JP2005301990A - Content data protecting system, output device with protecting function, printer with protecting function, content data protecting program, and content data protecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content data protecting system suitable for protecting content data. <P>SOLUTION: A host terminal 100 generates print data 400 including a user ID of a user requesting content data, a content ID of the content data, and printing of the content data, and transmits the generated print data 400 to a printer 200. The printer 200 acquires the content ID and user ID from the print data 400 when receiving the print data 400, and determines whether a user is the user with an authority for printing by the one's own printer 200 or not on every segmental area of the content data included in the print data 400 on the basis of the acquired content ID and user ID, and print restriction information 460. When it is determined that the user is not the user with the printing authority, printing of the segmental area is restricted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, an apparatus, a program, and a method for outputting content data via a network, and in particular, a content data protection system suitable for protecting content data, an output device with a protection function, and printing with a protection function. The present invention relates to an apparatus, a content data protection program, and a content data protection method.

  Conventionally, when printing content data such as forms, if there is a problem with a part of the content data that is referred to by a third party, the content data itself is reorganized in advance to delete the problematic information. Or, after printing, measures were taken such as manually processing the problem areas. If it is a method of reorganizing content data, management of the content data is very difficult. In addition, when processing the content data after printing, if it is referred to by a third party during printing and collecting printed matter, or if it cannot be completely erased even after processing, it will be processed. Possible problems such as forgetting.

To deal with this problem, Patent Document 1 proposes a document access method in a client / server system.
In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a network print system is configured in a client / server format, and print authority is managed in units of users and predetermined areas of content data for content data centrally managed by the server. Management of print protection is realized.
JP-A-6-214862

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, print protection can be realized for content data that is centrally managed by the server, but content data that is not managed by the server is directly printed from the client to the printer. However, there is a problem that printing is performed without any restrictions.
In the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is no restriction on the printer. Therefore, even if the print protection is performed in the client / server format, there is a sufficient problem that it is referred to by a third party while the printed material is being retrieved.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and is suitable for protecting content data, a content data protection system, an output device with a protection function, protection It is an object to provide a function-equipped printing apparatus, a content data protection program, and a content data protection method.

[Mode 1] In order to achieve the above object, a content data protection system according to mode 1 includes:
An output requesting terminal that requests output and an output device that performs output based on output data are communicably connected, and a content data protection system that protects content data included in the output data,
Output protection information storage means for storing output protection information defining a user and an output device that permit or prohibit the output of the content data;
The output request terminal generates output data including output data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data Means, and output data transmission means for transmitting the output data generated by the output data generation means to the output device,
The output device includes: output data receiving means for receiving the output data; output executing means for outputting based on the output data received by the output data receiving means; and output data received by the output data receiving means from the output data The output execution based on content identification information and identification information acquisition means for acquiring the user identification information, content identification information and user identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and output protection information of the output protection information storage means Output limiting means for limiting the output by the means,
The output restriction unit determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and determines that the content data is not the user having the output authority. The output is limited.

With such a configuration, in the output request terminal, output data including content data, content identification information, and user identification information is generated by the output data generation unit, and the generated output data is output by the output data transmission unit. Sent to the device.
In the output device, when the output data is received by the output data receiving means, the output executing means outputs based on the received output data, but the output may be restricted by the output restricting means. Specifically, content identification information and user identification information are acquired from the received output data by the identification information acquisition means, and the acquired content identification information and user identification information, and output protection information storage means are stored by the output restriction means. Based on the output protection information, it is determined whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data with the output device. As a result, if it is determined that the user is not authorized to output, the output of the content data is restricted.

  Thus, if the user and the output device that permit or prohibit the output of the content data to be protected are defined, other than the user who has the authority to output the content data included in the output data on the output device of the output destination, Since the content data cannot be completely output, the possibility that the content data is output by a third party can be reduced. In addition, since output of content data is restricted in the output device, even content data that is not managed by a server or the like can be protected. Therefore, the effect that the protection of the content data can be expanded as compared with the conventional case is obtained.

  Here, as a user who has the authority to output content data, a user who is permitted to output the content data on the output device of the output destination, and a user who is not explicitly permitted to output the content data of the output destination A user who is not prohibited from outputting with the output device is included. Hereinafter, the same applies to the output device with a protection function according to the form 5, the content data protection program according to the form 9, and the content data protection method according to the forms 13 and 17.

The content data includes, for example, image data, text data, video data, music data, and other data that can be output. Hereinafter, the same applies to the output device with a protection function according to the form 5, the content data protection program according to the form 9, and the content data protection method according to the forms 13 and 17.
Further, for example, to restrict the output of the content data, for example, prohibiting the output of part or all of the content data, outputting the content data by performing a predetermined process, and other complete output of the content data. It includes performing an obstructing process. Hereinafter, the same applies to the output device with a protection function according to the form 5, the content data protection program according to the form 9, and the content data protection method according to the forms 13 and 17.

  The output device may have any configuration as long as it can output content data. For example, display means for displaying content data, and sound output for outputting content data as sound. Or a device having printing means for printing content data, more specifically, a projector, a printer, a personal computer, an audio device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, or a watch-type PDA. Hereinafter, the same applies to the output device with a protection function of the form 5, the content data protection program of the form 9, and the content data protection method of the forms 13 and 17.

  The output protection information storage means stores the output protection information at any time and at any time. The output protection information storage means may store the output protection information in advance or store the output protection information in advance. The output protection information may be stored by an external input or the like when the system is operating. The same applies to the output device with a protection function according to the fifth embodiment.

  Further, the output protection information storage means may be provided in any case, and can be provided in, for example, an output request terminal, an output device, or other terminals. Hereinafter, the same applies to the output device with a protection function according to the form 5, the content data protection program according to the form 9, and the content data protection method according to the forms 13 and 17.

[Mode 2] Furthermore, the content data protection system of mode 2
A content data protection system that connects a print request terminal that requests printing and a printing device that performs printing based on print data so as to be communicable, and protects content data included in the print data,
Print protection information storage means for storing print protection information defining a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of areas,
The print request terminal generates print data including print data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data. Means, and print data transmission means for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation means to the printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus includes: a print data receiving unit that receives the print data; a print execution unit that performs printing based on the print data received by the print data receiving unit; and the print data received by the print data receiving unit. Based on the content identification information and the user identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, the content identification information and the user identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and the print protection information stored in the print protection information storage means Printing restriction means for restricting printing by the means,
The printing restriction unit determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. If it is determined that it is not, printing of the divided area is restricted.

