JP2005343034A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which enhances security of image data stored therein in a manner being re-printable by specific users. <P>SOLUTION: There is provided a digital copier 100 as the image forming device, which is formed of a personal identification information input means 4 for receiving personal identification information of each user; a person authenticating means 5 for personally authenticating the user by using the personal identification information of the user input via the personal identification information input means 4 and authenticating information; an image forming means 8 for forming an image and printing the same on a recording medium, based on image data; a memory means 6 for storing the printed image data; and a control means 1 operable when the user authentication by the personal authentication means 5 has been successful, for permitting only re-printing of the image data stored in the memory means 6 to the authenticated user, as re-printing by the image forming means 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier, a configuration in which image data once formed and printed on a recording sheet is stored even after the image is formed, and the stored image data is reprinted on the recording sheet is considered. It has been. For example, a printing apparatus is conceivable in which a print job can be reprinted while changing a job attribute such as a job name, job owner name, number of copies, color / monochrome, etc. relating to the saved print job while saving the print job (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a printing apparatus is conceivable that stores print data, displays a list of print data based on attribute information of the print data, and allows a user to select print data to be reprinted by narrowing down attribute information. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

In addition, for security protection, a personal authentication technique for personally authenticating a user based on the user ID and password input of the user is implemented, and the configuration of this personal authentication is applied to a reprintable image forming apparatus. Is considered. For example, an image forming apparatus that creates and manages a storage history of image data based on image formation of a user who has been personally authenticated has been considered (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2001-80143 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-269036 JP 2003-211792 A

  However, in the configuration of the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, when the user performs reprinting, the stored print data of all users including himself is displayed in a list, and thus the user can narrow down the image data stored by himself / herself. There is a risk that the operation of inserting will be complicated.

  In the configuration of the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 3, when a user who has been personally authenticated reprints image data stored at the time of authentication, not only the image data corresponding to the user but also other The image data corresponding to the user can also be reprinted. For this reason, there is a possibility that the security of the image data corresponding to each user is not protected.

  An object of the present invention is to increase the security of image data stored so as to be reprintable corresponding to each user.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1
Personal identification information input means for accepting user personal identification information input;
Personal authentication means for personally authenticating the user using the personal identification information of the user input via the personal identification information input means;
Image forming means for forming and printing an image on a recording medium based on the image data;
Storage means for storing printed image data;
Control that permits only reprinting of image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user as reprinting in the image forming unit when user authentication is successful in the personal authentication unit And means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
Display means for displaying information;
When the authentication is successful, the control means causes the display means to display image identification information for identifying image data stored in the storage means corresponding to the authenticated user. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
The image identification information includes image attribute information including at least one of user identification information, image data name, image data size, and image data format, reduced image data of image data, and printing condition information. It is characterized by including at least one.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect,
The control unit causes the image forming unit to form an image with the image identification information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects,
The control means, when there are a plurality of the image identification information, the order of the image identification information based on the number of times of use of the image data corresponding to the image identification information, storage time or unused time. It rearranges and displays on the said display means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
Comprising an operation means for accepting a user's operation input;
When the authentication is successful, the control means inputs a selection input of image data to be printed out of the image data stored in the storage means corresponding to the authenticated user via the operation means. And receiving the selected image data and causing the image forming means to form an image.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
Comprising an operation means for accepting a user's operation input;
The control unit accepts an input of a print condition via the operation unit when reprinting image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user, and based on the print condition The image forming means forms an image on the image data to be reprinted.

The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An operation means for receiving a user's operation input;
Image transfer means connected to an external device for communication and transferring image data to a transfer destination;
When the authentication is successful, the control unit receives an input of a transfer condition via the operation unit, and is stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user based on the transfer condition. The image data is transferred to a transfer destination by the image transfer means.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The control means selects and deletes image data stored in the storage means corresponding to the authenticated user when the authentication is successful.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is set with an upper limit of the number of image data or the total capacity that can be stored for each user or all users. .

