JP2010023349A - Image formation device, method for controlling image formation, image formation control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device which performs a user authentication for making a MICR print appropriately and effectively, an image formation device, an image formation control method, an image formation control program and a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: A laser printer 1 accumulates MICR printing data demanding the MICR print using a cartridge for MICR printing into HDD15. If a password is input from an operation panel 3, the password authentication of the input password with the password beforehand registered in NVRAM18 is performed. If the above authentication is unsuccessful, the number of times of the unsuccessful authentication is registered in HDD15 for the every MICR printing data, and then the utilization propriety is determined for the every MICR printing data based on whether the number of times of unsuccessful authentication in HDD15 has reached the predetermined number of times of an unjust unsuccessful authentication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image formation control method, an image formation control program, and a recording medium, and more specifically, image formation for performing MICR (Magnetic ink character recognition) printing by appropriately performing user authentication. The present invention relates to an apparatus, an image formation control method, an image formation control program, and a recording medium.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a composite apparatus, an image of an important document (document) such as a check or a bill may be printed. In the printing of images of such important documents, MICR printing using magnetic toner has been conventionally performed. In this MICR printing, a typeface having a special shape called MICR font using magnetic toner is used. ing.

  In such an image forming apparatus that performs MICR printing, a password is assigned to each user, and for each print job using MICR printing, a user ID and password for specifying the user who requests the print job are requested. A user authentication process is performed to determine whether or not the user ID and password registered in advance match, and only when the user authentication is successful, the execution of the print job is permitted.

  Further, in an image forming apparatus that performs MICR printing, if only MICR printing is performed, the versatility of the image forming apparatus is lacking. Therefore, conventionally, a process cartridge for MICR printing and a process cartridge for normal printing are appropriately replaced. It is possible to switch between normal printing and MICR printing as needed, and when the installed process cartridge is a cartridge for MICR, it is important to restrict the execution of the copy mode and FAX mode by the above user authentication. There has been proposed an MICR printer combined image forming apparatus that prevents document forgery (see Patent Document 1).

  However, when printing is restricted by user authentication using a user ID and a password, if a third party who knows the user ID inputs the password mechanically continuously, it may eventually reach the correct password.

  In order to prevent such a situation, when user authentication fails a plurality of times, authentication by the user ID is rejected and use of an image forming apparatus that performs MICR printing is prohibited. Will be unduly restricted.

  Conventionally, the number of authentication failures is counted and stored for each user identification information and for each mode, and authentication by user identification information whose number of impression failures has reached a predetermined number is prohibited, and data received from the outside is imaged There has been proposed an image forming apparatus that is in a print mode and prohibits the update of the number of failures when authentication fails continuously and excludes authentication from being prohibited (see Patent Document 2). That is, according to this prior art, when a print request accompanied by authentication is made from a network computer to the image forming apparatus, when the user ID and password are transmitted together with the print data, the user is instructed to transmit the print data to the image forming apparatus. When inputting the user ID and password, the computer transmits the user ID and password together with the print data to the image forming apparatus, or the user ID and password registered in advance in the printer driver together with the print data. When a plurality of copies of an image are instructed for one print data for transmission, the computer continuously sends the same print data to the image forming apparatus together with the user ID and password in the number corresponding to the number of copies. Send. Therefore, in the prior art described in Patent Document 2, when a legitimate user erroneously inputs a password, update of the number of failures is prohibited, and a user authentication request is issued for the number of times requested by the wrong password. An attempt is made to prevent the authentication by the user ID from being rejected thereafter.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-151832 JP 2007-166439 A

  However, in the prior art described in Patent Document 2, authentication is restricted by counting the number of authentications in consideration of not only the user ID and password but also the mode. This is a unit, and the object for which the use of the image forming apparatus is prohibited is the user ID unit.

  That is, an image forming apparatus having a MICR printing function is not only used for MICR printing of an important document such as a check by mounting a MICR cartridge, but also requires regulation using the MICR cartridge. When printing a document that is not so important, the MICR cartridge is removed, a normal cartridge is installed, and a normal document is printed. There was a case where there was no problem even if they were different, and there was a problem that the usability was poor.

  In some cases, a single user ID and a single password are shared by a plurality of users to use the image forming apparatus. In such a case, if the use of one user ID is prohibited, the use is prohibited. Not only the user who performed the action but also other users who share the user ID are prohibited from using the image forming apparatus, and there is a problem that the usability is poor.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium that perform password authentication with improved usability for authorized users while appropriately preventing unauthorized password authentication. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention stores at least print data for requesting MICR printing using a cartridge for MICR printing in a storage unit, and when a password is input from a password input unit, the input data Authentication of the password and the password registered in the password storage unit is performed, and if the authentication fails, the number of failures is stored for each MICR print data in the authentication failure number storage unit, and the authentication failure number storage unit is authenticated. The use of each MICR print data is determined based on whether or not the number of failures has reached a predetermined limit.

  Further, the present invention provides an image forming process other than MICR printing using the MICR cartridge for the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures in the authentication failure number storage means reaches the limit number, the storage means One of the erasing process from the image forming process and the image formation prohibiting process maintaining the accumulation state in the accumulating unit may be executed.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides an image forming process other than MICR printing using the MICR print cartridge, a deletion process from the storage unit, or the MICR print data for which the number of authentication failures has reached the limit number, The image forming prohibition process that maintains the storage state in the storage unit can be selected, and the selected process is executed.

  In addition, the present invention provides an image forming process other than MICR printing using the MICR printing cartridge, a deletion process from the storage unit, or the MICR print data for which the number of authentication failures has reached the limit number, When the image formation prohibiting process while maintaining the storage state in the storage unit is executed, the execution history of the process may be stored in the history storage unit.