With such a configuration, in the print request terminal, print data including content data, content identification information, and user identification information is generated by the print data generation unit, and the generated print data is printed by the print data transmission unit. Sent to the device.
In the printing apparatus, when print data is received by the print data receiving unit, printing is performed based on the received print data by the print execution unit, but the printing may be restricted by the print restriction unit. Specifically, content identification information and user identification information are acquired from the received print data by the identification information acquisition means, and the acquired content identification information and user identification information and print protection information storage means are stored by the print restriction means. Based on the print protection information, it is determined for each divided area of the content data included in the print data whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus. As a result, if it is determined that the user is not authorized to print, printing of the content data is restricted.

  As a result, if a user and a printing device that permit or prohibit printing of content data to be protected are defined, a user other than a user who has the authority to print content data included in the print data on a printing device that is a printing destination Since the content data cannot be printed completely, the possibility that the content data is printed by a third party can be reduced. In addition, since printing of content data is restricted in the printing apparatus, even content data that is not managed by a server or the like can be protected. Therefore, the effect that the protection of the content data can be expanded as compared with the conventional case is obtained.

  Here, as a user who has the authority to print content data, a user who is permitted to print content data on a printing apparatus as a printing destination, and a user who is not explicitly permitted to print content data at a printing destination. A user who is not prohibited from printing with the printing apparatus is included. The same applies to the printing apparatus with protection function according to mode 6, the content data protection program according to mode 10, and the content data protection method according to modes 14 and 18.

The content data includes, for example, image data, text data, and other data that can be printed. The same applies to the printing apparatus with protection function according to mode 6, the content data protection program according to mode 10, and the content data protection method according to modes 14 and 18.
In addition, for example, to restrict printing of content data, for example, prohibiting printing of part or all of the content data, printing the content data with a predetermined image processing, and other complete printing of the content data Performing a process to prevent the above. The same applies to the printing apparatus with protection function according to mode 6, the content data protection program according to mode 10, and the content data protection method according to modes 14 and 18.

  The print protection information storage means stores the print protection information at any time and at any time, and may store the print protection information in advance or store the print protection information in advance. Instead, the print protection information may be stored by an external input or the like during operation of the system. The same applies to the printing apparatus with a protection function according to mode 6.

  Further, the print protection information storage means may be provided in any place, and can be provided, for example, in a print request terminal, a printing apparatus, or other terminals. The same applies to the printing apparatus with protection function according to mode 6, the content data protection program according to mode 10, and the content data protection method according to modes 14 and 18.

[Mode 3] Furthermore, the content data protection system of mode 3 is the content data protection system of mode 2,
The printing apparatus includes a paper discharge stacker that accumulates printed matter;
The print protection information defines a user and a paper discharge stacker that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
The print restriction unit determines, for each divided area of the content data, whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area using the paper discharge stacker, and is not a user having the printing authority. If it is determined, printing of the divided area using the paper discharge stacker is restricted.

With such a configuration, in the printing apparatus, it is determined by the print restriction unit whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area by using the paper discharge stacker for each divided area of the content data. Is done. As a result, if it is determined that the user is not authorized to print, printing of the divided area using the paper discharge stacker is restricted.
Accordingly, it is possible to define that the content data is printed on the paper discharge stacker, so that it is possible to reduce the possibility of the content data being referred to by a third party while the printed material is being retrieved. Therefore, the effect that the protection of the content data can be further expanded is obtained.

[Mode 4] Furthermore, the content data protection system according to mode 4 is the content data protection system according to any one of modes 2 and 3,
Group information storage means for storing group information relating to a user group to which the one or more users belong;
The print protection information defines a user group and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
Whether the printing restriction unit is a user belonging to a user group having authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus for each divided area of the content data based on the group information of the group information storage unit If it is determined that the user does not belong to the user group having the print authority, printing of the divided area is restricted.

  With such a configuration, the printing apparatus has the authority to print the divided area for each divided area of the content data by the printing restriction unit based on the group information in the group information storage unit. It is determined whether or not the user belongs to a user group. As a result, if it is determined that the user does not belong to the user group having the print authority, printing of the divided area is restricted.

Thus, if a plurality of users are grouped, the same contents can be restricted to the users all at once, so that the user can be managed relatively easily.
Here, the group information storage means stores the group information at any time and at any time, and may store the group information in advance, or without storing the group information in advance, The group information may be stored by external input or the like during operation of the system. The same applies to the printing apparatus with protection function according to the eighth embodiment.

  Further, the group information storage means may be provided in any place, for example, in a print request terminal, a printing apparatus, or other terminals. The same applies to the printing apparatus with a protection function according to the form 8, the content data protection program according to the form 12, and the content data protection method according to the forms 16 and 20.

[Mode 5] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, an output device with a protection function of mode 5
An output device with a protection function for performing output based on output data,
Output data receiving means for receiving output data including content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data;
Output executing means for performing output based on the output data received by the output data receiving means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the output data received by the output data reception means;
Output protection information defining the user and output device that permits or prohibits the output of the content data is acquired from the output protection information storage means, the content identification information and user identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and the acquired Output limiting means for limiting output by the output execution means based on output protection information,
The output restriction unit determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and determines that the content data is not the user having the output authority. The output is limited.
With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the output device in the content data protection system of aspect 1 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the content data protection system of aspect 1 can be obtained.

[Mode 6] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus with a protection function according to mode 6 includes:
An output device with a protection function that performs printing based on print data,
Print data receiving means for receiving print data including content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data;
Print execution means for performing printing based on the print data received by the print data receiving means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the print data received by the print data reception means;
For each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of areas, print protection information defining a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of the divided area is acquired from a print protection information storage means, and the identification information acquisition means And print restriction means for restricting printing by the print execution means based on the content identification information and user identification information acquired in step (b) and the acquired print protection information,
The printing restriction unit determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. If it is determined that it is not, printing of the divided area is restricted.
With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the printing apparatus in the content data protection system of aspect 2 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the content data protection system of mode 2 can be obtained.

