JP2006133966A - Printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict use to a third party to a sheet with an RFID tag left in a paper discharge tray for a long period to prevent unintended distribution of a document. <P>SOLUTION: Information about copy non-permission is written in an RFID tag to the sheet with the RFID tag left in the paper discharge tray for the long period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer system for connecting RFID tags with a network.

  In a printer system consisting of paper with an RFID tag and a printer equipped with a reader / writer that can read and write to the RFID tag, a copy permission flag is provided in the RFID tag, and copying is permitted for confidential documents. By disabling the flag, copying cannot be performed and the security level can be maintained.

As another conventional example, in order to achieve document reading and network distribution based on a security policy, identification information reading means for reading document identification information using RFID or the like, and specified by the above identification information An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation requirement selection unit that selects an operation requirement; and an operation control unit that controls execution of a predetermined operation in accordance with one or more operation requirements selected by the operation requirement selection unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Can be given.
JP 2004-152260 A

  However, a normal document other than a confidential document is often permitted to have a copy permission flag in consideration of convenience.

  However, if the person who issued the print command for the RFID-tagged paper output to the paper output tray has been left without being collected for a long time, the paper with the RFID tag is collected by a person other than the person who issued the print command, There is a risk of not being copied.

  The present invention has the following configuration as a means for solving the above-described problems.

Document server storing document data including characters, figures, images, etc., a sheet with an RFID tag attached with an RFID tag capable of reading and writing data and transmitting and receiving the data by radio waves, and with the RFID tag Document including document reading means for reading a document formed on a sheet, information for identifying the document server recorded in the RFID tag of the sheet with the RFID tag and a storage position of the document data in the document server Document information reading means for reading information, document data reading means for reading corresponding document data from the document server based on the document information read by the document information reading means, and document data read by the document reading means, or Based on the document data by the document data reading means, the R Document copying means for forming a document recorded on a sheet with an ID tag on a new RFID-tagged paper, and a document for forming document information read from the document information reading means on an RFID tag of a new RFID-tagged paper When the RFID tag-added paper output by the information writing means and the document copying means has been left for a certain period of time, information that prohibits copying in the document information in the RFID tag of the RFID-tagged paper An output document management means for forming the print system.

  According to the present invention, the RFID placed on the paper discharge tray is disabled by disabling the copy permission flag in the RFID tag for the paper with the RFID tag placed on the paper discharge tray over a certain time. Tagged paper cannot be copied, and even if the tag-tagged paper is taken away by another person, unintended document distribution can be prevented by preventing the RFID tagged paper from being copied, and the security level can be improved.

  A printer system according to the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. Here, a printer system using a digital copying machine is taken as an example, but of course, a printer system constituted by an ink jet printer, an image scanner, or the like may be used.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a printer system comprising a sheet with an RFID tag according to the present invention, a digital copying machine having a reader / writer capable of reading and writing to the RFID tag, and a document server for storing document data. FIG.

  Reference numerals 100 and 101 denote printed papers, in which an RFID tag 102 is embedded. Reference numerals 103, 104, and 105 denote digital copying machines, and each digital copying machine includes a reader / writer 106 for transmitting and receiving data via an RFID tag and wireless communication described later. Reference numeral 107 denotes a network such as a local area network (LAN) to which the digital copying machines 103 and 104 are connected. The digital copying machine 105 is not connected to the LAN 107 and is limited to stand-alone use. A document server 108 is connected to the LAN 107. Reference numeral 109 denotes a PC.

  FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the digital copying machine. The digital copying machine 200 is broadly divided into an image reader unit 201 that reads an original image and a printer unit 202 that reproduces image data read by the image reader unit 201. The image reader unit 201 reads a document with a resolution of 600 dpi (dots / inch) and performs digital signal processing. The printer unit 202 is a part that outputs an image corresponding to the original image read by the image reader unit 201 to a specified sheet at a resolution of 1200 dpi on a full color. In the image reader unit 201, a document 204 on a platen glass (hereinafter referred to as a platen) 203 is irradiated with a lamp 205, guided to mirrors 206, 207, and 208, and light collected by a lens 209 is converted into an electrical signal. An image is formed on a three-line sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 210 to be converted, and sent to the signal processing unit 211 as a full color information red (R), green (G), and blue (B) component. The carriages 205 and 206 are fixed at a speed of v, and 207 and 208 are at a speed of 1/2 v by mechanically moving in the direction perpendicular to the electric scanning (main scanning) direction of the line sensor. The entire surface is scanned (sub-scanning). The signal processing unit 211 electrically processes the read image signal, decomposes it into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) components and sends them to the printer unit 202. . In addition, one component of M, C, Y, and Bk is sent to the printer unit 202 for one document scan in the image reader unit 201, and one printout is completed by a total of four document scans. . M, C, Y, and Bk image signals sent from the image reader unit 201 are sent to the laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 in accordance with the transmitted image signal. The laser beam scans on the photosensitive drum 217 via the polygon mirror 214, the f-θ lens 215, and the mirror 216. Reference numeral 218 denotes a rotary developing unit, which includes a magenta developing unit 219, a cyan developing unit 220, a yellow developing unit 221, and a black developing unit 222. The four developing units are alternately in contact with the photosensitive drum 217 and formed on the photosensitive drum. The latent image development is developed with toner. A transfer drum 223 winds a sheet supplied from the sheet cassette 224 or 225 around the transfer drum 223, and transfers an image developed on the photosensitive drum onto the sheet. In this manner, after the four colors M, C, Y, and Bk are sequentially transferred, the paper passes through the fixing unit 226, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 227 after the toner is fixed on the paper.