  According to the present invention, the number of authentication failures in password authentication is counted for each MICR printing, and when the number of authentication failures reaches a preset limit number, it is determined whether or not the MICR print data can be used. Thus, it is possible to appropriately prevent unauthorized password authentication and improve usability of authorized users.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 12 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the image forming apparatus and image forming according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a laser printer 1 to which a first embodiment of a control method, an image formation control program, and a recording medium are applied. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 includes a controller 2, an operation panel 3, a printer engine 4, and the like, and is connected to a host device HS such as a host computer. As the laser printer 1, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a color printer apparatus, a color copying apparatus, or a color composite apparatus is used.

  As the printer engine (image forming means) 4 of the laser printer 1, a paper transport path for transporting paper from a paper feed cassette of a paper feed section is formed in a main body housing (not shown), and along the paper transport path, A conveyance roller, a registration roller, a transfer roller, a guide plate, and the like are provided. The printer engine 4 is provided with a fixing unit on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance path in the main body casing. The fixing unit heats and pressurizes the sheet on which the toner image is transferred, The toner image is fixed on the paper and sent to a downstream discharge roller, and the discharge roller discharges the image-formed paper to the paper discharge unit.

  The printer engine 4 includes a process cartridge (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a cartridge) 4a so that the process cartridge for normal printing and the process cartridge for MICR printing can be exchanged, and the process cartridge 4a is used for MICR printing. By installing a process cartridge, MICR printing can be executed. When MICR printing is executed, the purpose of MICR printing is usually to print checks, bills, etc. In this case, a dedicated sheet corresponding to the printing purpose is set. The printer engine 4 includes an optical writing unit disposed in the main body housing. The optical writing unit includes a polygon motor, a polygon mirror, an Fθ lens, a laser diode as a light source, a mirror, and the like. The writing light modulated based on the above is emitted from the laser diode. In the laser printer 1, the process cartridge 4a is detachably mounted on the paper transport path in the main body housing in a state where the upper side of the paper transport path is formed. The process cartridge 4a includes a photoconductor, a charging roller, a cleaning roller. A waste toner collection unit, a development / toner storage unit, and the like are stored in a cartridge case and integrated. The process cartridge 4a is housed in the printer engine 4 of the laser printer 1 and is detachably mounted in a state in which the photosensitive member is in contact with the transfer roller, and is supplied between the photosensitive member and the transfer roller. The paper that is separated one by one from the paper cassette by the paper feed roller and sent to the registration roller by the conveyance roller is conveyed after the timing is adjusted by the registration roller. The photosensitive member of the process cartridge 4a is rotationally driven by a driving mechanism (not shown) of the printer engine 4 and the surface thereof is uniformly charged by a charging roller. The photosensitive member is irradiated with laser light from the optical writing unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, and toner is supplied from the developing / toner accommodating portion when passing through the developing / toner accommodating portion. Thus, the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image. The toner image on the photoconductor is transferred onto the paper conveyed between the transfer roller and the photoconductor by the transfer roller when the photoconductor further rotates and faces the transfer roller. Then, the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit. The fixing unit conveys the conveyed paper while being heated by the fixing roller and the pressure roller heated to the fixing temperature, and fixes the toner image on the paper to the paper. The printer engine 4 completes the fixing. The discharged paper is discharged onto a paper discharge unit by a conveyance roller. The photosensitive member on which the transfer of the process cartridge 4a has been completed is further rotated to remove the remaining toner in the cleaning / waste toner collecting section, and is again used for image formation. In the following description, image formation is referred to as printing and image formation processing is referred to as printing processing as necessary.

  As described above, the laser printer 1 can replace the normal printing process cartridge used in normal printing and the MICR printing process cartridge used in MICR printing as the process cartridge 4a, respectively, so that the printer engine 4 can be replaced. It is possible to install.

  The laser printer 1 also includes a cartridge determination unit 105 (see FIG. 2) that determines whether the process cartridge 4a mounted is a normal process cartridge or a MICR print process cartridge. The determination unit 105 attaches the process cartridge 4a to the laser printer 1 so that the process cartridge 4 is wired (for example, connector connection) or wireless (for example, communication using RFID (Radio Frequency-Identification)). 4a, in particular, information on the process cartridge for MICR printing is obtained from a memory (for example, a memory tag, an IC chip, etc.) attached to the process cartridge for MICR printing to identify the process cartridge for MICR printing. . That is, at least the MICR printing process cartridge is equipped with a memory storing cut ridge information (identification information) indicating that it is a MICR printing process cartridge. A non-volatile memory that holds stored contents is used.

  The operation panel 3 includes various operation keys necessary for operating the laser printer 1 such as a start key, a stop key, a numeric keypad, an image quality setting key, an MICR print setting key, and a display (for example, a liquid crystal display). From the above operation keys, various operations for operating the laser printer 1 are performed, in particular, a password input operation in an image formation control process to be described later, and the display is input from the operation keys. The command contents and various information notified from the laser printer 1 to the user, in particular, various information necessary for image formation control processing for executing the image formation control method in MICR printing, such as a password input screen, are displayed. Therefore, the operation panel 3 is a password input means for inputting a password, and for image formation other than MICR printing using the MICR cartridge for MICR print data whose number of authentication failures has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (restricted number). Functions as a selection means for selecting any one of the process, the deletion process from the HDD 15, or the image formation prohibition process maintaining the storage state in the HDD 15 and the limit number input means for setting and inputting the limit number that is the number of fraud authentication failures. ing.

  The controller 2 is a general term for control mechanisms that convert print data from the host device HS into image data and output it to the printer engine 4 according to the control mode and the control code from the host device HS set at that time. Host I / F 11, program ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, font ROM 13, operation panel I / F 14, HDD (Hard Disk) 15, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 16, RAM (Random Access Memory) 17, NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 18, engine I / F 19, option RAM 20, and the like, and the above-described units are connected by a bus 21.

  A host device HS is connected to the host I / F 11, and the host I / F 11 prints a print job (MICR print job, normal print job) including control signals and data sent from the host device HS to the laser printer 1. ) And data such as status signals and signals are sent from the laser printer 1 to the host device HS.

  The program ROM 12 is a program for controlling data processing and management in the controller 2 and controlling peripheral modules, specifically, an image forming control for executing a basic processing program as the laser printer 1 and an image forming control method described later. In addition to storing various programs such as programs, various data necessary for executing these programs are stored.

