JP2006157203A - Copy control apparatus, copy control method, recording medium, program, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology of eliminating the need for a user to notify payment every time the user copies copy information. <P>SOLUTION: A counter value information acquisition section 215 acquires counter value information including information related to a value of copy information from a first recording medium for recording the copy information of a copy object, a value information acquisition section 220 acquires value information including information related to a value of a second recording medium from the second recording medium being a copy destination of the copy information, and a controller unit 216 discriminates the propriety of a copy of the copy information with respect to the second recording medium on the basis of the counter value information and the value information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology capable of copying copy information to a recording medium corresponding to the price of the copy information when copying copy information such as a copyrighted work.

  Conventionally, in order to pay a usage fee for a copyrighted work or the like, a predetermined amount is paid or conditions are determined by directly negotiating with the copyright holder. In addition, third-party organizations such as the Japan Copy Rights Center collect fees for use and distribute them to copyright holders. It is desired that the company pays the usage fee to be paid from the viewpoint of legal compliance and does not have to worry about the usage fee every time it is copied.

  On the other hand, for a copyrighted work that can be a copied manuscript, charging information is charged to the user using a network for copying, and copying of images and documents mediated by electronic data. Systems have been proposed in which compensation is collected indirectly via a print medium (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2003-69768 A JP 2004-62706 A

  However, according to the copyrighted material copying system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to charge a fee related to the use of the copyrighted work, but a network is constructed because communication with the rights holder server is required. Must. Further, according to the data distribution method disclosed in Patent Document 2, since no special processing is performed on the output duplicate, further duplication of the duplicate can be easily performed with a copy machine or the like.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for paying attention every time copy information is copied.

  Also, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity of constructing a communication network in particular in order to charge a copyright usage fee, for example.

  Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to manage the payment of the copyright fee for, for example, further copying of a copy.

  The copy control device of the present invention includes a first acquisition unit that acquires consideration information including information related to value of the copy information from a first recording medium on which the copy information to be copied is recorded, and the copy information Second acquisition means for acquiring value information including information related to value of the second recording medium from a second recording medium serving as a copy destination of the second recording medium, based on the consideration information and the value information, And determining means for determining whether or not the copy information can be copied to the second recording medium.

  The copy control method of the present invention is a copy control apparatus connected to an external device via a communication network, and receives a copy information to be copied from the external device, and is added to the copy information. Further, the first acquisition means for acquiring the value information including the information related to the value of the copy information, and the value information including the information related to the value of the recording medium from the recording medium to which the copy information is copied And a determination means for determining whether or not the copy information can be copied to the recording medium based on the consideration information and the value information.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium capable of recording copy information to be copied, and a compensation information recording unit capable of recording compensation information including information related to the value of the recorded copy information, And a value information recording unit capable of recording value information including information related to value recording on the recording medium.

  The copy control method of the present invention is a copy control method by a copy control device, and obtains consideration information including information relating to the value of the copy information from a first recording medium on which the copy information to be copied is recorded. And obtaining from the second recording medium that is the copy destination of the copy information, value information including information related to value of the second recording medium, and based on the consideration information and the value information And a determination step of determining whether or not the copy information can be copied to the second recording medium.

  A program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the copy control method.

  The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is characterized in that the program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the copy information can be copied based on the consideration information including information related to the value of the copy information and the value information of the second recording medium to which the copy information is copied. Since the second recording medium is purchased, the copy information corresponding to the value information has already been paid for, for example, the copyright fee, so it is necessary to be aware of the payment every time the copy information is copied. Disappear.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the copy control apparatus has paid for the value of the copy information such as the copyright fee, and the determination of whether or not copying is possible is made based on the determination result. Thus, for example, it is not necessary to construct a communication network in particular in order to charge a copyright usage fee.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the compensation information including information related to the value of the copy information recorded on the first recording medium is provided to the second recording medium. On the other hand, it becomes possible to manage the payment of the copyright usage fee.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments to which the invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numerals 101-1 and 101-2 are information processing apparatuses such as personal computers used by the user, and can instruct the image forming apparatus 102 described later to print data created using an application.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes an image forming apparatus that outputs an image when there is a print instruction from the information processing apparatuses 101-1 and 101-2. In addition to printing according to a print instruction from the information processing apparatus, the document scanning apparatus 102-1 also has a copy function for scanning a document and outputting the contents to a discharge tray 102-3. Reference numeral 102-2 denotes a paper feed tray in which output paper is stored.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a print management server, which holds all information for defining content copying processing, and distributes information to the image forming apparatus 102 upon receiving an inquiry.

