Image forming apparatus that can operate without wasteful use of resources thereof and unnecessary authentication

• US 20040080771A1
• Filed: 08/14/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Nakamura, Takashi, Mihira, Sachiko
• Application Number:
  US10/640,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20040080771A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor

Abstract

An image forming apparatus, method and system are disclosed, for acquiring a store document in the image forming apparatus and generating access authentication information. The image forming apparatus can operate without wasteful use of resources thereof and unnecessary authentication. In the image forming apparatus, in response to an authentication request for a stored document therein from an external network device, first session information of a first session established within the image forming apparatus is acquired, the first session information is associated with second session information of a second session established between the network device and the image forming apparatus, and the second session information is sent to the network device. Then, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the second session information from the network device, the first session information corresponding to the second session information is identified, and the first session information is used to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a hardware set being used for image formation;

a program being executed for image formation;

document storage means for storing at least one document;

a network service; and

a document management service,

wherein the network service, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from an external network device, acquires first session information, which is created by the document management service, of a first session established between the network service and the document management service from the document management service, associates the first session information with second session information of a second session established between the network service and the network device, and sends the second session information to the network device, whereas the network service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the second session information from the network device, identifies the first session information corresponding to the second session information, and uses the first session information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of a stored document acquisition request using the second session information from the network device, identifies the first session information corresponding to the second session information, uses the first session information to acquire the stored document corresponding to the stored document acquisition request from the document storage means, and sends the acquired stored document to the network device.

3. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of a stored document acquisition request using the second session information from the network device, identifies the first session information corresponding to the second session information, uses the first session information to acquire the stored document corresponding to the stored document acquisition request from the document management service, and sends the acquired stored document to the network device.

4. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of a stored document acquisition request using the second session information from the network device, identifies the first session information corresponding to the second session information, and uses the first session information to cause the document management service to acquire the stored document corresponding to the stored document acquisition request and to send the acquired stored document to the network device.

5. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first session information is used within the image forming apparatus.

6. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hardware set comprises:

scanner means for generating image data from an image; and

plotter means for forming an image from image data.

7. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network service includes the second session information in display data that the network device uses to create a stored document acquisition screen, and sends the display data to the network device.

8. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of the authentication request from the network service, performs authentication, creates the first session information based on a result of the authentication, and sends the created first session information to the network service.

9. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of the first session information from the network service, determines validity of the first session information.

10. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the network service fulfills the predetermined process request on the stored document based on the determined validity of the first session information.

11. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network service includes the second session information in Web page data that the network device uses to create a Web page for acquiring the stored document, and sends the Web page data to the network device.

12. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stored document acquisition request comprises the second session information, stored document identification information and document acquirable range information.

13. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the document acquirable range information comprises a format and a page number of the stored document.

14. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display data comprises the second session information, stored document identification information and document acquirable range information.

15. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the document acquirable range information comprises a format and a page number of the stored document.

16. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first session information is replaced with access authentication information of the stored document.

17. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the document management service invalidates the first session information after a predetermined time has passed since creation of the first session information.

18. A method of acquiring a stored document for an image forming apparatus having a hardware set used for image formation, a program executed for image formation, and document storage means for storing at least one document, the method comprising the steps of:

acquiring, in response to an, authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from an external network device, first session information of a first session established within the image forming apparatus;

associating the first session information with second session information of a second session established between the network device and the image forming apparatus, and sending the second session information to the network device;

identifying, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the second session information from the network device, the first session information corresponding to the second session information; and

using the first session information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

19. A system of acquiring a stored document, comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one network device via the network, the image forming apparatus comprising;

document storage means for storing at least one document;

a network service; and

a document management service,

wherein the network service, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from an external network device, acquires first session information of a first session established within the image forming apparatus, associates the first session information with second session information of a second session established between the image forming apparatus and the network device, and sends the second session information to the network device, whereas the network service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the second session information from the network device, identifies the first session information corresponding to the second session information, and uses the first session information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document, and the document management service, in response to the authentication request, creates the first session information of the first session established within the image forming apparatus, and sends the created first session information to the network service.

20. A method of acquiring a stored document for a system comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one network device via the network, the image forming apparatus having document storage means for storing at least one document, the method comprising;

a first step of acquiring, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from an external network device, first session information of a first session established within the image forming apparatus;

a second step of associating the first session information with second session information of a second session established between the image forming apparatus and the network device, and sending the second session information to the network device;

a third step of identifying, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the second session information from the network device, the first session information corresponding to the second session information; and

a fourth step of using the first session information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the image forming apparatus performs the first step, the second step, the third step and the fourth step.

22. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a hardware set being used for image formation;

a program being executed for image formation;

document storage means for storing at least one document;

a network service; and

a document management service,

wherein the network service, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from an external network device, acquires session information of a session established between the network service and the document management service, includes the session information in display data that the network device uses to create a stored document acquisition screen, and sends the display data including the session information to the network device, whereas the network service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session information for the stored document from the network device, uses the session information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

23. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of a stored document acquisition request using the session information from the network device after transmission of the session information in the display data to the network device, uses the session information to acquire a stored document corresponding to the stored document acquisition request from the document storage means, and sends the acquired stored document to the network device.

24. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from network device, performs authentication corresponding to the authentication request, creates session content information and session identification information based on a result of the authentication, includes the session identification information in the display data, and sends the display data including the session identification information to the network device.

25. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session identification information for a stored document in the document storage means from the network device, identifies the session content information corresponding to the session identification information, and uses the session content information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

26. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of the predetermined process request using the session identification information for the stored document in the document storage means from the network device, identifies the session content information corresponding to the session identification information, and determines whether or not the predetermined process request is valid for the stored document based on the session content information.

27. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the predetermined process request comprises session information, stored document identification information and document acquirable range information.

28. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the document acquirable range information comprises a format and a page number of the stored document.

29. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the display data comprises session information, stored document identification information and document acquirable range information.

30. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the document acquirable range information comprises a format and a page number of the stored document.

31. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the session information is invalidated after a predetermined time has passed since creation of the session information.

32. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the hardware set comprises:

scanner means for generating image data from an image; and

plotter means for forming an image from image data.

33. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the network service includes the session information in Web page data that the network device uses to create a Web page for processing a stored document, and sends the Web page data to the network device.

34. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the Web page data are described in accordance with HTML (Hypertext Markup Language).

35. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a hardware set being used for image formation;

a program being executed for image formation;

document storage means for storing at least one document;

a network service; and

a document management service,

wherein the network service, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means and document acquisition condition information thereon from an external network device, acquires session information of a session established within the image forming apparatus, and uses the session information and the document acquisition condition to fulfill a predetermined process request on the stored document.

36. A method of processing a stored document for an image forming apparatus having a hardware set used for image formation, a program executed for image formation, and document storage means for storing at least one document, the method comprising the steps of:

acquiring, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from an external network device, session information of a session established within the image forming apparatus, including the session information in display data that the network device uses to create a stored document processing screen, and sending the display data to the network device; and

using, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session information for the stored document from the network device, the session information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

37. A method of processing a stored document for an image forming apparatus having a hardware set used for image formation, a program executed for image formation, and document storage means for storing at least one document, the method comprising the steps of:

acquiring, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means and document acquisition condition information thereon from an external network device, session information of a session established within the image forming apparatus; and

using the session information and the document acquisition condition to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

38. A system of processing a stored document, comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one network device via the network, the image forming apparatus comprising;

a hardware set used for image formation, a program executed for image formation, and document storage means for storing at least one document,

wherein the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from an external network device, acquires session information of a session established within the image forming apparatus, includes the session information in display data that the network device uses to create a stored document processing screen, and sends the display data to the network device;

the network device acquires the session information from the received display data, and sends a predetermined process request using the session information to the image forming apparatus in accordance with a user'"'"'s instruction; and

the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of the predetermined process request using the session information from the network device, uses the session information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

39. A system of processing a stored document, comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one network device via the network, the image forming apparatus comprising;

a hardware set used for image formation, a program executed for image formation, and document storage means for storing at least one document,

wherein the image forming apparatus, in response to an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means and document acquisition condition information thereon from an external network device, acquires session information of a session established within the image forming apparatus, and uses the session information and the document acquisition condition information to fulfill the predetermined process request on the stored document.

40. A method of processing a stored document for a system comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one network device via the network, the image forming apparatus comprising;

a hardware set used for image formation;

a program executed for image formation; and

document storage means for storing at least one document, the method comprising;

a first step of acquiring, in response to an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from an external network device, session information of a session established within the image forming apparatus, including the session information in display data that the network device uses to create a stored document processing screen, and sending the display data including the session information to the network device;

a second step of acquiring the session information from the received display data and sending a predetermined process request using the session information fro the stored document to the image forming apparatus in accordance with a user'"'"'s instruction; and

a third step of using, in response to receipt of the predetermined process request using the session information for the stored document from the network device, the session information to fulfill the predetermined process request for the stored document.

41. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the image forming apparatus performs the first step and the third step, and the network device performs the second step.

42. A method of processing a stored document for a system comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one network device via the network, the image forming apparatus comprising;

a hardware set used for image formation;

a program executed for image formation; and

document storage means for storing at least one document, the method comprising;

a first step of acquiring, in response to an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means and document acquisition condition information thereon from an external network device, session information of a session established within the image forming apparatus; and

a second step of using the session information and the document acquisition condition information to fulfill the predetermined process request for the stored document.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the image forming apparatus performs the first step and the second step.

44. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a hardware set being used for image formation;

a program being executed for image formation; and

a network service, in response to receipt of a session setting request including authentication information from an external network device, performing authentication based on the session setting request, creating session information of a session established between the network service and the network device and session identification information to identify the session information, and sending the session identification information to the network device, whereas the network service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session identification information from the network device, determining the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and fulfilling the predetermined process request based on the session information.

45. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the network service, in response to the predetermined process request using the session identification information from the network device, determines whether or not the session information corresponding to the session identification information exists, and when the session information exists, then the network service fulfills the predetermined process request based on the session information.

46. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the session information comprises session identification information, identification information of the network device that sends the session setting request, and identification information of the image forming apparatus that receives the session setting request.

47. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 46, wherein the network service determines the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and when the identification information of the network device that sends the session setting request, which is included in the session information, and the identification information of the network device that sends the predetermined process request are the same, then the network service fulfills the predetermined process request.

48. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the session information comprises an expiration time, and the session information is deleted after the expiration time thereof passes.

49. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of the predetermined process request using the session identification information, updates the expiration time of the session information corresponding to the session identification information.

50. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the network service, in response to receipt of the predetermined process request using the session identification information from the network device, determines the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and fulfills the predetermined process request within an access range authorized based on the authentication information corresponding to the session information.

51. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the predetermined process request is related to image formation.

52. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the hardware set comprises:

scanner means for generating image data from an image; and

plotter means for forming an image from image data.

53. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a hardware set being used for image formation;

a program being executed for image formation;

document storage means for storing at least one document; and

a document management service, in response to receipt of a session setting request including authentication information from an external network device, creating session information of a session established between the document management service and the network device and session identification information to identify the session information based on the session setting request, and sending the session identification information to the network device, whereas the document management service, in response to receipt of an authentication request using the session identification information for a stored document in the document storage means from the network device, determining the session information corresponding to the session identification information, creating access authentication information for the stored document based on the session information, and sending the created access authentication information to the network device.

54. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of the authentication request using the session identification information for the stored document from the network device, determines whether or not the session information corresponding to the session identification information exists, and when the session information exists, the document management service creates the access authentication information for the stored document based on the session information and sends the created access authentication information to the network device.

55. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the session information comprises session identification information, identification information of the network device that sends the session setting request, identification information of the image forming apparatus that receives the session setting request, and identification information of the authenticated stored document.

56. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the document management service determines the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and when the identification information of the network device that sends the session setting request, which is included in the session information, and the identification information of the network device that sends the authentication request for the stored document are the same, the document management service creates access authentication information for the stored document and sends the access authentication information to the network device.

57. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein the document management service, when identification information of the stored document corresponding to the authentication request is included in the identification information of the authenticated stored document, which is included in the session information, issues access authentication information to the stored document without authentication for the stored document.

58. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein the document management service, when identification information of the stored document corresponding to the authentication request is not included in the identification information of an authenticated stored document in the session information, performs authentication on the stored document, adds a result of the authentication to the identification information of an authenticated stored document, and issues access authentication information on the stored document.

59. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of the stored document acquisition request using the session identification information from the network device, determines the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and sends the stored document corresponding to the stored document acquisition request to the network device.

60. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the session information comprises an expiration time, and the session information is deleted after the expiration time thereof passes.

61. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session identification information, updates the session information corresponding to the session identification information.

62. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the hardware set comprises:

scanner means for generating image data from an image; and

plotter means for forming an image from image data.