[Mode 7] Furthermore, the printing apparatus with a protective function of mode 7 is the printing apparatus with a protective function of mode 6,
Equipped with a paper output stacker that accumulates printed materials,
The print protection information defines a user and a paper discharge stacker that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
The print restriction unit determines, for each divided area of the content data, whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area using the paper discharge stacker, and is not a user having the printing authority. If it is determined, printing of the divided area using the paper discharge stacker is restricted.
With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the printing apparatus in the content data protection system of aspect 3 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the content data protection system of aspect 3 is obtained.

[Embodiment 8] Further, the printing device with a protective function of Embodiment 8 is the printing device with a protective function of any one of Embodiments 6 and 7,
The print protection information defines a user group and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
The print restriction unit acquires group information regarding a user group to which one or a plurality of the users belong from a group information storage unit, and sets the divided region for each divided region of the content data based on the acquired group information. It is determined whether or not the user belongs to a user group having an authority to print on the printing apparatus, and when it is determined that the user is not a user belonging to the user group having the printing authority, printing of the divided area is restricted. It is characterized by becoming.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the printing apparatus in the content data protection system of aspect 4 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the content data protection system of aspect 4 is obtained.

[Mode 9] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the content data protection program of mode 9
A content data protection program applied to a computer that operates as an output device that performs output based on output data,
The computer can use output protection information storage means for storing output protection information defining a user and an output device that permit or prohibit output of content data,
An output data receiving step for receiving output data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data;
An output execution step of performing output based on the output data received in the output data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the output data received in the output data reception step;
A process comprising the output restriction step of restricting the output of the output execution step based on the content identification information and user identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step, and the output protection information of the output protection information storage means. Including a program to run,
The output restriction step determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and when it is determined that the user is not authorized to output the content data The output is limited.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the output device with a protective function according to mode 5 can be obtained.

[Mode 10] Further, the content data protection program according to mode 10 includes:
A content data protection program applied to a computer that operates as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on print data,
The computer can use print protection information storage means for storing print protection information that defines a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of the divided area for each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of divided areas. And
A print data receiving step for receiving print data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data;
A print execution step for performing printing based on the print data received in the print data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the print data received in the print data reception step;
A process comprising: a print restriction step for restricting printing in the print execution step based on the content identification information and user identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step, and the print protection information in the print protection information storage means. Including a program to run,
The printing restriction step determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. If it is determined that it is not, printing of the segmented area is restricted.
With this configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus with a protective function according to mode 6 can be obtained.

[Mode 11] Furthermore, the content data protection program of mode 11 is the content data protection program of mode 10,
The printing apparatus includes a paper discharge stacker that accumulates printed matter;
The print protection information defines a user and a paper discharge stacker that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
In the printing restriction step, for each divided area of the content data, it is determined whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area using the paper discharge stacker, and the user is not a user having the printing authority. If it is determined, printing of the divided area using the paper discharge stacker is restricted.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the printing apparatus with a protective function according to mode 7 can be obtained.

[Mode 12] Furthermore, the content data protection program of mode 12 is the content data protection program of any one of modes 10 and 11,
The computer is capable of using group information storage means for storing group information relating to a user group to which one or a plurality of the users belong,
The print protection information defines a user group and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
Whether the printing restriction step is a user belonging to a user group having authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus for each divided area of the content data based on the group information of the group information storage unit If it is determined that the user does not belong to the user group having the print authority, printing of the divided area is restricted.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the printing apparatus with a protective function according to mode 8 can be obtained.

[Mode 13] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the content data protection method of mode 13 includes:
An output requesting terminal that requests output and an output device that performs output based on output data are communicably connected, and the content data protection method protects content data included in the output data,
For the output request terminal,
An output data generation step for generating output data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data;
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data generated in the output data generation step to the output device,
For the output device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
An output execution step of performing output based on the output data received in the output data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the output data received in the output data reception step;
Output protection information that defines the users and output devices that permit or prohibit the output of the content data is acquired from the output protection information storage means, the content identification information and user identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step, and the acquired An output restriction step of restricting output in the output execution step based on output protection information,
The output restriction step determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and when it is determined that the user is not authorized to output the content data The output is limited.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the content data protection system of aspect 1 is obtained.

[Form 14] Furthermore, the content data protection method of form 14 includes:
A content data protection method for communicably connecting a print request terminal that requests printing and a printing device that performs printing based on print data, and protecting content data included in the print data,
For the print request terminal,
A print data generation step for generating print data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data;
A print data transmission step of transmitting the print data generated in the print data generation step to the printing device,
For the printing device,
A print data receiving step for receiving the print data;
A print execution step for performing printing based on the print data received in the print data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the print data received in the print data reception step;
For each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of areas, print protection information defining a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of the divided area is acquired from a print protection information storage means, and the identification information acquisition step A print restriction step for restricting printing in the print execution step based on the content identification information and the user identification information acquired in step 1 and the acquired print protection information,
The printing restriction step determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. If it is determined that it is not, printing of the segmented area is restricted.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the content data protection system of aspect 2 is obtained.

[Mode 15] Furthermore, the content data protection method of mode 15 is the content data protection method of mode 14,
The printing apparatus includes a paper discharge stacker that accumulates printed matter;
The print protection information defines a user and a paper discharge stacker that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
In the printing restriction step, for each divided area of the content data, it is determined whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area using the paper discharge stacker, and the user is not a user having the printing authority. If it is determined, printing of the divided area using the paper discharge stacker is restricted.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the content data protection system of aspect 3 is obtained.

[Mode 16] Furthermore, the content data protection method of mode 16 is the content data protection method of any one of modes 14 and 15,
The print protection information defines a user group and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
The printing restriction step acquires group information regarding a user group to which one or a plurality of the users belong from a group information storage unit, and sets the divided area for each divided area of the content data based on the acquired group information. It is determined whether or not the user belongs to a user group having an authority to print on the printing apparatus, and when it is determined that the user is not a user belonging to the user group having the printing authority, printing of the divided area is restricted. Features.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the content data protection system of aspect 4 is obtained.

