JP2009152841A - Document processing system, document management device, image forming apparatus, authentication device, document management program, image forming program, and authentication program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document processing system that performs printing with woven pattern images combined one another for specifying a printing person with one authentication operation, and to provide a document management device, image forming apparatus, authentication device, document management program, image forming program, and authentication program. <P>SOLUTION: The document management device receives authentication information from a PC and requests the authentication device to authenticate the authentication information. The authentication device performs authentication processing of the authentication information and transmits the results of authentication of the authentication information to the document management device. The document management device creates print data from the object document of the print request, adds the authentication information to the print data, and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus extracts the authentication information from the print data and requests the authentication device to authenticate the authentication information. The authentication device performs authentication processing of the authentication information and transmits the results of authentication of the authentication information and woven pattern information corresponding to the authentication information to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus creates a woven pattern image on the basis of the ground tint information, creates a print image from the print data, combines a woven pattern image with the print image, and forms an image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document processing system, a document management apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an authentication apparatus, a document management program, an image formation program, and an authentication program.

  In recent years, a technology for adding a copy check pattern (hereinafter referred to as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image) to a printing result formed by an image forming apparatus such as a printer has been developed due to an increase in awareness of document security.

  For example, when printing by adding copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data to a print job, an authentication process is performed to determine whether the print job can be printed, and the authentication process determines that the print job can be printed. Is obtained, there are a printing system, a printing apparatus, a program, and a recording medium that add information (user name) related to authentication as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to a print job (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

For example, there is a document management system that prints an invisible unique print watermark generated by encoding an ID or the like written on a printer's IC card on the background of a document (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-331203 A JP 2004-280227 A

  The present invention relates to a document processing system, a document management apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an authentication apparatus, a document management program, an image forming program, and an authentication program capable of printing by combining a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image for specifying a printer by a single authentication operation. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises a document management apparatus, an authentication apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. The document management apparatus stores a document storage means for storing a document, a print request, and authentication information. A receiving unit that receives the authentication information received by the receiving unit and requests an authentication result received from the authentication unit, and an authentication request unit that receives an authentication result from the authentication unit. Print data is created from the target document, and the print data creation means adds the authentication information to the created print data, and the print data creation means for the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means. A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data storage unit for transmitting the print data, and the authentication device stores a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information storage unit for storing copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information to be added as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image for each authentication information. An authentication unit that authenticates the authentication information when the authentication information authentication request is received from the document management apparatus or the image forming apparatus that is connected via the communication unit; and An authentication result transmitting unit for transmitting an authentication result of the authentication information by the authenticating unit; and an authentication result for transmitting the authentication result of the authentication information by the authenticating unit and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information to the image forming apparatus. A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information transmission unit, wherein the image forming apparatus receives the print data from the document management apparatus connected via the communication unit, and the print data reception unit receives the print data. Authentication information extraction means for extracting the authentication information included in the data, and the authentication information extraction means for the authentication device connected via the communication means Authentication of the extracted authentication information is requested, an authentication request means for receiving an authentication result from the authentication device and a background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information, and a background pattern image is created based on the background pattern information received by the authentication request means A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit; a print image creating unit for creating a print image from the print data; a combining unit for synthesizing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit with the print image created by the print image creating unit; Image forming means for forming an image of a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is synthesized by a synthesizing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus and an authentication apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes: a print data receiving unit that receives print data including authentication information; and the print data receiving unit. Authentication information extraction means for extracting the authentication information included in the received print data, and authentication of the authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction means is requested to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and the authentication An authentication request means for receiving an authentication result from the apparatus and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information; a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating means for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information received by the authentication requesting means; and a print image from the print data A print image creating means for creating the copy-forgery-in-picture image, a combining means for synthesizing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating means with the print image created by the print image creating means, Image forming means for forming a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is combined by means, and the authentication device includes copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information storage means for storing copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information to be added as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image for each authentication information; An authentication unit for authenticating the authentication information when receiving an authentication request for the authentication information from the image forming apparatus connected via a communication unit; and the authentication information by the authentication unit for the image forming apparatus. An authentication result / background pattern information transmitting means for transmitting the authentication result and the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, a document management apparatus, and an authentication apparatus are provided, and the image forming apparatus is connected to a reception unit that receives a print request and authentication information via the communication unit. A print request received by the receiving unit to the management device, a print request / authentication information transmission unit that transmits authentication information, a print data reception unit that receives print data based on the print request from the document management device, Authentication information extracting means for extracting the authentication information contained in the print data received by the print data receiving means, and authentication information extracted by the authentication information extracting means for the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means. An authentication requesting unit for requesting authentication and receiving an authentication result from the authentication device and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information; and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern received by the authentication requesting unit A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the report; a print image creating unit for creating a print image from the print data; and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit for creating a print image created by the print image creating unit An image forming unit configured to form a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is combined by the combining unit; and the document management device includes a document storage unit that stores a document, and the communication Print request / authentication information receiving means for receiving the print request and the authentication information from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and the print request / authentication for the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means. An authentication requesting unit that requests authentication of authentication information received by the information receiving unit and receives an authentication result from the authentication device, and creates print data from the document that is the target of the print request. A print data creating unit for adding the authentication information to the created print data; and a print data transmitting unit for sending the print data created by the print data creating unit to the image forming apparatus, The authentication device receives a request for authentication of the authentication information from the document pattern management device or the image forming device connected via the communication unit, and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information storage unit that stores a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information added as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image for each authentication information. An authentication unit that authenticates the authentication information when received, an authentication result transmission unit that transmits an authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication unit to the document management device, and the image forming device An authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication means, and an authentication result / background pattern information transmission means for transmitting the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information. The

