Image forming apparatus, access control method, and computer-readable recording medium recording access control program

An image forming apparatus comprising a communication interface for accessing Web addresses;

• a memory for storing predetermined addresses;
• a first determination unit for determining whether said image forming apparatus is in a first state that access of said image forming apparatus is limited to said predetermined addresses or a second state that said image forming apparatus is permitted to access any addresses;
• a second determination unit for determining whether a designated address is included in said predetermined addresses, when said first determination unit determines that said image forming apparatus is in said first state;
• a permission unit for giving to said communication interface permission to access said designated address, when said second determination unit determines that said designated address is included in said predetermined addresses;
• a printer for printing out an image based on image data received by said communication interface;
• and a counter for keeping a count of printed sheets of paper at the time when said printer prints, wherein when said first determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus is in the first state, said counter does not keep a count of printed sheets of paper based on said image data received by said communication interface, wherein in said first state, use of said Web browser is permitted during only a predetermined period, and in said second state, the use of said Web browser is not restricted.

An access control method in an image forming apparatus including a communication interface for accessing Web addresses, and a memory for storing predetermined addresses, comprising the steps of:

• determining whether said image forming apparatus is in a first state that access of said image forming apparatus is limited to said predetermined addresses or a second state that said image forming apparatus is permitted to access any addresses;
• determining whether a designated address is included in said predetermined addresses, when said image forming apparatus is in the first state;
• giving to said communication interface permission to access the designated address, when said designated address is included in said predetermined addresses;
• printing out an image based on image data received by said communication interface;
• keeping a count of printed sheets of paper that is not based on image data received by said communication interface, when the image forming apparatus is in said first state;
• and keeping a count of printed sheets of paper, when the image forming apparatus is in said second state, wherein in said first state, use of Web browser is permitted during only a predetermined period, and in said second state, the use of said Web browser is not restricted.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recording an access control program executed by an image forming apparatus including a processor, a communication interface for accessing Web addresses, and a memory for storing predetermined addresses, said access control program causing said processor to execute the steps of:

• determining whether said image forming apparatus is in a first state that access of said image forming apparatus is limited to said predetermined addresses or a second state that said image forming apparatus is permitted to access any addresses;
• determining whether a designated address is included in said predetermined addresses, when said image forming apparatus is in the first state;
• giving to said communication interface permission to access the designated address, when said designated address is included in said predetermined addresses;
• printing out an image based on image data received by said communication interface;
• keeping a count of printed sheets of paper that is not based on image data received by said communication interface, when the image forming apparatus is in said first state;
• and keeping a count of printed sheets of paper, when the image forming apparatus is in said second state, wherein in said first state, use of Web browser is permitted during only a predetermined period, and in said second state, the use of said Web browser is not restricted.