JP6957812B2 - Information processing device, program of information processing device, and control method of information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a program of the information processing device, and a control method of the information processing device.

Job execution devices such as printing devices that execute jobs such as printing are widely used. In such a job execution device, various techniques for authenticating the user who created the job before executing the job have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for performing biometric authentication of a user in the job execution device before the job execution device executes a print job transmitted by the user from the terminal device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-218145

By the way, in general, in biometric authentication, a user is authenticated by collating the biometric information acquired from the user with the biometric information registered in advance in a database or the like. However, in biometric authentication, when a large amount of biometric information registered in advance in a database or the like exists, the biometric information acquired from the user and each of the plurality of biometric information registered in advance in the database or the like are stored. Since it is necessary to collate in order, there is a problem that the processing load related to biometric authentication becomes large and the time required for biometric authentication becomes long. Further, in biometric authentication, when a large amount of biometric information registered in advance in a database or the like exists, there is a problem that there is a high possibility that erroneous authentication that cannot correctly authenticate the user occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when biometric authentication of a user is performed before executing a job in a job execution device such as a printing device, the processing load on biometric authentication can be reduced. One of the solutions is to reduce the possibility of false authentication.

In order to solve the above problems, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users, and associates the accepted print jobs with the users who generated the print jobs. When the management unit to be managed and the biometric information acquisition unit provided corresponding to the printing device and capable of acquiring the biometric information of the user acquire the biometric information of one user, the biometric information acquisition unit is described as described in the above. It is stored in the receiving unit that receives the biometric information of the user, the specific unit that identifies the user corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit from the plurality of users, and the authentication information storage unit. Among the authentication information for authenticating each of the plurality of users, the authentication information for authenticating the user specified by the specific unit and the biometric information of the one user received by the receiving unit are included. Based on this, the bio-authentication unit that authenticates the one user and the print job managed by the management unit when the bio-authentication unit authenticates the one user corresponds to the one user. It is characterized by including a print control unit for causing the printing apparatus to perform printing based on a print job.

According to the present invention, after identifying a user corresponding to a print job managed by the management unit from a plurality of users, one user uses the authentication information of the specified user. Compared to the case of authenticating one user using the authentication information of multiple users, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to authentication and reduce the possibility of false authentication. Become.

In the information processing device described above, the authentication information includes user identification information for identifying the user, and the management unit includes the print job and the user identification information of the user who generated the print job. The specific unit may be characterized in that the user identification information managed by the management unit is specified.

According to this aspect, the user identification information of the user who created the print job is used to identify the user corresponding to the print job managed by the management department from among a plurality of users. Since one user is authenticated, the processing load related to the authentication can be reduced.

In the above-mentioned information processing device, the authentication information includes feature information indicating the characteristics of the user's living body, and the bioauthentication unit is included in the authentication information for authenticating the user specified by the specific unit. The feature may be that the one user is authenticated based on the feature information and the biometric information of the one user received by the receiving unit.

According to this aspect, since one user is authenticated by using the authentication information of the user specified by the specific unit, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the authentication.

In the above-mentioned information processing device, the specific unit identifies a user who can use the printing device from among the users corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit from the plurality of users. May be a feature.

According to this aspect, in order to identify a user who can use the printing device from a plurality of users and then authenticate one user using the authentication information of the specified user, a plurality of users are used. It is possible to reduce the processing load related to the authentication as compared with the case where one user is authenticated by using the authentication information of the user.

In the information processing device described above, the printing device can be used by a user having a predetermined attribute among the plurality of users, and the specific unit is based on user attribute information indicating the attribute of the user. The user may be specified as a user who can use the printing device.

According to this aspect, after identifying a user who can use the printing device from a plurality of users, one user is authenticated by using the authentication information of the specified user, so that the authentication is performed. It is possible to reduce the processing load related to.
In this aspect, the "user attribute" is, for example, information such as the organization to which the user belongs, the job title or job title of the user, the IP address of the terminal device used by the user, or the user. Information indicating whether or not the printing device can be used.

In the information processing device described above, the specific unit is a user who uses the printing device more frequently than a predetermined frequency among the users corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit from among the plurality of users. May be characterized by specifying.

According to this aspect, after identifying a user whose frequency of use of the printing device is more than a predetermined frequency from a plurality of users, one user is selected by using the authentication information of the specified user. Since the authentication is performed, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the authentication as compared with the case where one user is authenticated using the authentication information of a plurality of users.

Further, the information processing device according to the present invention can communicate with a bioauthentication device that authenticates the user based on the user identification information for uniquely identifying the user and the biometric information of the user. It is a device that can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users, and has a management unit that manages the accepted print job and the user identification information of the user who generated the print job in association with each other, and printing. When the biometric information acquisition unit provided corresponding to the device and capable of acquiring the biometric information of the user acquires the biometric information of one user, the biometric information of the one user is received from the biometric information acquisition unit. The receiving unit, the user identification information of the user corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit, and the biometric information of the one user received by the receiving unit are transmitted to the bioauthentication device. , The authentication result acquisition unit that acquires the result of the biometric authentication device authenticating the one user based on the transmitted information, and the management unit according to the authentication result acquired by the authentication result acquisition unit. It is characterized by including a print control unit that causes the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the print job corresponding to the one user among the print jobs to be managed.