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document storage unit for storing a document, a reception unit for receiving a print request and authentication information, and an authentication information received by the reception unit with respect to an authentication apparatus connected via a communication unit. Authentication request means for requesting authentication and receiving an authentication result from the authentication apparatus; print data creation means for creating print data from a document to be printed and adding the authentication information to the created print data; And a print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data created by the print data creating means to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided print data receiving means for receiving print data including authentication information, and authentication information extracting means for extracting the authentication information contained in the print data received by the print data receiving means. And an authentication request for requesting authentication of the authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction means to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving the authentication result from the authentication apparatus and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information. Means, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating means for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information received by the authentication requesting means, a print image creating means for creating a print image from the print data, and a print created by the print image creating means An image for forming a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generated by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generating unit is combined with an image and a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is combined by the combining unit Characterized by comprising a formation unit.

  Further, the invention of claim 6 is a receiving unit that accepts a print request and authentication information, and a print request / authentication information that is sent by the accepting unit to a document management apparatus connected via a communication unit. Authentication information transmitting means, print data receiving means for receiving print data based on the print request from the document management apparatus, and authentication information extraction for extracting the authentication information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means Requesting authentication information extracted by the authentication information extracting means to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving the authentication result and the ground pattern information corresponding to the authentication information from the authentication apparatus An authentication requesting unit; a tint block image creating unit that creates a tint block image based on the tint block information received by the authentication requesting unit; and a print image from the print data A print image creation means for creating the image, a synthesis means for synthesizing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creation means with a print image created by the print image creation means, and a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is synthesized by the synthesis means And image forming means for forming an image.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an authentication request for authentication information from a background pattern information storage means for storing background pattern information to be added as a background pattern image for each authentication information, and a document management apparatus or an image forming apparatus connected via a communication means. An authentication unit that authenticates the authentication information, an authentication result transmission unit that transmits an authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication unit to the document management apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. An authentication result / background pattern information transmitting unit for transmitting the authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication unit and the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information is provided.

  Further, the invention of claim 8 is a reception process for receiving a print request and authentication information, and requests authentication of the received authentication information from an authentication apparatus connected via communication means, and an authentication result from the authentication apparatus. An authentication request process for receiving the print request, a print data creation process for creating print data from the target document of the print request stored in the storage means, and adding the authentication information to the created print data, and the communication means. And a print data transmission process for transmitting the created print data to an image forming apparatus connected via the computer.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print data receiving process for receiving print data including authentication information, an authentication information extracting process for extracting the authentication information included in the received print data, and a communication unit. Authentication request processing for requesting authentication of the extracted authentication information to an authentication apparatus connected via the authentication apparatus, receiving an authentication result from the authentication apparatus and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information, and the received copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creation process for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image; a print image creation process for creating a print image from the print data; a composition process for synthesizing the created copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the created print image; The image forming apparatus is caused to execute an image forming process for forming an image of the printed image.

  The invention of claim 10 is a receiving process for receiving a print request and authentication information, and a print request / authentication information transmission for transmitting the received print request and authentication information to a document management apparatus connected via a communication means. Processing, print data reception processing for receiving print data based on the print request from the document management apparatus, authentication information extraction processing for extracting the authentication information included in the received print data, and the communication means Requesting authentication of the extracted authentication information to the authentication device to be connected, authentication request processing for receiving the authentication result from the authentication device and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information, and the received copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creation process for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image; a print image creation process for creating a print image from the print data; A synthesis process for synthesizing the background pattern image, the background pattern image is characterized in that to execute printing image synthesized with the image forming process for forming an image on the image forming apparatus.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information storage process for storing copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information to be added as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image for each piece of authentication information, and an authentication request for the authentication information from a document management apparatus or an image forming apparatus connected via communication means. When the authentication information is received, an authentication process for authenticating the authentication information, an authentication result transmitting means for transmitting the authentication result of the authentication information to the document management apparatus, and the authentication information for the image forming apparatus. The computer is caused to execute an authentication result and an authentication result / background pattern information transmission process for transmitting the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information.

