JP2005202553A - Printing system, and printer, program and printing method used for same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print generated data for printing only by a specific printer and prevent unauthorized use of the data. <P>SOLUTION: This printing system generates the data for printing of an image file and a document file instructed for printing from a client computer 20 (S200) and encrypts the generated data for printing by using a serial number of a printer 30 to be an output destination printer as an encryption key to transmit the data to the printer 30 (S210, S220). The serial number of the printer 30 is obtained therefrom by communication to be stored in an HDD. The printer 30 decrypts the data by using the serial number stored on a ROM of a main controller as a decryption key to print the data (S230, S240). Thereby, the generated data for printing is printed only by the specific printer and the unauthorized use of the data can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printer used therefor, a program, and a printing method, and more specifically, a printing system including a computer and a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium, a printer used for the computer, a program, and such printing Regarding the method.

Conventionally, this type of printing system converts a document or image into printing data (printer control code) by a printer driver installed on a computer and transmits it to the printer, and executes the printing data received by the printer. A printer that performs printing is proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a system, the generated print data can be saved in a file format, and the print data can be handled relatively freely, such as being sent to a printer at a desired timing for printing. ing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-272432

  However, in the above-described printing system, the generated printing data can be handled relatively freely, and inconvenience may occur depending on how the system is used. For example, when a paid content printing service is provided using such a printing system, even if the paid content itself is protected or managed by applying authentication technology or encryption technology, the printing data is illegal. It may flow out and be printed using another computer or printer. Therefore, it is desirable to more appropriately protect and manage not only the content but also the printing data.

  One of the objects of the printing system and the printer, program, and printing method used in the present invention is to print the generated printing data only with a specific printer. Another object of the printing system and the printer, program, and printing method used in the present invention is to prevent unauthorized use of printing data.

  The printing system and the printer, program, and printing method used in the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above object.

The printing system of the present invention includes:
A printing system comprising a computer and a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium,
The computer generates information for printing that can be executed by the printer on the basis of an information storage means for storing predetermined identification information for identifying the printer, and an electronic file for which a print instruction has been issued, and the generated printing data Printing data encrypting means for encrypting the encrypted print data using the predetermined identification information, and data transmitting means for transmitting the encrypted print data to the printer,
The printer includes a printer storage unit that stores predetermined identification information for identifying the printer, and the printer storage unit when encrypted print data is transmitted from the computer via the communication medium. A gist is provided with: a printing data decoding unit that decodes the printing data using the stored predetermined identification information; and a printing execution unit that executes and prints the decoded printing data. To do.

  In the printing system of the present invention, printer identification information is stored by a computer, print data generated in accordance with a print instruction is encrypted using the printer identification information, and transmitted to the printer. The printer identification information is stored, and the print data transmitted from the computer is decrypted using the printer identification information and executed. Therefore, the printing data can be decrypted and executed only by the printer corresponding to the identification information used when the printing data is encrypted. As a result, unauthorized use of print data can be prevented. Here, the “computer” includes various information devices capable of generating printing data in addition to a so-called personal computer. Further, examples of the “predetermined identification information” include a serial number.

  In such a printing system of the present invention, the printing data encryption unit of the computer and the printing data decryption unit of the printer encrypt and decrypt the printing data using the predetermined identification information as a common key. It can also be a means.

  In the printing system of the present invention, the computer acquires predetermined identification information for identifying the printer from a printer connected via a communication medium at a predetermined timing, and stores the acquired predetermined identification information in the information storage. An identification information acquisition unit to be stored in the unit may be provided. In this way, printer identification information can be acquired and stored at a predetermined timing.

  Further, in the printing system of the present invention, the printing data encryption means of the computer is means for adding executable period information indicating a period during which the printing data can be executed as a part of the printing data, The print execution means of the printer determines whether or not the print data can be executed based on the executable print period information of the decrypted print data, and executes the print data when it is determined that the determination is possible. It can also be a means for printing. In this way, it is possible to limit the period during which the print data can be executed.

The printer of the present invention
A printer connectable to a computer via a communication medium,
Printer storage means for storing predetermined identification information for identifying the printer;
Print data decryption for decrypting the print data using predetermined identification information stored in the printer storage means when the print data encrypted from the computer is transmitted via the communication medium And
Print execution means for executing and printing the decrypted print data; and
It is a summary to provide.

  In the printer according to the present invention, printer identification information is stored, and print data transmitted from the computer is decoded and executed using the printer identification information. Therefore, it is possible to decrypt and execute the print data encrypted using its own identification information.

