Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, storage medium, and information processing system

An information processing apparatus configured to execute at least one function, comprising:

• a memory configured to store;
• a plurality of pieces of identification information identifying a plurality of external storage media, respectively, and
• a plurality of first codes in relation with the plurality of pieces of identification information, respectively;
• and
• a processor configured
• to obtain a second code from a target storage medium out of the plurality of external storage media via a network, the target storage medium being an authentication-target,
• to verify the obtained second code against a first code of the plurality of first codes in relation with a piece of identification information of the target storage medium to authenticate the second code, and
• to, when the second code is authenticated,
• output a first GUI (Graphical User Interface) for setting a predetermined function out of the at least one function,
• allow execution of the predetermined function set by using the first GUI,
• update the first code stored in the memory with another first code, the first code being in relation with the identification information of the target storage medium,
• update, via the network, the second code stored in the target storage medium with another second code such that authentication based on the updated first code succeeds,
• output a second GUI for setting up an external storage medium, verification of the external storage medium being disabled, out of the plurality of external storage media, and
• store, in the memory,
• a piece of identification information of the external storage medium,
• disablement of verification of the external storage medium being set by using the second GUI, and
• information on disablement of verification in association with each other.

An information processing method, executed by a computer configured to execute at least one function, the method comprising:

• storing;
• a plurality of pieces of identification information identifying a plurality of external storage media, respectively, and
• a plurality of first codes in relation with the plurality of pieces of identification information, respectively;
• obtaining a second code from a target storage medium out of the plurality of external storage media, the target storage medium being an authentication-target;
• verifying the obtained second code against a first code of the plurality of first codes in relation with a piece of identification information of the target storage medium to authenticate the second code;
• and
• when the second code is authenticated,
• outputting a first GUI (Graphical User Interface) for setting a predetermined function out of the at least one function,
• allowing execution of the predetermined function set by using the first GUI,
• updating the stored first code with another first code, the first code being in relation with the identification information of the target storage medium,
• updating the second code stored in the target storage medium with another second code such that authentication based on the updated first code succeeds,
• outputting a second GUI for setting up an external storage medium, verification of the external storage medium being disabled, out of the plurality of external storage media, and
• storing a piece of identification information of the external storage medium, disablement of verification of the external storage medium being set by using the second GUI, and information on disablement of verification in association with each other.

A non-transient computer readable storage medium that stores a computer program, the computer program, when executed by a processor, causing a computer to perform a process comprising:

• storing;
• a plurality of pieces of identification information identifying a plurality of external storage media, respectively, and
• a plurality of first codes in relation with the plurality of pieces of identification information, respectively;
• obtaining a second code from a target storage medium out of the plurality of external storage media, the target storage medium being an authentication-target;
• verifying the obtained second code against a first code of the plurality of first codes in relation with a piece of identification information of the target storage medium to authenticate the second code;
• and
• when the second code is authenticated,
• outputting a first GUI (Graphical User Interface) for setting a predetermined function out of the at least one function,
• allowing execution of the predetermined function set by using the first GUI,
• updating the stored first code with another first code, the first code being in relation with the identification information of the target storage medium,
• updating the second code stored in the target storage medium with another second code such that authentication based on the updated first code succeeds,
• outputting a second GUI for setting up the external storage medium, verification of an external storage medium being disabled, out of the plurality of external storage media, and
• storing a piece of identification information of the external storage medium, disablement of verification of the external storage medium being set by using the second GUI, and information on disablement of verification in association with each other.

An information processing system, comprising:

• an information processing apparatus configured to execute at least one function;
• and
• a plurality of external storage media, wherein
• each of the plurality of the external storage media is configured to store a unique first authentication code, and
• the information processing apparatus includes
• a memory configured to store,
• a plurality of pieces of identification information identifying the plurality of external storage media, respectively, and
• a plurality of second authentication codes in relation with the plurality of pieces of identification information, respectively, and
• a processor configured
• to obtain a first authentication code from a target storage medium out of the plurality of external storage media, the target storage medium being an authentication-target,
• to verify the obtained first authentication code against a second authentication code of the plurality of second authentication codes in relation with a piece of identification information of the target storage medium to authenticate the first authentication code, and
• to, when the first authentication code is authenticated,
• output a first GUI (Graphical User Interface) for setting a predetermined function out of the at least one function,
• allow execution of the predetermined function set by using the first GUI,
• update the second authentication code stored in the memory with another second authentication code, the second authentication code being in relation with the identification information of the target storage medium,
• update the first authentication code stored in the target storage medium with another first authentication code such that authentication based on the updated second authentication code succeeds,
• output a second GUI for setting up an external storage medium, verification of the external storage medium being disabled, out of the plurality of external storage media, and
• store, in the memory, a piece of identification information of the external storage medium, disablement of verification of the external storage medium being set by using the second GUI, and information on disablement of verification in association with each other.