Image processing apparatus, image processing control method and computer readable medium

An image processing control method comprising:

• performing predetermined processing under the control of an information processing unit;
• performing an operation of reading authentication information at intervals of a predetermined time under the control of the information processing unit, such that the intervals are shorter when the reading begins than when a processing status is set to an active status;
• authenticating a user based on the authentication information read under the control of the information processing unit;
• permitting the predetermined processing to be performed on the condition that the authenticating is completed;
• setting the status of processing to the active status when the predetermined processing is permitted;
• and
• changing the time interval to perform the reading operation in accordance with the status of processing to be executed, including changing the time interval to a longer interval when the predetermined processing is permitted to be performed by the processing unit as compared to when the predetermined processing is not permitted.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for image processing control, the process comprising:

• performing predetermined processing under the control of an information processing unit;
• performing an operation of reading authentication information at intervals of a predetermined time under the control of the information processing unit, such that the intervals are shorter when the reading begins than when a processing status is set to an active status;
• authenticating a user based on the authentication information read under the control of the information processing unit;
• permitting the predetermined processing to be performed on the condition that the authenticating is completed;
• setting the status of processing to the active status when the predetermined processing is permitted;
• and
• changing the time interval to perform the reading operation in accordance with the status of processing to be executed, including changing the time interval to a longer interval when predetermined processing is permitted to be performed by the processing unit as compared to when the predetermined processing is not permitted.