JP2004038385A - Information processing apparatus, method, and program, and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure the security when print data are transmitted/received via a network. <P>SOLUTION: This information processing apparatus processing information of the print data, or data related to an image to be drawn by a printer is provided with a print data dividing means dividing the print data into partial data and a partial data transmission means transmitting the partial data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A "printer" is widely used as a device for writing an image on a paper or the like by printing on a paper or the like. Data (print data) relating to an image written out by printing is provided, for example, from a PC (personal computer) to a printer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Provision of print data from a PC to a printer is often performed via a network such as a LAN (local area network). For example, there are cases where a wired LAN 13 is used like the first PC 12 and the printer 11 in FIG. 1, and cases where a wireless LAN 15 is used like the second PC 14 and the printer 11 in FIG. Conventionally, most cases use the wired LAN 13, but recently, the number of cases using the wireless LAN 15 has increased.
[0004]
Here, as shown in FIG. 1, print data provided from the first PC 12 or the second PC 14 to the printer 11 is illegally acquired by the third PC 16 due to unauthorized access to the wired LAN 13 or the wireless LAN 15. May be present. Generally, such a risk is higher in the wireless LAN 15 than in the wired LAN 13. For this reason, it has become more difficult every year to ensure security when sending and receiving print data via a network.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to secure security when transmitting and receiving print data via a network.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention (information processing apparatus) according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that performs information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written out by a printer, wherein the print data is divided into partial data. A data dividing unit; and a partial data transmitting unit that transmits the partial data in a random order.
[0007]
An invention (information processing apparatus) according to claim 2 is an information processing apparatus that performs information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer, wherein the print data is divided into partial data. The system includes a data dividing unit, a partial data encrypting unit that encrypts the partial data into encrypted data, and an encrypted data transmitting unit that transmits the encrypted data in a random order.
[0008]
The invention (information processing method) according to claim 3 is an information processing method for executing information processing on print data which is data relating to an image written by a printer, wherein the print data is divided into partial data. A data dividing step; and a partial data transmitting step of transmitting the partial data in a random order.
[0009]
The invention (information processing method) according to claim 4 is an information processing method for executing information processing on print data as data relating to an image written by a printer, wherein the print data is divided into partial data. A data division step; a partial data encryption step of encrypting the partial data into encrypted data; and an encrypted data transmission step of transmitting the encrypted data in a random order.
[0010]
The invention (information processing apparatus) according to claim 5 is an information processing apparatus that executes information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer, and A partial data receiving unit that receives the partial data transmitted by the information processing method according to claim 3, and a partial data combining unit that combines the partial data with the print data.
[0011]
The invention (information processing apparatus) according to claim 6 is an information processing apparatus that executes information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer, and the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or An encrypted data receiving unit that receives encrypted data transmitted by the information processing method according to claim 4, an encrypted data decrypting unit that decrypts the encrypted data into the partial data, and converts the partial data into the print data. And partial data combining means for combining.
[0012]
An invention (information processing method) according to claim 7 is an information processing method for executing information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written out by a printer, and the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or A partial data receiving step of receiving the partial data transmitted by the information processing method according to claim 3, and a partial data combining step of combining the partial data with the print data.
[0013]
The invention (information processing method) according to claim 8 is an information processing method for executing information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer, and the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or An encrypted data receiving step of receiving encrypted data transmitted by the information processing method according to claim 4, an encrypted data decrypting step of decrypting the encrypted data into the partial data, and converting the partial data into the print data. Synthesizing partial data.
[0014]
An invention (information processing program) according to a ninth aspect causes a computer to execute the information processing method according to the third or fourth aspect or the information processing method according to the seventh or eighth aspect.
[0015]
An invention (printer) according to a tenth aspect includes the information processing apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, and writes an image related to print data synthesized by the information processing apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect.
[0016]
According to the invention (information processing apparatus) according to the first aspect, in order to completely acquire one print data by dividing the print data and transmitting the divided print data in a random order, it is necessary to use one print data. Since all the partial data must be acquired and the partial data transmitted in a random order must be synthesized, the security in transmitting and receiving the print data via the network is improved.
