JP2006244168A - Printing system, printing method and printing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system, a printing method and a printing program capable of securing security with respect to document data, and capable of easily printing the document data. <P>SOLUTION: In the printing system comprising a document generating device, a document storing device, and a printing device for printing the document data, the document generating device is provided with a document data transmitting means, the document storing device is provided with a document data storing means for storing the document data, and the printing device is provided with a storage monitoring means, a document data acquiring means for acquiring the document data when it is confirmed that the document data are stored by the storage monitoring means, a printing password input means, and a printing means for printing the document data when the input printing password is correct. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method, and a printing program that ensure security for document data and can easily print document data.

  In recent years, PCs have become widespread throughout society, and have become indispensable to society, such as improving the efficiency of office work, exchanging emails between individuals, and e-commerce. As a result, many people can operate the PC.

  Therefore, even in the case of a person who cannot operate the PC, in most cases, there are persons who can operate the PC around. Therefore, by using the person as an operator, the benefits of the PC can be obtained.

  However, it is a security problem to request an unrelated person such as an operator to print confidential document data in which a business secret is described. However, it is also difficult for a person who cannot operate the PC to print the document data.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing system, a printing method, and a printing program capable of ensuring the security of document data and easily printing the document data.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a document generation apparatus that generates document data, a document storage apparatus that can store the document data, and a printing apparatus that prints document data stored in the document storage apparatus. The document generation device includes document data transmission means for transmitting the generated document data to the document storage device, the document storage device receives the document data from the document generation device, Document data transmission / reception means for transmitting the document data to the printing apparatus, and document data storage means for storing the document data, and the printing apparatus newly stored the document data in the document storage apparatus. A storage monitoring unit that monitors whether the document data has been stored by the storage monitoring unit; Means, a printing password input means for inputting a printing password for permitting printing of the acquired document data, and if the printing password input by the printing password input means is correct, the document data is printed. And a printing unit.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to the present invention, the document data generated by the document generation device is preliminarily attached with a reading password for opening the document data, and the printing device includes the reading password. Is automatically input to open the document data.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is characterized in that the document data transmission means periodically transmits the document data to the document storage device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides that the communication path between the document generation apparatus and the document storage apparatus, and the communication path between the document storage apparatuses and the printing apparatus are encrypted. Features.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention prints document data that generates document data, a document storage device that can store the document data, and document data that is stored in the document storage device A printing method in a printing system comprising a printing device, wherein the document generation device transmits document data generated to the document storage device, and the document storage device includes the document generation device from the document generation device. A document data receiving stage for receiving document data, a document data saving stage for storing the document data in the document storage apparatus, and the printing apparatus monitors whether the document data is newly stored in the document storage apparatus. Document data from which the printing apparatus acquires the document data when it is confirmed that the document data has been stored by the storage monitoring stage and the storage monitoring stage A printing password input stage in which a printing password for permitting printing of the acquired document data is input to the printing apparatus; and if the printing password input in the printing password input stage is correct The printing apparatus includes a printing stage for printing the document data.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to the present invention, the document data generated by the document generation device is preliminarily attached with a reading password for opening the document data, and the printing device includes the reading password. Is automatically input to open the document data.

  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is characterized in that the document data transmission step is periodically executed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides that the communication path between the document generation apparatus and the document storage apparatus, and the communication path between the document storage apparatuses and the printing apparatus are encrypted. Features.

  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a printing program for causing a computer to execute the tint block printing method according to claim 5.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while ensuring the security with respect to document data, the printing system, printing method, and printing program which can print document data easily can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a PC 101, a file server 102, an MFP (Multi Function Printer) 103, and a network 100 connecting them.

  The PC 101 corresponding to the document generation apparatus generates document data such as a confidential document, and transmits the generated document data to the file server 102. The PC 101 may periodically send document data.

  The file server 102 corresponding to the document storage device stores the document data from the PC 101 in a predetermined storage location, and transmits the document data to the MFP 103 in response to a request from the MFP 103. The storage location means, for example, a specific folder.

  The MFP 103 corresponding to the printing apparatus monitors the storage location of the file server 102 and, when it is confirmed that the document data is stored, acquires the document data from the file server 102 and allows the user to print the document data. When the password for printing is input, the acquired document data is printed. The MFP 103 does not necessarily need to be an MFP as long as it can print and input a character string, and may be, for example, an ordinary laser printer.

  The document data generated by the PC 101 is preliminarily attached with a reading password for opening the document data, and the MFP 103 can automatically input the reading password to open the document data. The reading password may be determined in advance between the MFP 103 and the PC 101, or may be shared using a common key distribution method.

  Further, security can be further ensured by encrypting the communication path between the PC 101 and the file server 102 and between the file server 102 and the MFP 103 using IPsec, SSL, or the like.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the PC 101 or the file server 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the PC 101 or the file server 102 includes an input device 222, a display device 223, a drive device 224, a recording medium 225, and an auxiliary device that are mutually connected via a bus B. A storage device 226, a memory device 227, an arithmetic processing device 220, and an interface device 221 are included.