The invention according to claim 11 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The personal identification information input means includes, as personal identification information, at least one biometric information of fingerprint data, iris data, face data, vein data, and voiceprint data, a password, and identification information stored in an electronic authentication tool. , At least one input is received.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the user is personally authenticated using the input personal identification information of the user and the authentication is successful, the storage means corresponds to the authenticated user. Allows reprinting of stored image data only. Therefore, the security of the image data stored in the storage unit so as to be reprintable corresponding to each user can be increased, and another user can be prevented from reprinting the image data by mistake.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the image identification information of the image data stored in the storage unit is displayed corresponding to the authenticated user, the authenticated user The image identification information can be easily confirmed visually.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the authenticated user includes image attribute information including at least one of user identification information, image data name, image data size, and image data format, and a reduced image of the image data. Image identification information including at least one of data and printing condition information can be visually confirmed, and image data can be reliably identified.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the image identification information is formed and printed, the authenticated user can easily visually confirm the image identification information printed on the recording medium.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the order of the image identification information is rearranged and displayed based on the number of times the image data corresponding to each image identification information is used, the storage time, or the time when the image data is not used. The authenticated user can visually confirm the order of the image data based on the number of uses, the storage time, or the time not used.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the image data to be printed selected by the user among the image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user is formed, the authentication is performed. The user can easily select and reprint image data to be reprinted. In particular, when image identification information is displayed, an authenticated user can more easily select and reprint image data to be reprinted based on the image identification information.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user is reprinted based on the newly input printing condition, every time reprinting is performed. Can print under different printing conditions.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user is transferred to the transfer destination based on the input transfer condition. In applications and the like, it is possible to increase the security of image data corresponding to an authenticated user and easily reuse the image data.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the image data stored in the storage means corresponding to the authenticated user is selected and deleted, the free space of the storage means can be increased, and the image data can be Can be prevented from being deleted.

  According to the invention of claim 10, since the upper limit of the number of image data or the total capacity that can be stored corresponding to each user or all users is set, the search efficiency of the image data stored in the storage means is increased. Can be raised. When the upper limit of the number of image data or the total capacity that can be stored corresponding to each user is set, it is possible to prevent each user from occupying the storage area of the storage unit. When the upper limit of the number of image data that can be stored corresponding to all users or the total capacity is set, it is possible to prevent the storage area of the storage unit from being occupied by image data for reprinting.

  According to the invention described in claim 11, at least one biometric information of fingerprint data, iris data, face data, vein data, and voiceprint data, a password, and identification information stored in the electronic authentication tool. Personal authentication can be performed using at least one of the personal identification information. In particular, when a plurality of pieces of personal identification information are used in combination, security can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

  First, the apparatus configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a digital copying machine 100 as an image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes a control unit 1, an operation unit 2, a display unit 3, a personal identification information input unit 4, and a personal authentication unit 5. A storage unit 6, an image input unit 7, an image forming unit 8, an image transfer unit 9, and a time measuring unit 10, which are connected by a bus. The storage unit 6 includes an authentication information storage unit 61 and an image storage unit 62.

  In the present embodiment, a digital copying machine is used as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer, an MFP (Multi Function Printer), or the like can record at least a recording sheet. A device having a function of forming an image on a medium may be used.

  The control unit 1 controls each unit in the digital copying machine 100. The control means 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and develops various programs stored in the ROM into the RAM. Various processes are executed in cooperation with.

  The operation unit 2 includes an input key and the like, receives information input by a user as an input signal, and outputs the input signal to the control unit 1. The display means 3 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various information based on a display signal from the control means 1. The display unit 3 may be integrated with the operation unit 2 to constitute a touch panel.

  The personal identification information input means 4 is a fingerprint sensor, reads the fingerprint of the user's finger, generates fingerprint data as personal identification information for identifying the fingerprint, and outputs it to the control means 1. In the present embodiment, the fingerprint data is read with the finger placed on the screen, but it may be a sweep type that reads by sliding the finger.

  The personal authentication means 5 collates the fingerprint data of the predetermined user input by the personal identification information input means 4 with the fingerprint data of the same registered user stored in the authentication information storage means 61, and the degree of similarity is not less than a predetermined value. The personal authentication is performed by determining whether the fingerprints match. If the similarity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the personal authentication of the user who has input the fingerprint is successful, assuming that the fingerprints match.

  The storage unit 6 includes a ROM from which data can be read, a flash memory from which data can be read and written, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like, and stores various data. The authentication information storage unit 61 stores fingerprint data of registered users as authentication information. The image storage means 62 stores once printed image data as a reprintable print job.

  The image input means 7 is a scanner that reads an image recorded on a document and generates image data of the image. The image input means 7 includes an image reading means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a scanning means for moving the image reading means, and an image processing means for performing various conversions and processes on the signals read by the image reading means. Have

  The image forming unit 8 is a printing unit such as an ink jet type, a laser type, a thermal transfer type, or a dot impact type, and forms an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet based on image data input from the control unit 1. Record. The recording medium on which an image is formed is not limited to recording paper, and a recording medium such as an OHP sheet may be used.