[0017]
According to the invention (information processing apparatus) according to the second aspect, in order to completely acquire one print data by dividing the print data, encrypting the data, and transmitting the divided data in a random order, one print data is obtained. Since it is necessary to obtain the encrypted data of all the partial data related to the data, further decrypt the encrypted data into the partial data, and combine the partial data transmitted in a random order, the print data is transmitted through the network. The security at the time of giving and receiving is further improved.
[0018]
According to the invention (information processing method) according to the third aspect, in order to completely acquire one print data by dividing the print data and transmitting the divided print data in a random order, it is necessary to use one print data. Since all the partial data must be acquired and the partial data transmitted in a random order must be synthesized, the security in transmitting and receiving the print data via the network is improved.
[0019]
According to the invention (information processing method) according to the fourth aspect, in order to completely acquire one print data by dividing the print data, encrypting the encrypted data, and transmitting the encrypted data in a random order, one print data is obtained. Since it is necessary to obtain the encrypted data of all the partial data related to the data, further decrypt the encrypted data into the partial data, and synthesize the partial data transmitted in a random order, the print data is transmitted through the network. The security at the time of giving and receiving is further improved.
[0020]
According to the invention (information processing device) according to claim 5, by receiving and combining partial data transmitted by the information processing device according to claim 1 or the information processing method according to claim 3, It is possible to exchange print data with the first or third aspect of the present invention via a network.
[0021]
According to the invention (information processing apparatus) according to claim 6, the encrypted data transmitted by the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or the information processing method according to claim 4 is received, decrypted, and combined. Accordingly, print data can be exchanged with the invention according to claim 2 or 4 via a network.
[0022]
According to the invention (information processing method) according to claim 7, by receiving and combining partial data transmitted by the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the information processing method according to claim 3, It is possible to exchange print data with the first or third aspect of the present invention via a network.
[0023]
According to the invention (information processing method) according to claim 8, the encrypted data transmitted by the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or the information processing method according to claim 4 is received, decrypted, and combined. Accordingly, print data can be exchanged with the invention according to claim 2 or 4 via a network.
[0024]
According to the ninth aspect of the invention (information processing program), it is possible to cause a computer to execute the information processing method according to the third or fourth aspect or the information processing method according to the seventh or eighth aspect.
[0025]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention (printer), the information processing apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect is provided, and an image related to print data synthesized by the information processing apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect is written out. A printer can be realized.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0027]
FIG. 2 illustrates a system including a “PC 21” and a “printer 22” according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 21 includes a storage device 23 as a peripheral device, and the printer 22 includes a storage device 24 as a peripheral device. The scanner 21 and the PC 22 are both connected to the LAN 25.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows “PC21” which is an example of the embodiment of the present invention. The PC 21 includes a ROM / RAM control unit 31, a CPU control unit 32, an I / O control unit 33, a U / I control unit 34, a network control unit 35, a print data division control unit 36, a partial data encryption control unit 37, an identifier. The management unit 38 is provided.
[0029]
The ROM / RAM control unit 31 controls a memory such as a ROM and a RAM built in the PC 21. The ROM stores program codes, data codes, and the like for activating the PC 21. The RAM is a RAM that functions as a main memory of a CPU built in the PC 21 and is used for storing program codes, data codes, and the like.
[0030]
The CPU control unit 32 generally controls execution of information processing based on a program code or the like stored in a ROM built in the PC 21. The I / O control unit 33 controls the peripheral devices of the PC 21 such as the storage device 23 as a whole. The U / I control unit 34 generally controls a user interface of the PC 21 such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a display. The network control unit 35 comprehensively controls communication with other devices via the LAN card.
[0031]
The print data division control unit 36 controls an operation of dividing print data (data relating to an image written out by printing) relating to an electronic document or the like into partial data. The partial data encryption control unit 37 controls an operation of encrypting the partial data into encrypted data. The identifier management unit 38 manages the identifier of the partial data.