The program for printing data generation apparatus of the present invention includes:
A program that causes a computer including information storage means for storing predetermined identification information for identifying a printer to function as a print data generation device that generates print data executable by the printer,
A print data encryption module that generates print data based on an electronic file for which a print instruction has been issued, and encrypts the generated print data using the predetermined identification information;
A data transmission module for transmitting the encrypted print data to the printer;
It is a summary to provide.

  In the printing data generating apparatus program of the present invention, a computer for storing printer identification information is used for printing, in which printing data generated in accordance with a printing instruction is encrypted using the printer identification information and transmitted to the printer. It functions as a data generation device. Therefore, the print data can be encrypted and transmitted using the printer identification information.

  In such a print data generating apparatus program of the present invention, predetermined identification information is acquired from a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium at a predetermined timing, and the acquired predetermined identification information is stored in the information storage means. An identification information acquisition module to be stored may be provided. In this way, the computer can function to acquire and store the printer identification information at a predetermined timing.

The printing method of the present invention includes:
A printing method using a computer and a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium,
By the computer
(A) storing predetermined identification information for identifying the printer;
(B) generating print data executable by the printer based on an electronic file for which a print instruction has been issued, and encrypting the generated print data using the predetermined identification information;
(C) transmitting the encrypted print data to the printer;
With the printer
(D) storing predetermined identification information for identifying the printer;
(E) decrypting the print data using predetermined identification information stored in the printer storage means when the print data encrypted from the computer is transmitted via the communication medium;
(F) executing and printing the decrypted print data;
This is the gist.

  In the printing method of the present invention, printer identification information is stored by a computer, print data generated in accordance with a print instruction is encrypted using the printer identification information, and transmitted to the printer. The printer identification information is stored, and the print data transmitted from the computer is decrypted using the printer identification information and executed. Therefore, the printing data can be decrypted and executed only by the printer corresponding to the identification information used when the printing data is encrypted. As a result, unauthorized use of print data can be prevented. Here, the “computer” includes various information devices capable of generating printing data in addition to a so-called personal computer. Further, examples of the “predetermined identification information” include a serial number.

  In such a printing method of the present invention, the step (a) is a step of acquiring predetermined identification information from a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium at a predetermined timing and storing the acquired predetermined identification information. It can also be assumed. In this way, printer identification information can be acquired and stored at a predetermined timing.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using examples.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printing system 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the printing system 10 includes a client computer 20 and a printer 30 connected to the client computer 20 via a communication cable such as a USB cable. Data is executed by the printer 30 for printing.

  As shown in the figure, the client computer 20 is configured as a general-purpose computer centered on a CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23, and includes a hard disk drive (HDD) 24 that stores data. A printer driver 26 that adapts the client computer 20 to the printer 30 is installed in the HDD 24, and image files, document files, and the like are converted into print data executable by the printer 30 and transmitted to the printer 30. Make various settings.

  The printer 30 is configured as a general ink jet printer, and as shown in the figure, a main controller 31 that controls the operation of the entire printer 30 and analysis of print data transmitted from the personal computer 20 or the like. A data processing unit 33 that performs data processing and a print execution unit 35 that prints an image, a document, or the like on a sheet based on the analysis result are provided. A serial number that uniquely identifies the printer 30 is stored in a ROM (not shown) of the main controller 31. The print execution unit 35 includes a general unit included in an ink jet printer such as a print head or a carriage mechanism. Note that the printing operation by the print execution unit 35 is the same as that of a general ink jet printer, and does not form the core of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the printing system 10 configured as described above will be described. First, the operation when the client computer 20 acquires the serial number of the printer 30 will be described, and then the operation when the printer 30 performs printing will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram that sequentially shows each process and communication in the client computer 20 and the printer 30 when the client computer 20 acquires a serial number from the printer 30. First, as shown in the drawing, number request data for requesting transmission of a serial number is transmitted from the client computer 20 to the printer 30 (step S100). In the embodiment, the number request data is transmitted when an instruction is sent from the operator via the printer setting screen 40 displayed on the monitor of the client computer 20 by the printer driver 26. An example of the printer setting screen 40 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the printer setting screen 40 is configured so that various settings (spool setting, paper feed option setting, etc.) can be made for the printer set as the output destination printer in the client computer 20. When the “obtain printer information” button 42 is pressed, it is determined that an instruction to send number request data has been issued, and number request data is sent. The printer setting screen 40 is displayed for each printer set as an output destination printer on the client computer 20 and can be used to send various settings and number request data transmission instructions. Therefore, when a plurality of printers are set as output destination printers, the target printer is designated when the printer setting screen 40 is displayed and output, and various settings and number request data are designated for the designated printer. A transmission instruction is performed.