According to the present invention, after identifying a user corresponding to a print job managed by the management unit from a plurality of users, one user uses the authentication information of the specified user. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the authentication as compared with the case where one user is authenticated by using the authentication information of a plurality of users.

Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users, and has a management unit that manages the accepted print jobs in association with the user who generated the print job, and printing. When the biometric information acquisition unit provided corresponding to the device and capable of acquiring the biometric information of the user acquires the biometric information of one user, the biometric information of the one user is received from the biometric information acquisition unit. The receiving unit, the specific unit that identifies the user corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit, and the plurality of users stored in the authentication information storage unit from among the plurality of users. Of the authentication information for authenticating the above, the one use is based on the authentication information for authenticating the user specified by the specific unit and the biometric information of the one user received by the receiving unit. When the biometric authentication unit capable of authenticating a person authenticates the one user, the printing device executes printing based on the print job corresponding to the one user among the print jobs managed by the management unit. It is characterized in that it is provided with a print control unit for making the print control unit.

According to the present invention, after identifying a user corresponding to a print job managed by the management unit from a plurality of users, one user uses the authentication information of the specified user. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the authentication as compared with the case where one user is authenticated by using the authentication information of a plurality of users.

Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can accept jobs from each of a plurality of users, and is based on the management unit that manages the accepted jobs in association with the user who generated the job, and the job. When the biometric information acquisition unit, which is provided corresponding to the job execution device capable of executing the process and can acquire the biometric information of the user, acquires the biometric information of one user, the biometric information acquisition unit says the one. It is stored in the receiving unit that receives the biometric information of the user, the specific unit that identifies the user corresponding to the job managed by the management unit from the plurality of users, and the authentication information storage unit. Among the authentication information for authenticating each of the plurality of users, the authentication information for authenticating the user specified by the specific unit and the biometric information of the one user received by the receiving unit are included. Based on the bio-authentication unit that authenticates the one user, and the job that corresponds to the one user among the jobs managed by the management unit when the bio-authentication unit authenticates the one user. It is characterized by including a job control unit that causes the job execution device to execute the processing based on the information.

Further, the program of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a program of an information processing apparatus including a computer, and the computer can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users, and the accepted print jobs can be received. The management unit that manages the print job in association with the user who generated it, and the biometric information acquisition unit that is provided corresponding to the printing device and can acquire the biometric information of the user acquired the biometric information of one user. In this case, the receiving unit that receives the biometric information of the one user from the biometric information acquisition unit and the identification of the user corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit from the plurality of users. Of the authentication information for authenticating each of the plurality of users stored in the unit and the authentication information storage unit, the authentication information for authenticating the user specified by the specific unit and the receiving unit Among the print jobs managed by the management unit when the biometric authentication unit capable of authenticating the one user authenticates the one user based on the received biometric information of the one user. It is characterized in that it functions as a print control unit that causes the printing apparatus to execute printing based on a printing job corresponding to the one user.

According to the present invention, after identifying a user corresponding to a print job managed by the management unit from a plurality of users, one user uses the authentication information of the specified user. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the authentication as compared with the case where one user is authenticated by using the authentication information of a plurality of users.

Further, the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a management unit that can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users and manages the accepted print jobs in association with the user who generated the print job. This is a control method of an information processing device including The biometric information of the one user is received from the acquisition unit, the user corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit is specified from the plurality of users, and the user is stored in the authentication information storage unit. Among the authentication information for authenticating each of the plurality of users, the one is based on the authentication information for authenticating the specified user and the received biometric information of the one user. When the biometric authentication unit capable of authenticating the user of the above authenticates the one user, the printing apparatus prints based on the print job corresponding to the one user among the print jobs managed by the management unit. It is characterized by having the user execute it.

According to the present invention, after identifying a user corresponding to a print job managed by the management unit from a plurality of users, one user uses the authentication information of the specified user. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the authentication as compared with the case where one user is authenticated by using the authentication information of a plurality of users.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the printing system SYS which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the information processing server 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the information processing server 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the user management table TBL1. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the apparatus management table TBL2. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the job management table TBL3. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the access control table TBL4. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the authentication information management table TBL5. It is a sequence chart which shows an example of the operation of a printing system SYS. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the information processing server 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the information processing server 1. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the printing system SYS-A which concerns on the modification 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the information processing server 3. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the authentication server 4. It is a sequence chart which shows an example of the operation of the printing system SYS-A. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the information processing server 1A which concerns on the modification 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the dimensions and scale of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones. Further, since the embodiments described below are suitable specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are attached, but the scope of the present invention particularly limits the present invention in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

<< A. Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

<< 1. Overview of printing system SYS >>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing system SYS according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system SYS is one-to-one with a plurality of terminal devices TM (TM1, TM2, ...), a plurality of printing devices PR (PR1, PR2, ...), And a plurality of printing devices PR. A plurality of imaging devices CM (CM1, CM2, ...) Provided so as to correspond to each other, an information processing server 1 (an example of "information processing device") that controls execution of various processes in the printing system SYS, and various information. It includes a database server 2 for storing and a network NW for connecting each component of the printing system SYS to each other. In the following, for convenience of explanation, a set of a printing device PR and an imaging device CM provided corresponding to the printing device PR may be referred to as a printing unit CU. That is, the printing system SYS is provided with a plurality of printing units CU (CU1, CU2, ...).