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows a "printer 22" which is an example of the embodiment of the present invention. The printer 22 includes a ROM / RAM control unit 41, a CPU control unit 42, an I / O control unit 43, a U / I control unit 44, a network control unit 45, an encrypted data decryption control unit 46, a partial data synthesis control unit 47, An identifier management unit 48 and an image writing control unit 49 are provided.
[0033]
The ROM / RAM control unit 41 controls a memory such as a ROM and a RAM built in the printer 22. The ROM stores program codes, data codes, and the like for starting the printer 22. The RAM is a RAM that functions as a main memory of a CPU built in the printer 22, and is used for storing program codes, data codes, and the like.
[0034]
The CPU control unit 42 generally controls execution of information processing based on a program code or the like stored in a ROM built in the printer 22. The I / O control unit 43 generally controls peripheral devices of the printer 22 such as the storage device 24. The U / I control unit 44 controls the user interface of the printer 22 such as a liquid crystal panel as a whole. The network control unit 45 generally controls communication with other devices via the LAN card.
[0035]
The encrypted data decryption control unit 46 controls an operation of decrypting encrypted data into partial data. The partial data combining control unit 47 controls an operation of combining partial data with print data. The identifier management unit 48 manages the identifier of the partial data. The image writing control unit 49 controls an operation of writing an image on paper or the like by printing on paper or the like.
[0036]
(1) First embodiment
Hereinafter, an example (first embodiment) of the first information processing executed in the system of FIG. 2 including the PC 21 of FIG. 3 and the printer 22 of FIG. 4 will be described. In the first embodiment, division of print data and synthesis of partial data are executed.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment.
[0038]
The print data division control unit 36 of the PC 21 divides print data (data relating to an image written out by printing) relating to an electronic document or the like into partial data. At this time, “sequence information” which is information for combining partial data transmitted in a random order with print data is added to the head of each partial data by the print data division control unit 36. FIG. 5 shows that one piece of print data is divided into five pieces of partial data A, B, C, D, and E, and “sequence information” “sequence numbers” 1, 2, 3, and 4 and 5 are added. Next, the print data division control unit 36 randomly determines the transmission order of each partial data. FIG. 5 shows a state where the transmission order is determined as D, C, E, B, A. Next, the partial data is transmitted by the network control unit 35 of the PC 21 in the transmission order determined at random.
[0039]
As described above, according to the PC 21, by dividing the print data and transmitting it in a random order, in order to completely acquire one print data, all the partial data relating to one print data is acquired. Therefore, since the partial data transmitted in a random order must be synthesized, the security when transmitting and receiving the print data via the network is improved.
[0040]
The partial data transmitted by the network control unit 35 of the PC 21 is received by the network control unit 45 of the printer 22. Next, the partial data is combined with the print data by the partial data combining control unit 47 of the printer 22. At this time, regarding the problem of how to combine the partial data transmitted in a random order to obtain the original print data, the combining is performed based on the “sequence information” added to each partial data. It is solved by doing. FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which five pieces of partial data are combined into one piece of print data based on “sequence numbers” 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 added to the head of each piece of partial data. Next, an image is written on a paper or the like by printing on a paper or the like by the image writing control unit 49 of the printer 22.
[0041]
As described above, according to the printer 22, by receiving and synthesizing the partial data transmitted by the PC 21, it is possible to exchange print data with the PC 21 via the network.
[0042]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0043]
When the power of the PC 21 is turned on, the initialization is executed. That is, a hardware check is performed to determine whether there is any abnormality in the peripheral device or the memory check, and the program according to the flowchart in FIG. 6 is loaded from the ROM via the ROM / RAM control unit 31.
[0044]
The print data is stored in the memory via the ROM / RAM control unit 31 to execute the information processing related to the transfer of the print data, and a division request is output to the print data division control unit 36 (S51).
