JP2005085119A - Printing support system, printing support server, printing processing apparatus, printing support method, printing processing method, printing support program and printing processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and appropriately protect the publicity of an authentic author of an image, anticipation right of a user who requests the acquisition of the image, and the value of the image. <P>SOLUTION: A printing support server 110 generates an encryption key 1500 that is a pass phrase of pixel values, obtained from an enumeration of dots of signature or seal impression image data 1402, and encrypts image data 1401 (S905). The encrypted image data 1501 are sent to a printing processing apparatus 120 (S906). After a settlement confirmation, the signature or seal impression image data 1402, to which the encryption key 1500 is attached, are sent to the printing processing apparatus 120 (S908). The printing processing apparatus 120 decrypts the encrypted image data 1501 first received with the received encryption key 1500 (S1013). The decrypted image data 1401 and the signature or seal impression image data 1402 are composited to generate print image data 1403. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print support system, a print support server, a print processing apparatus, a print support method, a print processing method, a print support program, and a print processing program for printing an image such as an advertisement or a content image.

  Currently, advertisements of various companies are posted or broadcast using media such as street posters, newspapers, and TV commercials. Such company advertisements are created at a high cost, and this tendency is particularly noticeable in mature industries. Famous directors, creators, photographers, artists, talents, etc. are used to create this advertisement. In addition, the content of advertisements is also creative and many are of high quality, and the recent trend is that there are more advertisements that promote the image of companies and products than just ads that explain the content of products.

  Such an advertisement is produced, for example, with the intention of making the advertisement CM stand out and aiming for the advertising effect when watching TV, and the advertisement image itself has become valuable. For example, for a poster on which a famous talent is posted, the poster itself has the value of a valuable product due to the limited number of pages. Since such advertisements are not premised on distribution, they are generally not available, and many people are eager to obtain them.

  Therefore, it is produced in anticipation of the quality of the final image display or printout, and it is produced in a limited manner, so it is not possible to publish advertisement image data simply via a network etc. In order to appropriately convey such advertisements to the user, print quality that can be printed out as intended by the production side is required.

  In addition to such advertisements, content images provided on broadcasts and networks, such as paintings, photographs, gravure, and posters, have the value of valuable products as well as the above-mentioned advertisements. By distributing it on the network, it contributes to increasing the name recognition of the author.

  In addition, since a communication environment such as the Internet in recent years has been established, an advertisement system and the like for performing advertisement via the Internet have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2002-268596 A

  However, the authors of the advertisements and content images (hereinafter simply referred to as “images”) sign the advertisements created by the authors themselves to distribute or publish the images and There is a demand to improve the name recognition.

  In addition, when image data converted into an image without any restrictions is distributed or published, the signature of the true author described in the image is forged by altering the image data, or a different author May be written, and the true author may not be protected.

  In addition, when a user wants to obtain an image of a favorite author or a famous author, the user may obtain the image based on the signature of the author, in particular, the more famous the author is, Such an acquisition request is remarkable. Therefore, when the author's book name is falsified as described above, an image in which the signature of a different author is written is printed with the falsified image data, which results in disappointing the user's expectation.

  As described above, it is important for the author and the user who obtains the image to write the author's signature on the image. However, in the above-described advertising system using the Internet or the like, the interests of the author and the user are protected. Is difficult.

  In order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, the present invention can easily and appropriately protect the visibility of a legitimate author of an image, the right of expectation of a user who requests acquisition of the image, and the value of the image. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print support system, a print support server, a print processing apparatus, a print support method, a print processing method, a print support program, and a print processing program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the printing support system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides printing that supplies image data of an image to be printed from a printing support server to a print processing apparatus via a network. In the support system, the print support server includes author information storage means for storing signature or seal image data representing an image such as a signature or seal of the author who created the image to be printed, and the author An image data encryption unit that generates an encryption key based on the signature or imprint image data stored in the information storage unit, and encrypts image data of the image to be printed by the generated encryption key; Encrypted image data transmission means for transmitting image data encrypted by the image data encryption means to the print processing apparatus; and A signature or imprint image data transmission means for transmitting the signature or imprint image data attached with the image to the print processing device separately from the encrypted image data, and the print processing device includes the cipher Data receiving means for receiving the converted image data and the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached, and the encrypted image by the encryption key attached to the signature or imprint image data. Image data decoding means for decoding data, print image data for performing printing based on the image data decoded by the image data decoding means, and the signature or seal image data received by the data receiving means And print image data generation means for generating.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data can be encrypted and transmitted to the print processing apparatus. In addition to the encrypted image data, an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted image data can be attached, and the signature or seal image data of the author can be transmitted to the print processing apparatus. Furthermore, the print processing apparatus can generate the print image data by decrypting the encrypted image data with the encryption key only by receiving the signature or the imprint image data.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print support system according to the first aspect, wherein the print support server determines whether to permit the print processing of the image data in the print processing apparatus. Transmission control means for controlling a transmission order of permission determination means, the encrypted image data, and the signature or seal image data to which the encryption key is attached, and the transmission control means The signature or seal image data to which the encryption key is attached is transmitted based on the determination result by the print permission determination means.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the decryption of the encrypted image data can be permitted only by the user's print processing apparatus corresponding to the settlement process.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the print support system according to the first or second aspect, the signature or seal image data to which the encryption key is attached is configured by a plurality of dots, and the image data The encryption unit generates the encryption key based on a plurality of dots arranged in the signature or seal image data.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the encryption key unique to the author can be generated by handwriting or seal imprint of the author's signature.