  The font ROM 13 stores in advance various fonts used for printing by the laser printer 1 and is read out by the CPU 16 for use in printing processing.

  This laser printer 1 includes ROM, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), DVD (Digital An image formation control program for executing the image formation control method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a video disk (SD), a secure digital (SD) card, or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) By being installed in the ROM 12 or the like, it is constructed as a laser printer 1 that executes an image formation control method for performing print management by counting the number of authentication failures for each print data described later. This image formation control program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like, and is stored in the recording medium. And can be distributed.

  The operation panel 3 is connected to the operation panel I / F 14, and the operation panel I / F 14 exchanges signals between the controller 2 and the operation panel 3.

  The HDD (storage means, authentication failure frequency storage means) 15 is a large-capacity data storage device, and stores print data, particularly MICR print data, and the number of password authentication failures (number of authentication failures) as MICR. Each print data is stored as a data ID-failure counter correspondence data table.

  A CPU (control means, authentication means) 16 controls each part of the laser printer 1 based on a program stored in the program ROM 12 and uses the RAM 17 as a work memory to perform a printing process (image forming process). In addition, password authentication management, which will be described later, is performed for each MICR print data to perform image formation control processing for controlling whether image formation is possible.

  The RAM 17 is used as a work memory for the CPU 16, and also manages print data from the host device HS in units of pages and temporarily stores the data stored in the buffer and converts the data stored in the buffer into an actual image pattern (print pattern). It is used as a bitmap memory or the like where drawing data (video data) is developed.

  The NVRAM (password storage means) 18 is a memory that retains the stored contents even when the power of the laser printer 1 is turned off. The CPU 16 stores data that needs to be retained even when the power of the laser printer 1 is turned off. Remember me under the control of The NVRAM 18 stores, as user authentication information, a user ID permitted to be used and a password in association with each other, in order to limit the use of the laser printer 1, and the number of failed user authentications for each user ID and print job. May be stored instead of being stored in the HDD 15.

  The option RAM 20 is a so-called detachable auxiliary memory, and is used as an auxiliary when the capacity of the RAM 17 is insufficient.

  A printer engine 4 is connected to the engine I / F 19, and exchanges control signals and video signals from the controller 2 to the printer engine 4 and status signals from the printer engine 4 to the controller 2.

  The printer engine 4 performs image formation (printing processing) by the above-described electrophotographic method based on the video signal (image signal) and the control signal received from the controller 2 via the engine I / F 19, and the printer engine 4 is as described above. In addition, depending on whether the mounted process cartridge 4a is a process cartridge for MICR printing or a process cartridge for normal printing, printing processing is switched between MICR printing and normal printing that is not MICR printing.

  Therefore, the laser printer 1 has the above-described image formation control program installed and executed, whereby a printer application (application) unit 100 is constructed as shown in FIG. 2, and the printer application unit 100 includes a communication control unit. 101, a filter application unit 102, a print data drawing unit (PDL) 103, a print control unit 104, a cartridge determination unit 105, an operation panel control unit 106, a password registration unit 107, and the like are constructed. The filter application unit 102 includes a print data interpretation unit 110, an authentication processing unit 111, a print data storage processing control unit 112, a password control unit 113, a timer control unit 114, a print data (PDL) editing processing unit 115, and the like. Is done.

  The communication control unit 101 is connected to the host device HS via the host I / F 11 via a communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, and the host device HS is connected to the laser printer. 1 sends print data to make a print request. In particular, the host device HS generates MICR print data and transmits a print job including MICR print and non-MICR normal print data and a print request to the laser printer 1.

  The filter application unit 102 receives a print job such as print data received by the communication control unit 31 by the print data interpretation unit 110, and the print data interpretation unit 110 analyzes the print job received from the host device HS, Print data is taken out and transferred to the print data storage processing control unit 112 or transferred to the print data editing processing unit 115. Also, print processing of print data (particularly MICR print data) according to the authentication processing result of the authentication processing unit 111. Determine whether or not.

  When the print data received by the print data interpretation unit 110 is MICR print data, the authentication processing unit 111 verifies the validity of the MICR print data and passes the authentication result to the print data interpretation unit 110.

  The print data interpretation unit 110 determines whether the print data received from the communication control unit 101 is normal print data or MICR print data, and when the print data is MICR print data based on the determination result. The print data storage processing control unit 112 is instructed to store the print data (print job), and the operation panel control unit 106 displays the password input screen on the display at an appropriate timing. From the password verification result by the password control unit 113 between the password input by the user on the password input screen and the password registered in advance in the NV-RAM 18, the print data storage processing control unit 112 is instructed to read and erase the print data. Do.

  Further, if the password authentication by the password control unit 113 fails, the print data interpretation unit 110 indicates the number of authentication failures for each MICR print data via the print data storage processing control unit 112 and the data ID-failure counter correspondence data of the HDD 15. The MICR print data is printed depending on whether or not the number of authentication failures in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures that is a limit number registered in advance in the HDD 15 or NVRAM 18. Perform management.

  Under the control of the print data interpretation unit 110, the print data accumulation processing control unit 112 accumulates print data (particularly MICR print data) in the HDD 15, reads out the print data, and erases the accumulated print data. .

  Further, when printing the print data, the print data interpretation unit 110 passes the print data to the print data editing processing unit 115 when the print data to be printed is print data that needs to be edited. Is print data that does not require editing, the print data is transferred to the print data rendering unit 103 as it is.

  The print data editing processing unit 115 edits the print data and printing conditions according to the authentication result of the authentication processing unit 111 and the state of the laser printer 1 (the mounting state of the process cartridge 4a, etc.), and displays the editing result as the print data drawing. To the unit 103.

  The print data drawing unit 103 converts the print data received from the print data interpretation unit 110 and the print data received from the print data editing processing unit 115 into drawing data (bitmap data) that can be processed by the printer engine 4, and the like. One page at a time, and handed over to the print control unit 104.