  When the number request data for requesting the transmission of the serial number is transmitted from the client computer 20, the printer 30 that has received the data reads the serial number stored in the ROM of the main controller 31 and transmits it to the client computer 20 ( In step S110, the client computer 20 that has received the serial number stores the received serial number in a predetermined area of the HDD 24 (step S120), and ends the process.

  Next, an operation when printing is performed by the printer 30 will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram that sequentially shows each process and communication in the client computer 20 and the printer 30 when the print data is generated by the client computer 20 and executed by the printer 30. As shown in the figure, first, print data of an image file or a document file for which a print instruction is given by the client computer 20 is generated (step S200). Processing for generating printing data includes image adjustment processing for automatically adjusting brightness, saturation, etc., color conversion processing for conversion to a color space for printing, and binarization processing for binarizing multi-value data. The Such processing is the same as that in a general printer driver, and does not form the core of the present invention.

  Then, the generated print data is encrypted using the serial number of the printer 30 as the output destination printer as an encryption key (step S210). As described above, the serial number used as the encryption key is obtained from the printer 30 and stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 24 of the client computer 20. As the encryption process, various encryption processes according to a common key encryption method (secret key encryption method) in which encryption and decryption are performed with a common key can be employed.

  When the encryption process is performed on the print data in this way, the encrypted print data is transmitted to the printer 30 (step S220), and the printer 30 that has received the print data receives the serial data stored in the ROM of the main controller 31. The printing data is decrypted using the number as a decryption key (step S230). As described above, since the encryption process is performed according to the common key encryption method in which encryption and decryption are performed with a common key, the encryption key and the decryption key are the same ( That is, only when the serial number stored in the client computer 20 is the same as the serial number stored in the printer 30, the print data can be decrypted.

  Then, printing is executed based on the decrypted printing data (step S240), and the process ends. When executing printing, the data processing unit 33 analyzes the printing data and drives the print head or carriage mechanism of the printing execution unit 35 based on the analysis result to print an image, a document, or the like on a sheet. become.

  Here, considering the case where the print data generated by the client computer 20 and subjected to the encryption process is transmitted to a printer other than the printer 30, the serial number stored in the client computer 20 and the printer are stored in the printer. Since the serial number is different, the encryption key and the decryption key are different, and the print data cannot be decrypted. Of course, when the data is transmitted to a printer that does not perform such decryption processing, the encrypted print data cannot be analyzed and executed. Therefore, printing data that has been encrypted using the serial number of the printer 30 as an encryption key cannot be printed by a printer other than the printer 30.

  According to the printing system 10 of the embodiment described above, the client computer 20 encrypts the print data using the serial number of the printer 30 stored in the HDD 24 as the encryption key and transmits it to the printer 30. The received print data can be decrypted and executed using the serial number stored in the ROM as a decryption key. Therefore, the print data can be decrypted and executed only by the printer corresponding to the serial number used as the encryption key when the print data is encrypted. As a result, since the printing data cannot be executed by a printer other than the printer corresponding to the serial number used as the encryption key, unauthorized use of the printing data can be prevented. Further, when a transmission instruction is given from the operator via the printer setting screen 40, the serial number can be acquired by transmitting number request data for requesting the printer 30 to transmit the serial number.

  Here, in the client computer 20 in the printing system 10 of the embodiment, the HDD 24 corresponds to the information storage unit, the CPU 21 that executes the processes of steps S100 and S120 corresponds to the identification information acquisition unit, and the processes of steps S200 and S210 are performed. The CPU 21 to execute corresponds to the printing data encryption unit, and the CPU 21 to execute the process of step S220 corresponds to the data transmission unit. In the printer 30 in the printing system 10 according to the embodiment, the ROM of the main controller 31 corresponds to the printer storage unit, the main controller 31 that executes the process of step S230 corresponds to the print data decoding unit, and step S240. The main controller 31, the data processing unit 33, and the print execution unit 35 that execute the process correspond to print execution means. Further, the printer driver 26 that causes the client computer 20 to execute the processes illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 corresponds to the print data generation apparatus program of the present invention.

  In the printing system 10 of the embodiment, the serial number is used as the identification information for identifying the printer 30, but other information may be used as long as the information identifies the printer 30.

  In the printing system 10 of the embodiment, the serial number of the printer 30 is used as a common key for encryption and decryption. However, the printing data is encrypted using the serial number, and the same serial number is used for printing. Of course, any encryption or decryption processing method can be used as long as it can decrypt data.