[0045]
When the division request is input, the print data division control unit 36 equally divides the print data into partial data (S52). As for the dividing method, the size of the print data and the number of divisions are determined in advance based on an input from a liquid crystal panel or the like via the U / I control unit 34, and the HDD or the like is determined via the I / O control unit 33. To record.
[0046]
At this time, the print data division control unit 36 adds a sequence number to the beginning of each partial data (S53).
[0047]
Next, the print data division control unit 36 determines the transmission order of each partial data (S54). As a method of determining the transmission order, for example, there is a method in which a random value for each partial data is obtained, and the order of the small random values is set as the transmission order. For example, if the random values of the respective partial data A, B, C, D, and E in FIG. 5 are 345, 235, 231, 005, and 234, respectively, the transmission order is D, C, E, B, and A. Is determined as follows.
[0048]
Next, the partial data is transmitted to the printer 22 via the network control unit 35 in accordance with the determined transmission order (S55).
[0049]
When the power of the printer 22 is turned on, initialization is executed. That is, a hardware check is performed to determine whether there is any abnormality in the peripheral device, the memory check, and the like, and the program according to the flowchart in FIG. 6 is loaded from the ROM via the ROM / RAM control unit 41.
[0050]
When partial data is received in the network control unit 45 (S61), the partial data is stored in the memory via the ROM / RAM control unit 41, and a combining request is output to the partial data combining control unit 47 (S62). ).
[0051]
When the synthesis request is input, the partial data synthesis control unit 47 synthesizes the partial data with the print data based on the sequence number added to each of the partial data (S63).
[0052]
The image related to the combined print data is written on the paper or the like by the printer 22 via the image writing control unit 49 by printing on the paper or the like (S64).
[0053]
(2) Second embodiment
Hereinafter, an example (second embodiment) of the second information processing executed in the system of FIG. 2 including the PC 21 of FIG. 3 and the printer 22 of FIG. 4 will be described. In the second embodiment, encryption of partial data and decryption of encrypted data are executed.
[0054]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment.
[0055]
As in the first embodiment, print data is divided into partial data, and sequence information is added to the beginning of each partial data. Next, the partial data is encrypted by the partial data encryption control unit 37 of the PC 21 into encrypted data. FIG. 7 shows the state in which five partial data are encrypted into five pieces of encrypted data, respectively, by hatching. In FIG. 7, the sequence information is encrypted in addition to the partial data, but the sequence information does not always have to be encrypted. Next, similarly to the partial data of the first embodiment, the transmission order of each encrypted data is determined at random, and the encrypted data is transmitted by the PC 21.
[0056]
As described above, according to the PC 21, the print data is divided, encrypted, and transmitted in a random order. In order to completely obtain one print data, all the partial data related to one print data are required. Must be obtained, the encrypted data must be further decrypted into partial data, and the partial data transmitted in a random order must be synthesized. Further improve.
[0057]
Similarly to the partial data of the first embodiment, the encrypted data transmitted by the PC 21 is received by the printer 22. Next, the encrypted data is decrypted into partial data by the encrypted data decryption control unit 46 of the printer 22. FIG. 7 shows a state in which five pieces of encrypted data are respectively decrypted into five pieces of partial data. Next, as in the first embodiment, the partial data is combined with the print data.
[0058]
As described above, according to the printer 22, by receiving the encrypted data transmitted from the PC 21 and decrypting and synthesizing the encrypted data, it is possible to exchange print data with the PC 21 via the network.
[0059]
Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0060]
Regarding the PC 21, the information processing up to S73 in FIG. 8 is the same as the information processing up to S53 in FIG. S71, S72, and S73 correspond to S51, S52, and S53, respectively. In S74, the partial data encryption control unit 37 encrypts the partial data into encrypted data. As an encryption method, for example, there is a BASE64 method. Regarding the PC 21, the information processing from S75 in FIG. 8 on the encrypted data is the same as the information processing from S54 in FIG. 6 on the partial data. S75 and S76 correspond to S54 and S55, respectively.
