JP6686783B2 - Image forming system and printing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and a printing method that enable a user moving to various places to print using an image forming apparatus installed in a destination office or the like.

  In recent years, various working styles and lifestyles such as nomad workers are diversifying, and office forms are also diversifying. The number of working styles where people can easily work and work in places is increasing.

  When printing for the first time using a nearby image forming device in a rental office or a shared office where people from different companies temporarily rent space to work in the same place, instead of in their own office It is necessary to register the image forming apparatus in the vicinity of the portable information processing terminal or the like used by the user to perform connection setting, and much preparation is required before starting printing, which is troublesome.

  For example, Google (registered trademark) cloud print is available as a technique for reducing the above trouble. With Google Cloud Print, print as follows. (1) The user performs device registration from the panel of the image forming apparatus compatible with Google Cloud Print to the Google cloud print server, and the authentication destination URL is displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus. (2) The user accesses the above authentication destination URL from the device (PC, smartphone) that logged in with his Google account. As a result, the image forming apparatus is registered in association with the user's Google account. (3) The user throws a print job from the device logged in with his own Google account to the Google cloud print server. Then, the server transfers the print job to the image forming apparatus registered in association with this user's Google account, and the image forming apparatus executes printing.

  It should be noted that, in Patent Document 1 below, in a free address office that does not have a specified desk and works at an arbitrary place in the office, a printer according to a place where the user is seated can be automatically selected and printed. A possible printer selection system is disclosed. In this system, the seating management server grasps the user's seating position, and has information for previously associating a printer with each seat. When the user makes a print request from the information terminal to the server, the server selects a printer to be printed out from the user's seating position and redistributes the print job.

JP, 2010-86488, A

  In rental offices and shared offices where people of various companies temporarily rent space to work in the same place, security regarding printed matter printed by an image forming apparatus is important. For example, in the method of using a security card for authentication of print output, if a user leaves the security card, another person who uses the security card can impersonate the user and print, which cannot ensure high security. .

  The above-mentioned Google Cloud Print has the effect of reducing the time and effort required to start printing, but has the following security problems. In other words, in a certain office, a user registers an image forming apparatus by associating it with his / her own account so that he / she can print, and then the user moves to another place, and the image forming apparatus of the moving destination is mistakenly registered as a device. If the user forgets to do so and prints, the image will be printed out from the image forming apparatus in the place before the movement, which may lead to information leakage.

  In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to register the printer position information in the system in advance, and the registration information must be updated every time the seat layout or the printer installation place is changed. In addition, no consideration is given to security.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and an image forming system and a printing method capable of easily and safely using an image forming apparatus installed in a destination rental office or the like for printing. To

  The gist of the present invention for achieving such an object resides in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information;
An image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal,
Server,
An information processing apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal and a function of transmitting print data to the server;
An image forming system including:
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful,
When the server receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server registers the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID in association with each other,
When the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful and a print data transmission instruction is received, the information processing apparatus generates print data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal is added to generate the print data. Sent to
When the server receives the print data to which the mobile ID is added , the server prints the print data to the image forming apparatus registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the received print data. Send
The image forming apparatus, which receives the print data, executes printing based on the print data.

In the above invention and the invention described in [6] below, when the user authenticates the image forming apparatus with the mobile ID terminal, the image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server at the time of authentication. When the user authenticates the information processing apparatus with the mobile ID terminal and inputs a print data transmission instruction, the information processing apparatus generates print data with the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal at the time of authentication and transmits the print data to the server. . The server compares the mobile ID received from the image forming apparatus with the mobile ID received together with the print data from the information processing apparatus, and prints the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data to the image forming apparatus. Send data to print . Servers, if received from the image forming apparatus of the above registers in association with the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that has received, may be collated with the mobile ID, which is added to the print data received after.

[2] A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information,
An image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal,
Server,
An information processing apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal and a function of transmitting print data to the server;
An image forming system including:
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful,
The information processing apparatus transmits the mobile ID to the server when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful and the mobile ID is received from the mobile ID terminal,
The server that receives the mobile ID from the information processing apparatus transmits to the information processing apparatus the print setting information that can be used by the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID,
Upon receiving the print setting information, the information processing apparatus displays a print setting screen based on the received print setting information, adds the mobile ID when receiving a print setting and print data transmission instruction from the user, and Generate print data that reflects the print settings received on the print setting screen and send it to the server ,
The server transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data received from the information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus receives print data, images formed system that is characterized in that to perform the printing based on the print data.
In the above invention and the invention described in the following [7], the user can confirm the print settings available in the image forming apparatus of the output destination and set the print conditions.