  A print support system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the print support system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the print processing device is configured to perform the processing on the image data decoded by the image data decoding unit. Display position designating means for designating a display position of signature or seal image data, and the print image data generating means includes the image data decoded by the image data decoding means and the display position designated by the display position designating means. Print image data for performing printing is generated based on the signature or seal image data arranged in the image data.

  According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom with respect to the display position of the signature or seal image data.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a print support server is a print support server that supports a print process of a print processing apparatus, and a print request reception unit that receives a print request for an image to be printed from the print processing apparatus; , Author information storage means for storing a signature or imprint image data representing an image such as a signature or imprint of the author who created the image to be printed, and the signature stored in the author information storage means Image data encryption means for generating an encryption key based on the imprint image data, and encrypting the image data of the image to be printed whose print request is received by the print request reception means with the generated encryption key And encrypted image data transmission means for transmitting the image data encrypted by the image data encryption means to the print processing apparatus. The signature or seal image image data the encryption key is attached, said encrypted image data separately, characterized in that it comprises a signature or seal image image data transmitting means for transmitting to the printing apparatus.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image data can be encrypted and transmitted to the print processing apparatus. In addition to the encrypted image data, an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted image data can be attached, and the signature or seal image data of the author can be transmitted to the print processing apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the print support server according to the fifth aspect further comprises a print permission determining means for determining whether or not to permit the print processing of the image data in the print processing apparatus. A transmission control unit that controls a transmission order of the encrypted image data and the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached, and the transmission control unit includes the print permission determination unit. The signature or seal image data and the encryption key are transmitted on the basis of the determination result according to the above.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the decryption of the encrypted image data can be permitted only by the user's print processing apparatus corresponding to the settlement process.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the print support server according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the signature or seal image data is composed of a plurality of dots, and the image data encryption means includes: The encryption key is generated based on a sequence of a plurality of dots constituting the signature or seal image data.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate an encryption key unique to the author based on the handwriting or seal imprint of the author's signature.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing apparatus that generates encrypted image data input means for inputting encrypted image data obtained by encrypting image data of an image to be printed, and the image to be printed. Signature or imprint image data input means for inputting signature or imprint image data representing an image such as a signature or imprint of an author together with an encryption key obtained by encrypting image data of the image to be printed, and the signature or imprint image Image data decrypting means for decrypting the encrypted image data input by the encrypted image data input means with the encryption key input by the data input means; and image data decrypted by the image data decrypting means; , Based on the signature or imprint image data transmitted by the signature or imprint image data input means, Characterized in that it comprises a print image data generation unit that generates print image data for printing, a.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, print image data can be generated by displaying signature or imprint image data attached with the encryption key on the image data decrypted with the encryption key.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the print processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the print image data generating means includes the signature or seal image data on the image data decoded by the image data decoding means. Display position specifying means for specifying the display position of the image data, based on the image data decoded by the image data decoding means and the signature or seal image data arranged at the display position specified by the display position specifying means Generating print image data for performing printing.

  According to the invention of claim 9, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom with respect to the display position of the signature or seal image data.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print support method for supporting a print process of a print processing apparatus, a print request receiving step of receiving a print request for an image to be printed from the print processing apparatus; Generating an encryption key based on a signature or imprint image data representing an image such as a signature or an imprint of the author who created the image to be printed, and printing by the print request receiving step using the generated encryption key An image data encryption step for encrypting image data of the image to be printed that has been accepted, and an encrypted image for transmitting the image data encrypted by the image data encryption step to the print processing apparatus The data transmission step and the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached are printed separately from the encrypted image data. Characterized in that it includes a signature or seal image image data transmission process for transmitting sense device.

  According to the invention of claim 10, the image data can be encrypted and transmitted to the print processing apparatus. In addition to the encrypted image data, an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted image data can be attached, and the signature or seal image data of the author can be transmitted to the print processing apparatus.

  The print support method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the print support determination method according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a print permission determination step of determining whether or not to permit the print processing of the image data in the print processing apparatus. And the signature or seal image data transmission step transmits the signature or seal image data to which the encryption key is attached based on the determination result of the print permission determination step.