[0061]
For the printer 22, the information processing up to S82 in FIG. 8 on the encrypted data is the same as the information processing up to S62 in FIG. 6 on the partial data. S81 and S82 correspond to S61 and S62, respectively. In S83, the encrypted data decryption control unit 46 decrypts the encrypted data into partial data. Regarding the printer 22, the information processing from S84 in FIG. 8 is the same as the information processing from S63 in FIG. S84 and S85 correspond to S63 and S64, respectively.
[0062]
(3) Third embodiment
Hereinafter, an example (third embodiment) of the third information processing executed in the system of FIG. 2 including the PC 21 of FIG. 3 and the printer 22 of FIG. 4 will be described. In the third embodiment, encryption of partial data using an encryption key and decryption of encrypted data are executed.
[0063]
9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the third embodiment.
[0064]
As in the second embodiment, print data is divided into partial data, and sequence information is added to the beginning of each partial data. Next, the partial data encryption control unit 37 of the PC 21 creates an encryption key for each partial data. FIG. 10 shows a pattern in which the encryption keys of the partial data having the sequence numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are created. Next, the partial data encryption control unit 37 encrypts the partial data into encrypted data using the encryption key. FIG. 9 shows a pattern in which five pieces of partial data are respectively encrypted into five pieces of encrypted data using an encryption key. As in the second embodiment, in FIG. 9, the sequence information is encrypted in addition to the partial data, but the sequence information does not necessarily have to be encrypted. Next, as in the second embodiment, the transmission order of each encrypted data is determined at random, and the encrypted data is transmitted by the PC 21.
[0065]
As described above, according to the PC 21, the print data is divided, encrypted using the encryption key, and transmitted in a random order. It is necessary to obtain the encrypted data of all the partial data according to the above, further obtain the encryption key, decrypt the encrypted data into the partial data, and synthesize the partial data transmitted in a random order. The security at the time of transmitting and receiving the print data via the PC is further improved.
[0066]
As in the second embodiment, the encrypted data transmitted by the PC 21 is received by the printer 22. Next, the encrypted data is decrypted by the encrypted data decryption control unit 46 of the printer 22 into partial data using the above-described encryption key. FIG. 9 shows a state in which five pieces of encrypted data are each decrypted into five pieces of partial data using an encryption key. Next, as in the second embodiment, the partial data is combined with the print data.
[0067]
As described above, according to the printer 22, the encrypted data transmitted from the PC 21 is received, decrypted using the encryption key, and synthesized, thereby transmitting and receiving the print data to and from the scanner 21 via the network. be able to.
[0068]
Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0069]
Regarding the PC 21, the information processing up to S103 in FIG. 11 is the same as the information processing up to S73 in FIG. S101, S102, and S103 correspond to S71, S72, and S73, respectively. In S104, the partial data encryption control unit 37 creates an encryption key for each partial data. As a method of creating an encryption key, for example, there is a method of assigning a hexadecimal number or a character string using a random value (in FIG. 10, for convenience of expression, a difference between “encryption keys” is represented by a difference between “patterns”). ). In S105, the partial data encryption control unit 37 encrypts the partial data into encrypted data using the encryption key. As an encryption method using an encryption key, for example, there is a DES (Data Encryption Standard) of 56 bits which is a typical representative common key algorithm at present. In S106, information on the encryption key is recorded on the storage medium set in the storage device 23 via the I / O control unit 33. Regarding the PC 21, the information processing from S107 in FIG. 11 is the same as the information processing from S75 in FIG. S107 and S108 correspond to S75 and S76, respectively.
[0070]
Regarding the printer 22, the information processing up to S112 in FIG. 11 is the same as the information processing up to S82 in FIG. S111 and S112 correspond to S81 and S82, respectively. In S113, it is determined whether or not a storage medium is set in the storage device 24. The storage medium may be transferred from the storage device 23 of the PC 21 to the storage device 24 of the printer 22 via a user or the like without passing through a network. As a result, there is an advantage that information about the encryption key does not need to be transmitted to the network. If the storage medium is set, the information about the encryption key is reproduced from the storage medium set in the storage device 24 via the I / O control unit 43 in S114. In S115, the encrypted data decryption control unit 46 decrypts the encrypted data into partial data using the encryption key. Regarding the printer 22, the information processing from S116 in FIG. 11 is the same as the information processing from S84 in FIG. S116 and S117 correspond to S84 and S85, respectively.