[3] A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information;
An image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal,
Server,
An information processing apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal and a function of transmitting print data to the server;
An image forming system including:
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful,
When the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful and a print data transmission instruction is received, the information processing apparatus generates print data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal is added to generate the print data. Sent to
The server transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data received from the information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus that has received the print data executes printing based on the print data,
The mobile ID terminal, said Once the user from being used to authenticate the image forming apparatus detects that it has moved to a certain level or more away, images formed system that is characterized in that to change the mobile ID to be output.
In the above invention and the invention described in [8] below, since the mobile ID is changed by the movement, it is possible to prevent erroneous print output to the image forming apparatus registered in the office before the movement.

[4] The server is
When the mobile ID is received from the image forming apparatus, the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID are linked and registered,
When the print data to which the mobile ID is added is received, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the received print data.
The image forming system as described in [2] or [3].

[5] The server registers the image forming apparatus in advance, and when a mobile ID is received from the image forming apparatus, the server checks whether or not the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID is already registered. The image forming system according to [1] or [4] , wherein, if registered, the received mobile ID is registered in association with the image forming apparatus.

[6] Mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information, and image formation having a function of authenticating the user using the mobile ID terminal A printing method in an image forming system including an apparatus, a server, a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal, and a function of transmitting print data to the server.
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful;
When the server receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server associates and registers the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID,
When the information processing apparatus succeeds in user authentication using the mobile ID terminal and receives a print data transmission instruction, the information processing apparatus generates print data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal is added to generate the server. A terminal processing step for sending to
When the server receives the print data to which the mobile ID is added, the printing is performed on the image forming apparatus registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the received print data. A server processing step for sending data,
An image forming apparatus that receives the print data executes printing based on the print data;
Printing method characterized by having a.

[7] A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information, and image formation having a function of authenticating the user using the mobile ID terminal A printing method in an image forming system including an apparatus, a server, a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal, and a function of transmitting print data to the server.
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful;
Transmitting the mobile ID to the server when the information processing apparatus succeeds in user authentication using the mobile ID terminal and receives the mobile ID from the mobile ID terminal;
A step in which a server receiving the mobile ID from the information processing apparatus transmits to the information processing apparatus print setting information usable by the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID;
When the information processing apparatus before Symbol server has received information of the print setting, and displays a print setting screen based on the information of the print settings thus received, receives a transmission instruction of the print setting and the print data from the user, the A terminal processing step of adding print ID to the mobile ID and generating print data reflecting the print setting received on the print setting screen and transmitting the print data to the server ;
When the server receives print data to which the mobile ID is added from the information processing apparatus, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data. Server processing steps to
An image forming apparatus that receives the print data executes printing based on the print data;
Printing how to, comprising a.

[8] A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information, and image formation having a function of authenticating the user using the mobile ID terminal A printing method in an image forming system including an apparatus, a server, a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal, and a function of transmitting print data to the server.
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful;
When the information processing apparatus succeeds in user authentication using the mobile ID terminal and receives a print data transmission instruction, the information processing apparatus generates print data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal is added to generate the server. A terminal processing step for sending to
When the server receives the print data to which the mobile ID is added from the information processing apparatus and receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server transmits the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data. A server processing step for transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that receives the print data executes printing based on the print data;
Have
The mobile ID terminal, when detecting that it has moved from being used for authentication to the image forming apparatus of where the user is away a predetermined or more, print how to and changes the mobile ID to be output .

[9] In the server processing step, when the server receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server registers the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID in association with each other, When the print data added with is received, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the received print data. The printing method according to [7] or [8] .

[10] The method further includes a step of previously registering the image forming apparatus in the server,
In the server processing step, when the server receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server checks whether or not the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID is already registered. The printing method according to [6] or [9] , wherein the received mobile ID is registered in association with the image forming apparatus.

  According to the image forming system and the printing method according to the present invention, the user can easily and safely use the image forming apparatus installed in the rental office or the like at the destination to print.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image forming system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the user terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the mobile ID terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure 1 at the time of printing with the image forming system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure 2 at the time of printing with the image forming system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure 3 at the time of printing with the image forming system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure 4 at the time of printing with the image forming system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the server in the printing procedure shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. 10 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the image forming apparatus in the printing procedure shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. 10 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a user terminal in the printing procedure shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. It is a figure which shows the procedure 3A-1 at the time of printing by the image forming system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and 3A-2. It is a figure which shows the procedure 3A-3 to 3A-5 at the time of printing with the image forming system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the procedure 3A-6 to 3A-8 at the time of printing with the image forming system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. In the image forming system according to the third embodiment, a diagram showing an operation sequence in the case where the image forming apparatus in the destination office is not authenticated by the mobile ID terminal 7 but is authenticated by the user terminal and a print instruction is issued. Is. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation sequence following that of FIG. 16. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation sequence in a case where the user terminal 50 is authenticated and a print instruction is issued before the image forming apparatus 30 is authenticated. It is a figure which shows the operation sequence following FIG.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming system 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 5 includes an image forming apparatus 30, a server 10, a user terminal (information processing apparatus) 50 used by a user, and a mobile ID terminal 70. In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 and user terminals 50 are respectively connected to a LAN in offices A and B, and the LAN of each office is connected to the server 10 via a wide area network such as the Internet. . Here, the server 10 is a so-called cloud server, but is not limited to this.