The terminal device TM is a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like used by each user U. Each user U generates a print job JB, which is a job for printing the document, the drawing, etc., by performing an operation of instructing the printing of the document, the drawing, etc. using the terminal device TM. Note that FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the user U1 uses the terminal device TM1 and the user U2 uses the terminal device TM2.
The information processing server 1 manages the print job JB generated by the user U in the terminal device TM, and supplies the print control signal Ctr for executing printing according to the print job JB to the print device PR.
The printing device PR executes printing according to the print job JB based on the print control signal Ctr supplied from the information processing server 1. The printing device PR may have at least a function of executing printing, but may have a function of copying, facsimile transmission / reception, and the like in addition to the function of executing printing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the image pickup apparatus CM is provided corresponding to each printing apparatus PR. FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the image pickup apparatus CM1 is provided corresponding to the printing apparatus PR1 and the imaging apparatus CM2 is provided corresponding to the printing apparatus PR2.
The image pickup device CM photographs the face of the user U who intends to use the printing device PR corresponding to the image pickup device CM, and supplies the face image acquired as a result of the shooting to the information processing server 1. The face image of the user U acquired by the imaging device CM is an example of the biological information XB of the user U, and the imaging device CM is a "biological information acquisition unit" that acquires the biological information XB of the user U. This is an example.

In the information processing server 1, the user U (for example, user U1) who generated the print job JB moves to the printing device PR (for example, the printing device PR1) at which he / she wants to execute printing according to the print job JB. When the image pickup device CM1 corresponding to the printing device PR1 photographs the face of the user U1, the user U1 is authenticated based on the biometric information XB of the user U1 acquired by the image pickup device CM1. Then, when the information processing server 1 succeeds in authenticating the user U1, the user U1 supplies the print control signal Ctr based on the print job JB generated by the user U1 to the printing device PR1. The printing device PR1 is made to execute printing according to the generated print job JB. In the following, a series of processes from the generation of the print job JB by the user U to the execution of the printing by the printing device PR may be referred to as a print process.

As described above, the printing system SYS according to the present embodiment is expensive because it authenticates the user U who generated the print job JB corresponding to the printing to be executed by the printing apparatus PR prior to the execution of printing by the printing apparatus PR. Security can be ensured.
Further, since the printing system SYS according to the present embodiment employs biometric authentication as the authentication of the user U performed when the printing device PR executes printing, it occurs, for example, in the case of authentication using an IC card. It is possible to ensure high security by suppressing the risk of losing the IC card and the risk of password leakage that occurs in the case of authentication using a password.
Further, since the printing system SYS according to the present embodiment employs biometric authentication as the authentication of the user U performed when the printing device PR executes printing, the user U uses the IC card when executing the printing. Since it is not necessary to carry it or enter a password, it is possible to ensure high convenience.

FIG. 2A is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing server 1. Further, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing server 1.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the information processing server 1 communicates with a control unit 10 that controls the entire information processing server 1 and an external device of the information processing server 1 such as a terminal device TM or a printing device PR. A unit 101 and a storage unit 102 that stores various information such as the control program PRG of the information processing server 1 are provided.

The control unit 10 includes a job management unit 11 (an example of a "management unit"), a biometric information receiving unit 12 (an example of a "receiving unit"), a print control unit 13, a specific unit 14, and a biometric authentication unit 15.

The job management unit 11 manages the print job JB transmitted from the terminal device TM in association with the user U who generated the print job JB. The biological information receiving unit 12 receives the biological information XB transmitted from the imaging device CM. The print control unit 13 generates a print control signal Ctr based on the print job JB and supplies the print control signal Ctr to the print device PR to execute printing according to the print job JB on the print device PR. Let me. When the biometric information receiving unit 12 receives the biometric information XB, the specifying unit 14 identifies the user U managed in association with the print job JB managed by the job management unit 11. The biometric authentication unit 15 authenticates the user U based on the biometric information XB received by the biometric information receiving unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the database server 2 includes a user management table TBL1, a device management table TBL2, a job management table TBL3, an access management table TBL4, and an authentication information management table TBL5 (of the "authentication information storage unit"). (Example) and.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user management table TBL1 includes a user identification information UID for uniquely identifying the user U, user attribute information indicating the attributes of the user U, and the user U as a terminal device. When logging in to the TM, the login password for authenticating the user U is stored in association with each other. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the user attribute information of the user U includes the affiliation information indicating the affiliation of the user U and the job title information indicating the job title of the user U.

As shown in FIG. 4, the device management table TBL2 is provided corresponding to the printing device identification information PID that uniquely identifies the printing device PR, the model information indicating the model of the printing device PR, and the printing device PR. The image pickup device identification information CID for uniquely identifying the image pickup device CM is stored in association with each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the job management table TBL3, the print job JB is identified by the user identification information UID of the user U who generated the print job JB and the job identification for uniquely identifying the print job JB. Stored in association with the information JID.