  The image transfer means 9 is constituted by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and transmits / receives data such as image data to / from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) via the communication network N. The communication network N is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), but may be a WAN (Wide Area Network), such as a telephone line network, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line network, a broadband communication line network, a dedicated line, a mobile line. A configuration including a body communication network, a communication satellite line, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line, an optical communication line, a wireless communication line, and an Internet service provider for connecting them may be used.

  The time measuring means 10 measures the current date and time, and outputs the date information and time information to the control means 1.

  Next, the reprint target print job 200 stored in the image storage unit 62 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the print job 200, (a) shows the configuration of the print job 200, and (b) shows the configuration of the image attribute information 210 of the print job 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print job 200 includes image attribute information 210 attributed to the image data 220 and image data (image file) 220 for printing. The image data 220 is information having at least one image to be recorded on one page of the recording medium.

  The image attribute information 210 includes a print job name 211 that identifies the print job, a user ID 212 that identifies the user who saved the print job, a time 213 that indicates the time such as the saved hour, minute, and second, and the year and month of the time 213 Date 214 indicating the date such as date, file name 215 of each print data, file name 215 of image data 220, file size 216 of image data 220, file format 217 of image data 220, and number of reprints The number of uses 218 as a history of.

  The image attribute information 210 includes information such as the number of prints of the image data 220, monochrome / color printing identification information of the image data 220, size information of the recording medium on which the image data 220 is printed, and single-sided / double-sided printing type information. At least one of printing condition information and various types of comment information created by the user in order to identify image data may be added.

  Further, it is assumed that a usable storage capacity is set in advance in the image storage unit 62 for each registered user. Each storage capacity may be the same for each user, or may be different. The authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 61 includes a registered user ID of the registered user and fingerprint data of the user of the registered user ID.

  Next, the operation of the digital copying machine 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the authentication printing process. FIG. 4 shows a normal printing process during the authentication printing process. FIG. 5 shows a reprint process during the authentication print process. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an image identification information list screen example, (a) shows the configuration of the image identification information list screen 300, and (b) shows the configuration of the image identification information list screen 400. FIG. 7 shows a management process during the authentication printing process.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the authentication printing process executed in the digital copying machine 100 will be described. The authentication print process performs personal authentication of the user. When the authentication is successful, the normal print process, reprint process or management process is executed. When reprinting is performed, only the print job corresponding to the authenticated user is selected. This is a process for executing printing.

  In the digital copying machine 100, the control unit 1 starts executing the authentication printing process, triggered by power-on or input of an authentication process execution instruction from the user via the operation unit 2. Hereinafter, the processing entity of each step is assumed to be the control means 1 unless otherwise specified.

  First, an input of a user ID from a user is accepted via the operation means 2 (step S11). Then, the personal authentication unit 5 refers to the registered user ID of the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 61, and determines whether or not the user ID input in step S11 is registered (step S12). . If the user ID is registered (step S12; YES), the user's fingerprint is input via the personal identification information input means 4, and fingerprint data is generated by reading the fingerprint (step S13).

  Then, the personal authentication means 5 refers to the fingerprint data of the user ID input in step S11 of the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means 61, and collates it with the fingerprint data input in step S12. It is determined whether or not they match (step S14). If the user ID is not registered (step S12; NO), or if the fingerprints do not match (step S14; NO), whether or not the end of personal authentication has been input depending on the presence or absence of the personal authentication end input via the operation means 2 Is determined (step S15).

  If the personal authentication is not terminated (step S15; NO), the process proceeds to step S11. When the personal authentication is to be terminated (step S15; YES), the user's personal authentication has failed and the user has not been authenticated. Therefore, various limited functions are executed in the digital copying machine 100 (step S16), and authentication printing is performed. Processing is terminated. That is, a user who has not been authenticated can use only the digital copying machine 100 in a state where the functions are limited. The function-restricted state means, for example, a state in which an unauthenticated user cannot reprint at least a print job stored in the storage unit 6, cannot access the storage unit 6, and cannot access the communication network N. Alternatively, the image forming operation may be limited. A user who has not been authenticated may not be able to use all the functions of the digital copying machine 100.

  If the fingerprints match (step S14; YES), the user's personal authentication is successful, and selection input of various processes to be executed via the operation means 2 is accepted (step S17). As the various processes, a configuration in which any one of the normal printing process, the reprinting process, and the management process is selected will be described. However, other processes may be executed in a selectable manner. Then, it is determined what is the process to be executed that is input in step S17 (step S18). When the process to be executed is the normal printing process (step S18; normal printing), the normal printing process is executed (step S19). The normal printing process will be described in detail later.