  FIG. 3 shows in detail the configuration of a portion of the digital copying machine 200 that processes electrical signals of a printer unit that prints on a recording medium such as paper. Reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling each part of the printer. A RAM 302 temporarily stores the results calculated by the CPU and image data handled by the printer. A ROM 303 stores a program for operating the CPU, font data for generating image data, and the like. Reference numeral 304 denotes a local bus to which the CPU, RAM, and ROM are connected. Reference numeral 305 denotes an I / O bus, which is an internal bus for function expansion. Reference numeral 306 denotes a bridge circuit for connecting the local bus and the I / O bus. A printer unit 307 is a part for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper. There are various types of printer units such as an electrophotographic system and an inkjet system. A printer interface unit 308 is used to connect the printer unit to the I / O bus, and can transfer image data stored in the RAM 302 to the printer unit 307 in accordance with instructions from the CPU. It is. Reference numeral 309 denotes a hard disk drive for spooling image data and storing programs for the CPU 301 to perform various processes. Reference numeral 311 denotes a network interface controller, which is used to connect to the local area network shown at 14 in FIG. An image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as IPU) 312 is for performing image processing such as resolution conversion. Reference numeral 313 denotes a raster image processor. The image data in the page description language transferred from the outside via the network interface circuit 311 is developed into a bitmap image according to the instruction of the CPU 301, and the bit developed in the RAM 302 Used to store map data. Reference numeral 314 denotes a video RAM into which display data displayed on an external CRT or LCD panel by the CPU is written. A video interface 315 serves as an interface for displaying display data stored in the VRAM on an external CRT or LCD panel. Reference numeral 316 denotes an extended I / O interface, which is an interface circuit for allowing the CPU of 301 to communicate with a portable device, for example.

  Communication forms include forms such as serial communication, wireless communication such as Bicentro interface or Bluetooth. Reference numeral 106 denotes an RFID reader / writer unit for reading / writing data from / to an RFID described later by wireless communication.

  FIG. 4 shows in detail the configuration of the portion of the digital copying machine 200 that processes the electrical signal of the scanner unit. Reference numeral 401 denotes a CPU for controlling each part of the scanner. A RAM 402 temporarily stores the results calculated by the CPU and image data read by the scanner. A ROM 403 stores a program for operating the CPU. Reference numeral 404 denotes a local bus to which the CPU, RAM, and ROM are connected. Reference numeral 405 denotes an I / O bus, which is an internal bus for function expansion. Reference numeral 406 denotes a bridge circuit for connecting the local bus and the I / O bus. A scanner unit 407 converts an optical signal read from a document placed on a document table (not shown) into electronic data using a CCD or the like, and transfers the electronic data. Reference numeral 408 denotes a scanner interface unit for connecting the scanner unit to the I / O bus. In accordance with an instruction from the CPU, electronic data obtained by reading a document transferred from the scanner is transferred to a RAM 402. It is possible. A network interface controller 410 is used to connect to the local area network indicated by 14 in FIG. Reference numeral 409 denotes an image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as IPU) for performing image processing such as resolution conversion. Reference numeral 411 denotes an extended I / O interface, which is an interface circuit for allowing the CPU of 401 to communicate with a portable device, for example. Communication forms include forms such as serial communication, wireless communication such as Bicentro interface or Bluetooth. Reference numeral 106 denotes an RFID reader / writer unit for reading / writing data from / to an RFID described later by wireless communication.

  In FIG. 5, the reader / writer unit 106 for reading or writing the RFID tag provided in the scanner unit 201 and the printer unit 202 will be described in detail. The reader / writer unit 106 is transmitted from the transmission antenna unit 501 for transmitting radio waves to the RFID tag unit 600, the modulation circuit 502 for modulating radio waves transmitted from the transmission antenna, and the RFID tag unit 600. A receiving antenna unit 503 for receiving incoming radio waves, a demodulating circuit 504 for demodulating a signal received from the receiving antenna unit 503, and a transmitting antenna unit 501, a modulating circuit 502, a receiving antenna unit 503, and a demodulating circuit 504 are controlled. Control unit 505, an I / F unit 506 that communicates with a host device, and a power source 507 that is connected to the transmission antenna unit 501 and supplies power to the RFID tag unit 600.