As shown in FIG. 6, the access control table TBL4 stores the printing device identification information PID of the printing device PR and the user attribute information of the user U who can use the printing device PR in association with each other. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the affiliation in which the printing device PR can be used and the position in which the printing device PR can be used are defined for each printing device PR. For example, in FIG. 6, the printing device PR having the printing device identification information PID "p001" can be used by all users U belonging to the sales department and the planning department, and printing with the printing device identification information PID "p002". The device PR can be used by the user U who belongs to the planning department and has a position of section manager or higher, and the printing device PR whose printing device identification information PID is "p003" is all users who belong to the development department. The case where U is available is illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 7, the authentication information management table TBL5 stores the user identification information UID of the user U and the feature information FT representing the characteristics of the user U regarding the living body in association with each other. In the following, information including the user identification information UID of the user U and the feature information FT of the user U may be referred to as the authentication information XI of the user U. The feature information FT of the user U is generated in advance based on the face image of the user U and the like in the authentication information management table TBL5 prior to the user U starting to use the printing system SYS. be registered.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the information processing server 1 includes a processor 1000 that controls the entire information processing server 1, a memory 1001 that stores various information, a storage 1002 that stores various information, and an outside of the information processing server 1. A communication device 1003 for communicating with the communication device 1003 is provided.

The memory 1001 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only) that stores various information such as a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a work area of the processor 1000 and a control program PRG of the information processing server 1. It includes a non-volatile memory such as Memory) and provides a function as a storage unit 102.
The processor 1000 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as a control unit 10 by executing a control program PRG stored in the memory 1001 and operating according to the control program PRG.
The communication device 1003 is hardware for communicating with the database server 2, the terminal device TM, and the printing unit CU via one or both of the wired network and the wireless network, and provides the function as the communication unit 101. do.

The processor 1000 may be configured to include hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, a part or all of the control unit 10 realized by the processor 1000 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP.
Further, the memory 1001 may be any recording medium that can be read by a computer, and may be composed of at least one of various recording media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, and an EEPROM.

<< 2. Operation of printing system SYS >>
Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system SYS will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the printing system SYS when the printing process is executed in the printing system SYS. In FIG. 8, as an example, it is assumed that the user U1 causes the printing device PR1 to perform printing based on the print job JB generated by the terminal device TM1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the user U1 first logs in to the terminal device TM1 (S10). As an example of logging in to the terminal device TM, the following flow can be assumed. That is, when the user U logs in to the terminal device TM, first, the user identification information UID and login of the user U are performed from an input unit (not shown) such as a keyboard or a touch panel provided on the terminal device TM. Enter your password. Second, the terminal device TM transmits the input user identification information UID and login password to the information processing server 1 (not shown). Third, the information processing server 1 determines whether or not the set of the user identification information UID and the login password received from the terminal device TM is stored in the user management table TBL1, and the result of the determination is affirmative. If, the user U is allowed to log in to the terminal device TM (not shown).

After logging in to the terminal device TM1, the user U1 generates a print job JB by performing an operation instructing the terminal device TM1 to print a document or the like (S11). When the user U1 generates the print job JB, the terminal device TM1 transmits the print job JB and the user identification information UID of the user U1 to the information processing server 1.
When the job management unit 11 of the information processing server 1 receives the print job JB generated by the user U1 transmitted from the terminal device TM1, the received print job JB corresponds to the user identification information UID of the user U1. By attaching and storing it in the job management table TBL3, the received print job JB is managed (S12).

After that, the user U1 moves to the printing device PR1 in order to cause the printing device PR1 to perform printing based on the print job JB. In this case, the imaging device CM1 provided corresponding to the printing device PR1 photographs the face of the user U1 and acquires the biometric information XB of the user U1 (S13). Then, the image pickup device CM1 transmits the acquired biological information XB to the information processing server 1 together with the image pickup device identification information CID of the image pickup device CM1.
The biometric information receiving unit 12 of the information processing server 1 receives the biometric information XB transmitted from the imaging device CM1 (S14). Specifically, the biological information receiving unit 12 temporarily stores the biological information XB transmitted from the imaging device CM1 in the storage unit 102.

Next, the identification unit 14 of the information processing server 1 executes the target user identification process (S15). The target user identification process is a user U that satisfies the following two conditions A and B (in the present embodiment, the user U that satisfies the condition A and the condition B is referred to as a "target user Utg". ) Is a process to specify.
<Condition A>
Be the user U who generated the print job JB managed by the job management unit 11.
<Condition B>
Being a user U who can use the printing device PR provided corresponding to the imaging device CM that has acquired the biological information XB.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the specific unit 14 when the target user identification process is executed.
In the target user identification process, the identification unit 14 identifies the printing device identification information PID of the printing device PR corresponding to the imaging device CM that transmitted the biometric information XB received in step S14 by referring to the device management table TBL2. (S151). Next, the specifying unit 14 refers to the access control table TBL4, and attributes of the user who can use the printing device PR indicated by the printing device identification information PID specified in step S151 (an example of "predetermined attribute"). (S152). Then, the specifying unit 14 refers to the user management table TBL1 and the job management table TBL3 to obtain the user identification information UID stored in the job management table TBL3 and the attribute specified in step S152. The user identification information UID of the user U to be possessed is specified as the user identification information UID of the target user Utg (S153).