  A network 104 connects the information processing apparatuses 101-1 and 101-2, the image forming apparatus 102, and the print management server 103 to each other. The network 104 is typically a LAN, WAN, Internet, telephone line, dedicated digital line, ATM, frame relay line, communication satellite line, cable TV line, wireless line for data broadcasting, or the like. As long as it is a so-called communication network realized by a combination of the above and the data can be transmitted and received between each other, the wired / wireless form is not limited.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is the image forming apparatus 102 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  The controller unit 216 prints data on a scanner 214, which is an example of an image input device that reads and inputs data printed on paper (hereinafter referred to as an original), or on paper (hereinafter referred to as output paper). Are connected to a printer 212, which is an example of an image output device to be output, and connected to the LAN 103 or the public network 221 to input / output image information and device information.

  The consideration information attached to the document on which the content to be copied is recorded is acquired by the consideration information acquisition unit 215 connected to the scanner 214. Also, a consideration information adding unit 221 is connected to the scanner 214, and the consideration information adding unit 221 updates the consideration information recorded on the original.

  The value information attached on the output sheet is acquired by the value information acquisition unit 220 connected to the printer 212. The printer 212 is connected with a consideration information adding unit / value information deleting unit 217, and the consideration information adding unit / value information deleting unit 217 updates the value information recorded on the output sheet and deletes the value information. The consideration information acquisition unit 215, the consideration information addition unit 221, the value information acquisition unit 220, and the consideration information addition unit / value information deletion unit 217, for example, have an IC tag R / W (reader / reader) that can rewrite information by communication. Writer). Further, the scanner 214 is connected to the document reading device 102-1, and the printer 212 is connected to the paper feed tray 102-2 and the paper discharge tray 102-3. In the following description, the consideration information addition unit / value information deletion unit 217 will be appropriately referred to as the consideration information addition unit 217 or the value information deletion unit 217.

  The CPU 201 is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 202 is a system work memory for the CPU 201 to operate, and is also a program memory for storing a program, and a memory for temporarily storing image data, consideration information, and the like. A ROM 203 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The HDD 204 is a hard disk drive, which stores system software and image data, and is also used for storing a list of categories set at the time of copying.

  A network I / F 205 is connected to the LAN 103 and inputs / outputs information to / from an external device connected via the LAN 103. The modem 206 is connected to the public line network 221 and inputs / outputs information to / from an external device connected via the public line network 221. An operation unit I / F 207 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 208 and outputs image data to be displayed to the operation unit 208. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 208 to the CPU 201. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 209 as shown in FIG.

  The image bus I / F 218 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 209 and an image bus 219 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure. The image bus 215 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 219.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 210 develops a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer I / F 211 connects a printer 212, which is an example of an image output device, and a controller unit 216. The scanner I / F 213 connects a scanner 214 that is an example of an image input device and a controller unit 216. The printer I / F 211 and scanner I / F 213 perform synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatuses 101-1 and 101-2 and the print management server 103 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  A CPU 301 controls the entire computer using programs and data stored in the RAM 302 and the ROM 303, and also handles the information processing apparatuses 101-1 and 101-2 and the print management server 103 to which the present computer is applied. Each process to be described later is executed.

  A RAM 302 has an area for temporarily storing programs and data loaded from the HDD 304 and a work area used by the CPU 301 to perform various processes.

  A ROM 303 stores a computer boot program, BIOS, and the like. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304 is a program for causing the CPU 301 to execute processing described later performed by the OS (Operating System), the information processing apparatuses 101-1 and 101-2 to which the computer is applied, and the print management server 103. Are stored in the RAM 302 under the control of the CPU 301 as necessary.

  Reference numeral 305 denotes a network I / F (interface) for connecting the computer to the network 104. The computer can perform data communication with an external computer or the like via the network I / F 305. A storage medium drive 306 includes a CD-ROM, CD-R / RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R / RW, DVD-RAM, and the like.