  According to the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to perform printing in which a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image for specifying a printer is combined by a single authentication operation.

  Embodiments of a document processing system, a document management apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an authentication apparatus, a document management program, an image forming program, and an authentication program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the overall configuration of the document processing system 101.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a document processing system 101 includes one or a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 2 handled by a user, and a document management apparatus 3 that manages data files (hereinafter referred to as documents). The document processing system 101 includes an authentication device 4 that authenticates authentication information of a user who requests printing of a document, and an image forming device 5 that forms a print image created from the document on a sheet. Are connected via a network 6 such as a LAN [Local Area Network].

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the document management apparatus 3, the authentication apparatus 4, and the image forming apparatus 5.

  A functional configuration of the document management apparatus 3 will be described.

  The document management apparatus 3 includes a print request processing unit 71, an authentication request unit 81, a document storage unit 9, a print data creation unit 10, and a print data transmission unit 11.

  The print request processing unit 71 performs processing for receiving a print request transmitted from the PC 2, processing for requesting user authentication information from the PC 2, processing for receiving user authentication information transmitted from the PC 2, and the like. .

  The authentication request unit 81 receives the authentication request of the authentication information of the user transmitted from the authentication device 4, processing for requesting the authentication device 4 to authenticate the authentication information of the user received from the PC 2 by the print request processing unit 71. The processing to do is performed.

  The document storage unit 9 is a storage area for storing a document.

  The print data creation unit 10 creates print data (for example, PDL) in a format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 5 from the document that is the target of the print request received from the PC 2 by the print request processing unit 71. Processing for adding user authentication information to the created print data is performed.

  The print data transmission unit 11 performs processing for transmitting print data including user authentication information created by the print data creation unit 10 to the image forming apparatus 5.

  It is also possible to apply a configuration in which a document management program including the above-described print request processing unit 71, authentication request unit 81, print data creation unit 10, and print data transmission unit 11 is incorporated in a general-purpose computer or server. It is. In this case, the document management program is stored in the storage unit of the computer or server, and the CPU of the computer or server executes the document management program stored in the storage unit. Further, the document management program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or an optical disk, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the authentication device 4 will be described.

  The authentication device 4 includes an authentication request processing unit 12, an authentication processing unit 13, and an authentication information / background pattern information storage unit 14.

  The authentication request processing unit 12 receives a request for authentication of user authentication information from the document management device 3 or the image forming device 5, and the authentication result of the user authentication information performed by the authentication processing unit 13 Processing to transmit to the image forming apparatus 5 is performed. The image forming apparatus 5 is transmitted with the ground pattern information (details will be described later) corresponding to the authentication result and the user authentication information.

  The authentication processing unit 13 performs authentication processing of the user authentication information received by the authentication request processing unit 12.

  The authentication information / background pattern information storage unit 14 is a storage area for storing character information (hereinafter referred to as background pattern information) to be added as a background pattern image for each user authentication information. For example, the user authentication information and the corresponding background pattern information are stored in a table format as shown in FIG. When the authentication information “AH218972” is received from the image forming apparatus 5 and the authentication information “AH218972” is successfully authenticated, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information “first development department Ichiro Sato” corresponding to the authentication information “AH218972” is transferred to the image forming apparatus 5. Send to.

  Note that it is also possible to apply a configuration in which an authentication program having the above-described authentication request processing unit 12 and authentication processing unit 13 as functions is incorporated in a general-purpose computer or server. In that case, the authentication program is stored in the storage unit of the computer or server, and the CPU of the computer or server executes the authentication program stored in the storage unit. Further, the authentication program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 5 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 5 includes a print data receiving unit 15, an authentication information extracting unit 16, an authentication requesting unit 82, a tint block image creating unit 17, a print image creating unit 18, a tint block image synthesizing unit 19, and an image forming unit 20. Is done.

  The print data receiving unit 15 performs processing for receiving print data transmitted from the document management apparatus 3.

  The authentication information extraction unit 16 performs processing for extracting user authentication information included in the print data received by the print data reception unit 15.

  The authentication request unit 82 requests the authentication device 4 to authenticate the user authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction unit 16, the authentication result of the user authentication information transmitted from the authentication device 4, and the user authentication. A process of receiving copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the information is performed.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit 17 performs processing for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the user authentication information received by the authentication requesting unit 82.

  The print image creating unit 18 performs processing for creating a print image such as bitmap data from the print data.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image synthesizing unit 19 performs processing for synthesizing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit 17 with the print image created by the print image creating unit 18.

  The image forming unit 20 performs a process of forming an image on a print medium, which is a combined print pattern image.

