JP2008042460A - Communication control method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To limit an environment that can be used finely, by selecting which environment between IPv4 and IPv6 can be used in each function or each communication protocol. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus 21 capable of performing communication via a network can select and use one between IPv4 and IPv6 as a communication method, is provided with a set table, wherein whether to use IPv4, to use IPv6 or to use both of them are set in each use function, requested from the operation part of a PC 24 that is a terminal device or the image forming apparatus, and is used for communication which selects either IPv4 or IPv6, in accordance with the requested use function with reference to the set table to execute the requested function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control method and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a communication control method that enables selection between use of an IPv4 environment and an IPv6 environment, and an image forming apparatus such as a composite apparatus to which the communication control method is applied.

  In general, a composite apparatus as an image forming apparatus has a mail transmission function, a file transfer function, a printer function, and a communication function, and is configured to be able to use the Internet Protocol as the communication function and used for communication. It is also possible to handle various types of protocols. Protocols used on the Internet are shifting from Internet Protocol version 4 (hereinafter referred to as IPv4) to Internet Protocol version 6 (hereinafter referred to as IPv6).

  Conventionally, the IPv4 address space that has been generally used is 2 to the power of 32, that is, about 4 billion, whereas the IPv6 address space is 2 to the power of 128, that is, about 3.4 × 10. It has been expanded to 38th power. Having such a generous address space is said to be the greatest merit of IPv6. For example, in order to suppress the use of addresses in IPv4, a private address is used in a corporate network or a home network, and when connecting to the Internet, NAT (Network Address Transfer) that associates a private address with a global address is used. It was done. On the other hand, in IPv6 with abundant address space, private addresses and NATs can be eliminated. Furthermore, since there are plenty of addresses in IPv6, a single terminal can have a plurality of IPv6 addresses.

  IPv6 with the characteristics described above can be used in combination with IPv4, and it is the most frequently used that IPv6 and IPv4 are used together before the full transition to IPv6. It is expected to become a way of being. The use of IPv4 and IPv6 coexisting can be made possible to coexist without being conscious of the application by a tunneling technique to IPv4 IPv6 packets.

For example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known as a conventional technique related to a composite apparatus having a mail transmission function, a file transfer function, a printer function, and a communication function, and a communication method using an IP protocol. As the related art, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 2 is known.
JP-A-2005-45301 JP 2005-65049 A

  Conventionally, a device configured to be able to use both IPv4 and IPv6 can use both protocols for all functions, and uses IPv4 and IPv6 depending on the destination without being aware of the application. Yes.

  By the way, IPv6 is provided with an encryption technique called IPsec, and processing may take time due to the encryption processing. On the other hand, since IPv4 does not perform encryption processing, an early response can be expected. Each of IPv6 and IPv4 has the characteristics as described above.

  However, a conventional apparatus configured to be able to use both IPv4 and IPv6 is configured to connect using IPv4 to execute a function for which a quick response is desired, and to connect using IPv6 for executing a function for which attention is paid to security. It has a problem that it cannot be used properly.

  Further, when looking at devices that can be connected to a device configured to be able to use both IPv4 and IPv6, there are PC and server environments that can be used only in the IPv4 environment, and there are PC and server environments that can be used only in the IPv6 environment. However, there is a problem that a conventional device configured to be able to use both IPv4 and IPv6 cannot select which environment of IPv4 or IPv6 can be used for each function or for each communication protocol. Have.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problems in the conventional apparatus configured to be able to use both IPv4 and IPv6 as described above, and to determine which environment of IPv4 and IPv6 can be used for each function or To provide a communication control method that can be selected for each communication protocol, can restrict the environment that can be used in detail, and can improve the operability from the viewpoint of security, and an image forming apparatus to which this communication control method is applied. It is in.

  In order to achieve the above-described object of the present invention, a first means of the present invention is a communication control method in an image forming apparatus connectable to a terminal device via a network, wherein the image forming apparatus uses IPv4 as a communication method. Either IPv6 or IPv6 can be selected and used, and either IPv4 or IPv6 is used for each usage function requested from the terminal device or the operation unit of the image forming apparatus. A setting table that sets whether or not it is possible is provided, and one of IPv4 and IPv6 is selected according to a requested use function with reference to the setting table, and used for communication for executing the requested function. .