  The mobile ID terminal 70 performs a function of authenticating whether or not the user is a predetermined user himself / herself based on biometric information of the user, and outputs a predetermined mobile ID by short-range wireless communication or the like when the authentication is successful. The mobile ID is identification information unique to the mobile ID terminal 70. The biometric information may be arbitrary, such as veins, fingerprints, and pulse. The mobile ID terminal 70 is, for example, worn on the user's wrist or the like and held by the user's hand, and authenticates whether the user is a predetermined user himself or herself while being worn or held. The mobile ID terminal 70 is not connected to the network.

  The image forming apparatus 30 includes a copy job for printing an image based on image data obtained by optically reading a document with a scanner on a recording sheet, a save job for storing image data of the read document as a file, and a read document. Jobs such as a transmission job for transmitting the image data of the above to a file etc. to the outside, a print job for printing an image based on the print data received from the PC on the recording paper and outputting it, and a FAX job for transmitting and receiving the image data according to the facsimile procedure. It is a so-called multi-function peripheral having a function to execute. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 30 will also be referred to as an MFP. The image forming apparatus 30 may be a printer having a single print function.

  The image forming apparatus 30 has a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal 70, and when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal succeeds, the apparatus ID of the apparatus itself and the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal are sent to the server 10. It has a function of transmitting, a function of executing printing related to a print job received from the server 10, and the like.

  The user terminal 50 is a computer device such as a PC (Personal Computer) terminal. The user terminal 50 has a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal 70, and when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal 70 is successful and a print data transmission instruction is received, the user terminal 50 receives from the mobile ID terminal 70. It has a function of generating print data (print job) to which the mobile ID is added and transmitting the print data to the server 10. The user terminal 50 may be a desktop PC, a notebook PC, or a mobile terminal such as a tablet or a smartphone, as long as it can perform the above functions.

  The server 10 is configured by installing a predetermined program in a computer device having a communication function, a function of linking and registering the device ID and the mobile ID received from the image forming device 30, and a print job received from the user terminal 50. In this case, the print job is transferred to the image forming apparatus 30 registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print job to execute printing.

  In the image forming system 5, the server 10 has a function of transferring the print job received from the user terminal 50 to the image forming apparatus 30 associated with the user who uses the user terminal 50 to print the print job. In detail, printing is performed according to the following printing procedure.

  When the user performs authentication using the mobile ID terminal 70 on the image forming apparatus 30 (P1), the image forming apparatus 30 transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal 70 at the time of authentication to the server 10 (P2). The server 10 having received this registers the received mobile ID in association with the image forming apparatus 30 of the transmission source (P3). The user wearing the mobile ID terminal 70 authenticates the user terminal 50 in the same office using the mobile ID terminal 70, and further inputs a print data transmission instruction (P4). Upon receiving this operation, the user terminal 50 generates a print job to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal at the time of authentication is generated and transmits it to the server 10 (P5). The server 10 having received the print job transfers the print job to the image forming apparatus registered in association with the mobile ID that is the same as the mobile ID added to the received print job and prints it (P6).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The server 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a control unit that totally controls the operation of the server 10. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a non-volatile memory 14, a hard disk device 15, an operation unit 16, a display unit 17, a network communication unit 18, and the like are connected to the CPU 11 via a bus.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the server 10 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various processes in accordance with these programs.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a process based on a program.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information. The received mobile ID and device ID are associated and registered in the non-volatile memory 14.

  The hard disk device 15 is a large-capacity non-volatile storage device and stores various programs and data. Further, the print job received from the user terminal 50 is temporarily stored in the hard disk device 15.

  The display unit 17 has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The display unit 17 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. The operation unit 16 has a function of receiving various operations from the user. The operation unit 16 includes a keyboard or the like that receives input of characters, numbers, symbols, and the like, and a touch screen provided on the display surface of the display unit 17. The touch screen detects a coordinate position at which the display surface of the display unit 17 is touched with a touch pen or a finger.

  The network communication unit 18 has a function of communicating with the image forming apparatus 30, the user terminal 50, and other various devices via a network.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus 30 has a CPU 31 that totally controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 30. ROM 32, RAM 33, nonvolatile memory 34, hard disk device 35, image reading unit 36, automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 37, operation panel 38, network communication unit 42, image processing unit 43, printer The unit 44, the facsimile communication unit 45, the mobile ID authentication unit 46, etc. are connected.