  Then, whether or not to end the execution of the various processes is determined based on the presence or absence of various process execution end inputs from the user via the operation means 2 (step S20). When the execution of various processes is not completed (step S20; NO), the process proceeds to step S17. When the execution of various processes ends (step S20; YES), the authentication printing process ends.

  When the process to be executed is the reprint process (step S18; reprint), the reprint process is executed (step S21), and the process proceeds to step S20. When the process to be executed is a management process (step S18; management), the management process is executed (step S22), and the process proceeds to step S20. The reprint process and the management process will be described in detail later.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the normal shooting process in step S19 of the authentication shooting process will be described. First, a print job to be printed is input (step S191). For example, a document is read by the image input unit 7 to generate image data, and a print job is generated and input by the image data and image attribute information such as print condition information input via the operation unit 2. Is done. Alternatively, the image data may be received from an external device on the communication network N via the image transfer unit 9, and a print job may be generated and input based on the image data and the image attribute information. The print job may be received from the external device.

  Then, the image forming unit 8 prints an image on a recording medium based on the input print job (step S192). Then, it is determined whether or not the print job printed in step S192 can be stored in the image storage unit 62 (step S193). Whether or not a print job can be stored is determined by whether or not there is enough free storage capacity corresponding to the authenticated user, whether or not a print job less than a predetermined number is stored, etc. Based on. If the print job cannot be saved (step S193; NO), a print job deletion warning screen indicating that the print job stored in the image storage unit 62 needs to be deleted in order to newly save the print job is displayed. It is displayed on the means 3 (step S194). The print jobs that can be deleted are only those corresponding to authenticated users.

  Then, a selection input of a print job to be deleted is accepted via the operation unit 2 (step S195). At this time, a list of print jobs corresponding to the authenticated user stored in the image storage unit 62 is displayed on the display unit 3. This screen may be an image identification information list screen described later. The number and size of print jobs to be selected are on condition that a sufficient free space for inputting a new print job is generated in the image storage means 62 by deletion.

  In step S195, it is determined whether or not a print job to be deleted has been input (step S196). If there is a selection input for the print job to be deleted (step S196; YES), the selected print job is deleted from the image storage means 62 (step S197). Then, the current date information and time information are acquired from the time measuring means 10, and the date and time, the user ID of the authenticated user, and the like are written in the image attribute information of the print job printed in step S191. The print job is stored in the image storage means 62 (step S198), the normal printing process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S20.

  If the print job can be saved (step S193; YES), the process proceeds to step S198. If there is no selection input of the print job to be deleted (step S196; NO), the image storage unit 62 automatically starts the stored print jobs corresponding to the authenticated user in order from the oldest stored time. (Step S199), and the process proceeds to step S198. In addition, the number and size of print jobs to be automatically deleted are conditioned on the fact that, in order from the oldest storage time, a sufficient free capacity for inputting a new print job is generated by the deletion.

  Next, the reprinting process in step S21 of the authentication photographing process will be described with reference to FIG. First, image identification information of each print job corresponding to the user ID of the authenticated user is acquired (step S211). The image identification information is information for identifying the image of the print job, such as the image attribute information in the print job as described in FIG. 2 or the thumbnail of the first image in the image data of the print job. In step S211, when acquiring the image attribute information, the image attribute information is read and acquired from the image attribute information in the print job stored in the image storage unit 62. When obtaining a thumbnail, the first (or other one) image of the image data in the print job is reduced and the thumbnail is generated and obtained.

  Then, an image identification information list screen for all acquired print jobs is generated (step S212). Then, the generated image identification information list screen of all print jobs is displayed on the display means 3 (step S213). FIG. 6 shows an example of the image identification information list screen. FIG. 6A shows an image identification information list screen 300 corresponding to the authenticated user A. On the image identification information list screen 300, for each of the print jobs J1, J2, J3, J4... Stored in the image storage means 62 corresponding to the user A, a user name as image identification information and a storage name are stored. The time and date, and the file name are displayed. The print jobs J1, J2, J3, J4... Are displayed in order from the top to the bottom, from the most frequently used image attribute information to the least.