  In the printing system 10 of the embodiment, the number request data for requesting the printer 30 to transmit the serial number is transmitted when a transmission instruction is given from the operator via the printer setting screen 40. Transmission timing is not limited to this, and transmission may be performed at other timings. For example, when the printer 30 is additionally set as an output destination printer of the client computer 20, the number request data may be transmitted to acquire the serial number of the printer 30. Even if the serial number is not acquired from the printer 30 by communication, the serial number is manually input on the client computer 20, or the serial number is received from a server connected via a network such as the Internet. There is no problem as well.

  In the printing system 10 of the embodiment, the printing data is encrypted or decrypted by using the serial number of the printer 30 as a common key so that the printing data cannot be executed by a printer other than the printer 30. When the print data is generated by the client computer 20, executable period information indicating a period in which the print data can be executed is added as a part of the print data, and the printer 30 executes with reference to the executable period information. It may be determined whether or not it is within a possible period, and the printing data may be executed only when it is within the executable period. In this case, for example, when the print data is generated, the date and time when a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) has elapsed from the current date and time is added as executable period information, and the current date and time is added as executable period information in the printer 30. What is necessary is just to determine with it being in the range of the executable period when it is before the date. By so doing, it is possible to limit the period in which the print data can be executed, and thus it is possible to further prevent unauthorized use of the print data.

  In the embodiment, the present invention for encrypting and decrypting print data using the serial number of the printer 30 as a common key has been described as a form of the printing system 10, but it may be a form of a printing method.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, it can be implemented in the form.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printing system 10. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the state of each process and communication at the time of serial number acquisition. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printer setting screen. Explanatory drawing which shows each process at the time of printing execution, and the mode of communication.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing system, 20 Client computer, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 HDD, 30 Printer, 31 Main controller, 33 Data processing part, 35 Print execution part, 40 Printer setting screen, 42 "Get printer information" button .

Claims (10)

A printing system comprising a computer and a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium,
The computer generates information for printing that can be executed by the printer on the basis of an information storage means for storing predetermined identification information for identifying the printer, and an electronic file for which a print instruction has been issued, and the generated printing data Printing data encrypting means for encrypting the encrypted print data using the predetermined identification information, and data transmitting means for transmitting the encrypted print data to the printer,
The printer includes a printer storage unit that stores predetermined identification information for identifying the printer, and the printer storage unit when encrypted print data is transmitted from the computer via the communication medium. A printing system comprising: a printing data decoding unit that decodes the printing data using predetermined stored identification information; and a printing execution unit that executes the decoded printing data to perform printing.   2. The print data encrypting means of the computer and the print data decrypting means of the printer are means for encrypting and decrypting the print data using the predetermined identification information as a common key. Printing system.   An identification information acquisition unit configured to acquire predetermined identification information for identifying the printer from a printer connected via a communication medium at a predetermined timing, and to store the acquired predetermined identification information in the information storage unit; The printing system of Claim 1 or 2 provided.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined identification information is a serial number. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The printing data encryption means of the computer is means for adding executable period information indicating a period in which the printing data can be executed as a part of the printing data,
The print execution unit of the printer determines whether or not the print data can be executed based on the executable period information of the decrypted print data, and determines that the print data is determined to be executable by the determination. Means to execute and print,
Printing system. A printer connectable to a computer via a communication medium,
Printer storage means for storing predetermined identification information for identifying the printer;
Print data decryption for decrypting the print data using predetermined identification information stored in the printer storage means when the print data encrypted from the computer is transmitted via the communication medium And
Print execution means for executing and printing the decrypted print data; and
Printer with. A program that causes a computer including information storage means for storing predetermined identification information for identifying a printer to function as a print data generation device that generates print data executable by the printer,
A print data encryption module that generates print data based on an electronic file for which a print instruction has been issued, and encrypts the generated print data using the predetermined identification information;
A data transmission module for transmitting the encrypted print data to the printer;
A print data generation apparatus program comprising:   The identification information acquisition module according to claim 7, further comprising: an identification information acquisition module that acquires predetermined identification information from a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium at a predetermined timing and stores the acquired predetermined identification information in the information storage unit. Program for printing data generation device. A printing method using a computer and a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium,
By the computer
(A) storing predetermined identification information for identifying the printer;
(B) generating print data executable by the printer based on an electronic file for which a print instruction has been issued, and encrypting the generated print data using the predetermined identification information;
(C) transmitting the encrypted print data to the printer;
With the printer
(D) storing predetermined identification information for identifying the printer;
(E) decrypting the print data using predetermined identification information stored in the printer storage means when the print data encrypted from the computer is transmitted via the communication medium;
(F) executing and printing the decrypted print data;
Printing method.   10. The printing according to claim 9, wherein the step (a) is a step of acquiring predetermined identification information from a printer connected to the computer via a communication medium at a predetermined timing and storing the acquired predetermined identification information. Method.

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