  The CPU 31 is based on the OS program and executes middleware, application programs, and the like on the OS program. Various programs are stored in the ROM 32, and each function of the image forming apparatus 30 is realized by the CPU 31 executing various processes in accordance with these programs.

  The RAM 33 is used as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 31 executes processing based on a program, an image memory that stores image data, or the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 34 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information. Further, the non-volatile memory 34 stores user information used for user authentication using the mobile ID.

  The hard disk device 35 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores various programs and data in addition to print data, image data, and the like.

  The image reading unit 36 has a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The image reading unit 36 includes, for example, a light source that irradiates the document with light, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light and reads the document for one line in the width direction, and a reading position of each line sequentially in the length direction of the document. A moving unit for moving, an optical path including a lens and a mirror for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and a conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data. And so on.

  The automatic document feeder 37 has a function of sequentially feeding and feeding the documents set on the document table one by one from the highest document, passing them through the reading position of the image reading unit 36, and discharging them to a predetermined paper discharging position. Fulfill. The image reading unit 36 has a function of reading a document placed on the platen glass and a function of sequentially reading a document conveyed by the automatic document conveying unit 37.

  The operation panel 38 includes an operation unit 39 and a display unit 40. The display unit 40 has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like, and is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like. The operation unit 39 includes various hard keys such as a start button and a ten-key pad that receive various operations from the user, and a touch screen provided on the display surface of the display unit 40.

  The image processing unit 43 performs processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation, as well as rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression / expansion processing, and the like.

  The printer unit 44 has a function of forming an image on a recording sheet according to the image data. Here, a recording paper conveyance device, a photoconductor drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device are provided, and image formation is performed by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. Other methods may be used for image formation.

  The facsimile communication unit 45 has a function of transmitting / receiving image data to / from a device having a facsimile function through a telephone line.

  The network communication unit 42 has a function of communicating with the server 10 and various devices via a network.

  The mobile ID authentication unit 46 has a function of communicating with the mobile ID terminal 70 and a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal. In particular, the mobile ID authentication unit 46 receives the mobile ID transmitted by the mobile ID terminal 70 and authenticates the user.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user terminal 50. The user terminal 50 has a CPU 51 that totally controls the operation of the user terminal 50. A ROM 52, a RAM 53, a non-volatile memory 54, a hard disk device 55, an operation unit 56, a display unit 57, a network communication unit 58, a mobile ID authentication unit 59 and the like are connected to the CPU 51 via a bus. The user terminal 50 may be composed of a general-purpose PC or the like.

  The CPU 51 is based on the OS program and executes middleware, application programs, and the like on the base. Various programs are stored in the ROM 52, and each function of the user terminal 50 is realized by the CPU 51 executing various processes in accordance with these programs.

  The RAM 53 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 51 executes processing based on a program.

  The nonvolatile memory 54 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information.

  The hard disk device 55 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device and stores various programs and data. Data to be printed such as documents and files is stored in the hard disk device 55.

  The network communication unit 58 has a function of communicating with the server 10 and various devices via a network.

  The display unit 57 has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 56 has a function of receiving various operations from the user.

  The mobile ID authentication unit 59 has a function of communicating with the mobile ID terminal 70 similarly to the mobile ID authentication unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 30 and a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile ID terminal 70. The mobile ID terminal 70 has a control unit 71 that totally controls the operation of the mobile ID terminal 70. The control unit 71 mainly includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and operates according to a program stored in the ROM. The biological information detection unit 72, the non-volatile memory 73, the ID transmission unit 74, the movement detection unit 75, and the like are connected to the control unit 71.

  The nonvolatile memory 73 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing a mobile ID unique to the mobile ID terminal 70.

  The ID transmission unit 74 has a function of transmitting a mobile ID by short-range wireless communication or the like. The movement detection unit 75 detects movement of a user wearing or holding the mobile ID terminal 70. Here, movement exceeding a certain range, for example, movement such that a user who is in office A leaves office A and goes out is detected. As a detection method, there is a method of indirectly detecting the movement of the user based on the change in the pulse. In addition, the movement of the user may be detected by a GPS function or the like.

  Next, a printing procedure in the image forming system 5 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<Procedure 1>
As shown in FIG. 6, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 30 installed in a rental office or the like registers the image forming apparatus 30 in the server 10 as a device client when the image forming apparatus 30 is installed. As a result, printing can be executed from the server 10 to the image forming apparatus 30. In the example of FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 30 transmits a preparation registration request including an instruction to register the own apparatus as a device client and a device ID of the own apparatus to the server 10 according to the operation of the administrator (1-1 : Preparation registration). The server 10 having received this registers the device ID (1-2: device ID registration). In the example of FIG. 6, the device ID (B) and the device ID (C) are already registered, and this time, the device ID (A) is additionally registered. The method of registering the image forming apparatus 30 in the server 10 as a device client is not limited to the method of registering from the image forming apparatus 30, and for example, the PC 10 of the administrator accesses the server 10 to access each image forming apparatus 30. A method of registering the device ID of the above may be used.