  FIG. 6B shows an image identification information list screen 400 as another example. The image identification information list screen 400 displays thumbnails T1, T2, T3... Of the first image of the image data of each print job stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to the authenticated user A. Although not displayed on the screen, the thumbnails T1, T2, T3,... Are arranged in order from the left to the right from the most frequently used image attribute information.

  The image identification information list screen may be configured such that the image forming unit 8 can form an image on a recording medium and print it. According to this configuration, the authenticated user can easily visually confirm the image identification information printed on the recording medium.

  Then, selection input of at least one print job to be executed from the print job displayed on the image identification information list screen and input of print condition information are accepted via the operation unit 2 (step S214). The selected print job is executed by the image forming unit 8 based on the input print condition information, and is printed by forming an image on the storage medium (step S215). Then, the use count of the image attribute information of the reprinted print job is incremented by +1, the reprinted print job is stored (overwritten) in the image storage unit 62 (step S216), and the reprint processing is completed. Then, the process proceeds to step S20.

  Next, the management process in step S22 of the authentication shooting process will be described with reference to FIG. First, steps S221 to S223 are executed. Steps S221 to S223 are the same as steps S211 to S213 of the reprint process, respectively. Then, selection input of at least one print job to be deleted from the print job displayed on the image identification information list screen or transferred to an external device and an input to the effect of deletion or transfer are accepted via the operation unit 2. (Step S224). In the case of transfer, transfer conditions such as the transfer destination external device, application address, and transfer method are also input. At the transfer destination, the received print job can be used. For example, image data in a print job can be attached and sent by e-mail or fax.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the operation input in step S224 is deletion of the print job (step S225). If the print job is to be deleted (step S225; YES), the print job selected in step S224 is deleted from the image storage means 62 (step S226), the management process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S20.

  If the print job is not deleted (step S225; NO), it is a print job transfer, and the print job selected in step S224 is image transfer means based on the transfer destination address based on the input transfer condition. 9 and the communication network N are transferred to the external device or application of the transfer destination (step S227), the management process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S20.

  Note that the transfer destination of the print job may be a portable memory card or a portable HDD that is detachable from the digital copying machine 100.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the digital copying machine 100, the personal authentication means 5 personally authenticates the user using the user's fingerprint data input via the personal identification information input means 4, When the authentication is successful, the image forming unit 8 is permitted to reprint only the print job stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to the authenticated user. Therefore, it is possible to increase the security of the print job stored in the image storage unit 62 so that it can be reprinted corresponding to each user, and another user erroneously executes (reprints) the print job. Can be prevented.

  In addition, since the list of image identification information of the print job stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to the authenticated user is displayed, the authenticated user can visually check the image identification information of the reprintable print job. Can be easily confirmed.

  Further, as image identification information, image identification information including any one of a user ID, image attribute information including the file name of the image data (image file), file size and file format, and a thumbnail of the image data is displayed. Therefore, the authenticated user can visually confirm the image identification information, and can reliably identify the image data (print job).

  Further, since the order of each image identification information is rearranged and displayed based on the number of times of use (printing number) of the print job corresponding to each image identification information, the authenticated user can perform the order of the print job based on the number of times of use. Can be confirmed visually. Further, the usage count may be incremented not only in the printing count but also in other processes such as referring to data contents.

  In addition, based on the image identification information list screen displayed on the display unit 3, among the print jobs stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to the authenticated user, the print target selected by the user is printed. Since the job is executed (printed), an authenticated user can easily select and reprint image data to be reprinted.

  Further, since the print job stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to the authenticated user is reprinted based on the newly input print condition, printing can be performed with a different print condition each time reprinting is performed.

  Further, since the image data stored in the image storage means 62 corresponding to the authenticated user is transferred to the external device or application of the transfer destination designated by the user, the authenticated user at the transfer destination The security of print jobs corresponding to the above can be enhanced and reused easily.

  In addition, the print job stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to the authenticated user can be deleted automatically or manually, so that the free capacity of the image storage unit 62 can be generated or increased and stored. It is possible to prevent the print job from being deleted by another user.

  Further, since the upper limit of the number of print jobs or the total capacity that can be stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to each user is set, the search efficiency of the image data stored in the image storage unit 62 can be improved. Thus, the occupation of the storage area of the image storage means 62 by each user can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, the personal authentication is performed based on the password input via the operation unit 2 and the fingerprint data input via the personal identification information input unit 4. It is not limited. For example, at least one of at least one biometric information of fingerprint data, iris data, face data, vein data, and voiceprint data, a password, and identification information stored in an electronic authentication tool such as an IC card It may be configured to perform personal authentication using personal identification information. In particular, when a plurality of pieces of personal identification information are used in combination, security can be further increased.