  The input device 222 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used to input various operation signals. The display device 223 displays various windows and data necessary for operating the PC 101 or the file server 102. The interface device 221 is an interface for connecting the PC 101 or the file server 102 to a network or an interface for connecting other devices, and is composed of, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), or the like. Is done.

  A program for operating the PC 101 or the file server 102 is provided by a recording medium 225 such as a CD-ROM or downloaded through a network. The recording medium 225 is set in the drive device 224, and data and programs are installed from the recording medium 225 to the auxiliary storage device 226 via the drive device 224.

  The auxiliary storage device 226 stores data and programs, and stores necessary files and the like. The memory device 227 reads and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 226 when the computer system is activated. The arithmetic processing unit 220 executes processing in accordance with a program read and stored in the memory device 227.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP will be described with reference to FIG. The MFP includes a controller board 60, an operation panel 53, an FCU 68, an engine 71, a scanner 51, and a plotter 52. The FCU 68 includes a G3 standard compatible unit 69 and a G4 standard compatible unit 70.

  The controller board 60 includes a CPU 61, an ASIC 66, an HDD 65, a local memory (MEM-C) 64, a system memory (MEM-P) 63, a north bridge (hereinafter referred to as NB) 62, and a south bridge. (Hereinafter referred to as SB) 73, NIC 74 (Network Interface Card), USB device 75, IEEE 1394 device 76, and Centronics device 77.

  The operation panel 53 is connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller board 60. In addition, the SB 73, the NIC 74, the USB device 75, the IEEE 1394 device 76, the Centronics device 77, and the NB 62 are connected by a PCI bus.

  The FCU 68, the engine 71, the scanner 51, and the plotter 52 are connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller board 60 via a PCI bus.

  In the controller board 60, the local memory 64, the HDD 65, and the like are connected to the ASIC 66, and the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 62 of the CPU chip set. In this way, if the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 62, the case where the interface of the CPU 61 is not disclosed can be dealt with.

  The ASIC 66 and the NB 62 are not connected via a PCI bus, but are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 67. In this way, in order to control the execution of one or more processes, the ASIC 66 and the NB 62 are connected not via the low-speed PCI bus but via the AGP 67 to prevent performance degradation.

  The CPU 61 performs overall control of the MFP. The CPU 61 starts and executes the program as a process on the OS.

  The NB 62 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 61, the system memory 63, the SB 73, and the ASIC 66. The system memory 63 is a memory used as a drawing memory of the MFP. The SB 73 is a bridge for connecting the NB 62 to the PCI bus and peripheral devices. The local memory 64 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

  The ASIC 66 is an IC for use in image processing having hardware elements for image processing. The HDD 65 is a storage for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like. The operation panel 53 is an operation unit that accepts an input operation from the user and performs display for the user.

  Next, a software block of the MFP will be described with reference to FIG. The software block shown in FIG. 4 is divided into three layers: an application layer 5, a service layer 7, and a handler layer 9. The application layer 5 includes programs such as a scanner application 19, a copy application 21, a printer application 20, and a FAX application 22. The service layer 7 includes programs for the print control module 23, the FAX control module 24, the reading control module 25, the monitoring module 26, and the password input unit 31. The handler layer 9 includes programs for a plotter handler 27, a FAX unit handler 28, a scanner handler 29, and a memory management module 30.

  A scanner application 19, a copy application 21, a printer application 20, and a FAX application 22 in the application layer 5 are scanner, copy, printer, and FAX applications, respectively. Among these, the printer application 20 corresponds to a printing unit.

  Next, the module of the service layer 7 will be described. The print control module 23 is a module that controls print processing. The FAX control module 24 is a module that controls FAX processing. The reading control module 25 is a module that controls reading processing. The monitoring module 26 is a module that monitors whether or not document data is newly stored in the file server. When it is confirmed that the document data is stored, the monitoring module 26 acquires the document data. This monitoring module 26 corresponds to storage monitoring means. The password input unit 31 is a module for a user to input a print password for permitting printing of document data. If the input print password is correct, the printer application confirms that the correct password has been input. 20 is notified.

  Next, the program of the handler layer 9 will be described. The program of the handler layer 9 is a hardware handler such as a plotter or a scanner.

  The plotter handler 27 is a handler for the plotter. The FAX unit handler 28 is a FAX unit handler. The scanner handler 29 is a scanner handler. The memory management module 30 is a handler that manages memory and hard disks.

  Next, the software block of the file server will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a document data transmission / reception unit 301 and a document data storage unit 302. A document data transmission / reception unit 301 corresponding to the document data transmission / reception means receives document data from the PC and transmits the document data to the MFP. The document data storage unit 302 stores the document data during that time. Therefore, the file server in the present embodiment only needs to have a function of a normal file server.

  Next, the software block of the PC will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a document data generation unit 304 and a document data transmission unit 303. The document data generation unit 304 generates document data on a PC. For example, the document data generation unit 304 may be word processing software, or may generate document data on this PC by bringing the document data from another PC. Good.