<Procedure 2>
As shown in FIG. 7, a user who uses a rental office or the like in which the image forming apparatus 30 is installed has an image forming apparatus 30 (in this example, the image forming apparatus 30 having an apparatus ID (A)) to be used. ), User authentication is performed using the mobile ID terminal 70 of the user (2-1: authentication). Specifically, when the mobile ID terminal 70 authenticates that the user wearing the mobile ID terminal 70 is the registered user himself / herself based on the biometric information, the mobile ID terminal 70 has a unique mobile phone. The ID is transmitted to the mobile ID authentication unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 30, and the image forming apparatus 30 receives the ID.

  The image forming apparatus 30, which has received the mobile ID from the mobile ID terminal 70, generates a linking registration request including the device ID of its own apparatus and the received mobile ID and transmits it to the server 10 (2-2: linking registration). . In the example of FIG. 7, a linking registration request including the device ID (A) and the mobile ID (b) is generated and transmitted.

  The server 10, which has received the association registration request, associates the device ID and the mobile ID included in the association registration request with each other and registers them in its own device. Here, it is confirmed whether or not the same device ID as the device ID included in the received linking registration request has already been registered as a device client. If registered, the received mobile ID is linked to the corresponding device ID. Attach and register. In the example of FIG. 7, the mobile ID (b) is associated with the device ID (A) and registered. If the same mobile ID as the mobile ID included in the association registration request is already associated with some device ID and registered in the server 10, the already associated association between the mobile ID and the device ID is deleted. The registration content is updated according to the received new association registration request.

<Procedure 3>
As shown in FIG. 8, the user authenticates the user terminal 50 by using his / her mobile ID terminal 70 (3-1; authentication). By the authentication, a unique mobile ID is transmitted from the mobile ID terminal 70 to the user terminal 50, and the user terminal 50 receives the mobile ID. The user operates the user terminal 50 while continuing the authentication using the mobile ID terminal 70 to input the data to be printed and the print instruction. Upon receiving this operation, the user terminal 50 creates a print job for printing the specified data, and creates data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal 70 is added (3-2: Print). Job generation), and the data is transmitted to the server 10 (3-3: data transmission).

<Procedure 4>
As shown in FIG. 9, the server 10 that has received the above data searches the mobile IDs registered in its own device for the same mobile ID as the mobile ID included in the received data (4-1: mobile (ID search), if the corresponding mobile ID is registered, the device ID registered in association with the mobile ID is specified (4-2; device specification). Then, the server 10 transfers the print job included in the received data to the image forming apparatus 30 having the specified device ID (4-3: print job transfer). The image forming apparatus 30 that has received the print job by the transfer executes printing based on this print job (4-4: print output).

  In the example of FIG. 9, since the mobile ID (b) is added to the received print job, the server 10 identifies the device ID (A) registered in association with the mobile ID (b) and receives it. The formed print job is transferred to the image forming apparatus 30 having the apparatus ID (A).

  By printing in the above procedure, the user can obtain a print output from the expected image forming apparatus 30. The device ID may use the IP address of the image processing device 30 or the like. In this case, it is sufficient to transmit the mobile ID in the linking registration (2-2 in FIG. 7).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the server 10 in the printing procedure shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. When the server 10 receives the preparation registration request from the image forming apparatus 30 (step S101; Yes), the server 10 checks whether the same device ID as the device ID included in the preparation registration request is already registered as a device client (step S101). S102). If the same device ID has already been registered (step S102; Yes), nothing is done and the process returns to step S101. If the same device ID is not registered (step S102; No), the received device ID is additionally registered as a device client (step S103), and the process returns to step S101.

  When the linking registration request is received from the image forming apparatus 30 (step S104; Yes), it is determined whether the same device ID as the device ID included in the received linking registration request is registered (step S105). . If the same device ID is not registered (step S105; No), an error indicating that the device is not registered is returned to the image forming device 30 that is the transmission source of the linking registration request (step S106), and the process returns to step S101.

  If the same device ID as the device ID included in the received association registration request is registered (step S105; Yes), the received mobile ID is associated with the same device ID as the received device ID and registered (step S105; In step S107, a response indicating that the linking registration is successful is returned to the image forming apparatus 30 that is the transmission source of the linking registration request (step S108), and the process returns to step S101.

  When the print job to which the mobile ID is added is received from the user terminal 50 (step S109; Yes), the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID is searched from the mobile IDs registered in association with the device ID. (Step S110). If the same mobile ID is registered (step S111; Yes), the device ID registered in association with the mobile ID is specified (step S112), and the received print job is image-formed with the specified device ID. The data is transferred to the device 30 (step S113), a response of the transfer success is returned to the user terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the print job received in step S109 (step S114), and the process returns to step S101.