As shown in FIG. 8, the biometric authentication unit 15 of the information processing server 1 executes the biometric authentication process (S16). The biometric authentication process is a process of authenticating the user U who generated the print job JB by using the biometric information XB received in step S14.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the biometric authentication unit 15 when the biometric authentication process is executed.
In the biometric authentication process, the biometric authentication unit 15 generates feature information FTx from the biometric information XB received in step S14 (S161). Characteristic information FTx is information indicating the characteristics of the living body of the user U1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the biometric information XB is information representing the face of the user U1, so the feature information FTx is information indicating the facial features of the user U1. .. The feature information FTx may be the same information as the biological information XB.
Next, in the bioauthentication process, the bioauthentication unit 15 executes the authentication information XI (a set of the user identification information UID and the feature information FT) of the target user Utg stored in the authentication information management table TBL5. One unselected authentication information XI is selected in the biometric authentication process inside (S162). Then, the biometric authentication unit 15 calculates the matching rate between the feature information FTx generated in step S161 and the feature information FT included in the authentication information XI selected in step S162 (S163). After that, the biometric authentication unit 15 includes whether or not the matching rate calculated in step S163 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, in other words, the feature information FTx generated in step S161 and the authentication information XI selected in step S162. It is determined whether or not the degree of similarity with the feature information FT is equal to or higher than a predetermined degree of similarity (S164). Then, when the determination result in step S164 is affirmative, the bioauthentication unit 15 regards the user identification information UID included in the authentication information XI selected in step S162 as the user identification information UID of the user U1. Then, the authentication result information RS including the information indicating that the authentication of the user U1 is successful and the user identification information UID of the user U1 is output (S166).
On the other hand, if the determination result in step S164 is negative, the biometric authentication unit 15 has selected all the authentication information XI of the target user Utg stored in the authentication information management table TBL5 in the biometric authentication process being executed. (S165). Then, if the determination result in step S165 is negative, the biometric authentication unit 15 proceeds to the process in step S162. If the determination result in step S165 is affirmative, the biometric authentication unit 15 outputs the authentication result information RS including information indicating that the authentication of the user U1 has failed in step S166.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the authentication result information RS output in step S16 includes information indicating that the authentication of the user U1 has been successful, the print control unit 13 of the information processing server 1 performs the print control process. Execute (S17). The print control process is a process for causing the printing device PR1 to execute printing based on the print job JB of the user U1 received in step S12.
Specifically, in the print control process, the print control unit 13 first acquires the model information of the printing device PR1. Then, the print control unit 13 controls printing based on the print job JB corresponding to the user identification information UID of the user U1 included in the authentication result information RS among the print job JB stored in the job management table TBL3. A signal Ctr is generated, and the print control signal Ctr is supplied to the printing device PR1. The print control unit 13 generates the print control signal Ctr so as to have a data format corresponding to the model of the printing device PR1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the printing device PR1 prints according to the print job JB of the user U1 received by the information processing server 1 in step S12 based on the print control signal Ctr supplied from the information processing server 1. Execute (S18). Then, when the printing in step S18 is completed, the printing device PR1 reports to the information processing server 1 that the printing is completed.
After that, when the information processing server 1 receives a report from the printing device PR1 that printing is completed, the information processing server 1 receives a report from the job management table TBL3 that includes the print job JB received in step S12, that is, the user of the user U1. The record including the identification information UID is deleted (S19).

<< 3. Conclusion of the embodiment >>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the user U using the biometric information XB acquired by the imaging device CM after specifying the target user Utg that satisfies the condition A and the condition B in the specific unit 14. Authenticate.
At the timing (step S14) when the biometric information receiving unit 12 receives the biometric information XB, the information processing server 1 grasps which user U the received biometric information XB corresponds to. Can't. Therefore, if the information processing server 1 performs biometric authentication using the biometric information XB by the biometric authentication unit 15 without specifying the target user Utg by the specific unit 14, the biometric authentication unit 15 will perform the biometric authentication. It becomes necessary to sequentially collate the feature information FTx generated from the information XB with all the feature information FTs stored in the authentication information management table TBL5. Therefore, when the biometric authentication process is performed without specifying the target user Utg, there is an adverse effect that the processing load of the biometric authentication process is increased and the time required for the biometric authentication process is lengthened. Further, when the biometric authentication process is performed without specifying the target user Utg, the feature information FTx based on the biometric information XB obtained as a result of the imaging device CM imaging one user U in the biometric authentication unit 15 , The so-called "personal refusal" in which it is erroneously determined that the feature information FT registered in advance in the authentication information management table TBL5 by the one user U is the feature information of a different user U, or an imaging device. The feature information FTx based on the biological information XB obtained as a result of the CM imaging one user U and the feature information FT registered in advance in the authentication information management table TBL5 by another user U are the same user U. There is also a high risk of erroneous authentication, such as so-called "acceptance of others", in which erroneous judgment is made that the information is characteristic information of.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is sufficient to collate the feature information FTx generated from the biometric information XB with the feature information FT of the target user Utg, so that the comparison is made with the case where the target user Utg is not specified. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the biometric authentication process, shorten the time required for the biometric authentication process, and reduce the risk of erroneous authentication.

<< B. Modification example >>
Each of the above forms can be transformed in various ways. A specific mode of modification is illustrated below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the examples below can be appropriately merged to the extent that they do not contradict each other. For the elements whose actions and functions are the same as those of the embodiment in the modified examples illustrated below, the reference numerals referred to in the above description will be diverted and detailed description of each will be omitted as appropriate.