  Note that an image forming program having the above-described print data receiving unit 15, authentication information extracting unit 16, authentication request unit 82, tint block image creating unit 17, print image creating unit 18, and tint block image synthesizing unit 19 as a general-purpose image is provided. It is also possible to apply a configuration incorporated in the forming apparatus. At that time, the image forming program is stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, and the CPU of the image forming apparatus executes the image forming program stored in the storage unit. In addition, the image forming program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or an optical disc, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed in the document processing system 101 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation on the PC in order to request printing of the document managed by the document management apparatus, the PC transmits a use request to the document management apparatus (S401).

  When receiving the use request from the PC, the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus transmits an authentication information request to the PC (S402).

  When the PC receives the authentication information request from the document management apparatus, the PC displays a message prompting the user to input authentication information on the display or the like, and the user who has confirmed the message inputs his / her authentication information (note that the keyboard, IC card) The PC transmits user authentication information to the document management apparatus (S403).

  When the print request unit of the document management apparatus receives user authentication information from the PC, the authentication request unit of the document management apparatus transmits an authentication request for user authentication information to the authentication apparatus (S404).

  When the authentication request processing unit of the authentication device receives the authentication request from the document management device, the authentication processing unit of the authentication device performs an authentication process of the user authentication information (S405), and the authentication request processing unit sends the authentication request processing unit to the document management device. Then, the result of the authentication process of the user authentication information is transmitted (S406).

  When the authentication request unit of the document management apparatus receives the result of the authentication process from the authentication apparatus, if the result of the authentication process is successful, the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus transmits a document print permission to the PC ( S407). If the result of the authentication process is unsuccessful, the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus sends a document print permission to the PC.

  When the PC receives a document print permission from the document management apparatus, the PC displays a message or the like indicating the document print permission on a display or the like. When the user who confirms the message inputs a print request for the document, the PC A document print request is transmitted to the server (S408).

  When the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus receives a document print request from the PC, the print data creation unit of the document management apparatus takes out the document that is the target of the print request from the document storage unit and prints from the extracted document. Data is created, user authentication information is added to the created print data (S409), and the print data transmission unit of the document management apparatus transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus (S410).

  When the print data receiving unit of the image forming apparatus receives the print data from the document management apparatus, the authentication information extracting unit of the image forming apparatus extracts authentication information from the print data (S411), and the authentication requesting unit of the image forming apparatus is authenticated. An authentication information authentication request is transmitted to the apparatus (S412).

  When the authentication request processing unit of the authentication device receives the authentication request from the image forming apparatus, the authentication processing unit of the authentication device performs authentication processing of authentication information (S413), and the authentication request processing unit performs copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information. Is extracted from the authentication information / background pattern information storage unit, and the authentication information authentication process result and background pattern information are transmitted to the image forming apparatus (S414).

  When the authentication request unit of the image forming apparatus receives the authentication information and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information from the authentication device, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit of the image forming apparatus creates a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information. A print image is created from the print data (S415), the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image combining unit of the image forming apparatus combines the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the print image (S416), and the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus generates a print image with the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image combined. Image formation is performed (S417), and the processing procedure ends.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the overall configuration of the document processing system 102.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the document processing system 102 authenticates one or a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 2 handled by a user and authentication information of a user who requests printing by the document processing system 102. The apparatus 4 includes an image forming apparatus 5 that forms a print image on a sheet, and each apparatus is connected via a network 6 such as a LAN [Local Area Network].

  In the second embodiment, print data is created from a data file or the like by a printer driver or the like installed in the PC 2, user authentication information is added to the created print data, and the print data is directly transmitted to the image forming apparatus 5. It is the composition to do.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the image forming apparatus 5 and the authentication apparatus 4.

  A functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 5 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 5 includes a print data receiving unit 15, an authentication information extracting unit 16, an authentication requesting unit 82, a tint block image creating unit 17, a print image creating unit 18, a tint block image synthesizing unit 19, and an image forming unit 20. Is done.

  The print data receiving unit 15 performs a process of receiving print data transmitted from the PC 2.

  The authentication information extraction unit 16 performs processing for extracting user authentication information included in the print data received by the print data reception unit 15.

  The authentication request unit 82 requests the authentication device 4 to authenticate the user authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction unit 16, the authentication result of the user authentication information transmitted from the authentication device 4, and the user authentication. A process of receiving copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the information is performed.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit 17 performs processing for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the user authentication information received by the authentication requesting unit 82.

  The print image creating unit 18 performs processing for creating a print image such as bitmap data from the print data.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image synthesizing unit 19 performs processing for synthesizing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit 17 with the print image created by the print image creating unit 18.

  The image forming unit 20 performs a process of forming an image of a print image obtained by combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image on a print medium.

  Note that an image forming program having the above-described print data receiving unit 15, authentication information extracting unit 16, authentication request unit 82, tint block image creating unit 17, print image creating unit 18, and tint block image synthesizing unit 19 as a general-purpose image is provided. It is also possible to apply a configuration incorporated in the forming apparatus. At that time, the image forming program is stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, and the CPU of the image forming apparatus executes the image forming program stored in the storage unit. In addition, the image forming program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or an optical disc, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the authentication device 4 will be described.