  When the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID is not registered (step S111; No), an error indicating that the device ID is not registered in association with the mobile ID is transmitted to the print job received in step S109. It returns to the original user terminal 50 (step S115) and returns to step S101.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 30 in the printing procedure shown in FIGS. When the preparation registration instruction is received from the administrator or the like (step S201; Yes), a preparation registration request including the device ID of the own device is created and transmitted to the server 10 (step S202), and the process returns to step S201.

  When the authentication by the mobile ID terminal 70 is received (step S203; Yes), a linking registration request including the device ID of the own device and the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal 70 in the authentication is created, and this is registered as a server. 10 (step S204). Then, when a reply to the linking registration request is received from the server 10, the reply content is displayed (step S205) and the process returns to step S201.

  When the print job is received from the server 10 (step S206; Yes), the received print job is executed (step S207) and the process returns to step S201.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the user terminal 50 in the printing procedure shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. Authentication by the mobile ID terminal 70 is received (step S301; Yes). After that, when receiving the designation of the print target and the print instruction from the authenticated user (step S302; Yes), a print job for printing the designated print target is generated, and the print job is transmitted to the mobile at the time of authentication. Data with the mobile ID received from the ID terminal 70 is generated (step S303).

  Then, the data generated in step S303 is transmitted to the server 10 to request printing (step S304).

  After that, when a reply to the print request in step S304 is received from the server 10 (step S305; Yes), the reply content is displayed (step S306) and the process returns to step S301.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  The configuration of the image forming system 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The differences will be described below.

  Procedures 1 and 2 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Procedure 3 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 13, when the user succeeds in the authentication with the user terminal 50 using the mobile ID terminal 70 or performs an operation such as opening a screen regarding print settings (3A-1), the user terminal 50 transmits a device information request including the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal 70 to the server 10 (3A-2 :).

  The server 10, which has received the device information request including the mobile ID from the user terminal 50, searches for the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID from among the mobile IDs registered in the own device, as shown in FIG. 3A-3: Mobile ID search), if the corresponding mobile ID is registered, the device ID registered in association with the mobile ID is specified (3A-4; device specification). Then, the print setting information usable by the image forming apparatus 30 having the specified device ID is transmitted to the user terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the received mobile ID (3A-5; device information transmission).

  The user terminal 50 that has received the information on the available print settings displays a print setting screen corresponding to the information as shown in FIG. 15, and receives various settings related to printing from the user (3A-6). For example, when the information received from the server 10 indicates that color printing is not possible but only monochrome printing is possible, a monochrome selectable state is displayed on the print setting screen for selecting color / monochrome.

  In addition to the above print settings, the user terminal 50 receives a print target designation and a print instruction operation to generate a print job for printing the designated data in accordance with the print settings. Data to which the received mobile ID is added is generated (3A-7: print job generation), and the data is transmitted to the server 10 (3A-8: data transmission).

  Subsequent procedure 4 is the same as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the user can make various settings related to printing while confirming the print settings available in the image forming apparatus 30 that is the output destination, so that the user can expect from the image forming apparatus expected. It is possible to obtain a print output according to the specified print settings. For example, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a print request is made in color and a monochrome output is made.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described.

  In the third embodiment, the mobile ID terminal 70 changes the mobile ID to be output when it detects that the wearing user has moved a certain distance or more after authenticating with the image forming apparatus 30.

  For example, when the user who has performed the printing according to the procedure described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment moves from the office A that performed the printing to another office B, the mobile ID terminal 70 moves. The mobile ID detected and then output is changed to a value different from the mobile ID before the detection. The changed mobile ID is also a mobile ID unique to the mobile ID terminal 70.

  As shown in FIG. 16, after the user moves to the office B, the user forgets to authenticate the image forming apparatus 30 installed in the destination office B with the mobile ID terminal 70, and the user terminal 50 uses the mobile ID terminal 70. Consider a case in which the print instruction is issued from the user terminal 50 after performing the authentication (3-1: authentication). Here, it is assumed that the mobile ID before moving is changed to (b) and the mobile ID after moving is changed to (c). In the server 10, the mobile ID (b) before change is registered in association with the device ID (A) of the image forming apparatus 30 that was in the office A before moving.

  Upon receiving the print instruction, the user terminal 50 generates a print job to which the mobile ID (c) is added and transmits it to the server 10 (3-2: print job generation, 3-3: data transmission).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the server 10 searches the registered mobile IDs for the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID (c), but the device ID associated with the mobile ID (c) is Since it is not registered, the device cannot be specified (4-1: Mobile ID search, device can be specified). Therefore, the server 10 discards the received print data, and returns an error indicating that the device ID associated with the received mobile ID is not registered, to the user terminal 50 that is the sender of the print job (4-5). : Error transmission, step S111 in FIG. 10; No, S115).

