JP2010049579A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system which enables a person trying to carry out printing to easily identify device information from positional information of a large number of printers connected with a network such as the Internet or an intranet and to carry out printing according to the device information by previously registering the positional information and the device information. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system includes a server 1, a computer 2, an image forming device 3, and a mobile terminal 5 which are connected through a network 4. Present positional information is obtained by a means for obtaining positional information such as a GPS 502 of the mobile terminal 5 and transmitted to the computer 2. The computer 2 queries the server 1. On the basis of the positional information, the server 1 searches for the specific image forming device by a device search means from the previously registered device information. Using the device information of the image forming device, the computer 2 causes the image forming device 3 to carry out desired printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system via a network, and more particularly to a printing system using a means for acquiring position information using a satellite such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

  In recent years, with the development of network technology and the spread of mobile devices, a ubiquitous environment is being prepared, and an environment in which access to the Internet can be performed relatively freely is being realized. At the same time, LAN connection of printing devices is commonplace, and printing is often performed via a network.

  However, in order to print from a printing device connected to the network, it is necessary to set information on the printing device, such as an IP address, in advance. Therefore, even when there is a printing apparatus connected to the network in the vicinity, it is time-consuming to set the apparatus information so that it can be printed by checking the device information in order to print with the printing apparatus. In addition, there are cases where you need to print while you are away from home, such as when you have forgotten the necessary materials and there are no materials at hand, or when there is no printing environment. There was a problem that it was difficult.

In order to solve the above problem, a technique is disclosed in which a dedicated Internet site that functions as a communication unit between a user and a local printer is used, and printing is performed using a printer that can access the Internet via the Internet. For example, Patent Document 1). In addition, by accessing a web page from a portable information terminal where the web page can be browsed and inputting a keyword, an output destination printer that is convenient for the user is selected, and an e-mail, a web page, or the like of the portable information terminal is printed. A technique is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 3864960 JP 2002-278734 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not mention an effective selection method for a printer that executes printing. Further, the technique described in Patent Document 2 has a problem in that an operation for determining a printer to execute printing is complicated, and particularly complicated for a user who is not familiar with the operation of the portable information terminal.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a person who intends to print by previously registering position information and device information of a large number of printing apparatuses connected to a network such as the Internet or an intranet. However, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that can easily identify device information from the position information and execute printing according to the information.

  In addition, when printing with such a printing device connected to the Internet, print data may flow on the network, and may be output to the wrong printing device, or a third party may see the printed matter. Therefore, a printing method with higher security is required.

  The printing system of the present invention is a printing system including a server, a computer, an image forming apparatus, and a portable terminal connected via a network, and the server stores device information of the image forming apparatus. And a device search unit that searches for device information of the image forming apparatus from the device information stored by the device information storage unit, and the computer stores the data. Print data creating means for creating print data from the data stored by the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus has a printing means for outputting the print data to a recording medium, and the portable terminal uses the satellite for position information The device search means acquires the image format based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means and transmitted to the computer. The device information of the apparatus is searched, the print data creation means creates print data based on the device information retrieved by the device search means, and the printing means outputs based on the print data created by the print data creation means It is characterized by performing.

  In the printing system of the present invention, the device information storage unit stores the device information based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit transmitted from the portable terminal to the server and the device information of the image forming apparatus. And

  In the printing system of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes a code input unit that receives a code input, and a code identification unit that identifies the code input by the code input unit. A code creating means for creating the position information acquired by the position information obtaining means and the user identification code created by the code creating means to the computer, and the printing means inputs the code by the code identifying means. Only when it is determined that the code input by the means matches the code created by the code creation means, output is performed based on the print data created by the print data creation means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily acquire information on an image forming apparatus by acquiring position information using a satellite and transmitting the position information to a server, and execute printing on the image forming apparatus. Become.

  Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a printing system according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a server, a computer, an image forming apparatus, and a portable terminal, and is connected via a network such as the Internet or an intranet 4. In the present embodiment, a device information management server 1 as an example of a server, a personal computer (PC) 2 as an example of a computer, a printer 3 as an example of an image forming apparatus, and a mobile phone 5 as an example of a portable terminal will be described as examples. .

  FIG. 2 shows an example of functions that each device of the printing system according to this embodiment has. As shown in the figure, the device information management server 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 101 for connecting to a network 4 such as the Internet or an intranet, a device information storage unit 102 for storing device information of the printer 3, and a device information storage. A device search unit 103 for searching for a specific printer 3 from the device information stored in the unit 102; The PC 2 includes a communication unit 201 for connecting to the network 4 such as the Internet or an intranet, a data storage unit 202 that stores data, a print data generation unit 203 that generates print data from data stored in the data storage unit 202, Have

  The printer 3 includes a communication unit 301 for connecting to a network 4 such as the Internet or an intranet, and a printing unit 302 that outputs print data to a recording medium such as paper. The mobile phone 5 includes a communication unit 501 for connecting to the network 4 such as the Internet or an intranet, and a GPS 502 for acquiring position information using a satellite. Hereinafter, the GPS 502 will be described as an example of a function for acquiring position information, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

  Although not specifically illustrated, each device constituting the printing system according to the present embodiment naturally has a function for operating each device such as a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM.