  The authentication device 4 includes an authentication request processing unit 12, an authentication processing unit 13, and an authentication information / background pattern information storage unit 14.

  The authentication request processing unit 12 receives a request for authentication of user authentication information from the image forming apparatus 5, the authentication result of the user authentication information performed by the authentication processing unit 13, and the background pattern information corresponding to the user authentication information. Processing to transmit to the image forming apparatus 5 is performed.

  The authentication processing unit 13 performs authentication processing of the user authentication information received by the authentication request processing unit 12.

  The authentication information / background pattern information storage unit 14 is a storage area for storing character information to be added as a background pattern image for each user authentication information. For example, the user authentication information and the corresponding background pattern information are stored in a table format as shown in FIG. When the authentication information “AH218972” is received from the image forming apparatus, if the authentication information “AH218972” is successfully authenticated, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information “first development department Ichiro Sato” corresponding to the authentication information “AH218972” is sent to the image forming apparatus. Send.

  Note that it is also possible to apply a configuration in which an authentication program having the above-described authentication request processing unit 12 and authentication processing unit 13 as functions is incorporated in a general-purpose computer or server. In that case, the authentication program is stored in the storage unit of the computer or server, and the CPU of the computer or server executes the authentication program stored in the storage unit. Further, the authentication program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed in the document processing system 102 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation on the PC to request printing, the PC transmits print data including user authentication information to the image forming apparatus (S701).

  When the print data receiving unit of the image forming apparatus receives print data from the PC, the authentication information extracting unit of the image forming apparatus extracts user authentication information from the print data (S702), and the authentication requesting unit of the image forming apparatus authenticates. An authentication information authentication request is transmitted to the apparatus (S703).

  When the authentication request processing unit of the authentication device receives the authentication request from the image forming apparatus, the authentication processing unit of the authentication device performs authentication processing of authentication information (S704), and the authentication request processing unit performs copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information. Is extracted from the authentication information / background pattern information storage unit, and the authentication information authentication process result and background pattern information are transmitted to the image forming apparatus (S705).

  When the authentication request unit of the image forming apparatus receives the authentication information and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information from the authentication device, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit of the image forming apparatus creates a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information. A print image is created from the print data (S706), the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image combining unit of the image forming apparatus combines the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the print image (S707), and the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus generates a print image with the combined copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image. Image formation is performed (S708), and the processing procedure ends.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the overall configuration of the document processing system 103.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the document processing system 103 authenticates the document management apparatus 3 that manages a data file (hereinafter referred to as a document) and the authentication information of the user who requests the document processing system 103 to print the document. The authentication apparatus 4 is configured to include an image forming apparatus 5 that forms a print image created from a document on a sheet, and each apparatus is connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). .

  In the third embodiment, the image forming apparatus makes a print request to the document management apparatus.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the image forming apparatus 5, the document management apparatus 3, and the authentication apparatus 4.

  A functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 5 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 5 includes a print request receiving unit 21, a print request processing unit 72, an authentication information extracting unit 16, an authentication requesting unit 82, a tint block image creating unit 17, a print image creating unit 18, a tint block image synthesizing unit 19, and an image forming unit. 20.

  The print request reception unit 21 performs a process of receiving a print request and user authentication information input by a user performing a predetermined operation with a user interface such as a button.

  The print request processing unit 72 performs processing for transmitting a print data request to the document management device 2, processing for transmitting user authentication information to the document management device 2, and print data transmitted from the document management device 3. The process etc. which receive are performed.

  The authentication information extraction unit 16 performs processing for extracting user authentication information included in the print data received by the print request processing unit 72.

  The authentication request unit 82 requests the authentication device 4 to authenticate the user authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction unit 16, the authentication result of the user authentication information transmitted from the authentication device 4, and the user authentication. A process of receiving copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the information is performed.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit 17 performs processing for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the user authentication information received by the authentication requesting unit 82.

  The print image creating unit 18 performs processing for creating a print image such as bitmap data from the print data.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image synthesizing unit 19 performs processing for synthesizing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit 17 with the print image created by the print image creating unit 18.

  The image forming unit 20 performs a process of forming an image of a print image obtained by combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image on a print medium.

  Note that the image includes the above-described print request reception unit 21, print request processing unit 72, authentication information extraction unit 16, authentication request unit 82, tint block image creation unit 17, print image creation unit 18, and tint block image composition unit 19 as functions. It is also possible to apply a configuration in which the forming program is incorporated into a general-purpose image forming apparatus. At that time, the image forming program is stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, and the CPU of the image forming apparatus executes the image forming program stored in the storage unit. In addition, the image forming program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or an optical disc, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  A functional configuration of the document management apparatus 3 will be described.