  According to the invention of claim 11, the decryption of the encrypted image data can be permitted only by the user's print processing apparatus corresponding to the settlement process.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing support method according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein the signature or seal image data is composed of a plurality of dots, and the image data encryption step includes: The encryption key is generated based on a sequence of a plurality of dots constituting the signature or seal image data.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the encryption key unique to the author can be generated by handwriting or seal imprint of the author's signature.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing method in which an encrypted image data input step for inputting encrypted image data obtained by encrypting image data of an image to be printed and the image to be printed are created. A signature or seal image data input step for inputting signature or seal image data representing an image such as a signature or seal image of the author together with an encryption key obtained by encrypting image data of the image to be printed; and the signature or seal image An image data decrypting step for decrypting the encrypted image data input by the encrypted image data input step with an encryption key input by the data input step, and image data decrypted by the image data decrypting step , Based on the signature or seal image data transmitted by the signature or seal image data input step Characterized in that it contains, and the print image data generation step of generating print image data for printing.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, print image data can be generated by displaying a signature or imprint image data attached with the encryption key on the image data decrypted with the encryption key.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the print processing method according to the thirteenth aspect, the print image data generation step includes the signature or imprint image data on the image data decoded by the image data decoding step. A display position designating step for designating the display position of the image data, based on the image data decoded by the image data decoding step and the signature or seal image data arranged at the display position designated by the display position designating step Generating print image data for performing printing.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the degree of freedom regarding the display position of the signature or seal image data can be improved.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a printing support program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the printing support method according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects can be realized by a computer.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a print processing program causes a computer to execute the method according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the print processing method according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect can be realized by a computer.

  According to the present invention, it is desired to prevent the author's expectation to improve the name recognition through the distribution or publication of advertisements, print images such as paintings, photographs, gravure, posters, etc. and the act of falsifying the author's signature. There is an effect that the request of the author can be realized at the same time. In addition, the user can easily obtain images that are difficult to obtain with high quality.

  Exemplary embodiments of a print support system, a print support server, a print processing apparatus, a print support method, a print processing method, a print support program, and a print processing program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. To do.

(Overall configuration of printing support system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration for explaining a printing support system according to the present invention. The print support system 100 is connected to a print support server 110, one or a plurality of print processing apparatuses 120 via a network 130 such as the Internet, a LAN, and a WAN so as to communicate with each other.

  The print support server 110 includes an image information database 300, a user information database 400, and an author information database 500. Based on these databases 300, 400, and 500, various data are transferred to the print processing apparatus 120. To deliver.

  The print processing device 120 (120a to 120n) is a terminal for printing out the advertisement described above, and is installed at each user's home, for example. The print processing device 120 includes a group of devices that are adjusted so that images such as advertisements and content images can be printed out as intended by the production side.

  The device group constituting the print processing apparatus 120 includes a dedicated print server 121 for printing out an image, a dedicated printer 122 for printing out an image, dedicated software (not shown), and a network 123 such as a LAN. It consists of the terminal device 124 connected via. As the terminal device 124, a general-purpose personal computer (PC) is used, and a PC already owned by the user can also be used.

  The dedicated software is installed in the print server 121 and the terminal device 124, respectively, prints out an image by executing a program, and manages advertising costs on the user side. On the terminal device 124, an image layout, print setting, creation and management of a print job when printing an advertisement, sending a job to the print support server 110, and the like are performed. On the print server 121, a job list, printer status monitoring, print processing, printer maintenance, and the like are performed.

  The print processing device 120 is adjusted for each print processing device (device group) 120 to be shipped so that an image can be printed out easily and with high quality, and is shipped with a serial number (printer ID). In addition, the dedicated software is adjusted so that all operations performed by the user can be performed as easily as possible.

  For example, a series of procedures are made so that an editing operation such as a layout and a print (print output) process can be easily performed. Driver settings, color adjustments, and the like are adjusted according to the state of the device group at the time of shipment. Thereby, even a person unfamiliar with computer operation can appropriately set the color adjustment of the acquired image, and can print out with high quality in a state intended by the creator.

  Even after installation of the device group at the user's home or the like, the print processing apparatus 120 performs maintenance and repair on the device group and supplies consumables such as ink (or toner) and printing paper based on the assigned serial number. Provide sourcing consistently. As a result, even after the print processing apparatus 120 is installed, the image can be continuously printed out with high quality.

  In addition, the printer 122 constituting the device group of the print processing apparatus 120 prints out an image using an ink jet technique. The ink jet printer 122 uses a technology called Mach Jet (R), applies a voltage to a piezoelectric element to vibrate, and applies pressure to the ink to eject ink like a water gun to form an image. It is something to be made.

  Such a printer 122 is space-saving and inexpensive, and can be printed out with the same quality as a conventional DPE service or minilab due to the configuration of systemized equipment. In addition, since a developing solution etc. are not used, global environment can also be preserved. Note that the printer 122 may be a laser printer using toner.

(Hardware configuration of print support server and print processing device)
Next, the hardware configuration of the print support server 110 and the print processing apparatus 120 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the print support server 110 and the print processing apparatus 120 according to this embodiment.

  The print support server 110 and the print processing apparatus 120 are respectively a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an HDD (hard disk drive) 204, an HD (hard disk) 205, an FDD (flexible disk drive) 206, a display 207, an I / F (interface) 208, a keyboard 209, a mouse 210, a scanner 211, a printer 212, and a disk drive 213. Each component is connected by a bus 200.

  Here, the CPU 201 governs overall control of the print support server 110 (or the print processing apparatus 120). The ROM 202 stores a program such as a boot program. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The HDD 204 controls data read / write with respect to the HD 205 according to the control of the CPU 201. The HD 205 stores data written under the control of the HDD 204.

  The FDD 206 controls reading / writing of data with respect to an FD (flexible disk) 214 that is a detachable recording medium according to the control of the CPU 201. The FD 214 stores data written under the control of the FDD 206, or causes the input processing system to read data stored in the FD 214.