  Further, according to a second means of the present invention, in the first means, when there is a function use request from the terminal device, the terminal device making the request uses the address of the terminal device making the request. The communication method used is determined to be IPv4 or IPv6, it is determined whether the communication method used by the terminal device can be used to use the requested function with reference to the setting table, and the communication method is available In addition, the use of the function using the communication method used by the terminal device is permitted.

  According to a third means of the present invention, in the first means, when there is a function use request from the operation unit, the partner terminal device uses the address of the partner terminal device with which the other party communicates. When the communication method is determined to be IPv4 or IPv6, it is determined whether the communication method used by the counterpart terminal device can be used to use the requested function by referring to the setting table, and the communication method is available In addition, the use of the function using the communication method used by the counterpart terminal device is permitted.

  Further, the fourth means of the present invention provides a warning message to the user that the operation is for an unauthorized function when the second or third means is not usable in the determination. It is characterized by displaying.

  According to a fifth means of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth means, the use function is one of a printer function, a Web function, a folder function, a mail function, and a FAX function. It is characterized by being.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the communication control method in the image forming apparatus connectable to the terminal device via the network, the image forming apparatus selects and uses one of IPv4 and IPv6 as the communication method. A setting table that sets whether to use either IPv4 or IPv6 for each communication protocol used for communication requesting the use of the function from the terminal device. And setting one of IPv4 and IPv6 according to the communication protocol used for the request with reference to the setting table, and using it for the communication for executing the requested function.

  Further, according to a seventh means of the present invention, in the sixth means, when there is a function use request from the terminal device, the terminal device making the request uses the address of the terminal device making the request. A communication method used by the terminal device is a communication protocol used for communication that determines whether the communication method is IPv4 or IPv6 and requests the use of the function from the terminal device with reference to the setting table. It is determined whether it can be used, and when it is available, the use of the function using the communication method used by the terminal device is permitted.

  Further, the eighth means of the present invention displays a warning message to the user that the operation is for a function that is not permitted when the seventh means does not permit the use in the seventh means. It is characterized by.

  According to a ninth means of the present invention, in the sixth, seventh or eighth means, the communication protocol is one of LPR, HTML, SMTP, and SMB.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus connectable to a terminal device via a network, wherein the image forming apparatus can select and use either IPv4 or IPv6 as a communication method. A setting table that sets whether to use either IPv4 or IPv6 for each use function requested from the terminal device or the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, and the setting table And selecting one of IPv4 and IPv6 according to the requested use function and using it for communication for executing the requested function.

  Further, according to an eleventh means of the present invention, in the tenth means, when there is a function use request from the terminal device, the terminal device making the request uses the address of the terminal device making the request. Means for determining whether the communication method used is IPv4 or IPv6, means for determining whether the communication method used by the terminal device can be used to use the function requested by referring to the setting table, and usable And a means for permitting the use of a function using a communication method used by the terminal device.

  According to a twelfth means of the present invention, in the tenth means, when there is a function use request from the operation unit, the partner terminal device uses the address of the partner terminal device with which the other party communicates. A means for determining whether the communication method is IPv4 or IPv6; a means for determining whether the communication method used by the counterpart terminal device can be used to use the function requested by referring to the setting table; And a means for permitting the use of the function using the communication method used by the counterpart terminal device.

  Further, the thirteenth means of the present invention provides a warning message to the user that the operation is not permitted for the function that is not permitted in the eleventh or twelfth means when the judgment is not possible. It has the means to display, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a fourteenth means of the present invention, in any one of the tenth to thirteenth means, the use function is one of a printer function, a Web function, a folder function, a mail function, and a FAX function. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus connectable to a terminal device via a network, the image forming apparatus can select and use one of IPv4 and IPv6 as a communication method. A setting table that sets whether to use either IPv4 or IPv6 for each communication protocol used for the communication requesting the use of the function from the terminal device, One of IPv4 and IPv6 is selected according to the communication protocol used for the request with reference to the table, and used for communication for executing the requested function.

  According to a sixteenth means of the present invention, in the fifteenth means, when there is a request for use of a function from the terminal device, the requesting terminal device uses the requesting terminal device's address. A communication protocol used in the terminal device is a communication protocol used for determining whether the communication method is IPv4 or IPv6 and a communication requesting the use of a function from the terminal device with reference to the setting table It is characterized by comprising means for determining whether or not a method can be used and means for permitting the use of a function using a communication method used by the terminal device when the method is available.