  The document management apparatus 3 includes a print request processing unit 71, an authentication request unit 81, a document storage unit 9, and a print data creation unit 10.

  The print request processing unit 71 receives a request for print data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 5, receives a user authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 5, and processes the image forming apparatus 5. Processing to send print data is performed.

  The authentication request unit 81 requests the authentication device 4 to authenticate the user authentication information received by the print request processing unit 71 from the image forming apparatus 5, and authenticates the user authentication information transmitted from the authentication device 4. Processing to receive the result is performed.

  The document storage unit 9 is a storage area for storing a document.

  The print data creation unit 10 generates print data (for example, PDL) in a format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 5 from the document that is the target of the print request received by the print request processing unit 71 from the image forming apparatus 5. Processing to create, processing to add user authentication information to the created print data, and the like are performed.

  It is also possible to apply a configuration in which a document management program that includes the above-described print request processing unit 71, authentication request unit 81, and print data creation unit 10 as functions is incorporated in a general-purpose computer or server. In this case, the document management program is stored in the storage unit of the computer or server, and the CPU of the computer or server executes the document management program stored in the storage unit. Further, the document management program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or an optical disk, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the authentication device 4 will be described.

  The authentication device 4 includes an authentication request processing unit 12, an authentication processing unit 13, and an authentication information / background pattern information storage unit 14.

  The authentication request processing unit 12 receives a request for authentication of user authentication information from the document management device 3 or the image forming device 5, and the authentication result of the user authentication information performed by the authentication processing unit 13 Processing to transmit to the image forming apparatus 5 is performed. The image forming apparatus 5 is transmitted with copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information (described later) corresponding to the authentication result and user authentication information.

  The authentication processing unit 13 performs authentication processing of the user authentication information received by the authentication request processing unit 12.

  The authentication information / background pattern information storage unit 14 is a storage area for storing character information (hereinafter referred to as background pattern information) to be added as a background pattern image for each user authentication information. For example, the user authentication information and the corresponding background pattern information are stored in a table format as shown in FIG. When the authentication information “AH218972” is received from the image forming apparatus, if the authentication information “AH218972” is successfully authenticated, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information “first development department Ichiro Sato” corresponding to the authentication information “AH218972” is sent to the image forming apparatus. Send.

  Note that it is also possible to apply a configuration in which an authentication program having the above-described authentication request processing unit 12 and authentication processing unit 13 as functions is incorporated in a general-purpose computer or server. In that case, the authentication program is stored in the storage unit of the computer or server, and the CPU of the computer or server executes the authentication program stored in the storage unit. Further, the authentication program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed in the document processing system 103 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  When a user performs a predetermined operation on the image forming apparatus to request printing of a document managed by the document management apparatus, the print request receiving unit of the image forming apparatus receives the print request and prints the image forming apparatus. The request processing unit transmits a use request to the document management apparatus (S1001).

  When receiving the use request from the image forming apparatus, the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus transmits an authentication information request to the image forming apparatus (S1002).

  When the print request processing unit of the image forming apparatus receives an authentication information request from the document management apparatus, the print request processing unit displays a message or the like for prompting input of the authentication information on a display or the like, and the user who confirms the message inputs his or her authentication information. (It is input with a keyboard, an IC card or the like), the print request receiving unit of the image forming apparatus receives user authentication information, and the print request processing unit of the image forming apparatus transmits user authentication information to the document management apparatus. (S1003).

  When the print request unit of the document management apparatus receives user authentication information from the image forming apparatus, the authentication request unit of the document management apparatus transmits an authentication request for user authentication information to the authentication apparatus (S1004).

  When the authentication request processing unit of the authentication device receives the authentication request from the document management device, the authentication processing unit of the authentication device performs authentication processing of the user authentication information (S1005), and the authentication request processing unit sends the authentication request processing unit to the document management device. The result of the authentication processing of the user authentication information is transmitted (S1006).

  When the authentication request unit of the document management apparatus receives the result of the authentication process from the authentication apparatus, if the result of the authentication process is successful, the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus transmits a document print permission to the image forming apparatus. (S1007). If the result of the authentication process is unsuccessful, the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus transmits a document print permission to the image forming apparatus.

  When the print request processing unit of the image forming apparatus receives a document print permission from the document management apparatus, a message indicating the document print permission is displayed on the display or the like, and the user who confirms the message inputs the document print request. Then, the print request receiving unit of the image forming apparatus receives a document print request, and the print request processing unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a print data request to the document management apparatus (S1008).

  When the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus receives a print data request from the image forming apparatus, the print data creation unit of the document management apparatus retrieves the requested document from the document storage unit, and from the retrieved document Print data is created, user authentication information is added to the created print data (S1009), and the print request processing unit of the document management apparatus transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus (S1010).