  A display 207 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. As the display 207, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The I / F 208 is connected to a network 130 such as the Internet through a communication cable 215, and is connected to other devices via the network 130. The I / F 208 controls an internal interface with the network 130 and controls data input / output from an external device. For example, a modem or a LAN adapter can be adopted as the I / F 208.

  The keyboard 209 includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. Moreover, a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad may be used. The mouse 210 performs cursor movement, range selection, window movement, size change, and the like. A trackball or a joystick may be used as long as they have the same function as a pointing device.

  The scanner 211 optically reads an image and takes in the image data into the input processing system. The printer 212 prints image data and document data. As the printer 212, for example, a laser printer or an ink jet printer can be employed. The disk drive 213 controls reading of data with respect to the CD / DVD disk 217 which is a detachable recording medium according to the control of the CPU 201.

(Data contents of image information database)
Next, the data contents of the image information database 300 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the data contents of the image information database 300. The image information database 300 includes an image ID 301, settlement information 302, and image data 303 for each image.

  Here, the payment information 302 is an amount of money to be processed for the user when print image data is printed out. For example, the settlement information 302 can be an amount charged to the user when print image data is printed out. The amount in this case is calculated in advance by the print support server 110. Briefly, a company that provides an advertisement image sets the total amount charged to the user using the print processing device 120 for one advertisement image, and the number of advertisement printouts (corresponding to the number of advertisements). To do.

  With this setting, the print support server 110 calculates a charge amount per advertisement according to (total charge amount) / (print output number of advertisements), and uses the calculated charge amount as the settlement information of the image information database 300. Set to 302. According to this configuration, the billing amount for promoting the advertisement is distributed by a predetermined number of users (synonymous with the number of printed output sheets), and is paid directly to the printed out users.

  Further, the settlement information 302 may be an amount that requires payment to the user when print image data is printed out, that is, an image purchase fee. The image data 303 is composed of, for example, bitmap data. Specifically, the image information database 300 realizes its functions by the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, etc. shown in FIG.

(Data contents of user information database)
Next, data contents of the user information database 400 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing data contents of the user information database 400. The user information database 400 is configured by information about a user who receives an image for each user.

  That is, the user information database 400 includes a user ID 401, a password 402 for accessing the print support server 110, the user's personal information 403 (address, name, contact information, etc.), and the print processing apparatus 120 held by the user. It is composed of a serial number (printer ID) 404, an image acquisition status 405, and money information 406.

  The image acquisition situation 405 is provided for recording a history of the number of times of printing output by the user for each of a plurality of different (1 to n) images. The image acquisition status 405 includes information of an image ID 405a for each image and the number of times of printing output (number of times printed or number of printed sheets) 405b. In the image acquisition status 405, each time the image data is printed out, the respective acquisition information is recorded as a history as shown in the figure.

  Specifically, the user information database 400 realizes its functions by the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, etc. shown in FIG.

(Data content of author information database)
Next, the data contents of the author information database 500 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing data contents of the author information database 500. The author information database 500 is composed of information relating to the author who created the image data. That is, the author information database 500 includes an author ID 501, a password 502, author's personal information 503 (address, name, contact information, etc.), and signature information 504.

  Here, the author ID 501, password 502, and personal information 503 (address, name, contact information, etc.) of the author are input from the print support server 110 or the author's personal computer (not shown) as signature information 504 and image data. It is used when doing. The signature information 504 includes a signature or seal image data 505 and a corresponding image ID 506.

  The signature or seal imprint image data 505 is composed of, for example, bitmap data made up of a plurality of dots. The signature or mark written by the author or a seal stamp unique to the author is converted into image data. Is. That is, the signature or mark is a unique signature specified by the handwriting of the author.

  The signature or imprint image data 505 is associated with an ID (corresponding image ID 506) of image data for displaying the signature or imprint image data 505. One or a plurality of correspondence image IDs 506 are associated with one signature or seal image data 505. Thereby, the same signature or imprint image data 505 can be displayed for a plurality of image data.

  The signature or seal imprint image data 505 may be input by a tablet or the like in the print support server 110 or a personal computer (not shown) of the author, or the signature or seal imprint described on a paper medium is read by a scanner. Then, it may be stored in the author information database 500. Specifically, this author information database 500 realizes its functions by the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, etc. shown in FIG.

(Functional configuration of the print support server)
Next, a functional configuration of the print support server 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of the print support server 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The print support server 110 includes an image information database 300 illustrated in FIG. 3, a user information database 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, an author information database 500 illustrated in FIG. 5, a communication unit 601, an authentication unit 602, and the like. , An image information extraction unit 603, a list information generation unit 604, an image data encryption processing unit 605, an author information extraction unit 606, a transmission control unit 607, and a settlement processing unit 608.

  The communication unit 601 transmits and receives various data via the network 130. Specifically, this communication unit 601 realizes its function by the I / F 208 shown in FIG.

  The authentication unit 602 performs authentication processing when there is an image data acquisition request from the print processing apparatus 120. For example, when there is an image data acquisition request from an arbitrary user, the user ID and password of the user transmitted from the print processing apparatus 120 that made the acquisition request, the user information stored in the user information database 400, The authentication process is executed based on.