  The print control unit 104 controls the printer engine 4 to print the print data received from the print data drawing unit 103 on a sheet, and obtains a print result, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In addition, the print control unit 104 receives a determination result from the cartridge determination unit 105 as to whether the attached process cartridge 4 a is a normal printing process cartridge or a MICR printing process cartridge. That is, for example, as described above, the cartridge determination unit 105 communicates with the attached process cartridge 4a by wire or wirelessly and receives information (cartridge attributes) about the process cartridge 4a from the memory attached to the process cartridge 4a. ) To determine whether the process cartridge 4a is a normal print process cartridge or a MICR print process cartridge, and passes the determination result to the print control unit 104 and the print data interpretation unit 110. I do.

  The print data interpretation unit 110 determines whether the printing is normal printing or MICR printing based on the determination result received from the cartridge determination unit 105 and performs print control (image formation control). The type of the process cartridge 4a is displayed on the display of the operation panel 3 via the control unit 106, or the password input screen is displayed on the display of the operation panel 3.

  Under the control of the print data interpretation unit 110, the operation panel control unit 106 controls screen display such as a password input screen on the display of the operation panel 3, password input on the operation panel 3, setting of print processing priority, and timeout. A setting value storing process control for storing each setting value such as a time setting in the NVRAM 18 is performed.

  The password registration unit 107 receives password registration, deletion, and change information from the operation panel 3 and the host device HS, and registers and registers passwords in the NVRAM 18 based on the received password registration, deletion, and change information. In addition to performing password registration control processing for deleting and changing a completed password, the registration information of the password in the NVRAM 18 is passed to the print data interpretation unit 110 via the password registration unit 113.

  The password control unit 113 receives the password stored in the NVRAM 18 via the NVRAM 18, collates the password registered in the NVRAM 18 with the password input by the user from the operation panel 3, and compares the collation result with the print data interpretation unit 110 is notified.

  As described above, the NVRAM 18 is a non-volatile memory that retains the stored contents even when the power of the laser printer 1 is OFF. The NVRAM 18 stores the contents of the mode instruction from the operation panel 3 (not shown), the operation history, etc. Various information relating to operations and various information necessary for MICR image formation control processing to be described later, such as user information permitted for MICR printing, user identification information for identifying the user, in particular, a password, and a password instead of the HDD 15 The number of authentication failures and the number of unauthorized authentication failures that are the limit number are stored.

  The print data accumulation processing unit 112 controls the accumulation of a print job such as print data received from the print data interpretation unit 110 in the hard disk 15 and the reading of the accumulated print data. In particular, the print data accumulation processing unit 112 controls the accumulation, reading, and deletion of print data in the HDD 15 that the print data interpretation unit 110 determines to be MICR print data. The print data storage processing unit 112 stores the MICR print data and the password authentication failure counter for the MICR print data in combination in the HDD 15.

  The timer control unit 114 performs various time measurement processes used in the operation of the laser printer 1, in particular, a start, measurement, stop, and clear process of a timeout period for waiting for password input.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the print data is sent from the host device HS, the laser printer 1 receives the print data from the communication control unit 101, and the filter application unit 102 receives the print data as MICR print data. If it is MICR print data, the MICR print data is temporarily stored in the HDD 15 as indicated by a black arrow in FIG. Thereafter, an authentication process is performed, and a password input screen is displayed on the display of the operation panel 3 at a predetermined timing. When the password is normally authenticated, the MICR print data is read from the HDD 15 and the MICR print data Perform the printing process. When the number of password authentication failures reaches a preset number of unauthorized authentication failures, the laser printer 1 performs normal printing using normal process cartridges other than MICR printing using MICR print process cartridges. The MICR print data is deleted from the HDD 15 after the normal printing is completed.

  When the print data from the host device HS is normal print data, the laser printer 1 sends the normal print data to the printer engine 4 via the print data drawing unit 103 and the print control unit 104 to print on the paper. Execute the process.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment temporarily stores the MICR print data in the HDD 15 because the MICR print data requires an authentication process and requires the input of a password. After that, password authentication is performed at a predetermined timing, and only MICR print data that has been successfully password-authenticated is subjected to MICR print processing. When the number of unauthorized authentication failures fails for password authentication, normal printing is performed and the print data is erased from the HDD 15. When the password authentication fails, the MICR printing process accompanied with the normal printing process is performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the laser printer 1 receives the MICR print data from the host device HS via the communication control unit 101, as shown in the flowchart of the MICR print process accompanied by the normal print process at the time of password authentication failure. (Step S101), the print data interpretation unit 110 assigns a data ID to the MICR print data, and sets the generated value (count value) of the authentication failure frequency counter for the MICR print data of the data ID to “0”. (Step S102), the MICR print data, the data ID, and the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter are temporarily stored in the HDD 15 via the print data storage processing control unit 112 (step S103). It is checked whether there is any (step S104).

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the HDD 15 has a data ID-failure counter correspondence data table registered, and when print data has not been accumulated so far, as shown in FIG. 6A. In addition, in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table, there is no registration data in the column of print data (MICR job) and the column of authentication failure frequency counter, and when the MICR print data is received as described above, FIG. ), A data (job) ID (data ID1) is assigned to the print data (MICR job), and the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table of the HDD 15 fails to authenticate in a state corresponding to the data ID. “0” is written as the count counter value, and the print data of the data ID 1 is stored.

  In step S104, when there is other received data, the print data interpretation unit 110 returns to step S101 and performs the same processing as above from the reception of the MICR print data (steps S101 to S103). In step S104, the received data If there is no password, it is checked whether a password is input (step S105). If no password is input, it is checked whether there is received data (step S104). That is, the print data interpretation unit 110 displays a password input screen on the display of the operation panel 3 via the operation panel control unit 106, and waits for received data or a password input (step S104, S105) When the password is input in step S105, the password control unit 113 checks whether the password registered in advance in the NVRAM 18 matches the password input from the operation panel 3 (step S106). If the registered password and the password registered in the NVRAM 18 match, the password input screen is deleted from the display of the operation panel 3 and stored in the HDD 15 via the print data storage processing control unit 112 as shown in FIG. MICR print data corresponding to the password All the data is read out (step S107), and the MICR print data is subjected to necessary edit processing by the print data editing processing unit 115, or sent to the print data drawing unit 103 as it is, and the print data drawing unit 103 draws the drawing data. After the conversion, the data is sent to the printer engine 4 via the print control unit 104, and the printer engine 4 performs a printing process (MICR printing process) (step S108).