  A pointing device 307 and a keyboard 308 can input various instructions to the CPU 301. These function as an input unit. Reference numeral 309 denotes a video I / F (interface) to which the display device 310 is connected. The display device 310 includes a CRT, a liquid crystal screen, and the like, and has a function of displaying characters, images, and the like on a display screen based on a signal transmitted via the video I / F 309.

  Reference numeral 311 denotes an external device I / F (interface), which is a port for connecting a peripheral device to the computer. The computer can send and receive data to and from the peripheral device via the external device I / F 311. The external device I / F 311 is configured by, for example, USB, IEEE1394, or the like, and usually includes a plurality of external devices I / F. The connection form with the peripheral device may be wired / wireless. Reference numeral 312 denotes a system bus, which functions as a bus connecting the above-described units.

  Next, the configuration of a document or output paper used in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a document or output paper used in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a document or output paper is provided with recording media for recording information at two corners. This recording medium may be built in the document or output paper, or may be arranged on the surface. An IC tag can be cited as a suitable recording medium, but any recording medium capable of recording information in the same manner as an IC tag such as a digital watermark or a barcode can be applied to the present invention. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a document or output paper to which an IC tag is applied is used. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration when the digital watermark technique is applied to a document or output paper. Similar to FIG. 6, the configuration of the document or the like shown in FIG. 11 includes information recording areas to which digital watermark technology for recording information is applied at two corners. A digital watermark indicating value information and value information is embedded.

  In this example, “original” and “output paper” are distinguished from each other, but for example, “output paper” once copied with content is later applied to other “output paper”. The term may be used as a “document” for copying content, and these terms are appropriately changed for the same sheet according to its use.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall processing of the image forming apparatus 102 in this embodiment.

  When a content copying command is issued, the CPU 201 identifies in step S2120 whether or not compensation information is attached to the document on which the content to be copied is recorded. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the consideration information is acquired by the consideration information acquisition unit 215 from an IC tag that can be rewritten on the document or in the information, and the value class is read from the acquired consideration information. In this case, it is determined that the consideration information is attached to the document. On the other hand, for example, when the IC tag itself does not exist on the original and the consideration information itself cannot be acquired from the IC tag, or when the value class cannot be read from the acquired consideration information, the consideration information is attached to the original. Judge that it is not.

  As a result of the identification process in step S2120, if it is determined that no consideration information is attached (step S2121 / NO), the CPU 201 performs a normal copying process in step S2122 and ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the consideration information has been attached (step S2121 / YES), the CPU 201 temporarily stores the consideration information in the work area such as the RAM 202, and proceeds to the value information identification process in step S2123.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the consideration information. The consideration information in this embodiment includes a category ID, a value class, and the number of times of copying, as shown in FIG. The category ID is identification information for distinguishing copy processing of content on a document. The value class indicates the value class of the content on the document. Here, four value classes of A, B, C, and D are used. The number of copies indicates the number of copies of the content recorded on the document.

  In step S2123, the CPU 201 identifies whether value information is given on the output paper. Specifically, it is determined that the value information is given when the value information is read by the consideration information acquisition unit 215 from an rewritable IC tag of information provided on or inside the output sheet. On the other hand, for example, when the IC tag itself does not exist on the output sheet or the value information cannot be read from the IC tag, it is determined that the value information is not given.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of value information. The value information in the present embodiment is information including a value class as shown in FIG. The value class in the value information indicates the value class of the output sheet itself, and the four value classes A, B, C, and D are used in the same manner as the value class in the value information.