  If the authentication is not successful, authentication NG is output to the print processing apparatus 120. On the other hand, when authenticated, the authentication OK output is performed. Specifically, the authentication unit 602 is executed when the CPU 201 executes a program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, etc. shown in FIG. Realize the function.

  The image information extraction unit 603 extracts image information from the image information database 300. For example, if the authentication unit 602 outputs authentication OK, the image ID 301 and the image data 303 are extracted from the image information database 300. If there is a selection input of the image ID 301, the image data 303 corresponding to the selected image ID 301 is extracted.

  Specifically, the image information extraction unit 603 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, or the like shown in FIG. Realize its function.

  The list information generation unit 604 generates thumbnail images by reducing the image data 303 extracted by the image information extraction unit 603. Then, the list information including the generated thumbnail image, the image ID 301 and the author name extracted by the author information extraction unit 606 is output to the communication unit 601.

  Specifically, the list information generation unit 604 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, or the like shown in FIG. Realize its function.

  The image data encryption processing unit 605 encrypts the image data 303 extracted by the image information extraction unit 603 using a preset encryption method. Hereinafter, the encrypted image data 303 is referred to as “encrypted image data”. As an example of this encryption method, for example, an encryption key can be generated based on a signature or imprint image data 505 stored in the author information database 500.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, each dot constituting the signature or imprint image data 701 is converted into a binarized pixel value, and each dot of the converted signature or imprint image data 702 is aligned. An encryption key can be generated using the arranged pixel values as a passphrase. In addition to the example in which this passphrase is used as an encryption key, the encryption key can be generated by other encryption methods, but since there are various methods, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Specifically, the image data encryption processing unit 605 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, etc. shown in FIG. By realizing the function.

  The author information extraction unit 606 extracts author information from the author information database 500. Specifically, when the image data 303 is encrypted by the image data encryption processing unit 605, the signature or seal image data 505 and the encryption key relating to the author are obtained by referring to the image ID 301 of the encrypted image data 303. Extract.

  Specifically, the author information extraction unit 606 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, or the like shown in FIG. By realizing the function.

  The transmission control unit 607 transmits the image data encrypted by the image data encryption processing unit 605 to the communication unit 601. Further, the signature or seal imprint image data relating to the author extracted by the author information extraction unit 606 is attached to the encryption key generated by the image data encryption processing unit 605 and transmitted. The transmission control unit 607 controls transmission order and transmission timing of the encrypted image data and the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached.

  For example, transmission of encrypted image data and transmission of either a signature attached with an encryption key or imprint image data may be controlled to be transmitted only when a predetermined condition is satisfied. . Specifically, when an advertisement image is acquired from the print processing apparatus 120, encrypted image data (or a signature or imprint image data with an encryption key attached) is transmitted first, and the print processing apparatus 120 Only when there is an input to perform the checkout process, the signature or seal image data (or encrypted image data) with the encryption key attached may be transmitted.

  Specifically, the transmission control unit 607 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, the RAM 203, the HD 205, the FD 214, the CD / DVD disk 217, or the like shown in FIG. Realize its function.

  The settlement processing unit 608 executes a settlement process for a fee that is incurred when an advertisement image is acquired when an input for performing a settlement process is received from the print processing apparatus 120. Specifically, the settlement is performed based on the settlement information 302 of the encrypted image data 303 and the user money information 406 stored in the user information database 400.

  For example, when the user is charged, the settlement information 302 of the encrypted image data is added to the user's money information 406, and when the user is charged, the user's money information (money balance) 406 is used. Then, the settlement information 302 of the encrypted image data is subtracted.

  Specifically, the settlement processing unit 608 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, or the like shown in FIG. Realize its function.

(Functional configuration of print processing device)
Next, a functional configuration of the print processing apparatus 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of the print processing apparatus 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The print processing apparatus 120 includes a communication unit 801, an input unit 802, a display unit 803, an input / display control unit 804, an image data decoding processing unit 805, a print image data generation unit 806, and a data deletion unit 807. And a printing unit 808.

  The communication unit 801 transmits and receives various data via the network 130. Specifically, this communication unit 801 realizes its function by the I / F 208 shown in FIG. The input unit 802 performs various types of input data (for example, input of a user ID 401, a password 402 and a printer ID 404, selection input of an image ID 301, presence / absence of a checkout process, etc.) by a user operation.

  Specifically, the input unit 802 realizes its function by the keyboard 209 and the mouse 210 shown in FIG. The display unit 803 displays various data input from the communication unit 801. Specifically, the display unit 803 realizes its function by the display 207 shown in FIG.

  The input / display control unit 804 outputs various input data input from the input unit 802 (for example, input of the user ID 401, password 402 and printer ID 404, selection input of the image ID 301, presence / absence of checkout processing) to the communication unit 801. To do. Also, the input / display control unit 804 causes the display unit 803 to display various data such as an HTML file and an XML file output from the communication unit 801.

  Specifically, the input / display control unit 804 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, or the like shown in FIG. By realizing the function.

  The image data decryption processing unit 805 decrypts the encrypted image data output from the communication unit 801 with the encryption key output from the communication unit 801. Then, the decoded image data is output to the print image data generation unit 806. Specifically, the image data decoding processing unit 805 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, etc. shown in FIG. By realizing the function.