  The seventeenth means of the present invention is a means for displaying, in the sixteenth means, a warning message to the user indicating that the operation is not permitted for the function when it is not available in the determination. It is characterized by providing.

  According to an eighteenth means of the present invention, in the fifteenth, sixteenth or seventeenth means, the communication protocol is one of LPR, HTML, SMTP, and SMB.

  According to the present invention, which environment can be used between IPv4 and IPv6 can be selected for each function or for each communication protocol, and the environment that can be used in detail can be restricted. Operability can be improved.

  Embodiments of a communication control method and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration example of a network environment in which an image forming apparatus using a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is present. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, an NV-RAM 4, a panel control unit 5, an operation panel 6, an engine control unit 7, a scan / print engine 8, a disk driver 9, a storage device 10, A modem 11, an external I / F 12, and a communication control unit 13 are included, and these components are connected via a data bus 14. In addition, each part of ROM2 thru | or the communication control part 13 is located under control of CPU1.

  As described above, the ROM 2 stores program codes, fonts, and other static data. The RAM 3 functions as a work memory for the CPU 1 and is used as a temporary storage location. The NV-RAM 4 stores data that requires non-volatility. The panel control unit 5 and the operation panel 6 manage the user interface. The engine control unit 7 and the scan / print engine 8 execute reading of a paper document and printing on a transfer paper as image data input / output units. The disk driver 9 and the storage device 10 such as a hard disk accumulate a large amount of image data and store a database. The communication control unit 13 is connected to a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and enables communication with an external device. The modem 11 is connected to a public line and is used for communication with an external device. The external I / F 12 is used for communication using an interface such as Centronics or RS232, and the data bus 14 is used for communication between the various devices described above and between the CPU 1 and each device.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the network environment in which the image forming apparatus configured as described above exists is configured such that the image forming apparatus 21 described above is connected to a PC 24 or the like that is a plurality of terminal devices via an in-house LAN 23. An environment such as an in-company network system 20 that is connectable and includes a mail server 22 and can be connected to a large number of PCs 26 via an external network such as the Internet 25 connected to the mail server 22. It is.

  In the network environment as described above, the user accesses the image forming apparatus 21 from the PC 24 in the company, uses the printer function of the image forming apparatus 21, or uses the Web function to perform various operations of the image forming apparatus 21. The setting information can be referred to or changed, or the image data scanned by the image forming apparatus 21 can be taken in using the folder function. In addition, the user uses the mail function of the image forming apparatus 21 to send an e-mail to which data held in the image forming apparatus 21 or scanned image data is pasted via the mail server 22 and the Internet 25 to the outside. Can be transmitted to the PC 26 or the like.

  The embodiment of the present invention can use either IPv4 or IPv6 for communication when using various functions of the image forming apparatus 21 as described above, or can use either of them. Can be selected for each function. Also, according to the embodiment of the present invention, which of IPv4 and IPv6 is used for communication for each communication protocol such as HTML and SMTP when using various functions of the image forming apparatus 21. Alternatively, it is possible to select for each function whether or not either of them can be used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a management table in which the use of IPv4 and the use of IPv6 are allowed for each function to be used, and both are allowed (coexistence), and FIG. 4 is the use of IPv4 for each communication protocol when using the function. It is a figure which shows the example of the management table which defined whether use of IPv6 or both is possible (coexistence).

  The management table 30 that defines the use of IPv4 and the use of IPv6 for each function shown in FIG. 3 (coexistence) can be used when the image forming apparatus 21 is used from the PC 24. FIG. 3 is a table in which it is assumed that the folder function is to be used, and for each of these functions, which of IPv4 and IPv6 is used as the Internet protocol, or which of these functions can be used. Coexistence, IPv4, IPv6, and coexistence are defined in order for each of the printer function, Web function, mail function, and folder function. These settings are not limited to the illustrated example, and are arbitrary, and are optimally set by a system administrator or the like.

  The management table 40 that defines the use of IPv4 or IPv6 for each communication protocol when using the functions of the image forming apparatus 21 shown in FIG. If the communication protocol at this time is LPR, HTML, SMTP, SMB, it is set whether to use either IPv4 or IPv6 as the Internet protocol for each of these communication protocols. In the example shown in FIG. 4, coexistence, IPv4, IPv6, and coexistence are defined in order for each communication protocol of LPR, HTML, SMTP, and SMB. These settings are not limited to the illustrated example, and are arbitrary, and are optimally set by a system administrator or the like.