<< Modification 1 >>
In the above-described embodiment, the components such as the job management unit 11, the specific unit 14, and the biometric authentication unit 15 are implemented on a single server (information processing server 1). It is not limited to the above-mentioned mode, and may be implemented in a plurality of servers.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing system SYS-A according to this modification. The printing system SYS-A is provided with an information processing server 3 (another example of an "information processing device") instead of an information processing server 1 and an authentication server 4 (an example of a "bioauthentication device"). Is configured in the same manner as the printing system SYS shown in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing server 3. The hardware configuration of the information processing server 3 is the same as that of the information processing server 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B.
As shown in FIG. 12, the information processing server 3 differs from the information processing server 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A in that the control program PRG3 is stored in the storage unit 102 instead of the control program PRG. do. Further, the information processing server 3 is different from the information processing server 1 including the control unit 10 in that the processor 1000 includes a control unit 30 which is a function realized by executing the control program PRG3. The control unit 30 is configured in the same manner as the control unit 10 shown in FIG. 2A, except that the biometric authentication unit 15 is not provided and the authentication result acquisition unit 16 is provided.
FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the authentication server 4. The authentication server 4 stores various information such as a control unit 40 that controls the entire authentication server 4, a communication unit 401 for communicating with an external device of the authentication server 4, and a control program PRG4 of the authentication server 4. A unit 402 is provided. The control unit 40 is a functional block realized by the processor of the authentication server 4 (not shown) executing the control program PRG4 stored in the storage unit 402, and includes the biometric authentication unit 15.
The authentication result acquisition unit 16 provided in the information processing server 3 acquires the authentication result information RS output by the biometric authentication unit 15 provided in the authentication server 4.

FIG. 14 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the printing system SYS-A when the printing process is executed in the printing system SYS-A according to the present modification. When each step shown in the sequence chart shown in FIG. 14 has the same processing content as the step shown in the sequence chart shown in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 are added and appropriate description will be given. Omit.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the information processing server 3, the job management unit 11 receives and manages the print job JB transmitted from the terminal device TM1 (S12), and the biometric information receiving unit 12 transmits from the imaging device CM1. Upon receiving the biometric information XB (S14), the identification unit 14 executes the target user identification process to identify the target user Utg (S15). Then, the authentication result acquisition unit 16 of the information processing server 3 transmits the biometric information XB received in step S14 and the user identification information UID of the target user Utg specified in step S15 to the authentication server 4 (S20). .. Then, the biometric authentication unit 15 of the authentication server 4 executes the biometric authentication process based on the user identification information UID of the target user Utg and the biometric information XB transmitted by the authentication result acquisition unit 16 in step S20. The authentication result information RS is output (S16). After that, the authentication result acquisition unit 16 of the information processing server 3 acquires the authentication result information RS generated by the biometric authentication unit 15 in step S16 (S21). Then, the print control unit 13 of the information processing server 3 generates a print control signal Ctr based on the authentication result information RS acquired in step S21, and causes the print device PR1 to execute printing according to the print job JB ( S17).

In this modified example, when a plurality of target user Utgs exist, the authentication result acquisition unit 16 authenticates a plurality of user identification information UIDs corresponding to the plurality of target user Utg in step S20. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and in step S20, the user identification information UID of one of the plurality of target user Utgs of the target user Utg is transmitted to the authentication server 4. May be sent to. In this case, when the authentication result information RS acquired in step S21 includes information indicating that the authentication of the user U has failed, the authentication result acquisition unit 16 proceeds to the process in step S20 and proceeds to the process of one target user Utg. The user identification information UID of another target user Utg different from the above may be transmitted to the authentication server 4. That is, in this case, in step S16, the biometric authentication unit 15 may collate the feature information FTx generated from the biometric information XB of the user U1 with the single feature information FT, so that the feature information FTx and a plurality of feature information FTx may be collated. The processing in the authentication server 4 can be simplified as compared with the case of collating with the feature information FT.

<< Modification 2 >>
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 10 realized by executing the control program PRG includes a job management unit 11, a biometric information receiving unit 12, a print control unit 13, a specific unit 14, and a biometric authentication unit 15. Although included, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the control units realized by executing the control program are the job management unit 11, the biometric information receiving unit 12, the print control unit 13, and the specific control unit. At least a part of the unit 14 and the biometric authentication unit 15 may be included.
Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the biological information XB is information (face image) representing the face of the user U, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the biological information XB is not limited to such an embodiment. Is information that represents the living body of the user U. For example, the biological information XB may be information representing the fingerprint of the user U, information representing the iris of the user U, information representing the vein of the palm of the user U, or the like. In these cases, the biological information acquisition unit provided corresponding to the printing device PR may be any device that can acquire information representing the living body of the user U.
Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the information processing server 1 (or authentication server 4) simply processes one type of biometric information XB (for example, a face image) indicating one type of living body. Although one biometric authentication unit 15 is provided, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and in order to process a plurality of types of biometric information XB corresponding to a plurality of parts of the living body, a plurality of types of biometric information A plurality of biometric authentication units 15 corresponding to XB may be provided.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing server 1A according to this modification. The hardware configuration of the information processing server 1A is the same as that of the information processing server 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B.
As shown in FIG. 15, the information processing server 1A stores the control program PRG-A and K biometric authentication programs PRG-B (PRG-B [1], PRG) in the storage unit 102 instead of the control program PRG. -B [2], ..., PRG-B [K]) is different from the information processing server 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A in that it stores (K is a natural number of 1 or more). Further, the information processing server 1A has a control unit 10A, which is a function realized by the processor 1000 executing the control program PRG-A, and the processor 1000 executing the biometric authentication program PRG-B [k]. The biometric authentication unit 15 [k], which is a function realized by the above, is provided (k is a natural number satisfying 1 ≦ k ≦ K). The K biometric authentication units 15 [1] to 15 [K] provided in the information processing server 1A are referred to as an authentication module 50.
The control unit 10A is configured in the same manner as the control unit 10 included in the information processing server 1 according to the embodiment, except that the biometric authentication unit 15 is not provided. Further, the biometric authentication unit 15 [k] has the same function as the biometric authentication unit 15 included in the information processing server 1 according to the embodiment.