  When the print request processing unit of the image forming apparatus receives print data from the document management apparatus, the authentication information extraction unit of the image forming apparatus extracts authentication information from the print data (S1011), and the authentication request unit of the image forming apparatus authenticates. An authentication information authentication request is transmitted to the apparatus (S1012).

  When the authentication request processing unit of the authentication apparatus receives the authentication request from the image forming apparatus, the authentication processing unit of the authentication apparatus performs authentication processing of authentication information (S1013), and the authentication request processing unit performs copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information. Is extracted from the authentication information / background pattern information storage unit, and the authentication information authentication process result and background pattern information are transmitted to the image forming apparatus (S1014).

  When the authentication request unit of the image forming apparatus receives the authentication information and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information from the authentication device, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating unit of the image forming apparatus creates a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information. A print image is created from the print data (S1015), the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image combining unit of the image forming apparatus combines the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the print image (S1016), and the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus Image formation is performed (S1017), and the processing procedure ends.

It is a figure which shows Example 1 of the whole structure of a document processing system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of a document management apparatus, an authentication apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the authentication information and ground pattern information which are memorize | stored in the authentication information and ground pattern information storage part. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with a document processing system. It is a figure which shows Example 2 of the whole structure of a document processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of a functional structure of an image forming apparatus and an authentication apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with a document processing system. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the overall configuration of a document processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of a functional structure of an image forming apparatus, a document management apparatus, and an authentication apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with a document processing system.

Explanation of symbols

101, 102, 103 Document processing system 2 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Document management apparatus 4 Authentication apparatus 5 Image forming apparatus 6 Network 71, 72 Print request process part 81, 82 Authentication request part 9 Document storage part 10 Print data creation part 11 Print data transmission part 12 Authentication request process part 13 Authentication process part 14 Authentication information / background pattern information storage unit 15 Print data reception unit 16 Authentication information extraction unit 17 Background pattern image generation unit 18 Print image generation unit 19 Background pattern image composition unit 20 Image formation unit 21 Print request reception unit

Claims (11)