  The management tables 30 and 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 only need to be stored and managed in the NV-RAM 4 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation in the image forming apparatus when the use of IPv4 and the use of IPv6 are allowed for each function (coexistence) is set. Next, this will be described. The processing here is processing by the CPU 1 executing an application stored as a program in the ROM 2 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

(1) The application in the image forming apparatus waits for an access request. When there is an access request, the application determines whether the access request is an access for using the printer function (steps 501 and 502). ).

(2) If it is determined in step 502 that the access request is an access for using the printer function, whether the address of the client 24 such as the PC 24 that made the access request, that is, the source address uses IPv6. It is determined whether or not (step 503).

(3) If it is determined in step 503 that the source address uses IPv6, the management table 30 is referenced to determine whether IPv6 can be used to use the requested function. If it is possible, the requested function is executed using IPv6 and the process is terminated (steps 504 and 505).

(4) If it is determined in step 504 that IPv6 cannot be used to use the requested function, a warning message indicating that the operation for using the requested function is prohibited in IPv6 is displayed in html. Etc., which are returned to the client and displayed to prevent normal operation, and the processing here ends (step 506).

(5) If it is determined in step 503 that the source address does not use IPv6, the source address uses IPv4. Therefore, referring to the management table 30, the requested function is used for IPv4. If it is possible to use IPv4, the requested function is executed using IPv4 and the processing here is terminated (steps 507 and 508).

(6) If it is determined in step 507 that IPv4 cannot be used to use the requested function, a warning message indicating that the operation for using the requested function is prohibited in IPv4 is displayed in html. Etc., and this is returned to the client and displayed so as not to perform a normal operation, and the processing here ends (step 509).

(7) If it is determined in step 502 that the access request is not an access for using the printer function, it is determined whether the access request is an access for using the Web function, and an access for using the Web function is determined. If so, the processing returns to step 503 and the subsequent processing is performed (step 510).

(8) If it is determined in step 510 that the access request is not an access for using the Web function, it is determined whether the access request is an access for using the folder function, and an access for using the folder function is determined. If so, the processing returns to step 503 and the subsequent processing is performed (step 511).

(9) If it is determined in step 511 that the access request is not an access for using the folder function, in the example described, the access request is an access for using the mail function from the operation unit or the like of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is determined whether the address of the mail transmission destination PC 26 uses IPv6 or whether the mail server 22 uses IPv6 (step 512).

(10) If it is determined in step 512 that the mail transmission destination address or mail server uses IPv6, the management table 30 is referenced to determine whether IPv6 can be used to use the mail function. Is available, the requested function is executed using IPv6, and the processing here ends (steps 513 and 514).

(11) If it is determined in step 513 that IPv6 cannot be used to use the requested function, a warning message indicating that the operation for using the requested mail function is prohibited in IPv6. It is described in html or the like, and this is returned to the client and displayed so as not to perform a normal operation, and the processing here is terminated (step 515).

(12) If it is determined in step 512 that the mail transmission destination address or mail server does not use IPv6, IPv4 is used, so the management table 30 is referred to and the requested mail function is used. If it is possible to use IPv4, the requested function is executed using IPv4 and the process is terminated (steps 516 and 517).

(13) If it is determined in step 516 that IPv4 cannot be used to use the requested mail function, a warning message indicating that the operation for using the mail function is prohibited in IPv4, etc. This is returned to the client and displayed so as not to perform a normal operation, and the processing here ends (step 518).

  In the processing by the mail function described above, when transmitting, the destination address is checked using DNS to determine whether to use IPv4 or IPv6. In addition, the mail function can be restricted depending on the SMTP server to be connected.

  Although the processing described above has been described on the assumption that the image forming apparatus requires four functions, the required functions may have other functions such as FAX other than those described above. This can be dealt with by adding processing for the function to the flow described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation in the image forming apparatus when the use of IPv4 or the use of IPv6 is allowed (coexistence) for each communication protocol. Next, this will be described. Note that the processing here is also processing by the CPU 1 executing an application stored as a program in the ROM 2 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, as in the case of FIG.

(1) The application in the image forming apparatus waits for an access request. When there is an access request, the application determines whether the communication protocol used for the access request is LPR (steps 601 and 602). ).