  As a result of the identification processing in step S2123, if it is determined that value information is not given (step S2124 / NO), the CPU 201 must set a corresponding output sheet as shown in FIG. An error message 121 indicating that the printing process cannot be performed is displayed (step S2128), and the process ends. In step S 2128, if a counter for the number of times of copying processing is prepared for charging in the image forming apparatus 102, it is possible to charge by passing the consideration information in the document to the image forming apparatus 102. become. That is, by counting the number of times of copying the content of the document and storing the number of times of copying and the value class in the consideration information in association with each other, one copy of the value class associated with the number of times of copying and the number of times of copying is stored. It is possible to charge by multiplying the fee per copying process. In addition, if the identification information of the copyright owner of the content is further included in the consideration information to be passed to the image forming apparatus 102, it is possible to distribute the copyright usage fee for each content to the corresponding copyright holder after charging. It becomes.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2124 that value information has been assigned (step S2124 / YES), the CPU 201 permits copying of the relationship between the value information and the consideration information temporarily stored in step S2121. The conditions are checked (step S2125). The copy permission condition information indicating the copy permission condition indicates the content as shown in FIG. 10, for example, and the value class is higher in the order of A, B, C, and D (A> B> C> D in the figure), In addition, it is defined that copying is permitted when the value class in the value information is equal to or less than the value class in the value information (in the figure, value information ≦ value information). Note that the duplication permission condition information is, for example, information stored in the HDD 204 and read by the CPU 201 in step S2125. In the present embodiment, the duplication permission condition is that the value class in the consideration information is equal to or less than the value class in the value information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various duplication permission conditions can be adopted. is there.

  In step S2126, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the relationship between the value class in the value information and the value class in the value information satisfies the copy permission condition as a result of the comparison with the copy permission condition in step S2125. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the copy permission condition is not satisfied (step S2126 / NO), the process proceeds to step S2128 as in the case where it is determined in step S2124 that value information is not provided on the output sheet. Proceed to On the other hand, if the copy permission condition is satisfied (step S2126 / YES), the content on the document is copied onto the output paper.

  In this embodiment, a case where there is one paper feed tray and only one value information acquisition unit 220 is provided corresponding to the paper feed tray is given as an example, and is attached to the output paper. If the value class in the value information does not satisfy the duplication permission condition, the process proceeds to step S2128. However, there are a plurality of paper feed trays, and a value information acquisition unit corresponding to each paper feed tray is provided. When there are a plurality of 220, it is also possible to execute the processing of step S2125 and step S2126 for all value information acquired by each value information acquisition unit 220. Therefore, if there are a plurality of items satisfying the duplication permission condition, the output process of step S2127 is executed using the output sheet corresponding to the optimum value information among the plurality of value information satisfying the duplication permission condition, If the value information does not satisfy the copy permission condition, the process can be configured to proceed to step S2128. When there is a plurality of value information satisfying the duplication permission condition, and the optimum value information is judged from among them, the value information having the value class closest to the value class in the consideration information can be selected as the optimum value information. (For example, if the value class in the consideration information is C and the value classes of the plurality of value information are A, B, and C, the value information of the value class C is set as the optimum value information).

  Next, output processing when copying content recorded on a document will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of step S2127 of FIG.

  The CPU 201 identifies the category ID in the consideration information acquired in step S2120 (step S3101), and then checks whether the category ID exists in the category list (step S3102). Assume that the category list is stored in the HDD 204 of the image forming apparatus 102. A configuration example of the category list is shown in FIG. The category ID in the consideration information defines a process for copying content.

  If the category ID does not exist in the category list (step S3102 / YES), the CPU 201 makes an inquiry to the category DB stored in the HDD 304 of the print management server 103 via the network 103, and the category. Information associated with the ID is acquired. As a result, even when consideration information including category IDs that are not yet stored in the category list in the image forming apparatus 102 is acquired in step S2120, the category DB in the print management server 103 that retains information on all category IDs is stored. Since it is possible to acquire information corresponding to the ID, it is possible to cope with a document having consideration information including a category ID that is new to the image forming apparatus 102 as an object of print processing.

  The contents acquired in steps S3103 and S3104 are temporarily stored in a work area such as the RAM 202. The subsequent processing is performed according to the contents temporarily stored here.

  In step S3105, the CPU 201 determines whether printing is possible. For example, if the consideration information acquired in step S2120 is consideration information in which the category ID is 102, the value class is B, and the number of times of copying is 3, the consideration information shown in FIG. 7 is based on the category ID 102 in step S3103 or step S3104. Thus, the information “copying is limited to three times” is acquired (FIG. 9). The content on the document has already been copied three times as indicated by the number of copies in the consideration information. Accordingly, it is determined that the content cannot be copied. For example, a message 141 indicating that the copy is restricted is displayed on the operation unit 208 as shown in FIG. 14, and the processing ends without performing the copying process. To do.