  The print image data generation unit 806 generates print image data for printing based on the decrypted image data and the signature or seal image data output from the communication unit 801. Specifically, the signature or imprint image data is displayed on the image data by inserting or overwriting the signature or imprint image data at a predetermined position of the decoded image data. Also, the signature or seal image data may be displayed in a margin portion on the image data.

  Specifically, the print image data generation unit 806 is executed by the CPU 201 executing a program recorded in the ROM 202, the RAM 203, the HD 205, the FD 214, the CD / DVD disc 217, or the like shown in FIG. By realizing the function.

  The data erasure unit 807 erases the encrypted image data for which the signature or seal image data has not been received. Also, the print image data printed out is deleted. Specifically, the data erasing unit 807 is executed by the CPU 201 executing the program recorded in the ROM 202, RAM 203, HD 205, FD 214, CD / DVD disc 217, etc. shown in FIG. Realize its function.

  The printing unit 808 prints out the print image data generated by the print image data generation unit 806. The printing unit 808 realizes its function by the printer 122 shown in FIG. 1 (or the printer 212 shown in FIG. 2).

(Print support processing procedure of the print support server)
Next, the print support processing procedure of the print support server 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a print support processing procedure of the print support server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when a user ID, password, and printer ID are received from any print processing apparatus 120 (step S901: Yes), authentication is performed (step S902). This authentication process is performed by referring to the user information database 400. If not authenticated (step S902: No), the process returns to step S901.

  If authenticated (step S902: Yes), thumbnail images of all the image data stored in the image information database 300 are generated, and list information including the thumbnail images, the image ID, and the settlement amount is displayed. This is transmitted to the authenticated print processing apparatus 120 (step S903).

  Next, when the image ID selected by the authenticated print processing apparatus 120 (hereinafter referred to as “selected image ID”) is received (step S904: Yes), the image data corresponding to the selected image ID is displayed as an image. Extracted from the information database 300, and the extracted image data is encrypted (step S905). Then, the settlement confirmation request information for the settlement processing confirmation request and the encrypted image data are transmitted to the authenticated print processing apparatus 120 (step S906).

  When the payment confirmation information for the payment confirmation request information is received from the authenticated print processing apparatus 120 (step S907: Yes), the encrypted image is added to the signature or seal image data 505 to be combined with the encrypted image data 303. An encryption key for decrypting the data 303 is attached and transmitted to the authenticated print processing apparatus 120 (step S908).

  According to the processing procedure of the print support server 110, since the image data is encrypted and transmitted via the network 130, the image data is displayed or printed even if acquired by a third party on the network 130. It is impossible to improve security.

  Also, the encrypted image data can be decrypted only when the settlement check is performed, and the image data can be printed for the user intended by the print support server 110 side.

(Print processing procedure of the print processing device)
Next, a print processing procedure of the print processing apparatus 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the print processing procedure of the print processing apparatus 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the user operates the input unit 802, a user ID, a password, and a printer ID are input in the input fields 1101-1103 of the login screen 1100 (see FIG. 11) displayed on the display unit 803. In the case (step S1001: Yes), the user ID, password, and printer ID are transmitted to the print support server 110 by pressing the login button 1104 (step S1002).

  When the list information including the thumbnail image, the image ID, and the payment amount is received by the authentication by the print support server 110 as described above (step S1003: Yes), the list information is displayed on the display unit 803. (Step S1004). FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a list information display screen displayed by the display unit 803.

  The list information display screen 1200 displays list information described in a markup language such as HTML or XML by a browser. This list information display screen 1200 includes image information 1201 to 1206 including image IDs 1201a to 1206a, settlement amounts 1201b to 1206b, author names 1201c to 1206c, and thumbnail images 1201d to 1206d for each image data. A plurality (six in FIG. 12) are displayed. The print support server 110 can arbitrarily set the number of thumbnail images to be displayed, and can move to the previous or next page by using the page change keys 1210 and 1211.

  The user can select the image ID by operating the mouse, placing the cursor on the thumbnail image to be printed and clicking the mouse. When an image ID is selected by this operation (step S1005: Yes), the selected image ID is transmitted to the print support server 110 (step S1006).

  Thereafter, when the encrypted image data and the settlement check request information corresponding to the selected image ID are received from the print support server 110 (step S1007: Yes), the settlement check request information is displayed (step S1008). FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 1300 for payment confirmation request information displayed by the display unit 803.

  As shown in FIG. 13, on the settlement confirmation request information display screen 1300, selected image information 1301 including a selected image ID, a settlement amount, an author name, and a thumbnail image is displayed. In this example, the image information 1205 shown in FIG. 12 is selected as the selected image information 1301.

  In addition, buttons 1302 and 1303 for confirming the approval of the settlement process are displayed on the settlement confirmation request information display screen 1300. Then, when the user operates the mouse and presses the “OK” button 1302, the checkout process is confirmed. On the other hand, when the “return to list” button 1303 is pressed, the checkout process is not confirmed.

  If the settlement check is not performed by pressing the “return to list” button 1303 (step S1009: No), the received encrypted image data is deleted (step S1010). As a result, accumulation of data that is not printed can be prevented, and security can be improved. Then, control goes to a step S1004.