[Mode 17] Further, the content data protection method of mode 17 includes:
A content data protection method for outputting based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving output data including content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data;
An output execution step of performing output based on the output data received in the output data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the output data received in the output data reception step;
Output protection information that defines the users and output devices that permit or prohibit the output of the content data is acquired from the output protection information storage means, the content identification information and user identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step, and the acquired An output restriction step for restricting the output of the output execution step based on output protection information,
The output restriction step determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and when it is determined that the user is not authorized to output the content data The output is limited.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the output device with a protection function according to mode 5 is obtained.

[Form 18] Furthermore, the content data protection method of form 18 includes:
A content data protection method for printing based on print data,
A print data receiving step for receiving print data including content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data;
A print execution step for performing printing based on the print data received in the print data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the print data received in the print data reception step;
For each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of areas, print protection information defining a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of the divided area is acquired from a print protection information storage means, and the identification information acquisition step A print restriction step for restricting printing in the print execution step based on the content identification information and the user identification information acquired in step 1 and the acquired print protection information,
The printing restriction step determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. If it is determined that it is not, printing of the segmented area is restricted.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the printing apparatus with a protective function according to mode 6 is obtained.

[Mode 19] Furthermore, the content data protection method of mode 19 is the same as the content data protection method of mode 18,
The print protection information defines a user and a paper discharge stacker that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
In the printing restriction step, for each divided area of the content data, it is determined whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area using the paper discharge stacker, and the user is not a user having the printing authority. If it is determined, printing of the divided area using the paper discharge stacker is restricted.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the printing apparatus with a protective function according to mode 7 is obtained.

[Mode 20] Furthermore, the content data protection method of mode 20 is the content data protection method of any one of modes 18 and 19,
The print protection information defines a user group and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
The printing restriction step acquires group information regarding a user group to which one or a plurality of the users belong from a group information storage unit, and sets the divided area for each divided area of the content data based on the acquired group information. It is determined whether or not the user belongs to a user group having an authority to print on the printing apparatus, and when it is determined that the user is not a user belonging to the user group having the printing authority, printing of the divided area is restricted. Features.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the printing apparatus with a protective function according to mode 8 is obtained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 11 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a content data protection system, an output device with a protection function, a printing device with a protection function, a content data protection program, and a content data protection method according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, a content data protection system, an output device with a protection function, a printing device with a protection function, a content data protection program, and a content data protection method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. This is applied to the case where data printing is restricted.

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, a host terminal 100 that requests printing, a printer 200 that performs printing in response to the printing request, and a user management server 300 that manages users of the printer 200 are connected to the network 199. . In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, only one host terminal 100 and one printer 200 are shown, but in reality, many host terminals 100 and printers 200 are connected to the network 199.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the user management server 300 includes a group information registration database (hereinafter simply referred to as “DB”) 10 in which group information related to a user group to which one or a plurality of users belong, and content. A print restriction information registration DB 11 for registering print restriction information for each content data and a user who is permitted to print the divided area for each divided area when the data is divided into a plurality of pieces of content data. The print restriction information providing unit 12 provides group information in the group information registration DB 10 and print restriction information in the print restriction information registration DB 11 to the printer 200 in response to a request.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the host terminal 100 includes a document creation application 13 that creates a document, a content ID for identifying content data and an ID management unit 14 that manages a user ID for identifying a user, a document A print data generation unit 15 that generates print data based on the document data generated by the generation application 13 and the content ID and user ID managed by the ID management unit 14, and the print data generated by the print data generation unit 15 The print data transmission unit 16 transmits the data to 200.

  The print data generation unit 15 performs rendering processing on the document data created by the document creation application 13, and sets the content ID of the content data included in the document data and the user ID of the user who requests printing of the document data as an ID management unit. 14, the rendering data obtained by rendering processing, and the print data including the obtained content ID and user ID are generated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 200 includes a print data receiving unit 17 that receives print data, an ID acquisition unit 18 that acquires a content ID and a user ID from print data received by the print data receiving unit 17, and group information. And the print protection basic information registration DB 19 in which the print protection basic information indicating the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for obtaining the print restriction information is registered, and the group information and the print restriction information based on the print protection basic information in the print protection basic information registration DB 19 And a print restriction information acquisition unit 20 that acquires from the user management server 300.

The printer 200 further includes a print restriction unit 21 that masks print data based on the content ID and user ID acquired by the ID acquisition unit 18 and the group information and print restriction information acquired by the print restriction information acquisition unit 20; The print execution unit 22 is configured to perform printing based on print data from the print restriction unit 21.
The print restriction unit 21 is a user who has the authority to print the divided area with the self-printer 200 for each divided area of the content data included in the print data based on the content ID, the user ID, the group information, and the print restriction information. If it is determined that the user is not a user having printing authority, mask processing is performed on the divided area.

Next, the configuration of the host terminal 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the host terminal 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the host terminal 100 includes a CPU 30 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 32 that stores a control program for the CPU 30 in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 32 and the like. And a RAM 34 for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 30 and an I / F 38 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device. These signals are signals for transferring data. The buses 39, which are lines, are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

The I / F 38 includes, as external devices, an input device 40 such as a keyboard and a mouse that can input data as a human interface, a storage device 42 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, and a screen based on image signals. And a signal line for connecting to the network 199 are connected.
The storage device 42 is configured as the ID management unit 14, stores the content ID for each content data, and stores the user ID for each user.

The CPU 30 includes a microprocessing unit (MPU) or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 32, and executes a print request process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 according to the program. .
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the print request process.
The print request process is a process realized as the print data generation unit 15 and the print data transmission unit 16, and when executed in the CPU 30, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S100. Yes.

In step S100, it is determined whether or not a print request from the user has been input from the input device 40. When it is determined that a print request from the user has been input (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. When it is determined (No), it waits in step S100 until a print request from the user is input.
In step S102, the document data is acquired from the document creation application 13, and the process proceeds to step S104. The acquired document data is rendered, and the process proceeds to step S106, where the content data content included in the document data is processed. The ID and the user ID of the user who requests printing of the document data are read from the storage device 42, and the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, print data for the printer 200 is generated based on the rendered rendering data and the read content ID and user ID.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the print data 400.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the print data 400 includes a data area 402 that stores a content ID, a data area 404 that stores a user ID, and a data area 406 that stores rendering data.