  In step S3106, the CPU 201 determines whether or not to change the value class. For example, if the consideration information acquired in step S2120 is consideration information in which the category ID is 101, the value class is B, and the number of times of copying is 9, the consideration information shown in FIG. 7 is based on the category ID 101 in step S3103 or step S3104. Then, information of the content of “decrease the value class by one by copying 10 times or more” is acquired (FIG. 9). The content on the document has already been copied nine times as indicated by the number of copies in the consideration information. Accordingly, since this time is the tenth copy process, the value class is lowered from B to C, and the value class of C is overwritten on the value information in the IC tag on the document by the value information adding unit 221. In this way, when the content on the document is copied a predetermined number of times, the value class in the value information of the document is lowered, so that when the content of the document is subsequently copied, the value class is lower than the original. That is, it is possible to cope with an inexpensive output sheet, and the value of the content can be controlled according to the number of times the content is copied.

  In step S3108, the CPU 201 determines whether to add the number of copies. For example, if the consideration information acquired in step S2120 is any of the consideration information shown in FIG. 7, the number of copies added by 1 by the consideration information update unit 221 is the consideration in the IC tag on the document. Information is overwritten. Although not shown in FIG. 7, if the category ID in the consideration information corresponds to the information “do not add the number of copies”, the number of copies as described above is not updated. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is possible to further include identification information of the copyright holder of the content in the consideration information.

  In step S3110, the CPU 201 determines whether to delete the value information on the output paper. If the consideration information acquired in step S2120 is consideration information with the category ID 103, the value class C, and the number of copyings 3 in the consideration information shown in FIG. 7, based on the category ID 103 in step S3103 or step S3104, “ Information indicating that “value information is not deleted” is acquired (FIG. 9). The value information on the output sheet is not deleted by the price information adding unit 221 for the price information including the category ID 103. On the other hand, if the category ID is consideration information other than 103, the value information on the output sheet is deleted by the value information deletion unit 217 in step S3111. In this way, when the value information on the output paper is deleted and the content is to be copied again on the output paper, the process branches from step S2124 to step S2128 in FIG. It becomes possible to prevent the content from being copied again.

  Here, a sheet is taken as an example of the content recording medium, and normally, once the content is copied on the paper, the content is not copied again on the same paper. However, this embodiment can also be applied to a recording medium such as a CD-R / W that can read and write electronic data, and by deleting the value information in the recording medium on the output side as described above. This makes it possible to prevent overwriting of the recording medium once the electronic data is copied.

  In subsequent step S3112, for example, a corresponding sheet as shown in FIG. 13 is already set and a message 131 indicating that printing is possible is displayed on the operation unit 208, and the printer 212 copies the content on the document. Processing is performed on the output paper and output. At the time of this output processing, the value information adding unit 217 writes the value class in the value information recorded on the original to the value information recording unit on the output sheet.

  Further, in the present embodiment, category IDs that define various content copying processes can be applied in addition to the category IDs shown in FIG. For example, a category ID specifying that “copying of the content from the output paper on which the content is copied is allowed 10 times” is cited. When the content on the document on which the compensation information including the category ID is recorded is copied, the compensation information adding unit 217 defines that the content is copied only 10 times based on the consideration information. Compensation information including is added to the output paper. As a result, when this output sheet is used later as a document, it is possible to give a restriction that the content on the output sheet can be copied up to 10 times. Further, a category ID that prescribes that “copying of the content from the output paper on which the content is copied is not permitted” is also included. When the content on the document on which the compensation information including the category ID is recorded is copied, the compensation information adding unit 217 sets a category ID that defines that “copying of the content is not permitted” based on the compensation information. Compensation information including it is given to the output paper. As a result, when this output sheet is used later as a document, it is possible to restrict the copying of the content on the output sheet.

  Note that the processing order of step S3106, step S3108, and step SS3110 is out of order, and step S3107, step S3109, and step S3111 may be processed each time, or may be processed simultaneously with the output processing of step S3112. Also good.