  Next, a flow of processing for outputting the data stored in the data storage unit 202 of the PC 2 by the printing unit 302 of the printer 3 will be described.

  First, a user who wants to execute printing goes near the printer 3 and uses the GPS 502 of the mobile phone 5 to acquire current position information. Then, the acquired position information is transmitted to the PC 2 (1). The PC 2 makes an inquiry to the device information management server 1 based on the information received from the mobile phone 5 (2). Based on the inquiry from the PC 2, the device information management server 1 searches for the corresponding printer 3 by the device search unit 103 from the device information stored in advance in the device information storage unit 102. Then, device information of the corresponding printer 3, such as IP address and model information, is transmitted to the PC 2. The PC 2 uses the print data creation unit 203 to create print data based on the acquired device information and transmits it to the printer 3 (3). The printer 3 that has received the print data outputs information desired by the user to a recording medium such as paper by the printing unit 302.

  As an example of means for transmitting the position information acquired by the GPS 502 of the mobile phone 5 to the PC 2, e-mail and dedicated software can be used, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a printing system that can easily acquire device information by acquiring position information with the GPS 502 of the mobile phone 5 and making an inquiry to the device information management server 1. In the present embodiment, the printing action itself may be automatic or a person may intervene.

  The network 4 may be either the Internet or an intranet. Even if there is a firewall on the way, for example, if it is a recent printer, printing with ftp (file transfer protocol) or http (hypertext transfer protocol) is possible and these protocols can be passed. Just do it.

  This embodiment is most effective in a WAN environment in which a large number of offices are connected via an intranet, or a printing service using a copying apparatus installed in a convenience store or the like.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for registering device information in the device information management server 1 of the printing system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a device information registration operation using the mobile phone 5 will be described with reference to the diagram shown in FIG.

  A copying apparatus 6 in the figure is an image forming apparatus in which no information is stored in the device information storage unit 102 of the device information management server 1. The user acquires position information in the vicinity of the copying apparatus 6 by using the GPS 502 of the mobile phone 5. Then, the acquired position information and device information of the copying apparatus 6 such as an IP address and model information are input to the mobile phone 5 and transmitted to store the information in the device information storage unit 102 of the device information management server 1.

  According to the present embodiment, by using the GPS 502 of the mobile phone 5, the device information of the printing apparatus can be easily registered in the device information management server 1.

  In this embodiment, an example in which device information is easily registered in the device information management server 1 using the mobile phone 5 has been described. However, information on an image forming apparatus such as a printer may be registered using the PC 2. It goes without saying that it is possible.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 shows an example of processing for printing information stored in the PC 2 using the user identification code by the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example of functions that each device of the printing system according to this embodiment has. The difference from the printing system according to the first embodiment described above is that the printer 3 has a code identification unit 303 for identifying the input code and a code input unit 304 such as an operation panel, and the mobile phone 5 creates a user identification code. It is the point which has the user identification code preparation part 503 which performs.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile phone 5 acquires position information by the GPS 502 in the vicinity of the printer 3 to which information is to be output, adds a user identification code, and transmits it to the PC 2 (1). The user identification code is created by the user identification code creation unit 503 of the mobile phone 5.

  The PC 2 makes an inquiry to the device information management server 1 based on the information received from the mobile phone 5 (2). Based on the inquiry from the PC 2, the device information management server 1 searches for the corresponding printer 3 by the device search unit 103 from the device information stored in advance in the device information storage unit 102. Then, device information of the corresponding printer 3, such as IP address and model information, is transmitted to the PC 2. The PC 2 uses the print data creation unit 203 to create print data based on the acquired device information, adds a user identification code, and transmits it to the printer 3 (3). Upon receiving the print data, the printer 3 allows the user to input a user identification code from the operation panel or the like, and the printing unit 301 records a sheet or the like only when the input identification code matches the identification code added to the print data. Information desired by the user is output to the medium.