Next, the process proceeds to step S110, where the generated print data 400 is transmitted to the printer 200 together with the print request, and a series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.
Next, the configuration of the printer 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printer 200.
As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 200 includes a CPU 50 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 52 that stores a control program of the CPU 50 in a predetermined area, data read from the ROM 52, etc. A RAM 54 for storing calculation results necessary in the calculation process of the CPU 50 and an I / F 58 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device are configured. These are signal lines for transferring data. Are connected to each other and to be able to exchange data.

  The I / F 58 includes, as an external device, an operation panel 60 capable of inputting data as a human interface, a storage device 62 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, a head drive unit, and other mechanisms necessary for printing. A printing mechanism 64, a paper discharge stacker 66 that stores printed matter printed by the printing mechanism 64, and a signal line for connecting to the network 199 are connected.

The storage device 62 is configured as the print protection basic information registration DB 19 and stores the print protection basic information. In addition, a printer ID for identifying the self-printer 200 and a stacker ID for identifying the self-discharge stacker 66 are stored.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the print protection basic information 420.
As shown in FIG. 6, the print protection basic information 420 includes a data area 422 storing an acquisition destination URL of group information 440 (hereinafter referred to as group information URL) and an acquisition destination URL of print restriction information 460 (hereinafter referred to as printing). And a data area 424 that stores a restriction information URL).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the group information 440.
The group information 440 is registered in the group information registration DB 10 of the user management server 300, and has one record for each user group as shown in FIG. Each record includes a data area 442 storing a group ID for identifying a user group and a data area 444 storing one or more user IDs as a user ID list.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the second row record stores “UG (2)” as the group ID and “U (2), U (3)” as the user ID list. This is the user group UG (2) (refers to a user group specified by the group ID UG (2), hereinafter abbreviated in the same manner), and the user U (2) (specified by the user ID U (2)). (Hereinafter abbreviated in the same manner)) and user U (3) belongs.

The print restriction information 460 is registered in the print restriction information registration DB 11 of the user management server 300. As shown in FIG. 6, the data area 462 storing the content ID and the divided area for each divided area of the content data. And a data area 464 in which content restriction information defining the printer 200 is stored.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the content data 480. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the data structure of the content restriction information 464.
The content restriction information 464 is configured according to the content data configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the content data 480 is composed of five divided areas 482 to 490, the content restriction information 464 includes one content area 482 to 490, as shown in FIG. 9. Have a record. Each record includes data area 466 storing a segment area ID for identifying the segment area, and data storing printer ID or stacker ID of printer 200 or paper discharge stacker 66 that permits printing of the segment area as printer restriction information. It includes an area 468 and a data area 470 in which the user ID of a user who is permitted to print the divided area is stored as user restriction information. The content restriction information 464 is described in a markup language such as XML (eXtensible Markup Language).

  In the example of FIG. 9, the third record includes “Area3” as the segment area ID, “P (2) S (1)” as the printer restriction information, “UG (1), "UG (2)" is registered. This refers to the divided area Area3 (referred to as a divided area specified by the divided area IDArea3, hereinafter abbreviated similarly) refers to the printer P (2) (the printer 200 specified by the printer IDP (2). , Abbreviated in the same manner) using a paper discharge stacker S (1) (referred to as a paper discharge stacker 66 specified by the stacker IDS (1), hereinafter abbreviated in the same manner). This shows that only users belonging to either 1) or UG (2) can print. Similarly, for the second row record, the segment area Area2 indicates that only the user U (1) can print using the paper discharge stacker S (1) in the printer P (2). Yes.

  In addition, since the printer restriction information and the user restriction information are not set for the first row and the fifth row records, any user can print the divided areas Area1 and Area5 in any printer 200. It shows what you can do. Further, since the user restriction information is not set for the fourth row record, the segment area Area4 indicates that any user can print on the printer P (2).

Returning to FIG. 5, the CPU 50 includes a microprocessing unit (MPU) and the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes the print control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 according to the program. It is like that.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the print control process.
The print control process is a process realized as the print data reception unit 17, the ID acquisition unit 18, the print restriction information acquisition unit 20, the print restriction unit 21, and the print execution unit 22, and when executed in the CPU 50, FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, first, the process proceeds to step S200.

In step S200, it is determined whether or not a print request has been received. When it is determined that a print request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S202. When it is determined that this is not the case (No), a print request is received. Until it is received in step S200.
In step S202, the print data 400 is received, the process proceeds to step S204, the content ID and the user ID are acquired from the print data 400, and the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, the print protection basic information 420 is read from the storage device 62, the process proceeds to step S208, and the group information 440 is acquired from the user management server 300 based on the group information URL included in the read print protection basic information 420. Then, the process proceeds to step S <b> 210, and print restriction information 460 including the same content ID as the acquired content ID is acquired from the user management server 300 based on the print restriction information URL included in the read print protection basic information 420. The process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, the head segment area is selected from the content data included in the print data 400, the process proceeds to step S214, and the selected segment area is selected based on the acquired user ID, group information 440, and print restriction information 460. It is determined whether or not the user is authorized to print with the self-printer 200 (hereinafter referred to as a selection section area). Specifically, in step S214, a record storing the classification area ID of the selected classification area is acquired from the content restriction information 464 included in the print restriction information 460, and the printer of the self-printer 200 is included in the acquired record. It is determined whether the ID or the stacker ID of the self-ejection stacker 66 is included as printer restriction information, and whether the acquired user ID is included as user restriction information. When it is determined that both are included in both determinations, it is determined that the user has printing authority. In addition, when it is determined that (1) the acquired user ID is included as user restriction information and the printer restriction information is not set, (2) the printer ID of the self-printer 200 or the self-paper discharge stacker 66 The stacker ID is included as printer restriction information, and it is determined that the user restriction information is not set. (3) When it is determined that the printer restriction information and the user restriction information are not set. It is determined that the user has a print authority. When a group ID is stored as the user restriction information, a group ID corresponding to the obtained user ID is obtained from the group information 440, and it is determined whether or not the obtained group ID is included in the user restriction information. To do.