[0071]
(4) Fourth embodiment
Hereinafter, an example (fourth embodiment) of the fourth information processing executed in the system of FIG. 2 including the PC 21 of FIG. 3 and the scanner 22 of FIG. 4 will be described. In the fourth embodiment, information processing relating to the identifier is executed.
[0072]
FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are diagrams for explaining the fourth embodiment.
[0073]
As in the third embodiment, the print data is divided into partial data. Next, the identifier management unit 38 of the PC 21 creates an identifier and an identifier table for each partial data. The "identifier" is a type of "sequence information" which is information for combining partial data transmitted in a random order with print data, similar to the "sequence number", but is different from the "sequence number". If the "identifier" is found but the "identifier table" is not found, it means that the combination is difficult. FIG. 13 shows a state in which identifiers 456, 342, 563, 098, and 556 of partial data having sequence numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are created. Without this identifier table, it is difficult to determine that the sequence numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 correspond to the identifiers 456, 342, 563, 098, and 556, respectively. become. A table as shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the identifier table. Next, the identifier management unit 38 adds an identifier instead of a sequence number to the head of each partial data. FIG. 12 shows a state in which an identifier is added to the beginning of each partial data instead of a sequence number. Next, as in the third embodiment, an encryption key for each partial data is created, the partial data is encrypted into encrypted data using the encryption key, and the transmission order of each encrypted data is determined at random. The encrypted data is transmitted by the PC 21. In FIG. 12, the identifier is encrypted in addition to the partial data, but the identifier does not necessarily have to be encrypted.
[0074]
As described above, according to the PC 21, by completely dividing the print data, adding the identifier, and transmitting the divided data in a random order, in order to completely acquire one print data, all of the print data related to the one print data is required. Since the partial data (encrypted data in the case of encryption) and the identifier table must be acquired and the transmitted partial data must be synthesized in a random order, the security when transmitting and receiving the print data via the network is further improved. improves. In addition, security is further improved by encrypting the partial data into encrypted data and transmitting the encrypted data.
[0075]
As in the third embodiment, the encrypted data transmitted by the PC 21 is received by the printer 22. Next, as in the second embodiment, the encrypted data is decrypted into partial data using the above-described encryption key, and the partial data is combined with the print data (see FIG. 12). At this time, the combination of the partial data and the print data is performed based on the identifier added to each partial data using the above-described identifier table. FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the partial data is combined with the print data based on the identifier added to the head of each partial data.
[0076]
As described above, according to the scanner 22, the partial data (encrypted data in the case of encryption) transmitted by the PC 21 is received and combined based on the identifier by using the identifier table, and thus the PC 21 is connected via the network. And print data can be exchanged with the printer.
[0077]
Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0078]
Regarding the PC 21, the information processing up to S132 in FIG. 14 is the same as the information processing up to S102 in FIG. S131 and S132 correspond to S101 and S102, respectively. In S133, the identifier management unit 38 creates an identifier and an identifier table for each partial data. As a method of creating an identifier, for example, there is a method of assigning a printing time + a serial number of the PC 21 or a random value. In S134, the identifier management unit 38 adds an identifier to the head of each partial data. Regarding the PC 21, the information processing from S135 in FIG. 14 is the same as the information processing from S104 in FIG. S135, S136, S137, S138, and S139 correspond to S104, S105, S106, S107, and S108, respectively. However, in S137, information about the identifier table in addition to the information about the encryption key is recorded on the storage medium set in the storage device 23 via the I / O control unit 33.