  In this way, when the mobile ID terminal 70 automatically changes the mobile ID when it detects a certain amount of movement after being used for authentication in the image processing apparatus 30, the image forming apparatus 30 registered in the office before the movement. It is possible to prevent the print job from being accidentally transferred to the printer and be printed out, thereby improving the security.

  Note that the mobile ID terminal 70 outputs both the changed mobile ID and the mobile ID before the change in the authentication after changing the mobile ID, and the user terminal 50 outputs the changed mobile ID during the authentication by the mobile ID terminal 70. When both the mobile ID and the mobile ID before the change are received, the print job in which these are identifiably added is transmitted to the server 10, and the server 10 associates the received mobile ID before the change with the device ID. If registered, it is desirable to perform a deletion process such as deleting the association of the mobile ID before the change.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to those shown in the embodiments, and there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the preparation registration was performed in the procedure 1, but the preparation registration in the procedure 1 may not be performed and the procedure may be started from the procedure 2. In this case, the server 10 registers the device ID and the mobile ID included in the linking registration request received from the image forming device 30 as they are.

  Further, in the embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 30 is registered as the device client in the procedure 2 and the print job to which the mobile ID is added is transmitted in the procedure 3 has been described, but the procedure 3 is performed first. May be. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, when the user terminal 50 receives authentication using the mobile ID terminal 70 and receives a print instruction (S1), it generates a print job to which the mobile ID is added (S2). , And transmits this to the server 10 (S3). The server 10, which has received the print job to which the mobile ID is added, determines that the device ID associated with the same mobile ID as this mobile ID is not registered, and holds the print job to which the mobile ID is added. (S4).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 19, when the user successfully authenticates with the image forming apparatus 30 using the mobile ID terminal 70 (S5), the image forming apparatus 30 transmits the mobile ID to the server 10 (S6). The server 10 having received this checks whether or not a print job to which the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID is added is already held, and if so, the image forming apparatus that is the sender of the received mobile ID. The print job is transmitted to 30 and printed (S7).

  In this case, since the user is in front of the image forming apparatus 30 at the time of output, it is possible to prevent the output material from being taken away by another person or being peeped at and the information from being leaked. When the mobile ID is received from the image forming apparatus 30, the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus 30 of the transmission source thereof may be associated with each other and registered in the server 10, or may not be registered. If the registration is not performed, the mobile ID terminal 70 is used to authenticate with the image forming apparatus 30 every time the image forming apparatus 30 prints out.

  The portable user terminal 50 such as a tablet or a smartphone may also have the function of the mobile ID terminal 70. That is, the portable user terminal 50 has a function of authenticating a user using biometric information. For example, when the user performs a print job transmission operation while touching a relevant part such as a fingertip on a detection pad for fingerprint authentication or vein authentication included in the user terminal 50, the user terminal 50 displays the mobile ID (ID of the user terminal 50). The print job to which the () may be added is transmitted to the server 10. Further, when the user brings the user terminal 50 close to the image forming apparatus 30 while touching the detection pad, authentication for the image forming apparatus 30 is performed. In a configuration in which the user terminal 50 having a GPS function, such as a tablet or smartphone, also has the function of the mobile ID terminal 70, the GPS function may be used to detect the movement of the user and change the mobile ID.

5 ... Image forming system 10 ... Server 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
14 ... Non-volatile memory 15 ... Hard disk device 16 ... Operation part 17 ... Display part 18 ... Network communication part 19 ... Mobile ID authentication part 30 ... Image processing device 31 ... CPU
32 ... ROM
33 ... RAM
34 ... Non-volatile memory 35 ... Hard disk device 36 ... Image reading section 37 ... Automatic document feeding section 38 ... Operation panel 39 ... Operation section 40 ... Display section 42 ... Network communication section 43 ... Image processing section 44 ... Printer section 45 ... Facsimile communication section 46 ... Mobile ID authentication unit 50 ... User terminal 51 ... CPU
52 ... ROM
53 ... RAM
54 ... Non-volatile memory 55 ... Hard disk device 56 ... Operation part 57 ... Display part 58 ... Network communication part 59 ... Mobile ID authentication part 70 ... Mobile ID terminal 71 ... Control part 72 ... Biological information detection part 73 ... Non-volatile memory 74 ... ID transmission Part 75 ... Movement detection unit

Claims (10)