As a result of the determination in step S214, when it is determined that the user is not a user having printing authority (No), the process proceeds to step S216, and mask processing (for example, for the selected classification area in the content data included in the print data 400) is performed. Mosaic processing) is performed, and the process proceeds to step S218.
In step S218, it is determined whether or not the processing of steps S214 and S216 has been completed for all the divided areas of the content data included in the print data 400, and when it is determined that the processing has been completed for all the divided areas (Yes). Shifts to step S220, performs printing by the printing mechanism 64 based on the print data 400 obtained through steps S214 to S218, ends a series of processes, and returns to the original process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S218 that the processing in steps S214 and S216 has not been completed for all the divided areas of the content data included in the print data 400 (No), the process proceeds to step S222, and the print data 400 Is selected from the content data included in, and the process proceeds to step S214.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S214 that the user has printing authority (Yes), the process proceeds to step S218.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a network configuration diagram for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 11, the network 199 includes three host terminals 1 to 3 for use by users U (1) to U (4) and two discharge stackers S (1) and S (2 ), A printer P (2) including three paper discharge stackers S (1) to S (3), and a user management server 300 are connected. Further, it is assumed that group information 440 having the same content as FIG. 7 and content restriction information 464 having the same content as FIG. 9 are registered in the user management server 300.

First, the case where the user U (2) prints the content data 480 of FIG. 8 in the paper discharge stacker S (2) of the printer P (2) will be described as an example. The content ID of the content data 480 is “C (A)”.
First, the user U (2) inputs a print request in the document creation application 13 so that the content data 480 is printed in the discharge stacker S (2) of the printer P (2) in any of the host terminals 1 to 3. To do.

  In the host terminal 100, when a print request is input from the user, document data including the content data 480 is acquired from the document creation application 13 through steps S102 and S104, and a rendering process is performed on the acquired document data. Done. Next, through steps S106 and S108, the content IDC (A) of the content data 480 and the user IDU (2) of the user U (2) are read, and the rendering data, the content IDC (A) and the user IDU (2) are read out. Including print data 400 is generated. Then, through step S110, the generated print data 400 is transmitted to the printer P (2).

  When the printer P (2) receives the print data 400, the content IDC (A) and the user IDU (2) are acquired from the print data 400 through steps S204 to S210, and the print protection basic information 420 is read out. Based on the print protection basic information 420, group information 440 and print restriction information 460 including the same content ID as the content IDC (A) are acquired from the user management server 300. Next, through steps S212 to S218, S222, based on the acquired user ID U (2), group information 440, and print restriction information 460, the user U (2) It is determined whether or not the user is authorized to print the segmented area with the printer P (2). As a result, if it is determined that the user is not authorized to print, a mask process is performed on the divided area through step S216.

First, with respect to the divided areas Area1 and Area5, referring to FIG. 9, since the printer restriction information and the user restriction information are not set, it is determined that the user U (2) has the printing authority, and the mask process is performed. I will not.
Second, since only the printing by the user U (1) is permitted for the divided area Area2, it is determined that the user U (2) does not have the printing authority, and the mask process is performed.

Thirdly, for the segment area Area3, the user group UG (2) is included as user restriction information, and referring to FIG. 7, the user U (2) belongs to the user group UG (2). Since printing is permitted only by the paper discharge stacker S (1) of the printer P (2), it is determined that the user U (2) does not have printing authority, and mask processing is performed.
Fourthly, since the segment area Area4 is permitted to be printed by the printer P (2) and the user restriction information is not set, it is determined that the user U (2) has the print authority. Mask processing is not performed.

In the printer P (2), when processing is completed for all the divided areas of the content data 480, the paper stacker S (2) is used by the printing mechanism 64 based on the masked print data 400 through step S220. Printing is performed. In the printed matter, the divided areas Area2 and Area3 are masked.
Next, the case where the user U (1) prints the content data 480 in the paper discharge stacker S (1) of the printer P (2) will be described as an example.

In the host terminal 100, print data 400 including rendering data, content IDC (A), and user IDU (1) is generated, and the generated print data 400 is transmitted to the printer P (2).
In the printer P (2), it is determined for each divided area of the content data 480 whether or not the user U (1) is a user who has the authority to print the divided area with the printer P (2).

First, since the printer restriction information and the user restriction information are not set for the divided areas Area1 and Area5, it is determined that the user U (1) has the printing authority and the mask process is not performed.
Second, for the segmented area Area2, since printing by the user U (1) is permitted by the paper discharge stacker S (1) of the printer P (2), it is determined that the user U (1) has the printing authority. The mask process is not performed.

Third, for the divided area Area3, the user group UG (1) is included as user restriction information, the user U (1) belongs to the user group UG (1), and the printer P (2 ) Is permitted only in the paper discharge stacker S (1), it is determined that the user U (1) has the printing authority, and the mask process is not performed.
Fourth, since the segment area Area4 is permitted to be printed by the printer P (2) and the user restriction information is not set, it is determined that the user U (1) has the print authority. Mask processing is not performed.

The printer P (2) performs printing using the paper discharge stacker S (1). In the printed matter, none of the divided areas Area1 to Area5 is masked.
In this way, in the present embodiment, the host terminal 100 generates and generates the print data 400 including the content data, the content ID of the content data, and the user ID of the user who requests printing of the content data. The print data 400 is transmitted to the printer 200. When the print data 400 is received, the printer 200 acquires the content ID and the user ID from the print data 400, the acquired content ID and the user ID, and Based on the print restriction information 460, it is determined for each divided area of the content data included in the print data 400 whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area with the self-printer 200, and has the printing authority. If it is determined that the user is not a user, printing the segmented area So that the restriction to.

  As a result, if the user and the printer 200 that are permitted to print the content data to be protected are defined, the user other than the user who has the authority to print the content data included in the print data 400 on the printer 200 as the printing destination Since the content data cannot be printed completely, the possibility that the content data is printed by a third party can be reduced. In addition, since printing of content data is restricted in the printer 200, even content data that is not managed by a printer server or the like can be protected. Therefore, it is possible to expand the protection of content data as compared with the conventional case.