The information processing server 1A according to this modification executes the process shown in the sequence chart of FIG. 8 in the same manner as the information processing server 1 according to the embodiment. Specifically, the job management unit 11 of the control unit 10A receives and manages the print job JB (S12), and the biometric information receiving unit 12 of the control unit 10A receives the biometric information XB from the biometric authentication acquisition unit (S14). , The identification unit 14 of the control unit 10A identifies the target user Utg by the target user identification process (S15), and the bioauthentication unit 15 [k] of the authentication module 50 executes the bioauthentication process to obtain the authentication result information RS. Output (S16), and the print control unit 13 of the control unit 10A causes the printing device PR to execute printing according to the print job JB (S17).
The process of step S16 may be executed by the biometric authentication unit 15 [k] according to the type of biometric information XB received by the biometric information receiving unit 12 in step S14.

<< Modification 3 >>
In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the target user Utg is a user U who satisfies both the conditions A and B, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.
For example, the target user Utg may be a user U that satisfies at least the condition A. In this case, the identification unit 14 may specify the user identification information UID stored in the job management table TBL3 as the user identification information UID of the target user Utg.
Further, for example, the target user Utg may be a user U who satisfies at least the condition B. In this case, the identification unit 14 may specify the user identification information UID of the user U having the attribute specified in step S152 as the user identification information UID of the target user Utg.

Further, the target user Utg may be a user U who satisfies at least the following condition C. In this case, the target user Utg may be a user U who satisfies at least one of the above-mentioned condition A and condition B in addition to the condition C.
<Condition C>
The user U has a frequency of use of the printing device PR provided corresponding to the image pickup device CM that has acquired the biological information XB, which is equal to or higher than the predetermined frequency.

When the user U satisfying the condition C is set as the target user Utg, the database server 2 should store information (usage history information) indicating the usage history of each printing device PR by each user U. good. Then, when the user U satisfying the condition C is the target user Utg, the specific unit 14 may specify the target user Utg based on the usage history information.

<< Modification 4 >>
In the above-described embodiment and modification, various tables such as the user management table TBL1, the device management table TBL2, the job management table TBL3, the access management table TBL4, and the authentication information management table TBL5 are stored in the database server 2. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and a part or all of these various tables is provided in the storage unit 102, the storage unit 402, or a database provided outside the printing system SYS. It may be stored in. For example, the job management table TBL3 may be stored in the storage unit 102, and tables other than the job management table TBL3 may be stored in the database server 2.

<< Modification 5 >>
In the above-described embodiments and modifications, each printing unit CU has one printing device PR and one biometric information acquisition unit, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.
For example, among the plurality of printing unit CUs included in the printing system SYS (or SYS-A), there may be a printing unit CU having one printing device PR and a plurality of biometric information acquisition units. For example, the printing unit CU may include an imaging device CM for photographing the face of the user U and a fingerprint sensor for acquiring the fingerprint of the user U, corresponding to one printing device PR. Then, when printing is executed by the one printing device PR, the user U may be authenticated by either the authentication by the face of the user U or the authentication by the fingerprint of the user U.
Further, for example, among the plurality of printing unit CUs of the printing system SYS (or SYS-A), there may be a printing unit CU that does not have a biometric information acquisition unit. In this case, the printing unit CU may be provided with an IC card reader / writer for authenticating with an IC card, an input device for authenticating with a password, or the like, instead of the biometric information acquisition unit.

1 ... Information processing server, 2 ... Database server, 10 ... Control unit, 11 ... Job management unit, 12 ... Bioinformation receiving unit, 13 ... Print control unit, 14 ... Specific unit, 15 ... Bioauthentication unit, 101 ... Communication interface , 102 ... Storage unit, CM ... Imaging device, PR ... Printing device, TM ... Terminal device, TBL1 ... User management table, TBL2 ... Device management table, TBL3 ... Job management table, TBL4 ... Access control table, TBL5 ... Authentication information Management table.