  When the print processing of the MICR print data is completed, the print data interpretation unit 110 deletes the MICR print data that has been printed from the HDD 15 via the print data storage processing control unit 112 and ends the processing (step S109).

  If it is determined in step S106 that the password control unit 113 does not match, the print data interpretation unit 110 issues a warning or the like indicating that the passwords do not match to the operation panel 3, and the data ID stored and stored in the HDD 15—failure. The count value of the authentication failure frequency counter for all print data in the counter-corresponding data table is incremented (+1) by “1” (step S110), and the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter of the first print job stored in the HDD 15 is reached. Is confirmed (step S111), and it is checked whether the number of authentication failures is a count value set in advance as the number of unauthorized authentication failures (limit number), for example, “3” or more (step S112).

  If the number of authentication failures does not reach the number of unauthorized authentication failures (three times) in step S112, the print data interpretation unit 110 controls the print data storage process as shown in FIGS. 6 (c) and 7 (e). The count value of the incremented authentication failure number counter is accumulated and stored as the count value of the authentication failure number counter for the print data in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table accumulated and stored in the HDD 15 via the unit 112 ( In step S113), it is checked whether there is any other print data stored and stored (step S114). If there is other print data stored and stored, the number of authentication failures of the next print job stored in the HDD 15 is checked. After confirming the count value of the counter (step S115), the process proceeds to step S112, and the authentication loss occurs. Number of invalid authentication failure count (e.g., "3") is repeated for sequentially print job processing for checking whether there are more (step S112 to S115).

  If there is no other print data stored and stored in step S114, the process returns to step S104 and the same processing as above is performed from the check whether there is received data of MICR print data. After receiving the data, as shown in FIGS. 7D, 7E, and 7F, the received print data is stored in the HDD 15, and a data ID is assigned to the print data and authenticated. The count value of the failure counter is registered in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table in the same manner as described above (steps S101 to S115).

  In step S112, as shown in FIG. 8G, if there is print data whose count value of the authentication failure frequency counter is greater than or equal to the number of unauthorized authentication failures (for example, 3 times), the print data interpretation unit 110 displays the print data. As a normal print job, the process cartridge 4a is exchanged from the process cartridge for MICR printing to the normal process cartridge, and printing processing using the normal process cartridge is performed (step S116), as shown in FIG. In addition, the print data that has been printed is deleted from the HDD 15, and the data ID and the authentication failure frequency counter value are deleted from the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table (step S117). FIG. 8 shows that the number of authentication failures of the print data of data ID 1 is “3” in FIG. 8G, and the data of data ID 1 and the authentication failure number counter value are deleted in FIG. It is shown.

  Next, the print data interpretation unit 110 checks whether there is other print data stored and stored (step S118). If there is other print data, the authentication failure of the next print job stored in the HDD 15 fails. After confirming the count value of the number counter (step S119), the process proceeds to step S112, and processing for checking whether the number of authentication failures is equal to or greater than the number of unauthorized authentication failures (eg, “3”) is sequentially checked for print jobs. This process is repeated (steps S112 to S119).

  If there is no other print data stored in step S119, the print data interpretation unit 110 ends the process. When the laser printer 1 succeeds in password authentication in the state of the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table in FIG. 8H, the laser printer 1 performs MICR printing, and when MICR printing is completed, the laser printer 1 is shown in FIG. As described above, the registered contents of all print data and data ID-failure counter correspondence data table are deleted.

  As described above, the laser printer 1 according to this embodiment stores at least print data for requesting MICR printing using the cartridge for MICR printing in the HDD 15, and when the password is input from the operation panel 3, If the password and the password previously registered in the NVRAM 18 are authenticated, and the authentication fails, the failure count for each MICR print data is stored in the HDD 15 in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table, and the authentication failure count of the HDD 15 Is determined for each MICR print data based on whether or not the number of fraud authentication failures, which is a predetermined limit, has been reached.

  Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately prevent unauthorized password authentication and improve the usability of authorized users.

  Further, the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment performs MICR printing on MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures recorded in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table of the HDD 15 has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (restricted number). Normal image formation other than MICR printing using a cartridge for printing is performed.

  Therefore, illegal MICR printing can be appropriately prevented, and when an incorrect password is input by a legitimate user, it is possible to confirm an incorrect password input and which MICR printing data is an incorrect password input. Therefore, the usability can be further improved.

  In the above description, the number of authentication failures is counted for each print data, and when the number of authentication failures reaches the preset number of unauthorized authentication failures, the print data is switched from MICR printing to normal printing and is output as normal printing. However, the handling of the print data is not limited to the normal printing method. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the print data is deleted as it is from the HDD 15 without printing. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, it is possible to prohibit printing while maintaining the state in which print data whose number of authentication failures has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures is stored in the HDD 15. 9 to 12, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as the processing steps of FIGS. 4 and 5 to simplify the description.

  First, the MICR printing process for deleting print data when the number of authentication failures shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 reaches the number of unauthorized authentication failures and the password authentication fails will be described.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, when the laser printer 1 receives MICR print data from the host device HS via the communication control unit 101 (step S101), the print data interpretation unit 110 stores data in the MICR print data. An ID is assigned, and the generated value (count value) of the authentication failure frequency counter for the MICR print data of the data ID is set to “0” (step S102), and the MICR print data and data ID and the authentication failure frequency counter are set. Is temporarily stored in the HDD 15 via the print data storage processing control unit 112 (step S103), and it is checked whether there is other received data (step S104).