(2) If it is determined in step 602 that the communication protocol used for the access request is LPR, whether the address of the client such as the PC 24 that made the access request, that is, the source address uses IPv6 It is determined whether or not (step 603).

(3) If it is determined in step 603 that the source address uses IPv6, the management table 40 is referred to, and it is determined whether IPv6 can be used for the subsequent communication using the protocol that made the access request. If it is possible to use IPv6, communication is performed using IPv6, and the processing here ends (steps 604 and 605).

(4) If it is determined in step 604 that IPv6 cannot be used for the subsequent communication, a warning message is written in html or the like indicating that the operation using the communication protocol that requested the access is prohibited in IPv6. This is returned to the client and displayed so as not to perform a normal operation, and the processing here is terminated (step 606).

(5) If it is determined in step 603 that the source address does not use IPv6, since the source address uses IPv4, the management table 40 is referred to and the protocol that made the access request is used. It is determined whether or not IPv4 can be used for the subsequent communication. If IPv4 can be used, communication is performed using IPv4, and the processing here ends (steps 607 and 608).

(6) If it is determined in step 707 that IPv4 cannot be used for the subsequent communication, a warning message is written in html or the like indicating that the operation according to the communication protocol that requested the access is prohibited in IPv6. This is returned to the client and displayed so as not to perform a normal operation, and the processing here is terminated (step 609).

(7) If the communication protocol used for the access request is not LPR in the determination of step 602, it is determined whether the communication protocol used for the access request is HTML and used for the access request. If the communication protocol is HTML, processing returns to step 603 and subsequent processing is performed (step 610).

(8) If it is determined in step 610 that the communication protocol used for the access request is not HTML, it is determined whether the communication protocol used for the access request is SMTP and used for the access request. If the communication protocol is SMTP, the process returns to step 603 to perform the subsequent processes (step 611).

(9) If it is determined in step 611 that the communication protocol used for the access request is not SMTP, it is determined whether the communication protocol used for the access request is SMB. If the communication protocol is SMB, the processing returns to step 603 and the subsequent processing is performed (step 612).

  The processing described above has been described on the assumption that there are four communication protocols used for accessing the image forming apparatus. However, there may be other protocols other than those described above. Can be dealt with by adding processing for the protocol to the flow described with reference to FIG.

  In the processing flow of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described above, a warning text indicating that the operation is prohibited in the processing of steps 506, 509, 515, 518, 606, and 609 is described in html and the like. If you do not allow normal operation by returning to the display, you may be able to print a report that an unauthorized operation has been instructed in the report, and in the log, the operation that is not permitted. It is also possible to describe that there was an instruction.

  5 and FIG. 6, the processing is performed by selecting whether to use IPv4 or IPv6 for each function to be used and for each communication protocol for using the function. As described above, the present invention can be executed by combining these processes. In that case, it is only necessary to refer to both the management tables 30 and 40 and select IPv4 and IPv6 that can be used in accordance with the function and the communication protocol.

  Each process in the above-described embodiment of the present invention is configured by a program and can be executed by a CPU included in the present invention. These programs are stored in a recording medium such as an FD, CDROM, or DVD. It can be provided and can be provided by digital information via a network.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network environment in which an image forming apparatus using a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present invention exists. It is a figure which shows the example of the management table which defined whether use of IPv4 and use of IPv6 are possible (coexistence) for every function to utilize. It is a figure which shows the example of the management table which defined the use of IPv4 for each communication protocol at the time of using a function, and the use of IPv6. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing operations in the image forming apparatus when the use of IPv4 and the use of IPv6 are allowed (coexistence) for each function. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing operations in the image forming apparatus when IPv4 use or IPv6 use is allowed (coexistence) is set for each communication protocol.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
4 NV-RAM
5 Panel Control Unit 6 Operation Panel 7 Engine Control Unit 8 Scan / Print Engine 9 Disk Driver 10 Storage Device 11 Modem 12 External I / F
13 Communication Control Unit 20 Corporate Network System 21 Image Forming Device 22 Mail Server 23 Corporate LAN
24, 26 PC
25 Internet

Claims (18)