Further, in the present embodiment, the printer 200 determines whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area by using the paper discharge stacker 66 for each divided area of the content data. When it is determined that the user is not a user who has the function, printing of the divided area using the paper discharge stacker 66 is restricted.
Thus, the content data can be regulated to be printed on the paper discharge stacker 66, so that it is possible to reduce the possibility of the content data being referred to by a third party while the printed material is being picked up. Therefore, protection of content data can be further expanded.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, based on the group information 440, the printer 200 is a user belonging to a user group who has the authority to print the divided area with the self-printer 200 for each divided area of the content data. If it is determined that the user does not belong to the user group having the print authority, printing of the divided area is restricted.

As a result, if a plurality of users are grouped, the same contents can be simultaneously restricted for the users, so that the user can be managed relatively easily.
In the above embodiment, the host terminal 100 corresponds to the output request terminal of form 1 or 13, or the print request terminal of form 2 or 14, and the printer 200 has the form 1, 5, 6, 9, 13, or 17 It corresponds to an output device or a printing device of form 2 to 4, 6 to 8, 10 to 12, 14 to 16, 18 or 20. The group information registration DB 10 corresponds to the group information storage means in the form 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20, and the print restriction information registration DB 11 corresponds to the output protection information storage means in the form 1, 5, 9, 13 or 17. , Or the print protection information storage means in the form 2, 6, 10, 14 or 18.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print data generation unit 15 and step S108 correspond to the output data generation unit of form 1 or the print data generation unit of form 2, and step S108 includes the output data generation step of form 13. Or it corresponds to the print data generation step of form 14. The print data transmission unit 16 and step S110 correspond to the output data transmission unit of form 1 or the print data transmission unit of form 2, and step S110 is the output data transmission step of form 13 or the print data of form 14. Corresponds to the send step.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print data receiving unit 17 and step S202 correspond to the output data receiving unit in the form 1 or 5, or the print data receiving unit in the form 2 or 6, and the step S202 is in the form 9, 13 Or it corresponds to the output data reception step of 17 or the print data reception step of the form 10, 14 or 18. Further, the ID acquisition unit 18 and step S204 correspond to the identification information acquisition means of the form 1, 2, 5 or 6, and step S204 corresponds to the identification information acquisition step of the form 9, 10, 13, 14, 17 or 18. Correspondingly, the printing restriction unit 21 and steps S212 to S218 and S222 correspond to the output restriction means of the form 1 or 5, or the printing restriction means of the forms 2 to 4, 6 to 8.

  In the above-described embodiment, steps S212 to S218, S222 correspond to the output limiting step of the mode 9, 13 or 17, or the printing limiting step of the modes 10 to 12, 14 to 16, 18 to 20, and execute printing. The unit 22 and step S220 correspond to the form 1 or 5 output execution means or the form 2 or 6 print execution means. Step S220 corresponds to the output execution step of form 9, 13, or 17, or the print execution step of form 10, 14 or 18, and the print data is the output data of form 1, 5, 9, 13 or 17. Correspondingly, the print restriction information 460 corresponds to the output protection information in the form 1, 5, 9, 13 or 17, or the print protection information in the form 2 to 4, 6 to 8, 10 to 12, 14 to 16, 18 to 20. It corresponds.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, content ID respond | corresponds to the content identification information of form 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17 or 18, and user ID is form 1, 2, 5 , 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17 or 18 corresponding to the user identification information.
In the above embodiment, the group information registration DB 10 and the print restriction information registration DB 11 are provided in the user management server 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the group information registration DB 10 or the print restriction information registration DB 11 is used as the host terminal 100. Alternatively, the printer 200 may be provided. When provided in the printer 200, the print restriction information 460 for content data used in all the printers 200 may be registered in one printer 200, or the content data used in each printer 200. The print restriction information 460 for the printer may be registered in the printer 200. In the latter case, the print restriction information URL may be directly read without including the print restriction information URL in the print protection basic information 420.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROMs 32 and 52 is executed when executing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 10 has been described. The program may be read from the storage medium storing the program showing these procedures into the RAMs 34 and 52 and executed.

  Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.

  In the above embodiment, the content data protection system, the output device with protection function, the printing device with protection function, the content data protection program, and the content data protection method according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. Although the present invention is applied to the case where the printing of content data is restricted at 200, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of the network system to which this invention is applied. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a host terminal 100. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print request processing. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of print data 400. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printer 200. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of print protection basic information 420. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the group information 440. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the content data 480. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure of content restriction information 464. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing. It is a network block diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Host terminal, 200 ... Printer, 300 ... User management server, 199 ... Network, 10 ... Group information registration DB, 11 ... Print restriction information registration DB, 12 ... Print restriction information provision part, 13 ... Document creation application, 14 ... ID management unit, 15 ... print data generation unit, 16 ... print data transmission unit, 17 ... print data reception unit, 18 ... ID acquisition unit, 19 ... print protection basic information registration DB, 20 ... print restriction information acquisition unit, 21 ... Print restriction unit 22 ... Print execution unit 30, 50 ... CPU, 32,52 ... ROM, 34,54 ... RAM, 38, 58 ... I / F, 39,59 ... Bus, 40 ... Input device, 42 ... Storage Device 44. Display device 60 Operation panel 62 Storage device 64 Printing mechanism 66 Paper discharge stacker 400 Mark Printing data, 420 ... Print protection basic information, 440 ... Group information, 460 ... Print restriction information, 464 ... Content restriction information, 480 ... Content data

Claims (12)