  On the other hand, when the settlement check is confirmed by pressing the “OK” button 1302 (step S1009: Yes), the settlement confirmation information is transmitted to the print support server 110 (step S1011). If the signature or seal image data with the encryption key attached is received (step S1012: Yes), the encrypted image data is decrypted with the encryption key (step S1013).

  Then, the decrypted image data and the signature or seal image data are combined to generate print image data (step S1014). FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing print image data generated by the synthesis process. Here, the display position of the signature or imprint image data 1402 on the image data 1401 may be a preset position, and may be displayed at a desired position by a user operating with a mouse or a keyboard. It is good.

  When the “print” button 1404 is pressed, the print image data 1403 is printed out (step S1015). Thus, print image data 1403 on which the signature or seal image data 1402 of the author who created the image data 1401 is displayed can be obtained. Then, the print image data is erased (step S1016).

  Next, specific processing of image data in the print support system 100 of this embodiment will be schematically described. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of supplying image data and signature or seal image data when the image information 1301 shown in FIG. 13 is selected. In addition, the step number in FIG. 15 is a step number of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the print support server 110 generates an encryption key 1500 using a pixel value obtained from the enumeration of dots of the signature or imprint image data 1402 as a passphrase, and encrypts the image data 1401 (step S905). . The encrypted image data 1501 is transmitted to the print processing apparatus 120 (step S906). Further, after the payment is confirmed, the signature or seal image data 1402 is attached with the encryption key 1500 and transmitted to the print processing apparatus 120 (step S908).

  On the other hand, the print processing apparatus 120 decrypts the previously received encrypted image data 1501 with the received encryption key 1500 (step S1013). Then, the decrypted image data 1401 and the signature or seal image data 1402 are combined to generate print image data 1403.

  According to this print processing procedure, the encrypted image data can be decrypted only by the print support apparatus 120 that has been authenticated by the print support server 110 and has received the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached. The security of image data can be improved.

  In addition, since the author's signature or seal image data can be combined, the user can print the image of the authorized author by printing with the author's signature image data using the author's name as a clue. Images can be obtained. Thereby, the forged signature is not displayed on the print image, and the print image as expected by the user can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the printing support system 100 according to this embodiment, the encrypted image data is decrypted with the encryption key attached to the signature of the author or the imprint image data, and the decrypted image data is converted into the decrypted image data. The signature or seal image data with the encryption key attached can be displayed.

  Therefore, the author's expectation to increase the name recognition through the distribution or publication of print images such as advertisements, pictures, photographs, gravure, posters, etc., and the author's request to prevent the act of forging the author's signature Can be realized simultaneously.

  Also, advertisements such as street posters are generally difficult to obtain, but according to this printing support system, it is easy to obtain advertisements that are generally difficult to obtain at home with the signature of the author. can do.

  In addition, there are limits to the color reproducibility of newspapers, such as advertisements and photos that appear in newspapers. A quality print image can be easily obtained at home with the signature of the author.

  In addition, if the user wants to personally use advertisements, paintings, photographs, gravure, posters, etc. that are published in magazines, they must be cut out from the magazines, but such advertisements, paintings, photographs, gravure, posters, etc. According to this printing support system, a high-quality printed image can be easily obtained at home without being damaged by clipping and with the signature of the author.

  Also, if the user wants to personally use advertisements or photos provided by video such as television commercials, it can be easily obtained at home by printing and with the signature of the author.

  In the print support server 110 according to the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the print processing of the image data in the print processing apparatus 120 is permitted based on the settlement check in the settlement processing unit 608. The determination may be made based on the authentication result by the authentication unit 602.

  The print support method and the print processing method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Further, this program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via the network 130 such as the Internet.

  As described above, the print support system, print support server, print processing apparatus, print support method, print processing method, print support program, and print processing program according to the present invention are useful for print processing of images such as advertisements and content images. It is.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration for explaining a printing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a print support server and a print processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data content of the image information database concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data content of the user information database concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data content of the author information database concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the functional structure of the printing assistance server concerning embodiment of this invention. In an embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the method of producing | generating an encryption key from signature or imprint image data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the functional structure of the printing processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the printing assistance processing procedure of the printing assistance server concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the printing processing procedure of the printing processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the login screen displayed on the display part of the printing processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of the list information displayed on the display part of the printing processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of the adjustment confirmation request information displayed on the display part of the printing processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the printing image data produced | generated by the printing processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of supplying image data to the print processing apparatus when the image information illustrated in FIG. 13 is selected.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Print support system 110 Print support server 120 Print processing apparatus 130 Network 300 Image information database 500 Author information database

Claims (16)