  In a communication control method in an image forming apparatus connectable to a terminal device via a network, the image forming device can select one of IPv4 and IPv6 as a communication method and can be used from the terminal device or For each use function requested from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, there is provided a setting table that sets whether to use IPv4 or IPv6, and the use requested by referring to the setting table. A communication control method characterized in that one of IPv4 and IPv6 is selected according to a function and used for communication for executing a requested function.   When there is a function use request from the terminal device, it is determined whether the communication method used by the requesting terminal device is IPv4 or IPv6 based on the address of the requesting terminal device, and refers to the setting table It is determined whether the communication method used by the terminal device can be used to use the requested function, and when the function is available, the function using the communication method used by the terminal device is determined. The communication control method according to claim 1, wherein use is permitted.   When there is a function use request from the operation unit, it is determined whether the communication method used by the partner terminal device is IPv4 or IPv6 based on the address of the partner terminal device that is the communication partner, and the setting table is referred to. A function using the communication method used by the partner terminal device when the communication method used by the partner terminal device is available for use of the requested function. The communication control method according to claim 1, further comprising:   4. The communication control method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the determination is impossible, a warning message indicating that the operation is for an unauthorized function is displayed to the user.   5. The communication control method according to claim 1, wherein the use function is one of a printer function, a Web function, a folder function, a mail function, and a FAX function.   In a communication control method in an image forming apparatus connectable to a terminal device via a network, the image forming device can select and use either IPv4 or IPv6 as a communication method. For each communication protocol used for the communication requesting the use of the function, a setting table is set for setting whether IPv4 or IPv6 can be used, and the setting table is referred to and used for the request. A communication control method, wherein one of IPv4 and IPv6 is selected according to a communication protocol and used for communication for executing a requested function.   When there is a function use request from the terminal device, it is determined whether the communication method used by the requesting terminal device is IPv4 or IPv6 based on the address of the requesting terminal device, and refers to the setting table The communication protocol used for the communication requesting the use of the function from the terminal device determines whether the communication method used in the terminal device can be used. 7. The communication control method according to claim 6, wherein the use of the function using the communication method used by the apparatus is permitted.   The communication control method according to claim 7, wherein, if the use is not possible in the determination, a caution message indicating that the operation is for an unauthorized function is displayed to the user.   9. The communication control method according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the communication protocol is one of LPR, HTML, SMTP, and SMB.   In an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a terminal device via a network, the image forming device can select one of IPv4 and IPv6 as a communication method, and can be used from the terminal device or the image forming device. For each use function requested by the operation unit, a setting table is set in which whether IPv4 is used or IPv6 is used, and IPv4 and IPv4 are determined according to the requested use function by referring to the setting table. An image forming apparatus that is used for communication for selecting one of IPv6 and executing a requested function.   Means for determining whether the communication method used by the requesting terminal device is IPv4 or IPv6 based on the address of the requesting terminal device when there is a function usage request from the terminal device; Means for determining whether or not a communication method used by the terminal device can be used to use a function requested with reference to a communication method used by the terminal device when available. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising means for permitting use of the used function.   When there is a function use request from the operation unit, means for determining whether the communication method used by the partner terminal device is IPv4 or IPv6 based on the address of the partner terminal device that is the partner of communication, and the setting table Means for determining whether or not a communication method used by the counterpart terminal device can be used to use a function requested by reference; and a communication method used by the counterpart terminal device when it is available The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a unit that permits use of a function using the function.   13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for displaying, to the user, a caution message indicating that the operation is for an unauthorized function when the determination indicates that the function is not available. .   14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the use function is one of a printer function, a Web function, a folder function, a mail function, and a FAX function.   In an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a terminal device via a network, the image forming device can select one of IPv4 and IPv6 as a communication method and use the function from the terminal device. Each communication protocol used for the requested communication has a setting table that sets whether to use IPv4 or IPv6, and the communication protocol used for the request by referring to the setting table The image forming apparatus is used for communication for executing a requested function by selecting one of IPv4 and IPv6.   Means for determining whether the communication method used by the requesting terminal device is IPv4 or IPv6 based on the address of the requesting terminal device when there is a function usage request from the terminal device; The communication protocol used for the communication requesting the use of the function from the terminal device with reference to the means for determining whether the communication method used in the terminal device is usable, and 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising means for permitting use of a function using a communication method used by the terminal device.   17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for displaying, to the user, a caution message indicating that the operation is not permitted for a function that is not permitted when the determination indicates that the function is not available. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the communication protocol is one of LPR, HTML, SMTP, and SMB.

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