  A document data transmission unit 303 corresponding to the document data transmission unit transmits the document data generated by the document data generation unit 304 to the file server. This transmission may be performed periodically by using a timer, for example.

  Next, processing from when the MFP acquires document data until printing is described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing among the MFP 103, the file server 102, and the PC 101.

  In step S <b> 101, the MFP 103 monitors whether new document data is stored in the file server 102. In response to this, the file server 102 responds that there is no new document data in step S102. These steps S101 and S102 are periodically performed. Step S101 corresponds to a storage monitoring stage.

  The PC 101 transmits the generated document data to the file server 102 in step S103. This step S103 corresponds to the document data transmission stage. The file server 102 receives the document data in step S104. This step S104 corresponds to the document data reception stage. In step S105, the file server 102 stores the document data. This step S105 corresponds to the document data storage stage.

  In step S106, the MFP 103 performs monitoring again. Since the document data has been stored earlier, the file server 102 transmits the presence of new document data to the MFP 103 in step S107. As a result, since it is confirmed that the document data has been saved, the MFP 103 transmits a document data request to the file server 102 in step S108. The file server 102 transmits document data to the MFP 103 in step S109.

  As a result, the MFP 103 acquires document data in step S110. This step S110 corresponds to the document data acquisition stage. In step S <b> 111, the MFP 103 prompts the user to input a print password for permitting printing of the acquired document data, and the user inputs the print password to the MFP 103. This step S111 corresponds to the printing password input stage. If the input password for printing is correct, the MFP 103 prints the document data in step S112. This step S112 corresponds to the printing stage.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system. It is a hardware block diagram of PC or a file server. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an MFP. FIG. 2 is a software block diagram of an MFP. FIG. It is a software block diagram of a file server. It is a software block diagram of PC. It is a sequence diagram which shows a printing process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Scanner application 20 Printer application 21 Copy application 22 FAX application 23 Print control module 24 FAX control module 25 Reading control module 26 Monitoring module 27 Plotter handler 28 FAX unit handler 29 Scanner handler 30 Memory management module 31 Password input part 51 Scanner 52 Plotter 53 Operation panel 60 Controller board 61 CPU
62 North Bridge (NB)
63 System memory (MEM-P)
64 Local memory (MEM-C)
65 Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
66 ASIC
67 AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
68 Fax Control Unit (FCU)
69 G3
70 G4
71 Engine 73 South Bridge (SB)
74 NIC
75 USB device 76 IEEE 1394 device 77 Centronics 100 Network 101 PC
102 Printer server 103 MFP
220 arithmetic processing unit 221 interface unit 222 input unit 223 display unit 224 drive unit 225 recording medium 226 auxiliary storage unit 227 memory unit 301 document data transmission / reception unit 302 document data storage unit 303 document data transmission unit 304 document data generation unit

Claims (9)

In a printing system comprising a document generation device that generates document data, a document storage device that can store the document data, and a printing device that prints document data stored in the document storage device.
The document generation device has document data transmission means for transmitting the generated document data to the document storage device,
The document storage device receives document data from the document generation device and transmits document data to the printing device;
Document data storage means for storing the document data;
The printing apparatus includes a storage monitoring unit that monitors whether the document data is newly stored in the document storage device;
A document data acquisition unit for acquiring the document data when the storage monitoring unit confirms that the document data is stored;
A printing password input means for inputting a printing password for permitting printing of the acquired document data;
A printing system comprising: printing means for printing the document data if the printing password input by the printing password input means is correct. The document data generated by the document generation device is preliminarily attached with a reading password for opening the document data, and the printing device automatically inputs the reading password to open the document data. The printing system according to claim 1. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the document data transmission unit periodically transmits the document data to the document storage device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein a communication path between the document generation apparatus and the document storage apparatus, and a communication path between the document storage apparatuses and the printing apparatus are encrypted. A printing method in a printing system comprising a document generation device that generates document data, a document storage device that can store the document data, and a printing device that prints document data stored in the document storage device. ,
A document data transmission stage in which the document generation device transmits the generated document data to the document storage device;
A document data receiving stage in which the document storage device receives document data from the document generation device;
A document data storage stage in which the document storage device stores the document data;
A storage monitoring step in which the printing device monitors whether the document data is newly stored in the document storage device;
When it is confirmed that the document data is stored by the storage monitoring step, the document data acquisition step in which the printing apparatus acquires the document data;
A printing password input stage in which a printing password for permitting printing of the acquired document data is input to the printing apparatus;
A printing method comprising: a printing step in which the printing device prints the document data if the printing password input in the printing password input step is correct. The document data generated by the document generation device is preliminarily attached with a reading password for opening the document data, and the printing device automatically inputs the reading password to open the document data. The printing method according to claim 5. 6. The printing method according to claim 5, wherein the document data transmission step is executed periodically. 6. The printing method according to claim 5, wherein a communication path between the document generation apparatus and the document storage apparatus, and a communication path between the document storage apparatuses and the printing apparatus are encrypted. On the computer,
A printing program for executing the tint block printing method according to claim 5.

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