  In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 102 receives output data (copy information) including consideration information from the information processing apparatuses 101-1 and 101-2 via the network 104, the image forming apparatus 102 outputs the output data. The value information of the output document set on the paper feed tray 102-2 is acquired, and the corresponding information is similarly determined depending on whether or not the relationship between the acquired price information and the value information satisfies the duplication permission condition. It is possible to control copying of output data.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 determines whether or not the content can be copied based on the value information of the content on the document and the value information of the output paper. Therefore, when the copying process of the content is permitted, the copyright usage fee for the content has been paid with the purchase of the output sheet. That is, when the output sheet is purchased, the amount including the copyright fee for the content has already been paid. Therefore, the user does not need to be aware of the payment of the copyright usage fee each time content is copied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 makes a determination as to whether or not the copyright fee (content value) has been paid, and determines whether or not copying is possible based on the determination result. Therefore, it is not necessary to construct a communication network in particular in order to charge the copyright usage fee.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the compensation information including the compensation class of the content recorded on the document is also given to the output paper. Therefore, when the output paper is used as a manuscript and the content is copied, It becomes possible to manage the payment of the right usage fee.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus and a print management server. 3 is a flowchart showing overall processing of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S212 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a manuscript or output paper. It is a figure which shows the structural example of consideration information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of value information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a category list. It is a figure which shows the structural example of duplication permission condition information. It is a figure which shows the structural example at the time of applying a digital watermark technique to a manuscript or output paper. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

101-1 and 101-2: Information processing apparatus 102: Image forming apparatus 102-1: Document reading apparatus 102-2: Paper feed tray 102-3: Paper discharge tray 103: Print management server 104: Network 201: CPU
202: ROM
203: Network I / F
204: HDD
205: Network I / F
206: Modem 207: Operation unit I / F
208: Operation unit 209: System bus 210: Raster image processor 211: Printer I / F
212: Printer 213: Scanner I / F
214: Scanner 215: Consideration information acquisition unit 216: Controller unit 217: Consideration information addition unit / value information deletion unit 218: Image bus I / F
219: Image bus 220: Value information acquisition unit 221: Consideration information update unit

Claims (12)

First acquisition means for acquiring consideration information including information relating to value of the copy information from a first recording medium in which copy information to be copied is recorded;
Second acquisition means for acquiring value information including information relating to value recording of the second recording medium from a second recording medium serving as a copy destination of the copy information;
A copy control apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the copy information can be copied to the second recording medium based on the consideration information and the value information.   The determination means is configured to copy the second recording medium according to whether or not a relationship between information relating to the value of the copy information and information relating to the value of the second recording medium satisfies a predetermined condition. 2. The copy control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not information can be copied is determined.   3. The copy control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising consideration information adding means for giving consideration information including information related to value of the copying information to the second recording medium.   The apparatus further comprises value information deleting means for deleting the value information from the second recording medium when the determining means determines that the copy information can be copied to the second recording medium. Item 4. The copy control apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. Compensation information updating means for updating the copy number information indicating the number of copies of the copy information included in the consideration information every time the copy information is copied,
5. The compensation information update unit further updates information related to value of the copy information when the copy number information is updated to information indicating a predetermined number of times. The copy control device according to item.   The recording apparatus further comprises recording means for recording the copy information on the second recording medium when the determination means determines that the copy information can be copied on the second recording medium. Item 6. The copy control apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 5. A copy control device connected to an external device via a communication network,
Receiving means for receiving copy information to be copied from the external device;
First acquisition means for acquiring consideration information including information relating to value of the copy information, which is added to the copy information;
Second acquisition means for acquiring value information including information relating to value recording of the recording medium from a recording medium serving as a copy destination of the copy information;
A copy control apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the copy information can be copied to the recording medium based on the consideration information and the value information. A recording medium capable of recording copy information to be copied,
A compensation information recording unit capable of recording compensation information including information relating to the value of the recorded copy information;
A recording medium comprising: a value information recording unit capable of recording value information including information related to value recording of the recording medium.   The recording medium according to claim 8, wherein the consideration information further includes copy number information indicating the number of copies of the copy information. A copy control method by a copy control device,
From the first recording medium in which the copy information to be copied is recorded, the compensation information including information related to the value of the copy information is acquired, and from the second recording medium to which the copy information is copied, An acquisition step of acquiring value information including information related to value recording of the second recording medium;
A copy control method comprising: a determination step of determining whether or not the copy information can be copied to the second recording medium based on the consideration information and the value information.   A program for causing a computer to execute the copy control method according to claim 10.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 11.

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