  When there is other received data in step S104, the print data interpretation unit 110 returns to step S101 and performs the same processing as described above from the reception of the MICR print data (steps S101 to S103). In step S104, the received data If there is no password, it is checked whether a password is input (step S105). If no password is input, the process of checking whether there is received data is repeated (steps S104, S105). When the password is input in step S105, the password control unit 113 checks whether the password registered in advance in the NVRAM 18 matches the password input from the operation panel 3 (step S106). When the passwords registered in the NVRAM 18 match, as shown in FIG. 10, all the MICR print data corresponding to the passwords stored in the HDD 15 are read via the print data storage processing control unit 112 (step S107). After the MICR print data is subjected to necessary edit processing by the print data editing processing unit 115 or sent to the print data drawing unit 103 as it is and converted into drawing data by the print data drawing unit 103, the print control is performed. Sent to the printer engine 4 via the section 104 To perform the print processing by the engine 4 (step S108), the print data has been completed the MICR printed output (accumulated stored data) and terminates the deletion and the processing from HDD 15 (step S109).

  If the password control unit 113 determines that the passwords do not match in step S106 of FIG. 9, the print data interpretation unit 110 gives a warning to the operation panel 3 that the passwords do not match, as shown in FIG. Increment (+1) the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter for all the print data in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table stored and saved in (+1) (step S110), and the head stored in the HDD 15 The count value of the print job authentication failure counter is confirmed (step S111), and it is checked whether the authentication failure frequency is a count value set in advance as the number of unauthorized authentication failures, for example, “3” or more (step S112). ).

  If the number of authentication failures has not reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (three times) in step S112, the print data interpretation unit 110 uses the print data storage processing control unit 112 to display the incremented count value of the authentication failure number counter. The data stored in the HDD 15 is stored and stored as the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter for the print data in the data table corresponding to the failure counter (step S113), and it is checked whether there is other stored print data. If there is other print data stored and stored (step S114), the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter of the next print job stored in the HDD 15 is confirmed (step S115), and the process proceeds to step S112. Thus, the number of authentication failures is the number of unauthorized authentication failures (for example, “3 ) Is repeated for sequentially print job processing for checking the whether more (step S112 to S115).

  If there is no other print data stored and saved in step S114, the process returns to step S104 in FIG. 9 to check whether there is received data for MICR print data. If there is received data, The MICR print data is received, the received print data is stored in the HDD 15, the data ID is assigned to the print data, and the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter is registered in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table. It carries out similarly to the above (steps S101-S115).

  If there is print data in which the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter is equal to or greater than the number of unauthorized authentication failures (for example, 3 times) in step S112, the print data interpretation unit 110 deletes the print data from the HDD 15 (step S201). A history that the print data has been erased due to the authentication failure is recorded in the NVRAM 18 (step S202).

  Next, the print data interpretation unit 110 checks whether there is other print data stored and stored (step S118). If there is other print data, the authentication failure of the next print job stored in the HDD 15 fails. After confirming the count value of the number counter (step S119), the process proceeds to step S112 to check whether the number of authentication failures is equal to or greater than the number of unauthorized authentication failures (for example, “3”) for the next print job. The same processing as described above is repeated from the processing to be performed (steps S112 to S119).

  If there is no other print data stored in step S119, the print data interpretation unit 110 ends the process.

  As described above, the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment deletes from the HDD 15 the MICR print data whose number of authentication failures in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table of the HDD 15 has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (restricted number).

  Therefore, MICR printing by an unauthorized user can be prevented appropriately, and MICR print data sent by the unauthorized user can be prevented from being stored in the HDD 15 indefinitely, thereby reducing the capacity of the HDD 15. , Can improve usability.

  Next, a description will be given of the MICR print processing for prohibiting printing while the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures reaches the number of unauthorized authentication failures shown in FIGS.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, when the laser printer 1 receives MICR print data from the host device HS via the communication control unit 101 (step S101), the print data interpretation unit 110 stores data in the MICR print data. An ID is assigned, and the generated value (count value) of the authentication failure frequency counter for the MICR print data of the data ID is set to “0” (step S102), and the MICR print data and data ID and the authentication failure frequency counter are set. Is temporarily stored in the HDD 15 via the print data storage processing control unit 112 (step S103), and it is checked whether there is other received data (step S104).

  When there is other received data in step S104, the print data interpretation unit 110 returns to step S101 and performs the same processing as described above from the reception of the MICR print data (steps S101 to S103). In step S104, the received data If there is no password, it is checked whether a password is input (step S105). If no password is input, the process of checking whether there is received data is repeated (steps S104, S105). When the password is input in step S105, the password control unit 113 checks whether the password registered in advance in the NVRAM 18 matches the password input from the operation panel 3 (step S106). If it is determined that they do not match, the print data interpretation unit 110 issues a warning or the like indicating that the passwords do not match to the operation panel 3 as shown in FIG. The count value of the authentication failure frequency counter for all the print data in the data table is incremented (+1) by “1” (step S110), and the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter of the first print job stored in the HDD 15 is confirmed. (Step S111), the number of authentication failures is Count value is set as the number of authentication failures, for example, to check whether it is "3" or more (step S112).

  If the number of authentication failures has not reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (three times) in step S112, the print data interpretation unit 110 uses the print data storage processing control unit 112 to increase the count value of the incremented authentication failure counter. Then, it is stored and stored as the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter for the print data in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table stored and stored in the HDD 15 (step S113), and there is other print data stored and stored. Check (step S114), and if there is other print data stored and stored, the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter of the next print job stored in the HDD 15 is confirmed (step S115), and the process proceeds to step S112. The number of authentication failures is changed to the number of unauthorized authentication failures (for example, “ ") Is repeated for a sequence print job processing for checking whether more (step S112 to S115).

  If there is no other print data stored and stored in step S114, the process returns to step S104 in FIG. 11 to perform the same processing as described above from checking whether there is received data of MICR print data. The MICR print data is received, the received print data is stored in the HDD 15, the data ID is assigned to the print data, and the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter is registered in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table. It carries out similarly to the above (steps S101-S106, S110-S115).