  According to the present embodiment, since the user identification code is added, it is possible to prevent the risk of information leakage due to erroneous transmission of print data. Therefore, it is possible to further improve security.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 shows an example of processing for printing information stored in the PC 2 using the public key cryptosystem by the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an example of functions that each device of the printing system according to this embodiment has. The difference from the printing system according to the third embodiment described above is that the PC 2 has an encryption unit 204 that encrypts print data, and the printer 3 includes a decoding unit 305 that decodes the encrypted data, and an external storage medium. A private key public key generation unit that includes an external media interface (I / F) 306 to be connected and an external storage medium reading unit 307 that reads information stored in the external storage medium, and the mobile phone 5 generates a private key and a public key. Reference numeral 504 denotes an external storage medium I / F 505 for connecting an external storage medium.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the printing system of the first embodiment described above, an external storage medium 7 is shown. The mobile phone 5 acquires position information by the GPS 502 in the vicinity of the printer 3 for which information is to be output. Further, the private key and public key used for the public key cryptosystem are generated by the private key public key generation unit 504, and the public key and position information are transmitted to the PC 2 (1). The secret key is written to the external storage medium 7 connected to the external storage medium I / F 505 of the mobile phone 5.

  The PC 2 makes an inquiry to the device information management server 1 based on the information received from the mobile phone 5 (2). Based on the inquiry from the PC 2, the device information management server 1 searches for the corresponding printer 3 by the device search unit 103 from the device information stored in advance in the device information storage unit 102. Then, device information of the corresponding printer 3, such as IP address and model information, is transmitted to the PC 2. The PC 2 uses the print data creation unit 203 to create print data based on the acquired device information, and the encryption unit 204 encrypts the print data with the public key and transmits it to the printer 3 (3). The printer 3 that has received the encrypted print data reads the private key stored in the external storage medium 7 connected to the external storage medium I / F 306 by the external medium reading unit 307 and encrypts it in the decoding unit 305. The printed data is decrypted with the secret key. The decrypted print data is output to a recording medium such as paper by the printing unit 301.

  According to the present embodiment, print data can be encrypted by a public encryption key method, and a secure print system can be realized that does not cause information leakage even if the print data is sent via the Internet. .

  Note that the system according to the present embodiment can be applied in combination with the system using the user identification code described in the third embodiment, and security can be further improved.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 8 shows an example of processing for printing information stored in the PC 2 and charging the mobile phone 5 according to the print contents by the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an example of functions of each device of the printing system according to the present embodiment. The difference from the printing system according to the first embodiment described above is that the printer 3 has a print result information creation unit 308 that creates print result information such as the number of prints, and the mobile phone 5 generates identification information of the mobile phone 5. It is the point which has the identification information generation part 506 to do.

  The mobile phone 5 acquires position information by the GPS 502 in the vicinity of the printer 3 for which information is to be output. Further, identification information of the mobile phone 5 is generated by the identification information generation unit 506, and the mobile phone identification information and the position information are transmitted to the PC 2 (1).

  The PC 2 makes an inquiry to the device information management server 1 based on the information received from the mobile phone 5 (2). Based on the inquiry from the PC 2, the device information management server 1 searches for the corresponding printer 3 by the device search unit 103 from the device information stored in advance in the device information storage unit 102. Then, device information of the corresponding printer 3, such as IP address and model information, is transmitted to the PC 2. The PC 2 uses the print data creation unit 203 to create print data based on the acquired device information, and transmits the print data and the mobile phone identification information to the printer 3 (3). The printer 3 that has received the print data and the mobile phone identification information outputs the print data to a recording medium such as paper by the printing unit 301.

  When the output is completed, the printer 3 creates print result information such as the number of prints, color or monochrome in the print result information creation unit 308, and sends the print result information and the identification information of the mobile phone 5 to the device information management server. 1 is transmitted (4). The device information management server 1 that has received the print result information and the mobile phone identification information charges the mobile phone 5 based on the print result information.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a printing system that can be easily charged by transmitting the identification information of the mobile phone 5.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 10 shows an example of processing for printing information stored in the PC 2 using a QR code by the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example of functions that each device of the printing system according to this embodiment has. The difference from the printing system according to the fourth embodiment described above is that the printer 3 has a QR code reading device I / F 309 for connecting a QR code reading device for reading a QR code, and the mobile phone 5 uses a QR code as a secret key. It is the point which has the QR code conversion part 507 converted into.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a QR code reader 8 is connected to the printer 3 in addition to the printing system of the first embodiment described above. The mobile phone 5 acquires position information by the GPS 502 in the vicinity of the printer 3 for which information is to be output. Further, the private key and public key used for the public key cryptosystem are generated by the private key public key generation unit 504, and the public key and position information are transmitted to the PC 2 (1). The secret key is converted into a QR code by the QR code conversion unit 507 of the mobile phone 5 and displayed on a display unit such as a display.