[0079]
Regarding the printer 22, the information processing in FIG. 14 is the same as the information processing in FIG. S141, S142, S143, S144, S145, S146, and S147 correspond to S111, S112, S113, S114, S115, S116, and S117, respectively. However, in S144, information about the identifier table in addition to the information about the encryption key is reproduced from the storage medium set in the storage device 24 via the I / O control unit 43. The identifier management unit 48 manages the reproduced identifier table. Further, in S146, the partial data combining control unit 47 combines the partial data with the print data based on the identifier added to each partial data using the identifier table.
[0080]
(5) Modified example
The PC 21 in FIG. 3 is an example of an embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The information processing method realized by the PC 21 in FIG. 3 is an example of an embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention. Furthermore, the information processing method according to the present invention can also be realized by installing a program for executing the information processing method in a computer and causing the computer to execute the program. The program is an example of an embodiment of an information processing program according to the present invention.
[0081]
4 is an example of an embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and is an example of an embodiment of the printer according to the present invention. The information processing apparatus according to the present invention may be a built-in device of the printer as shown in FIG. 4 or a peripheral device of the printer. The information processing method realized by the printer 22 in FIG. 4 is an example of an embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention. Furthermore, the information processing method according to the present invention can also be realized by installing a program for executing the information processing method in a computer and causing the computer to execute the program. The program is an example of an embodiment of an information processing program according to the present invention.
[0082]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, security when transmitting and receiving print data via a network is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a problem to be solved by the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a system including a PC and a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a PC which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a printer according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment.
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart according to a fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Printer
12 First PC
13 Wired LAN
14 Second PC
15 Wireless LAN
16 Third PC
21 PC
22 Printer
23 Storage Device for PC
24 Storage device related to printer
25 LAN
31 ROM / RAM control unit
32 CPU control unit
33 I / O control unit
34 U / I control unit
35 Network control unit
36 Print data division control unit
37 Partial data encryption control unit
38 Identifier management unit
41 ROM / RAM control unit
42 CPU control unit
43 I / O control unit
44 U / I control unit
45 Network control unit
46 Encrypted data decryption control unit
47 Partial data synthesis control unit
48 identifier management unit
49 Image writing control unit

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus that performs information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer,
Print data dividing means for dividing the print data into partial data,
Partial data transmission means for transmitting the partial data in a random order,
An information processing apparatus comprising: An information processing apparatus that performs information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer,
Print data dividing means for dividing the print data into partial data,
Partial data encryption means for encrypting the partial data into encrypted data,
Cipher data transmitting means for transmitting the cipher data in a random order,
An information processing apparatus comprising: An information processing method for performing information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer,
A print data dividing step of dividing the print data into partial data;
A partial data transmission step of transmitting the partial data in a random order,
An information processing method comprising: An information processing method for performing information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer,
A print data dividing step of dividing the print data into partial data;
A partial data encryption step of encrypting the partial data into encrypted data,
An encrypted data transmission step of transmitting the encrypted data in a random order,
An information processing method comprising: An information processing apparatus that performs information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer,
Partial data receiving means for receiving partial data transmitted by the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the information processing method according to claim 3;
Partial data combining means for combining the partial data with the print data;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An information processing apparatus that performs information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer,
An encrypted data receiving unit that receives encrypted data transmitted by the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or the information processing method according to claim 4,
Encrypted data decryption means for decrypting the encrypted data into the partial data,
Partial data combining means for combining the partial data with the print data;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An information processing method for performing information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer,
A partial data receiving step of receiving partial data transmitted by the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the information processing method according to claim 3;
A partial data combining step of combining the partial data with the print data;
An information processing method comprising: An information processing method for performing information processing on print data that is data relating to an image written by a printer,
An encrypted data receiving step of receiving encrypted data transmitted by the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or the information processing method according to claim 4;
An encrypted data decrypting step of decrypting the encrypted data into the partial data;
A partial data combining step of combining the partial data with the print data;
An information processing method comprising: An information processing program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 3 or 4, or the information processing method according to claim 7 or 8. A printer comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, and writing out an image relating to print data synthesized by the information processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6.

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