of said distribution address is categorized.

164. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function sets a tag to which an item of said distribution addresses information is categorized.

165. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function sets an e-mail address corresponding to an item of said distribution address information.

166. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function sets a sender authentication information corresponding to an item of said distribution address information.

167. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said functions sets user restriction information corresponding to said distribution address information.

168. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function determines whether an index number input by a user is already used, and if said index number is already used, obtains another index number that is close to said index number input by said user.

169. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of said distribution address information.

170. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function obtains a number of accounts corresponding to said distribution address information.

171. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of an e-mail group corresponding to said distribution address information.

172. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of e-mail addresses corresponding to said distribution address information.

173. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of user restriction information corresponding to said distribution address information.

174. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of information storage units storing user information therein; and

a user information controlling unit that updates, in response to a request from a system initialization module, said user information stored in said information storage unit.

175. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 174, wherein said user information controlling unit identifies one of-information storage units in which the requested user information is stored and updates the requested user information stored in the identified one of said information storage units.

176. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 174, wherein said user information controlling unit is a process of a user information controlling service.

177. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 174, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

178. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 177, wherein said information storage units include a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

179. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 174, wherein said system initialization module uses a predefined function to request said user information controlling unit to update said user information.

180. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function is a request to update tags that categorizes said distribution address information into predetermined categories.

181. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function changes a display position of an item of said distribution address information categorized in said tag.

182. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function crates a new item of said distribution address information.

183. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function updates an item of said distribution address information.

184. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function deletes an item of said distribution address information.

185. The image forming-apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function sets an e-mail group to which an item of said distribution address information is categorized.

186. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function obtains an e-mail group to which an item of said distribution address is categorized.

187. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function sets a tag to which an item of said distribution addresses information is categorized.

188. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function sets an e-mail address corresponding to an item of said distribution address information.

189. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function sets a sender authentication information corresponding to an item of said distribution address information.

190. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said functions sets user restriction information corresponding to said distribution address information.

191. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function determines whether an index number input by a user is already used, and if said index number is already used, obtains another index number that is close to said index number input by said user.

192. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of said distribution address information.

193. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function obtains a number of accounts corresponding to said distribution address information.

194. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of an e-mail group corresponding to said distribution address information.

195. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of e-mail addresses corresponding to said distribution address information.

196. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 179, wherein said function obtains a number of entries of user restriction information corresponding to said distribution address information.

197. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 174, further comprising:

a control unit that controls hardware resources used for image forming; and

an operating system.

198. A method of controlling user information for an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a user information control unit receiving a request in connection with user information from an external control apparatus connected to said image forming apparatus via a network; and

said user information control unit processing said request using predefined functions.

199. The method claimed in claim 198, wherein a remote interface unit provided in said user information controlling unit receives said request from said external control apparatus using a prescribed protocol for exchanging messages expressed in a description language.

200. The method as claimed in claim 199, wherein said protocol is simple object access protocol.

201. The method as claimed in claim 198, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

202. The method as claimed in claim 201, wherein said image forming apparatus includes an information storage unit comprising a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

203. The method as claimed in claim 198, wherein said remote interface unit provided in said user information control unit uses a predefined function to handle said user information in compliance with said request from said external control apparatus.

204. The method as claimed in claim 203, wherein said remote interface unit provided in said user information control unit uses a predefined function to handle said user information in compliance with said request.

205. The method as claimed in claim 203, wherein said function requests for a user authentication to operate said external control apparatus.

206. The method as claimed in claim 203, wherein said function obtains a generation number of said user information.

207. The method as claimed in claim 203, wherein said function obtains said user information stored in an information storage unit.

208. The method as claimed in claim 203, wherein said function obtains an item of said user information satisfies a predetermined condition.

209. The method as claimed in claim 203, wherein said function updates said user information stored in an information storage unit.

210. The method as claimed in claim 205, wherein,

when a user operating said external control apparatus is successfully authenticated, the authentication information is transmitted to said external control apparatus;

and

said authentication information is attached to messages provided from said external control apparatus to said image forming apparatus.

211. The method as claimed in claim 206, wherein

said generation number, in response to a request from said external control apparatus, is transmitted thereto;

and

said generation number is attached to messages provided by said external control apparatus.

212. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of information storage units storing user information therein; and

a user information control unit that receives a request in connection with said user information stored in the information storage units from an external control apparatus through a network and handles said user information using a predefined function corresponding to said request.

215. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 212, wherein said user information includes distribution address information and user restriction/charge information.

216. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 215, wherein said information storage units include a distribution address information storage unit storing said distribution address information therein and a user restriction/charge information storage unit storing said user restriction/charge information therein.

217. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 212, wherein said user information control unit further comprises a remote interface unit that handles said user information in compliance with said request using a predefined function.

218. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 217, wherein said function obtains functional information of said user information control unit.

219. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 217, wherein said function request authentication of a user operating said external control apparatus.

220. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 217, wherein said function obtains a generation number of said user information.

221. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 217, wherein said function obtains said user information stored in an information storage unit.

222. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 217, wherein said function obtains an item of said user information satisfies a predetermined condition.

223. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 217, wherein said function updates said user information stored in an information storage unit.

224. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 219, wherein,

when a user operating said external control apparatus is successfully authenticated, the authentication information is transmitted to said external control apparatus;

and

said authentication information is attached to messages provided from said external control apparatus to said image forming apparatus.

225. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 220, wherein

said generation number, in response to a request from said external control apparatus, is transmitted thereto;

and

said generation number is attached to messages provided by said external control apparatus.

226. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 212, further comprising:

a control unit that controls hardware resources used for image forming; and

an operating system.

213. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 213, wherein said user information control unit further comprises a remote interface unit that receives said request from said external control apparatus using a prescribed protocol for exchanging messages expressed in a description language.

214. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 213, wherein said protocol is simple object access protocol.

227. A computer program that causes a computer to control user information, comprising the steps of:

requesting an image forming apparatus connected via a network to transmit said user information using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages expressed in a description language;

receiving said user information from said image forming apparatus in compliance with said protocol;

displaying a screen based on the received user information; and

requesting, in response to a request to update said user information input by a user, said image forming apparatus to update said user information using said protocol.

228. A computer readable recording medium storing therein a computer program that causes a computer to control user information, said computer program comprising the steps of:

requesting an image forming apparatus connected via a network to transmit said user information using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages expressed in a description language;

receiving said user information from said image forming apparatus in compliance with said protocol;

displaying a screen based on the received user information; and

requesting, in response to a request to update said user information input by a user, said image forming apparatus to update said user information using said protocol.