An output requesting terminal that requests output and an output device that performs output based on output data are communicably connected, and a content data protection system that protects content data included in the output data,
Output protection information storage means for storing output protection information defining a user and an output device that permit or prohibit the output of the content data;
The output request terminal generates output data including output data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data Means, and output data transmission means for transmitting the output data generated by the output data generation means to the output device,
The output device includes: output data receiving means for receiving the output data; output executing means for outputting based on the output data received by the output data receiving means; and output data received by the output data receiving means from the output data The output execution based on content identification information and identification information acquisition means for acquiring the user identification information, content identification information and user identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and output protection information of the output protection information storage means Output limiting means for limiting the output by the means,
The output restriction unit determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and determines that the content data is not the user having the output authority. Content data protection system characterized in that the output of the content is restricted. A content data protection system that connects a print request terminal that requests printing and a printing device that performs printing based on print data so as to be communicable, and protects content data included in the print data,
Print protection information storage means for storing print protection information defining a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of areas,
The print request terminal generates print data including print data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data. Means, and print data transmission means for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation means to the printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus includes: a print data receiving unit that receives the print data; a print execution unit that performs printing based on the print data received by the print data receiving unit; and the print data received by the print data receiving unit. Based on the content identification information and the user identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, the content identification information and the user identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and the print protection information stored in the print protection information storage means Printing restriction means for restricting printing by the means,
The printing restriction unit determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. When it is determined that the content area is not, the content data protection system is configured to restrict printing of the divided area. In claim 2,
The printing apparatus includes a paper discharge stacker that accumulates printed matter;
The print protection information defines a user and a paper discharge stacker that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
The print restriction unit determines, for each divided area of the content data, whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area using the paper discharge stacker, and is not a user having the printing authority. The content data protection system is configured to restrict printing of the divided area using the paper discharge stacker. In any one of Claim 2 and 3,
Group information storage means for storing group information relating to a user group to which the one or more users belong;
The print protection information defines a user group and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of each divided area for each divided area of the content data,
Whether the printing restriction unit is a user belonging to a user group having authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus for each divided area of the content data based on the group information of the group information storage unit The content data protection system is characterized in that when it is determined that the user is not a user belonging to the user group having the print authority, printing of the divided area is restricted. An output device with a protection function for performing output based on output data,
Output data receiving means for receiving output data including content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data;
Output executing means for performing output based on the output data received by the output data receiving means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the output data received by the output data reception means;
Output protection information defining the user and output device that permits or prohibits the output of the content data is acquired from the output protection information storage means, the content identification information and user identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and the acquired Output limiting means for limiting output by the output execution means based on output protection information,
The output restriction unit determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and determines that the content data is not the user having the output authority. An output device with a protection function, characterized in that the output of the device is limited. An output device with a protection function that performs printing based on print data,
Print data receiving means for receiving print data including content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data;
Print execution means for performing printing based on the print data received by the print data receiving means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the print data received by the print data reception means;
For each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of areas, print protection information defining a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of the divided area is acquired from a print protection information storage means, and the identification information acquisition means And print restriction means for restricting printing by the print execution means based on the content identification information and user identification information acquired in step (b) and the acquired print protection information,
The printing restriction unit determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has an authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. If it is determined that the printing is not possible, the printing apparatus with a protection function is configured to restrict printing of the divided area. A content data protection program applied to a computer that operates as an output device that performs output based on output data,
The computer can use output protection information storage means for storing output protection information defining a user and an output device that permit or prohibit output of content data,
An output data receiving step for receiving output data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data;
An output execution step of performing output based on the output data received in the output data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the output data received in the output data reception step;
A process comprising the output restriction step of restricting the output of the output execution step based on the content identification information and user identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step, and the output protection information of the output protection information storage means. Including a program to run,
The output restriction step determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and when it is determined that the user is not authorized to output the content data Content data protection program characterized by restricting the output of. A content data protection program applied to a computer that operates as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on print data,
The computer can use print protection information storage means for storing print protection information that defines a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of the divided area for each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of divided areas. And
A print data receiving step for receiving print data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data;
A print execution step for performing printing based on the print data received in the print data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the print data received in the print data reception step;
A process comprising: a print restriction step for restricting printing in the print execution step based on the content identification information and user identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step, and the print protection information in the print protection information storage means. Including a program to run,
The printing restriction step determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. A content data protection program that restricts printing of the segmented area when it is determined that it is not. An output requesting terminal that requests output and an output device that performs output based on output data are communicably connected, and the content data protection method protects content data included in the output data,
For the output request terminal,
An output data generation step for generating output data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data;
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data generated in the output data generation step to the output device,
For the output device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
An output execution step of performing output based on the output data received in the output data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the output data received in the output data reception step;
Output protection information that defines the users and output devices that permit or prohibit the output of the content data is acquired from the output protection information storage means, the content identification information and user identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step, and the acquired An output restriction step of restricting output in the output execution step based on output protection information,
The output restriction step determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and when it is determined that the user is not authorized to output the content data Content data protection method, which restricts the output of the content. A content data protection method for communicably connecting a print request terminal that requests printing and a printing device that performs printing based on print data, and protecting content data included in the print data,
For the print request terminal,
A print data generation step for generating print data including the content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data;
A print data transmission step of transmitting the print data generated in the print data generation step to the printing device,
For the printing device,
A print data receiving step for receiving the print data;
A print execution step for performing printing based on the print data received in the print data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the print data received in the print data reception step;
For each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of areas, print protection information defining a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of the divided area is acquired from a print protection information storage means, and the identification information acquisition step A print restriction step for restricting printing in the print execution step based on the content identification information and the user identification information acquired in step 1 and the acquired print protection information,
The printing restriction step determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. A content data protection method that restricts printing of the segmented area when it is determined that it is not. A content data protection method for outputting based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving output data including content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests output of the content data;
An output execution step of performing output based on the output data received in the output data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the output data received in the output data reception step;
Output protection information that defines the users and output devices that permit or prohibit the output of the content data is acquired from the output protection information storage means, the content identification information and user identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step, and the acquired An output restriction step for restricting the output of the output execution step based on output protection information,
The output restriction step determines whether or not the user is authorized to output the content data included in the output data by the output device, and when it is determined that the user is not authorized to output the content data Content data protection method, which restricts the output of the content. A content data protection method for printing based on print data,
A print data receiving step for receiving print data including content data, content identification information for identifying the content data, and user identification information for identifying a user who requests printing of the content data;
A print execution step for performing printing based on the print data received in the print data reception step;
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring the content identification information and the user identification information from the print data received in the print data reception step;
For each divided area when the content data is divided into a plurality of areas, print protection information defining a user and a printing apparatus that permit or prohibit printing of the divided area is acquired from a print protection information storage means, and the identification information acquisition step A print restriction step for restricting printing in the print execution step based on the content identification information and the user identification information acquired in step 1 and the acquired print protection information,
The printing restriction step determines, for each divided area of the content data included in the print data, whether or not the user has the authority to print the divided area with the printing apparatus, and the user having the printing authority. A content data protection method that restricts printing of the segmented area when it is determined that it is not.

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