  In step S112, if there is print data in which the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter is greater than or equal to the number of unauthorized authentication failures (for example, 3 times), the print data interpretation unit 110 converts the print data to the print data while remaining in the HDD 15. On the other hand, a history that the number of authentication failures has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (specified number of times) is recorded in the NVRAM 18 (step S301), and it is checked whether there is any other print data stored and saved (step S118).

  In step S118, when there is other print data, the print data interpretation unit 110 checks the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter of the next print job stored in the HDD 15 (step S119), and proceeds to step S112. Then, for the next print job, the same process is repeated from the process of checking whether the number of authentication failures is equal to or greater than the number of unauthorized authentication failures (for example, “3”) (steps S112 to S115, S301,. S118, S119).

  If there is no other print data stored in step S119, the print data interpretation unit 110 ends the process.

  If the input password matches the password registered in the NVRAM 18 in step S106 in FIG. 11, the print data interpretation unit 110 stores the data in the HDD 15 via the print data storage processing control unit 112 as shown in FIG. The read MICR print data of the first print job is read (step S302), and it is checked whether the number of authentication failures of the MICR print data has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (three times) (step S303). That is, when the history indicating that the number of authentication failures has reached the number of unauthorized failures is not recorded), the MICR print data is subjected to the necessary editing processing by the print data editing processing unit 115 or as it is. The data is sent to the print data drawing unit 103, converted into drawing data by the print data drawing unit 103, and then printed. Sent to the printer engine 4 through the part 104 to perform the printing process by the printer engine 4 (step S304).

  When the printing of the MICR print data is completed, the print data interpretation unit 110 deletes the print data (accumulated storage data) for which the print output has been completed from the HDD 15 (step S305), and other MICR print data stored and stored is stored. If there is other print data stored and stored (step S306), the count value of the authentication failure frequency counter for the next print job stored in the HDD 15 is confirmed (step S307). Returning to S303, it is checked whether the number of authentication failures of the MICR print data has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (three times) (step S303).

  In step S303, when the number of authentication failures has reached the number of fraud failures (that is, when a history indicating that the number of authentication failures has reached the number of fraud failures has been recorded), the print data interpretation unit 110 It is checked whether there is any other MICR print data stored and stored without printing the MICR print data (step S306). If there is other print data stored and stored, the next stored in the HDD 15 is checked. After confirming the count value of the print job authentication failure counter (step S307), the process returns to step S303 to check if the MICR print data authentication failure count has reached the unauthorized authentication failure count (three times). The same processing is performed (steps S303 to S307). When there is no other accumulated and stored print data in step S306, the print data interpretation unit 110 ends the MICR printing process.

  As described above, the laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment maintains the state where the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table of the HDD 15 has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (restricted number) is stored in the HDD 15. However, image formation is prohibited.

  Accordingly, when an unauthorized user mistakenly inputs the number of unauthorized authentication failures while properly preventing unauthorized use of MICR printing by an unauthorized user, the MICR print data is sent again from the host device HS. Without correction, the MICR print data in the HDD 15 can be made available, and the usability can be improved.

  The laser printer 1 may be provided with the above processing functions and can be appropriately selected by the operation of the operation panel 3 for the print data processing method when the password authentication fails. In other words, the laser printer 1 uses the MICR print data other than MICR printing using the MICR print cartridge for MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures in the data ID-failure counter correspondence data table of the HDD 15 has reached the number of unauthorized authentication failures (restricted number). The image forming process, the deletion process from the HDD 15, or the image formation prohibiting process maintaining the storage state in the HDD 15 can be selected on the operation panel 3, and the selected process may be executed. .

  In this way, an appropriate processing method can be selected and set according to the usage status of the laser printer 1, and the usability can be improved.

  Further, since the history is stored in the NVRAM 18 when the number of authentication failures reaches the number of fraud failures, a password corresponding to the password is required for a legitimate user to require password authentication from the operation panel 3 in a timely manner. The authentication history may be displayed on the display of the operation panel 3 or printed out from the printer engine 4 so as to be confirmed.

  In this way, even if a legitimate user tries to print the MICR print data stored in the HDD 15 that has been illegally authenticated and erased, normally printed, or cannot be output, and then stored in the HDD 15. When printing is not performed, the reason why printing is not performed can be confirmed based on the history of password authentication, and the usability can be improved while appropriately preventing unauthorized use. As the history, when the number of authentication failures reaches the number of fraudulent failures, any processing (switching to normal printing, printing, deleting the MICR print data from the HDD 15, from the HDD 15 without printing) It is also possible to record and store the fact that it has been deleted and the printing is prohibited while remaining in the HDD 15. If it does in this way, it can be checked how the Maro print data which the regular user requested printing was processed, and usability can be improved further.

  Further, the laser printer 1 stores the administrator password in the NVRAM 18 and fails to authenticate a specific print job (print data) or all print jobs by the administrator on condition that the administrator password is authenticated. The number of times may be set to clear (“0”).

  In this way, when a legitimate user prints out the MICR print data stored in the HDD 15 while the number of unsuccessful authentication attempts reaches the number of unsuccessful authentication failures due to an unauthenticated authentication request and printing is impossible, the management is performed. By clearing the number of authentication failures for a specific print job or all print jobs, the MICR print data that has become unprintable can be returned to a printable state, while appropriately preventing unauthorized use. Therefore, the usability can be further improved.

  In the above description, the password input screen is displayed on the display of the operation panel 3 to prompt the user to input the password, and the password input is performed on the operation panel 3. For example, a password may be input using a dedicated password input device, or the laser printer 1 requests the host device HS to input a password, and the host device HS Password input may be performed, or a password input request and a password input screen may be displayed on the display of the host device HS by an application installed in the host device HS.

  Furthermore, the laser printer 1 may be configured to appropriately input the number of fraud authentication failures (restricted times) by operating the operation panel 3 or the like.

