Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an authentication information unit including login information of a user and an authentication key; an authentication key providing unit including the authentication key; functional units; and a functional-unit authentication unit including authentication information of the functional units and a first verification unit configured to determine whether the functional units are authenticated. Each of the functional units includes an authentication key obtaining unit for obtaining the authentication key from the authentication key providing unit if the first verification unit determines that the functional unit is authenticated.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an authentication information unit including login information of a user and an authentication key; an authentication key providing unit including the authentication key; functional units; and a functional-unit authentication unit including authentication information of the functional units and a first verification unit configured to determine whether the functional units are authenticated. Each of the functional units includes an authentication key obtaining unit for obtaining the authentication key from the authentication key providing unit if the first verification unit determines that the functional unit is authenticated.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed that is able to simplify customization of the display screen of an operational panel. The image forming device includes a unit for managing, in connection with each of plural display screen images to be displayed on the operational panel, composition information of displaying parts to be arranged on each of the display screen images; a unit for managing arrangement information of the displaying parts on each of the display screen images; a unit for managing displaying part data of each of the displaying parts; and a display control unit for acquiring the composition information and the arrangement information corresponding to the display screen image to be displayed, the displaying part data of the displaying part being defined by the composition information, and arranging the acquired displaying part in accordance with the arrangement information.