63. A method of generating access authentication information for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware set used for image formation and a program executed for image formation, the method comprising the steps of:

creating, in response to a session setting request including authentication information from an external network device, session information of a session established between the image forming apparatus and the network device and session identification information to identify the session information based on the session setting request, and sending the session identification information, which is used as access authentication information for a predetermined process, to the network device; and

determining, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session identification information from the network device, the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and fulfilling the predetermined process request from the network device based on the session information.

64. A method of generating access authentication information for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware set used for image formation and a program executed for image formation, the method comprising the steps of:

creating, in response to a session setting request including authentication information from an external network device, session information of a session established between the image forming apparatus and the external network device and session identification information to identify the session information based on the session setting request, and sending the session identification information, which is used as access authentication information for a predetermined process, to the network device; and

creating, in response to receipt of an authentication request using the session identification information for a stored document in the image forming apparatus from the network device, determining the session information corresponding to the session identification information, creating access authentication information for the stored document based on the session information, and sending the access authentication information to the network device.

65. A system of generating access authentication information for a predetermined process, the system comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one external network device via the network, the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of a session setting request including authentication information from an external network device, creating session information of a session established between the image forming apparatus and the network device and session identification information to identify the session information based on the session setting request, and sending the session identification information, which is used as access authentication information for a predetermined process, to the external network device, whereas the image forming apparatus, in response to a predetermined process request using the session identification information from the network device, determining the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and fulfilling the predetermined process request based on the session information.

66. A system of generating access authentication information for a predetermined process, the system comprising:

at least one external network device being to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one external network device via the network, the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of a session setting request including authentication information from an external network device, creating session information of a session established between the image forming apparatus and the network device and session identification information to identify the session information based on the session setting request, and sending the session identification information, which is used as access authentication information for a predetermined process, to the network device, whereas the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of an authentication request using the session identification information for a stored document in the image forming apparatus from the network device, determining the session information corresponding to the session identification information, creating access authentication information for the stored document based on the session information, and sending the access authentication information to the network device.

67. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a hardware set being used for image formation;

a program being executed for image formation; and

a document management service, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a predetermined process from a first external network device, performing authentication based on the authentication request, creating access authentication information for the predetermined process and access authentication identification information to identify the access authentication information based on a result of the authentication, and sending the access authentication identification information to the first network device, whereas the document management service, in response to receipt of a session setting request including the access authentication identification information from a second external network device, determining the access authentication information corresponding to the access authentication identification information, storing the access authentication information in session information of a session established between the document management service and the second network device based on the session setting request, and sending session identification information to identify the session to the second network device.

68. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein the document management service, in response to a predetermined process request using the session identification information from the second network device, determines the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and fulfills the predetermined process request based on the access authentication information stored in the session information.

69. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein the access authentication information comprises access authentication identification information and authenticated process information on a process that is authenticated in accordance with the authentication.

70. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 69, wherein the session information comprises session identification information, identification information of the second network device that sends the session setting request, identification information of the image forming apparatus that receives the session setting request, and the authenticated process information.

71. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein the document management service, when said document management service, in response to receipt of the session setting request including the access authentication identification information from the second network device, determines the access authentication information corresponding to the access authentication identification information and stores the access authentication information in the session information of the session established between the document management service and the second network device, further adds the authenticated process information included in the access authentication information to the authenticated process information included in the session information.

72. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 71, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session identification information from an external network device, determines the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and when the predetermined process is included in the authenticated process information of the session information and further identification information of the second network device that sends the session setting request included in the session information and identification information of the network device that sends the predetermined process request are the same, the document management service fulfills the predetermined process request.

73. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein the session information comprises an expiration time, and the session information is deleted after the expiration time thereof passes.

74. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 73, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session identification information, updates the expiration time of the session information corresponding to the session identification information.

75. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein the predetermined process request is related to image formation.

76. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein the hardware set comprises:

scanner means for generating image data from an image; and

plotter means for forming an image from image data.

77. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein the second network device receives the access authentication identification information from the first network device.

78. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a hardware set being used for image formation;

a program being used for image formation;

document storage means for storing at least one document; and

a document management service, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from a first external network device, performing authentication based on the authentication request, creating access authentication information for the stored document and access authentication identification information to identify the access authentication information based on a result of the authentication, and sending the access authentication identification information to the first network device, whereas the document management service, in response to receipt of a session setting request including the access authentication identification information from a second external network device, determining the access authentication information corresponding to the access authentication identification information, storing the access authentication information in session information of a session established between the document management service and the second network device, and sending session identification information to identify the session to the second network device.

79. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein the document management service, in response to a predetermined process request using the session identification information for the stored document from the second network device, determines the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and fulfills the predetermined process request based on the access authentication information in the session information.

80. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein the access authentication information comprises access authentication identification information and identification information of a stored document that is authenticated in accordance with the authentication.

81. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 80, wherein the session information comprises session identification information, identification information of the second network device that sends the session setting request, identification information of the image forming apparatus that receives the session setting request, and identification information of the authenticated stored document.

82. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 81, wherein the document management service, when the document management service, in response to receipt of the session setting request including the access authentication identification information for the stored document in the document storage means from the second network device, determines the access authentication information corresponding to the access authentication identification information and stores the access authentication information in the session information of the session established between the document management service and the second network device based on the session setting request, further adds the identification information of the authenticated stored document included in the access authentication information to the identification information of the authenticated stored document included in the session information.

83. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 82, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session identification information for a stored document in the document storage means from a network device, determines the session information corresponding to the session identification information, and when identification information of the stored document is included in the session information and further the identification information of the second network device that sends the session setting request and the identification information of the network device that sends the predetermined process request are the same, the document management service fulfills the predetermined process request for the stored document.

84. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein the session information comprises an expiration time, and the session information is deleted after the expiration time thereof passes.

85. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the document management service, in response to receipt of a predetermined process request using the session identification information, updates the expiration time of the session information corresponding to the session identification information.

86. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein the predetermined process request is related to image formation.

87. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein the hardware set comprises:

scanner means for generating image data from an image; and

plotter means for forming an image from image data.

88. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein the second network device receives the access authentication identification information from the first network device.

89. A method of generating access authentication information for an image forming apparatus having a hardware set used for image formation and a program executed for image formation, the method comprising the steps of:

performing, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a predetermined process from a first external network device, authentication based on the authentication request, creating access authentication information for the predetermined process and access authentication identification information to identify the access authentication information based on a result of the authentication, and sending the access authentication identification information to the first network device; and

determining, in response to receipt of a session setting request including the access authentication identification information from a second external network device, the access authentication information corresponding to the access authentication identification information, storing the access authentication information in session information of a session established between the image forming apparatus and the second network device based on the session setting request, and sending session identification information to identify the session to the second network device.

90. A method of generating access authentication information for an image forming apparatus having a hardware set used for image formation, a program executed for image formation and document storage means for storing at least one document, the method comprising the steps of:

performing, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the document storage means from a first external network device, authentication based on the authentication request, creating access authentication information for the stored document and access authentication identification information to identify the access authentication information based on a result of the authentication, and sending the access authentication identification information to the first network device; and

determining, in response to receipt of a session setting request including the access authentication identification information from a second external network device, the access authentication information corresponding to the access authentication identification information, storing the access authentication information in session information of a session established between the image forming apparatus and the second network device based on the session setting request, and sending session identification information to identify the session to the second network device.

91. A system of generating access authentication information for a predetermined process, the system comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network; and

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one external network device via the network, the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a predetermined process from a first external network device, performing authentication based on the authentication request, creating access authentication information for the predetermined process and access authentication identification information to identify the access authentication information based on a result of the authentication, and sending the access authentication identification information to the first network device, whereas the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of a session setting request including the access authentication identification information from a second external network device, determining the access authentication information corresponding to the access authentication identification information, storing the access authentication information in session information of a session established between the image forming apparatus and the second network device based on the session setting request, and sending session identification information to identify the session to the second network device.

92. A system of generating access authentication information for a predetermined process, the system comprising:

at least one external network device being connected to a network;

an image forming apparatus being connected to the at least one external network device via the network, the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of an authentication request for a stored document in the image forming apparatus from a first external network device, performing authentication based on the authentication request, creating access authentication information for the stored document and access authentication identification information to identify the access authentication information based on a result of the authentication, and sending the access authentication identification information to the first network device, whereas the image forming apparatus, in response to receipt of a session setting request including the access authentication identification information from a second external network device, determining the access authentication information corresponding to the access authentication identification information, storing the access authentication information in session information of a session established between the image forming apparatus and the second network device based on the session setting request, and sending session identification information to identify the session to the second network device.