  In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of image data or the total capacity that can be stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to each user is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of image data that can be stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to all users or an upper limit of the total capacity may be set. According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the search efficiency of the print job stored in the image storage unit 62 and to prevent the storage area of the image storage unit 62 from being occupied by a reprint print job.

  When the upper limit of the number or total capacity of image data that can be stored in the image storage unit 62 for all users is set, it is input and stored in the image storage unit 62 from the image input unit 7 and image transfer unit 9, A configuration may be adopted in which an old print job is automatically deleted when a predetermined storage capacity is stored. When the print job is deleted or before it is deleted, an e-mail indicating a deletion warning is delivered to the user corresponding to the print job to be deleted or the user terminal owned by the user via the image transfer means 9 A message may be distributed to a print job to be deleted, or a print job to be deleted may be transferred to a designated location designated by the corresponding user and then deleted.

  In this embodiment, each authenticated user can reprint, delete, or transfer the print job stored in the image storage unit 62 corresponding to the user. A configuration may be adopted in which all print jobs stored in the means 62 can be reprinted, deleted, or transferred.

  In this embodiment, the order of the print job rearrangement in the image identification information list display is set based on the large number of uses. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as a structure set based on what is old or the elapsed time after using last is short. In this embodiment, the order of automatic deletion of print jobs is set based on the fact that the initial storage time of the print job is old. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of uses is small. Alternatively, it may be configured to be set on the basis of a long elapsed time since the last use.

  The print job stored in the image storage unit 62 may be automatically deleted after a predetermined period from the storage time or the last used time.

  In this embodiment, the image attribute information and the image data are combined to form a print job, and the print job is used as a unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The image attribute information and the image data may be used separately.

  The description in the above embodiment shows an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print job 200. FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print job 200. FIG. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image attribute information 210 of the print job 200. It is a flowchart which shows an authentication printing process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating normal printing processing during authentication printing processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a reprint process during an authentication print process. It is a figure which shows the structure of the example of an image identification information list screen. (A) is a figure which shows the structure of the image identification information list screen 300. FIG. (B) is a diagram showing the configuration of the image identification information list screen 400. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the management process in authentication printing process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital copying machine 1 Control means 2 Operation means 3 Display means 4 Personal identification information input means 5 Personal authentication means 6 Storage means 61 Authentication information storage means 62 Image storage means 7 Image input means 8 Image formation means 9 Image transfer means 10 Timing means

Claims (11)

Personal identification information input means for accepting user personal identification information input;
Personal authentication means for personally authenticating the user using the personal identification information of the user input via the personal identification information input means;
Image forming means for forming and printing an image on a recording medium based on the image data;
Storage means for storing printed image data;
Control that permits only reprinting of image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user as reprinting in the image forming unit when user authentication is successful in the personal authentication unit And an image forming apparatus. Display means for displaying information;
When the authentication is successful, the control unit causes the display unit to display image identification information for identifying image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image identification information includes image attribute information including at least one of user identification information, image data name, image data size, and image data format, reduced image data of image data, and printing condition information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, comprising at least one.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the image forming unit to form an image with the image identification information.   The control means, when there are a plurality of the image identification information, the order of the image identification information based on the number of times of use of the image data corresponding to the image identification information, storage time or unused time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus rearranges and displays the images on the display unit. Comprising an operation means for accepting a user's operation input;
When the authentication is successful, the control means inputs a selection input of image data to be printed out of the image data stored in the storage means corresponding to the authenticated user via the operation means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit receives the selected image data and causes the image forming unit to form an image. Comprising an operation means for accepting a user's operation input;
The control unit accepts an input of a print condition via the operation unit when reprinting image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user, and based on the print condition 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit forms an image with the image data to be reprinted. An operation means for receiving a user operation input;
Image transfer means connected to an external device for communication and transferring image data to a transfer destination;
When the authentication is successful, the control unit accepts an input of a transfer condition via the operation unit, and is stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user based on the transfer condition. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data is transferred to a transfer destination by the image transfer unit.   9. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the authentication is successful, the control unit selects and deletes the image data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the authenticated user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is set with an upper limit of the number of image data or the total capacity that can be stored for each user or all users. .   The personal identification information input means includes, as personal identification information, at least one biometric information of fingerprint data, iris data, face data, vein data, and voiceprint data, a password, and identification information stored in an electronic authentication tool. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one input is received.

Images