User account management based on blockchain in image forming device

A non-transitory computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable recording mediums having recorded thereon instructions, which, when executed by a computer, perform an operating method of an image forming device, the product comprising:

• instructions to receive first authentication information of a first user with respect to the image forming device;
• instructions to authenticate the first authentication information of the first user, based on reference account information of a plurality of users, the reference account information being stored in a storage based on a blockchain that distributes and manages a ledger in which user account information including authentication information and authority information of a user with respect to a certain image forming device has been recorded;
• instructions to, when the authentication of the first user is completed, receive a request to perform a first image forming job;
• and
• instructions to evaluate first authority information indicating an authority range of the first user, based on the reference account information of the plurality of users, and perform the first image forming job within the authority range of the first user.

An image forming device comprising:

• a communication device;
• a user interface device;
• a storage;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing instructions executable by the processor,
• wherein the processor is to execute the instructions to:
• receive first authentication information of a first user with respect to the image forming device, through the communication device;
• authenticate the first authentication information of the first user, based on reference account information of a plurality of users, the reference account information being stored in the storage based on a blockchain that distributes and manages a ledger in which user account information including authentication information and authority information of a user with respect to a certain image forming device has been recorded;
• when authentication of the first user is completed, receive a request to perform a first image forming job, through the user interface device;
• and
• evaluate first authority information indicating an authority range of the first user, based on the reference account information of the plurality of users, and perform the first image forming job within the authority range of the first user.