A print support system for supplying image data of an image to be printed from a print support server to a print processing apparatus via a network,
The print support server includes:
Author information storage means for storing signature or seal image data representing an image such as a signature or seal of the author who created the image to be printed;
Image data encryption for generating an encryption key based on the signature or imprint image data stored in the author information storage means, and encrypting the image data of the image to be printed with the generated encryption key Means,
Encrypted image data transmission means for transmitting the image data encrypted by the image data encryption means to the print processing apparatus;
A signature or imprint image data transmission means for transmitting the signature or imprint image data attached with the encryption key to the print processing apparatus separately from the encrypted image data,
The print processing apparatus includes:
Data receiving means for receiving the encrypted image data and the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached;
Image data decrypting means for decrypting the encrypted image data with an encryption key attached to the signature or seal image data;
Print image data generating means for generating print image data for printing based on the image data decoded by the image data decoding means and the signature or seal image data received by the data receiving means;
A printing support system comprising: The print support server includes:
Print permission determination means for determining whether or not to permit the print processing of the image data in the print processing apparatus;
Transmission control means for controlling the transmission order of the encrypted image data and the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached,
The print support system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit transmits the signature or seal image data to which the encryption key is attached based on a determination result by the print permission determination unit. The signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached is composed of a plurality of dots,
The print support system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image data encryption unit generates the encryption key based on a plurality of dots arranged in the signature or imprint image data. The print processing apparatus includes:
A display position designating unit for designating a display position of the signature or imprint image data on the image data decoded by the image data decoding unit;
The print image data generation unit performs printing based on the image data decoded by the image data decoding unit and the signature or imprint image data arranged at the display position specified by the display position specifying unit. The print support system according to claim 1, wherein print image data for generating the print image data is generated. A print support server for supporting print processing of a print processing apparatus,
A print request receiving means for receiving a print request for an image to be printed from the print processing apparatus;
Author information storage means for storing signature or seal image data representing an image such as a signature or seal of the author who created the image to be printed;
An encryption key is generated based on the signature or imprint image data stored in the author information storage unit, and the print target whose print request is received by the print request reception unit is generated using the generated encryption key. Image data encryption means for encrypting image data of the image,
Encrypted image data transmission means for transmitting the image data encrypted by the image data encryption means to the print processing apparatus;
A signature or imprint image data transmission means for transmitting the signature or imprint image data attached with the encryption key to the print processing apparatus separately from the encrypted image data;
A print support server comprising: A print permission determining unit that determines whether or not to permit the print processing of the image data in the print processing apparatus;
Transmission control means for controlling the transmission order of the encrypted image data and the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached,
The print support server according to claim 5, wherein the transmission control unit transmits the signature or imprint image data and the encryption key based on a determination result by the print permission determination unit. The signature or seal imprint image data is composed of a plurality of dots.
The print support server according to claim 5, wherein the image data encryption unit generates the encryption key based on a plurality of dots arranged in the signature or imprint image data. Encrypted image data input means for inputting encrypted image data obtained by encrypting image data of an image to be printed;
Signature or imprint image data for inputting a signature or imprint image data representing an image such as a signature or imprint of the author who created the image to be printed together with an encryption key obtained by encrypting the image data of the image to be printed Input means;
Image data decrypting means for decrypting the encrypted image data input by the encrypted image data input means with the encryption key input by the signature or seal image data input means;
Print image data generation for generating print image data for printing based on the image data decoded by the image data decoding means and the signature or imprint image data transmitted by the signature or imprint image data input means Means,
A print processing apparatus comprising: The print image data generation means includes
A display position designating unit for designating a display position of the signature or imprint image data on the image data decoded by the image data decoding unit;
Print image data for printing is generated based on the image data decoded by the image data decoding unit and the signature or seal image data arranged at the display position specified by the display position specifying unit. The print processing apparatus according to claim 8. A print support method for supporting print processing of a print processing apparatus,
A print request receiving step for receiving a print request for an image to be printed from the print processing apparatus;
An encryption key is generated based on a signature or imprint image data representing an image such as a signature or imprint of the author who created the image to be printed, and a print request is received by the print request receiving step using the generated encryption key An image data encryption step for encrypting image data of the image to be printed that has been accepted,
Encrypted image data transmission step of transmitting the image data encrypted by the image data encryption step to the print processing apparatus;
A signature or imprint image data transmission step of transmitting the signature or imprint image data attached with the encryption key to the print processing apparatus separately from the encrypted image data;
A printing support method comprising: And a print permission determination step for determining whether or not to permit the print processing of the image data in the print processing apparatus,
11. The signature or imprint image data transmitting step transmits the signature or imprint image data to which the encryption key is attached based on a determination result obtained by the print permission determination step. Printing support method. The signature or seal imprint image data is composed of a plurality of dots.
The print support method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the image data encryption step generates the encryption key based on a plurality of dots arranged in the signature or seal image data. An encrypted image data input step for inputting encrypted image data obtained by encrypting image data of an image to be printed;
Signature or imprint image data for inputting a signature or imprint image data representing an image such as a signature or imprint of the author who created the image to be printed together with an encryption key obtained by encrypting the image data of the image to be printed Input process;
An image data decrypting step of decrypting the encrypted image data input by the encrypted image data input step with the encryption key input by the signature or seal image data input step;
Print image data generation for generating print image data for printing based on the image data decoded in the image data decoding step and the signature or imprint image data transmitted in the signature or imprint image data input step Process,
A printing processing method characterized by comprising: The print image data generation step includes
A display position designating step of designating a display position of the signature or imprint image data on the image data decoded by the image data decoding step;
Print image data for printing is generated based on the image data decoded by the image data decoding step and the signature or seal image data arranged at the display position specified by the display position specifying step. The print processing method according to claim 13.   A printing support program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 10. A print processing program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 13 or 14.

Images