A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information;
An image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal,
Server,
An information processing apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal and a function of transmitting print data to the server;
An image forming system including:
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful,
When the server receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus , the server registers the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID in association with each other,
When the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful and a print data transmission instruction is received, the information processing apparatus generates print data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal is added to generate the print data. Sent to
When the server receives the print data to which the mobile ID is added , the server prints the print data to the image forming apparatus registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the received print data. Send
The image forming apparatus, which receives the print data, executes printing based on the print data. A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information;
An image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal,
Server,
An information processing apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal and a function of transmitting print data to the server;
An image forming system including:
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful,
The information processing apparatus transmits the mobile ID to the server when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful and the mobile ID is received from the mobile ID terminal,
The server that receives the mobile ID from the information processing apparatus transmits to the information processing apparatus the print setting information that can be used by the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID,
Upon receiving the print setting information, the information processing apparatus displays a print setting screen based on the received print setting information, adds the mobile ID when receiving a print setting and print data transmission instruction from the user, and Generate print data that reflects the print settings received on the print setting screen and send it to the server ,
The server transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data received from the information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus receives print data, images formed system that is characterized in that to perform the printing based on the print data. A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information;
An image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal,
Server,
An information processing apparatus having a function of authenticating a user using the mobile ID terminal and a function of transmitting print data to the server;
An image forming system including:
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful,
When the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful and a print data transmission instruction is received, the information processing apparatus generates print data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal is added to generate the print data. Sent to
The server transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data received from the information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus that has received the print data executes printing based on the print data,
The mobile ID terminal, said Once the user from being used to authenticate the image forming apparatus detects that it has moved to a certain level or more away, images formed system that is characterized in that to change the mobile ID to be output.   The server is
  When the mobile ID is received from the image forming apparatus, the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID are linked and registered,
  When the print data to which the mobile ID is added is received, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the received print data.
  The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein: The server registers the image forming apparatus in advance, and when a mobile ID is received from the image forming apparatus, the server checks whether or not the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID is already registered, and is registered. If it is, the received mobile ID is registered in association with the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information; and an image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating the user using the mobile ID terminal, A printing method in an image forming system including a server, a function of authenticating a user by using the mobile ID terminal, and a function of transmitting print data to the server.
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful;
When the server receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server associates and registers the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID,
When the information processing apparatus succeeds in user authentication using the mobile ID terminal and receives a print data transmission instruction, the information processing apparatus generates print data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal is added to generate the server. A terminal processing step for sending to
When the server receives the print data to which the mobile ID is added, the printing is performed on the image forming apparatus registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the received print data. A server processing step for sending data,
An image forming apparatus that receives the print data executes printing based on the print data;
Printing method characterized by having a. A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information; and an image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating the user using the mobile ID terminal, A printing method in an image forming system including a server, a function of authenticating a user by using the mobile ID terminal, and a function of transmitting print data to the server.
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful;
Transmitting the mobile ID to the server when the information processing apparatus succeeds in user authentication using the mobile ID terminal and receives the mobile ID from the mobile ID terminal;
A step in which a server receiving the mobile ID from the information processing apparatus transmits to the information processing apparatus print setting information usable by the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the received mobile ID;
When the information processing apparatus before Symbol server has received information of the print setting, and displays a print setting screen based on the information of the print settings thus received, receives a transmission instruction of the print setting and the print data from the user, the A terminal processing step of adding print ID to the mobile ID and generating print data reflecting the print setting received on the print setting screen and transmitting the print data to the server ;
When the server receives print data to which the mobile ID is added from the information processing apparatus, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data. Server processing steps to
An image forming apparatus that receives the print data executes printing based on the print data;
Printing how to, comprising a. A mobile ID terminal that outputs a mobile ID when the user authenticates that the user is a predetermined user based on biometric information; and an image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating the user using the mobile ID terminal, A printing method in an image forming system including a server, a function of authenticating a user by using the mobile ID terminal, and a function of transmitting print data to the server.
The image forming apparatus transmits the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal to the server when the user authentication using the mobile ID terminal is successful;
When the information processing apparatus succeeds in user authentication using the mobile ID terminal and receives a print data transmission instruction, the information processing apparatus generates print data to which the mobile ID received from the mobile ID terminal is added to generate the server. A terminal processing step for sending to
When the server receives the print data to which the mobile ID is added from the information processing apparatus and receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server transmits the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the print data. A server processing step for transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that receives the print data executes printing based on the print data;
Have
The mobile ID terminal, when detecting that it has moved from being used for authentication to the image forming apparatus of where the user is away a predetermined or more, print how to and changes the mobile ID to be output . In the server processing step, when the server receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server registers the mobile ID and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID in association with each other, and the mobile ID is added. When the print data is received, the print data is transmitted to an image forming apparatus registered in association with the same mobile ID as the mobile ID added to the received print data. Item 9. The printing method according to Item 7 or 8 . Further comprising the step of pre-registering the image forming apparatus in the server,
In the server processing step, when the server receives the mobile ID from the image forming apparatus, the server checks whether or not the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the mobile ID is already registered. The printing method according to claim 6, wherein the received mobile ID is registered in association with the image forming apparatus.

Images