  The control unit 505 modulates a radio wave for supplying power and data to be transmitted using the modulation circuit 502 according to an instruction from the outside, and transmits the radio wave from the transmission antenna unit 501 to the outside. In addition, a radio signal received from the outside can be received by the receiving antenna unit 503, demodulated by the demodulation circuit 504, and then converted so as to be handled as a data signal.

  Next, referring to FIG. 6, the RFID tag unit 600 will be described in detail. The RFID tag unit 600 includes a nonvolatile memory 601, an antenna unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves 602, a resonant capacitor unit 603, a power forming unit 604 for rectifying and smoothing a power source, and modulating and demodulating radio waves. The post-modulation unit 605 and the control unit 606 are configured.

  The antenna unit 602 can be combined with a resonance capacitor 603 to form a resonance circuit. When a radio wave signal for supplying power is transmitted from the outside, the radio signal is received by the resonance circuit and supplied to the power forming unit 604. The power forming unit 604 supplies power for operating the RFID tag unit 600. It becomes possible. The power is supplied to the nonvolatile memory 601 and the post-modulation circuit 605. The control unit 606 is for controlling the RFID tag unit 600.

  Data to be read from or written into the RFID tag unit is also transmitted and received together with a radio wave for supplying power from the outside, and the signal sent to the RFID tag unit 600 is demodulated by the post-modulation circuit 605. And stored in the non-volatile memory 601 via the control unit 606. Data read from the nonvolatile memory 601 by the control unit 606 is modulated by the post-modulation circuit 605 and can be transmitted as a radio wave signal from the antenna unit 602.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control for the RFID-tagged paper 101 output from the printer unit 202 to the paper discharge tray 207. First, in step S <b> 701, the RFID tag paper 101 is output from the printer unit 202 according to an instruction from the user. In step S <b> 702, it is determined whether copying of the output RFID-tagged paper 101 is permitted. If it is determined in S702 that copying is not permitted, the process proceeds to S705. If it is determined in S702 that copying is permitted, it is determined in S703 whether or not the RFID-tagged paper 101 output to the paper discharge tray 227 remains. This is determined by whether or not the RFID reader / writer 106 provided in the printer unit 202 can communicate with the RFID tag of the above-described RFID-tagged paper 101. If it is determined in S703 that the RFID-tagged paper 101 remains in the paper discharge tray 227, the process proceeds to S704. In step S <b> 704, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the RFID-tagged paper sheet 101 was output from the printer unit 202. The predetermined time is set by the user and is a time such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes, but may be 0 as a matter of course.

  If it is determined that the time determined in S704 has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S703, and if it is determined that the time determined in S704 has elapsed, the process proceeds to S705. In step S <b> 705, the RFID reader / writer 106 provided in the printer unit 202 writes information indicating that the copying permission flag is not permitted, to the RFID tag provided in the RFID tag paper 101.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer system according to the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital copying machine constituting a printer system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer unit of a digital copying machine constituting a printer system according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a scanner unit of a digital copying machine constituting a printer system according to the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram of the RFID tag in the sheet | seat with an RFID tag which comprises the printer system by this invention. 1 is a block diagram of an RFID tag reader / writer provided in a digital copying machine constituting a printer system according to the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows control with respect to the sheet | seat with an RFID tag output from the printer part by the printer system by this invention.

Claims (5)

A document server storing document data including characters, figures, images, and the like, a paper with an RFID tag attached to an RFID tag capable of reading and writing data, and transmitting and receiving the data by radio waves,
Document reading means for reading a document formed on the RFID-tagged paper;
Document information reading means for reading document information including information specifying the document server recorded in the RFID tag of the RFID-tagged paper and the storage position of the document data in the document server;
Document data reading means for reading corresponding document data from the document server based on the document information read by the document information reading means;
Document copying means for forming document data read by the document reading means or a document recorded on the RFID-tagged paper based on the document data by the document data reading means on a new RFID-tagged paper;
A printing system comprising:   2. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising document information writing means for forming the document information read from the document information reading means on an RFID tag of a new RFID-tagged paper.   3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the document information includes information indicating whether copying is permitted or not.   3. The print according to claim 1, wherein the document information includes permission / non-permission information for copying using the document server and permission / non-permission information for copying without using the document server. system.   Output document management for forming information that prohibits copying in the document information in the RFID tag of the RFID-tagged paper when the RFID-tagged paper output by the document copying means has been left for a certain period of time or longer 5. The printing system according to claim 3, further comprising means.

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