Claims (6)

A management unit that can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users and manages the accepted print jobs in association with the user who generated the print job.
When any one of the plurality of biometric information acquisition units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of printing devices and capable of acquiring the biometric information of the user acquires the biometric information of one user, the above-mentioned one use. A receiving unit that receives the biometric information of the person and the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit that has acquired the biometric information of the one user.
The printing device corresponding to the biometric information acquisition unit is identified from the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit received by the receiving unit.
From the plurality of users, among the users corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit, the users who can use the specified printing device are selected based on the user attribute information indicating the attributes of the users. The specific part to identify and
Among the authentication information for authenticating each of the plurality of users stored in the authentication information storage unit, the authentication information for authenticating the user specified by the specific unit and the authentication information received by the receiving unit. A biometric authentication unit that authenticates the one user based on the biometric information of one user,
When the biometric authentication unit authenticates the one user, the print control unit causes the printing device to perform printing based on the print job corresponding to the one user among the print jobs managed by the management unit. ,
To prepare
An information processing device characterized by this. The specific part is
From the plurality of users, among the users corresponding to the print jobs managed by the management unit, the users whose frequency of use of the printing device is equal to or higher than the predetermined frequency are specified.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is characterized by the above. An information processing device capable of communicating with a biometric authentication device that authenticates the user based on the user identification information for uniquely identifying the user and the biometric information of the user.
A management unit that can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users and manages the accepted print job and the user identification information of the user who generated the print job in association with each other.
When any one of the plurality of biometric information acquisition units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of printing devices and capable of acquiring the biometric information of the user acquires the biometric information of one user, the above-mentioned one use. A receiving unit that receives the biometric information of the person and the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit that has acquired the biometric information of the one user.
The printing device corresponding to the biometric information acquisition unit is identified from the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit received by the receiving unit.
From the plurality of users, among the users corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit, the users who can use the specified printing device are selected based on the user attribute information indicating the attributes of the users. The specific part to identify and
The user identification information of the user corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit and the biometric information of the one user received by the receiving unit are transmitted to the biometric authentication device and transmitted. An authentication result acquisition unit that acquires the result of the biometric authentication device authenticating the one user based on the information.
A print control unit that causes the printing device to perform printing based on a print job corresponding to the one user among the print jobs managed by the management unit according to the authentication result acquired by the authentication result acquisition unit.
To prepare
An information processing device characterized by this. A management unit that can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users and manages the accepted print jobs in association with the user who generated the print job.
When any one of the plurality of biometric information acquisition units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of printing devices and capable of acquiring the biometric information of the user acquires the biometric information of one user, the above-mentioned one use. A receiving unit that receives the biometric information of the person and the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit that has acquired the biometric information of the one user.
The printing device corresponding to the biometric information acquisition unit is identified from the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit received by the receiving unit.
From the plurality of users, among the users corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit, the users who can use the specified printing device are selected based on the user attribute information indicating the attributes of the users. The specific part to identify and
Among the authentication information for authenticating each of the plurality of users stored in the authentication information storage unit, the authentication information for authenticating the user specified by the specific unit and the authentication information received by the receiving unit. When the biometric authentication unit capable of authenticating the one user based on the biometric information of the one user authenticates the one user, the one of the print jobs managed by the management unit. A print control unit that causes the printing device to perform printing based on a print job corresponding to the user.
To prepare
An information processing device characterized by this. It is a program of an information processing device equipped with a computer.
The computer
A management unit that can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users and manages the accepted print jobs in association with the user who generated the print job.
When any one of the plurality of biometric information acquisition units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of printing devices and capable of acquiring the biometric information of the user acquires the biometric information of one user, the above-mentioned one use. A receiving unit that receives the biometric information of the person and the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit that has acquired the biometric information of the one user.
The printing device corresponding to the biometric information acquisition unit is identified from the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit received by the receiving unit.
From the plurality of users, among the users corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit, the users who can use the specified printing device are selected based on the user attribute information indicating the attributes of the users. The specific part to identify and
Among the authentication information for authenticating each of the plurality of users stored in the authentication information storage unit, the authentication information for authenticating the user specified by the specific unit and the authentication information received by the receiving unit. When the biometric authentication unit capable of authenticating the one user based on the biometric information of the one user authenticates the one user, the one of the print jobs managed by the management unit. A print control unit that causes the printing device to perform printing based on a print job corresponding to the user.
To make it work
A program of an information processing device characterized by this. With the management department
Receiving department and
With a specific part
Biometrics department and
Print control unit and
It is a control method of an information processing device equipped with
The management unit can accept print jobs from each of a plurality of users, and manages the accepted print jobs in association with the user who generated the print job .
When the receiving unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of printing devices and any one of the plurality of biometric information acquisition units capable of acquiring the biometric information of the user acquires the biometric information of one user. , Receives the biometric information of the one user and the identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit that has acquired the biometric information of the one user.
The specific part
The printing device corresponding to the biometric information acquisition unit is identified from the received identification information of the biometric information acquisition unit, and the printing device is identified.
From the plurality of users, among the users corresponding to the print job managed by the management unit, the users who can use the specified printing device are selected based on the user attribute information indicating the attributes of the users. Identify and
Among the authentication information for authenticating each of the plurality of users stored in the authentication information storage unit, the authentication information for authenticating the specified user and the received authentication information of the one user. When the biometric authentication unit capable of authenticating the one user based on the biometric information authenticates the one user.
The print control unit causes the printing device to perform printing based on a print job corresponding to the one user among the print jobs managed by the management unit.
A control method for an information processing device.

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