  The PC 2 makes an inquiry to the device information management server 1 based on the information received from the mobile phone 5 (2). Based on the inquiry from the PC 2, the device information management server 1 searches for the corresponding printer 3 by the device search unit 103 from the device information stored in advance in the device information storage unit 102. Then, device information of the corresponding printer 3, such as IP address and model information, is transmitted to the PC 2. The PC 2 uses the print data creation unit 203 to create print data based on the acquired device information, and the encryption unit 204 encrypts the print data with the public key and transmits it to the printer 3 (3). The printer 3 that has received the encrypted print data reads the QR code displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 5 by the QR code reader 8 connected to the QR code reader I / F and decodes it. The print data encrypted in the unit 305 is decrypted with the secret key. The decrypted print data is output to a recording medium such as paper by the printing unit 301.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to input a secret key by simply holding the QR code displayed on a display unit such as a display of a mobile phone over the QR code reading device 8, and it is possible to realize a secure printing system very easily. It becomes possible. Similar to the fourth embodiment, the security can be further improved by using in combination with the third embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the secret key is converted into a QR code and displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to convert the secret key into a tint block instead of a QR code.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the printing system described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function example which each apparatus of the printing system which concerns on this embodiment has. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process which registers apparatus information in the apparatus information management server of the printing system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the process which prints the information preserve | saved at PC using the user identification code by the printing system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function example which each apparatus of the printing system which concerns on this embodiment has. It is a figure which shows the example of the process which prints the information preserve | saved in PC using the public key encryption system by the printing system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function example which each apparatus of the printing system which concerns on this embodiment has. It is a figure which shows the example of the process which prints the information preserve | saved at PC by the printing system which concerns on this embodiment, and charges a mobile telephone according to the printing content. It is a figure which shows the function example which each apparatus of the printing system which concerns on this embodiment has. It is a figure which shows the example of the process which prints the information preserve | saved at PC using the QR code by the printing system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function example which each apparatus of the printing system which concerns on this embodiment has.

Explanation of symbols

1 Device information management server 2 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Printer 4 Internet / Intranet 5 Mobile phone 6 Copying apparatus 101 Communication part 102 Equipment information storage part 103 Equipment search part 201 Communication part 202 Data storage part 203 Print data creation part 204 Encryption part 301 Communication part 302 Printing part 303 Code identification part 303 304 Code input means 305 Decoding unit 306 External storage media I / F
307 External storage media reading unit 308 Print result information creation unit 309 QR code reading device I / F
501 Communication unit 502 GPS
503 User identification code creation unit 504 Private key / public key generation unit 505 External storage media I / F
506 Identification information generation unit 507 QR code conversion unit

Claims (6)

A printing system having a server, a computer, an image forming apparatus, and a mobile terminal connected via a network,
The server
Device information storage means for storing device information of the image forming apparatus;
Device search means for searching for device information of the image forming apparatus from the device information stored by the device information storage means,
The computer
Data storage means for storing data;
Print data creation means for creating print data from the data saved by the data storage means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Printing means for outputting the print data to a recording medium;
The portable terminal is
Having position information acquisition means for acquiring position information using a satellite;
The device search means searches for device information of the image forming apparatus based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means and transmitted to the computer,
The print data creation means creates print data based on the device information searched by the device search means,
The printing system, wherein the printing unit performs output based on the print data created by the print data creation unit.   The device information storage unit stores the device information based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit transmitted from the portable terminal to the server and the device information of the image forming apparatus. Item 2. The printing system according to Item 1. The image forming apparatus includes:
Code input means for receiving code input;
Code identification means for identifying the code input by the code input means,
The portable terminal further includes code creating means for creating a user identification code,
Sending the location information acquired by the location information acquisition means and the user identification code created by the code creation means to the computer;
The printing means is created by the print data creation means only when the code identification means determines that the code input by the code input means matches the code created by the code creation means. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein output is performed based on print data. The computer further includes encryption means for encrypting the data,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Decoding means for decrypting the encrypted data;
An external storage medium connection means for connecting the external storage medium;
An external storage medium reading means for reading information stored in the external storage medium,
The portable terminal is
A secret key used for the public key cryptosystem and a secret key public key generating means for generating a public key;
An external storage medium connection means for connecting the external storage medium;
The user identification code is the public key;
The decoding means decrypts the print data encrypted by the encryption means with a secret key stored in an external storage medium connected to the external storage medium connection means,
4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the printing unit performs output based on the print data decoded by the decoding unit. The image forming apparatus further includes a printing result information creating unit that creates printing result information,
The portable terminal further includes identification information generating means for generating identification information of the portable terminal,
The server prints based on the print result information generated by the print result information generating unit transmitted from the image forming apparatus and the identification information generated by the identification information generating unit transmitted from the portable terminal. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a charge is charged to the portable terminal. The image forming apparatus further includes a secret key reading unit that reads a secret key,
The portable terminal displays the secret key generated by the secret key public key generation means on a display unit,
5. The printing according to claim 4, wherein the printing unit performs output based on the print data read by the secret key reading unit and decrypted by the secret key displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal. system.

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