  In this way, the number of unauthorized authentication failures can be set according to the usage status of the laser printer 1, and the usability can be improved while appropriately preventing unauthorized use.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium that are optimized for password authentication for MICR printing of important documents such as bills and checks. Can do.

1 is a block diagram of a main part of a laser printer to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The functional block block diagram of the laser printer of FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a processing flow of print data by the laser printer of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart showing MICR printing processing for performing normal printing when password authentication by a laser printer fails. 6 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the MICR printing processing shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data and a data ID-failure counter correspondence data table stored in the HDD of the laser printer of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a continuation of the print data and data ID-failure counter correspondence data table stored in the HDD of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a continuation example of the print data and data ID-failure counter correspondence data table stored in the HDD of FIG. 7. 6 is a flowchart showing MICR printing processing for discarding print data when password authentication by a laser printer fails. 10 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the MICR print processing shown in FIG. 9. 6 is a flowchart showing MICR printing processing for storing print data in a print prohibited state when the number of password authentication failures by a laser printer reaches the number of fraud authentications. 12 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the MICR printing processing shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Laser printer 2 Controller 3 Operation panel 4 Printer engine 4a Process cartridge 11 Host I / F
12 Program ROM
13 Font ROM
14 Operation panel I / F
15 HDD (hard disk)
16 CPU
17 RAM
18 NVRAM
19 Engine I / F
20 Optional RAM
21 Bus 100 Printer application (application) unit 101 Communication control unit 102 Filter application unit 103 Print data drawing unit 104 Print control unit 105 Cartridge determination unit 106 Operation panel control unit 107 Password registration unit 110 Print data interpretation unit 111 Authentication processing unit 112 Printing Data storage processing control unit 113 Password control unit 114 Timer control unit 115 Print data editing processing unit HS Host device

Claims (14)

  Storage means for storing received print data; image forming means for forming an image on a predetermined image forming medium using a removable cartridge based on the print data; password storage means for storing a password in advance; Password input means for inputting a password, authentication means for authenticating the password input from the password input means and the password registered in the password storage means, and the print stored in the storage means Authentication failure frequency storage means for requesting MICR printing using at least a cartridge for MICR printing as data cartridge and storing the number of authentication failures by the authentication means for each MICR print data requiring password authentication by the authentication means; Whether the number of authentication failures in the authentication failure count storage means has reached a predetermined limit An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a control means for determining availability for each said MICR printing data based on either.   The control unit causes the image forming unit to perform image formation other than MICR printing using the MICR printing cartridge for the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures in the authentication failure number storage unit reaches the limit number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is executed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures in the authentication failure number storage unit has reached the limit number from the storage unit.   The control unit prohibits image formation by the image forming unit while maintaining the state stored in the storage unit for the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures in the authentication failure number storage unit reaches the limit number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus performs an image forming process by the image forming unit other than the MICR printing using the MICR printing cartridge on the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures reaches the limit number, from the storage unit. The image processing apparatus includes a selection unit that selects any one of a deletion process and an image formation prohibition process that maintains an accumulation state in the accumulation unit, and the control unit executes the selected process. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   The control means performs image forming processing by the image forming means other than MICR printing using the MICR printing cartridge for the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures reaches the limit number of times, from the storage means. 6. The execution history of the process is stored in the history storage unit when the deletion process or the image formation prohibition process while maintaining the storage state in the storage unit is executed. 6. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The password storage means stores a predetermined administrator password, and when the control means authenticates that the administrator password is input from the password input means, the authentication failure frequency storage means The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of authentication failures with respect to predetermined MICR print data stored therein is cleared.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a limit number input unit configured to input the limit number.   An accumulation processing step for accumulating received print data in an accumulation means, an image formation processing step for forming an image on a predetermined image forming medium using a removable cartridge based on the print data, and a password input for entering a password A processing step, an authentication processing step for authenticating the password input in the password input processing step and a password registered in advance in the password storage means, and at least of the print data stored in the storage means An authentication failure frequency storage processing step for storing the number of authentication failures in the authentication processing step in the authentication failure frequency storage means for each MICR print data requesting MICR printing using a cartridge for MICR printing as a cartridge; Whether the number of authentication failures of the means has reached a predetermined limit Image formation control method characterized in that it has a control processing step of determining the availability for each said MICR printing data based on.   The control processing step includes: an image forming process other than MICR printing using the MICR printing cartridge for the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures in the authentication failure number storage unit reaches the limit number, the storage unit 10. The image forming control method according to claim 9, wherein one of an erasing process from the image forming apparatus and an image forming prohibiting process maintaining an accumulation state in the accumulating unit is executed.   In the image formation control method, for the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures reaches the limit number, image formation processing other than MICR printing using the MICR print cartridge, deletion processing from the storage unit, Alternatively, the image processing apparatus includes a selection processing step for selecting any one of image formation prohibition processing that maintains the storage state in the storage unit, and the control processing step executes the selected processing. The image formation control method according to claim 9 or claim 10.   In the control processing step, image forming processing other than MICR printing using the MICR printing cartridge, deletion processing from the storage unit, or processing for the MICR print data in which the number of authentication failures reaches the limit number, 12. The image according to claim 9, wherein when an image formation prohibition process is performed while maintaining an accumulation state in the accumulation unit, an execution history of the process is stored in a history storage unit. Formation control method.   Storage processing for storing received print data in the storage means in the computer, image formation processing for forming an image on a predetermined image forming medium using a removable cartridge based on the print data, and a password for entering a password An input process, an authentication process for authenticating the password input in the password input process and a password registered in the password storage means, and at least a cartridge of the print data stored in the storage means Authentication failure count storage processing for storing the number of authentication failures in the authentication processing in the authentication failure count storage means for each MICR print data requesting MICR printing using a cartridge for MICR printing, and authentication failure of the authentication failure count storage means Used for each MICR print data based on whether the number of times has reached a predetermined limit Image formation control program, characterized in that to execute a control process of determining whether.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image forming control program according to claim 13 is recorded.

Images