A document management device, an authentication device, and an image forming device;
The document management apparatus includes:
Document storage means for storing a document;
A receiving means for receiving a print request and authentication information;
Authentication request means for requesting authentication of authentication information accepted by the accepting means to the authentication apparatus connected via communication means, and accepting an authentication result from the authentication apparatus;
Print data creating means for creating print data from the document to be printed, and adding the authentication information to the created print data;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data created by the print data creation means to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means,
The authentication device
A tint block information storage unit for storing tint block information to be added as a tint block image for each authentication information;
Authentication means for authenticating the authentication information upon receiving an authentication information authentication request from the document management apparatus or the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Authentication result transmission means for transmitting an authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication means to the document management device;
An authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication unit and an authentication result / background pattern information transmission unit that transmits the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print data receiving means for receiving the print data from the document management apparatus connected via the communication means;
Authentication information extracting means for extracting the authentication information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means;
An authentication request for requesting authentication of the authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction means to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving an authentication result from the authentication apparatus and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information Means,
A tint block image creating unit that creates a tint block image based on the tint block information received by the authentication request unit;
Print image creating means for creating a print image from the print data;
Combining means for combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating means with the print image created by the print image creating means;
An image forming unit that forms an image of a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is combined by the combining unit. An image forming apparatus and an authentication apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print data receiving means for receiving print data including authentication information;
Authentication information extracting means for extracting the authentication information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means;
Authentication request means for requesting authentication of the authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction means to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving an authentication result from the authentication apparatus and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information When,
A tint block image creating unit that creates a tint block image based on the tint block information received by the authentication request unit;
Print image creating means for creating a print image from the print data;
Combining means for combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating means with the print image created by the print image creating means;
Image forming means for forming an image of a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is synthesized by the synthesizing means,
The authentication device
A tint block information storage unit for storing tint block information to be added as a tint block image for each authentication information;
An authentication unit for authenticating the authentication information when receiving an authentication request for the authentication information from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication unit;
A document processing system comprising: an authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication unit and an authentication result / background pattern information transmitting unit that transmits the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information to the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus, a document management apparatus, and an authentication apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A receiving means for receiving a print request and authentication information;
A print request accepted by the accepting means to the document management apparatus connected via the communication means, a print request / authentication information sending means for sending authentication information;
Print data receiving means for receiving print data based on the print request from the document management device;
Authentication information extracting means for extracting the authentication information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means;
An authentication request for requesting authentication of the authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction means to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving an authentication result from the authentication apparatus and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information Means,
A tint block image creating unit that creates a tint block image based on the tint block information received by the authentication request unit;
Print image creating means for creating a print image from the print data;
Combining means for combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating means with the print image created by the print image creating means;
Image forming means for forming an image of a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is synthesized by the synthesizing means,
The document management apparatus includes:
Document storage means for storing a document;
The print request from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, a print request / authentication information receiving means for receiving the authentication information;
Authentication request means for requesting authentication of authentication information received by the print request / authentication information receiving means to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving an authentication result from the authentication apparatus;
Print data creating means for creating print data from the document to be printed, and adding the authentication information to the created print data;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data created by the print data creation means to the image forming apparatus,
The authentication device
A tint block information storage unit for storing tint block information to be added as a tint block image for each authentication information;
Authentication means for authenticating the authentication information upon receiving an authentication information authentication request from the document management apparatus or the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Authentication result transmission means for transmitting an authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication means to the document management device;
A document processing system comprising: an authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication unit and an authentication result / background pattern information transmitting unit that transmits the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information to the image forming apparatus. Document storage means for storing a document;
A receiving means for receiving a print request and authentication information;
An authentication requesting unit for requesting authentication of authentication information received by the receiving unit to an authentication device connected via a communication unit, and receiving an authentication result from the authentication unit;
Print data creating means for creating print data from the document to be printed, and adding the authentication information to the created print data;
A document management apparatus comprising: a print data transmission unit configured to transmit print data created by the print data creation unit to an image forming apparatus connected via the communication unit. Print data receiving means for receiving print data including authentication information;
Authentication information extracting means for extracting the authentication information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means;
Authentication request means for requesting authentication of the authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction means to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving the authentication result from the authentication apparatus and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information; ,
A tint block image creating unit that creates a tint block image based on the tint block information received by the authentication request unit;
Print image creating means for creating a print image from the print data;
Combining means for combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating means with the print image created by the print image creating means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is combined by the combining unit. A receiving means for receiving a print request and authentication information;
A print request accepted by the accepting means to a document management apparatus connected via a communication means, a print request / authentication information sending means for sending authentication information;
Print data receiving means for receiving print data based on the print request from the document management device;
Authentication information extracting means for extracting the authentication information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means;
Authentication request means for requesting authentication of the authentication information extracted by the authentication information extraction means to the authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving the authentication result from the authentication apparatus and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information When,
A tint block image creating unit that creates a tint block image based on the tint block information received by the authentication request unit;
Print image creating means for creating a print image from the print data;
Combining means for combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image creating means with the print image created by the print image creating means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of a print image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is combined by the combining unit. A tint block information storage means for storing tint block information to be added as a tint block image for each authentication information;
An authentication unit that authenticates the authentication information when an authentication request for the authentication information is received from a document management apparatus or an image forming apparatus connected via a communication unit;
Authentication result transmission means for transmitting an authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication means to the document management device;
An authentication apparatus comprising: an authentication result of the authentication information by the authentication unit and an authentication result / background pattern information transmission unit that transmits the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information to the image forming apparatus. A reception process for receiving a print request and authentication information;
An authentication request process for requesting authentication of the received authentication information to an authentication device connected via a communication means, and receiving an authentication result from the authentication device;
Print data creation processing for creating print data from the document of the print request target stored in the storage means, and adding the authentication information to the created print data;
A document management program which causes a computer to execute print data transmission processing for transmitting the created print data to an image forming apparatus connected via the communication unit. Print data reception processing for receiving print data including authentication information;
Authentication information extraction processing for extracting the authentication information included in the received print data;
An authentication request process for requesting authentication of the extracted authentication information to an authentication apparatus connected via a communication means, and receiving an authentication result from the authentication apparatus and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information;
A tint block image creation process for creating a tint block image based on the received tint block information;
A print image creation process for creating a print image from the print data;
A synthesis process for synthesizing the created copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the created print image;
An image forming program for causing an image forming apparatus to execute an image forming process for forming an image of a print image obtained by combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image. A reception process for receiving a print request and authentication information;
A print request / authentication information transmission process for transmitting the received print request and authentication information to a document management apparatus connected via a communication means;
Print data reception processing for receiving print data based on the print request from the document management device;
Authentication information extraction processing for extracting the authentication information included in the received print data;
An authentication request process for requesting authentication of the extracted authentication information to an authentication apparatus connected via the communication means, and receiving an authentication result from the authentication apparatus and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information corresponding to the authentication information;
A tint block image creation process for creating a tint block image based on the received tint block information;
A print image creation process for creating a print image from the print data;
A synthesis process for synthesizing the created copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the created print image;
An image forming program for causing an image forming apparatus to execute an image forming process for forming an image of a print image obtained by combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image. A tint block information storage process for storing tint block information to be added as a tint block image for each authentication information;
An authentication process for authenticating the authentication information when an authentication request for the authentication information is received from a document management apparatus or an image forming apparatus connected via a communication unit;
Authentication result transmission means for transmitting an authentication result of the authentication information to the document management device;
An authentication program causing a computer to execute an authentication result of the authentication information and an authentication result / background pattern information transmission process for transmitting the background pattern information corresponding to the authentication information to the image forming apparatus.

Images