JP2006338307A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system for efficiently performing print processing by using an RFID (radio frequency identification) card in particular, writing user identification information, for example, such as an encryption key and fingerprint data and confirming a person himself/herself in advance to perform print preparation processing in advance about an MFP (multifunction printer) for using authentication information such as fingerprint authentication to perform confidential printing and a printing system. <P>SOLUTION: Print data prepared by a personal computer (PC1) is encrypted by an encryption key and transmitted to an MFP 1 through a LAN. Meanwhile, fingerprint information of a user is acquired from a fingerprint authenticating part of the personal computer (PC1), and fingerprint data and the encryption key are recorded in an RFID card. When the RFID card is carried close to the MFP 1, the encryption key and the fingerprint data recorded in the RFID card are transmitted to the MFP 1, print preparation processing is performed after authentication, and preparation processing is performed before an actual printing instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs confidential printing using identification information such as a fingerprint, and a printing system that uses the printing apparatus.

  Today, when print data is transmitted from a host device, the print data is transmitted by adding user identification information, and after the print data is temporarily stored in the storage device, the user moves to the print device. Confidential printing for performing print processing of print data is performed by inputting the above identification information. According to such confidential printing, the printing process is performed according to the user's instruction, and the print result is not seen by others. However, in the confidential printing, when the user moves to the installation location of the printing apparatus and tries to perform the printing process, the printing process is awaited when another user is using the printing apparatus.

In the case of the above, Patent Literature 1 transmits a use prohibition command together with print data, for example, and controls so that others cannot use it.
JP 2004-268535 A (paragraph numbers 33 to 36)

  However, in the conventional printing apparatus, the user first transmits print data from the host device, moves to the installation location of the printer apparatus, undergoes a security check, and print processing is started only after authenticating the user.

Therefore, in the conventional case, it takes time until the printing process is started, and more time is required for the printing process when the printing apparatus is in a standby state.
Therefore, the present invention uses an RFID card that can perform contactless communication, writes identification information such as an encryption key and fingerprint data, for example, performs identity verification when the card approaches a certain distance, and performs print preparation processing in advance. By executing the printing system, a printing system and a printing apparatus that perform printing processing quickly are provided.

  According to the present invention, in the printing system in which the host device and the printing apparatus are connected via the network, the host device encrypts the print data based on the reading unit that reads the user identification information and the encryption key. Encrypting means, transmitting means for transmitting the encrypted print data to the printing apparatus, and data communication with the RFID card using UHF band radio waves, and the utilization to the RFID card Communication means for recording user identification information and the encryption key, wherein the printing apparatus receives the print data transmitted from the host device, and the user identification recorded on the RFID card. A communication means for exchanging information and an encryption key; and a preparation process for performing a print preparation process when one or both of the user identification information and the encryption key is detected via the communication means. Can be achieved by providing means, the printing system comprising a print means for performing print processing and the user identification information is inputted through the operation panel.

  Here, the user identification information is, for example, fingerprint information, and may be configured to use an iris, a handwriting, or a palm vein. These user identification information is read by a reading unit, for example, a storage unit. Registered in Further, similar user identification information is recorded on the RFID card, and further encrypted print data is supplied to the printing apparatus, and encryption key data is recorded on the RFID card.

  In the printing apparatus, when the RFID card approaches and the user identification information such as a fingerprint matches the password, print preparation processing for print data is performed. For example, the fixing device is heated to shift the sleep mode to the ready mode. In addition, the print data is developed in the image memory and a print instruction is awaited. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to start printing on a sheet as soon as there is a print instruction.

  According to the present invention, the above-described problem is a reading unit that reads user identification information, an encryption unit that encrypts print data based on an encryption key, and transmits the encrypted print data to a printing apparatus. To provide a host device having a transmission means and a communication means for performing data communication with an RFID card using radio waves in the UHF band and recording the user identification information and the encryption key on the RFID card. Can be achieved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the above-described problem is achieved by receiving means for receiving print data encrypted based on an encryption key from a host device, and user identification recorded on the RFID card using UHF radio waves. A communication means for exchanging information and an encryption key; a preparation processing means for performing a print preparation process upon detection of one or both of the user identification information and the encryption key via the communication means; and A printing apparatus having printing means for performing printing processing when user identification information is input.

  The present invention is an invention of a printing apparatus. Also in the present invention, when an RFID card approaches and user identification information such as a fingerprint matches a password, print preparation processing of print data is performed, for example, from sleep mode to ready mode. Print preparation processing such as migration and expansion of print data to the image memory is performed. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to perform printing processing in a short time when there is a printing instruction.

  In addition, the communication frequency of radio waves in the UHF band used in the above inventions is, for example, 433 MHz to 956 MHz.

  According to the present invention, the print preparation process is started with the RFID card approaching the printing apparatus, and when the personal information is input to the operation panel, the actual print process following the print preparation process is started. Also in printing, the printing waiting time can be shortened.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system including a printing apparatus and a host device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 1 is connected to a plurality of personal computers (PC1 to PC3) that are host devices, for example, via a LAN (local area network). The printing apparatus 1 is a printer apparatus (multifunction machine) having both a facsimile function, a scanner function, and a copying function, and is hereinafter referred to as an MFP (multifunction printer) 1.

  The MFP 1 includes an interface controller unit (IF controller unit) 2, an engine controller unit 3, a print head 4, a hard disk (HDD) 5, and an operation panel 1a. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes circuits corresponding to functions such as a FAX modem, a facsimile control unit, a scanner unit, and a scanner control unit in addition to the above configuration.

  The IF controller unit 2 is connected to an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) read / write unit 6 and a fingerprint authentication unit 7 via a USB (universal serial bus). The IF controller unit 2 receives print data supplied from the personal computers (PC1 to PC3) via the LAN, converts it into, for example, bitmap data, and transfers it to the engine controller unit 3. In the engine controller unit 3, the supplied print data is transferred to the print head 4 and printed on paper.

  On the other hand, the personal computers (PC1 to PC3) create print data according to the respective applications, convert the print data into corresponding intermediate codes by the printer driver, and then supply the print data to the MFP 1. Also, an RFID read / write unit and a fingerprint authentication unit are connected to the personal computers (PC1 to PC3), respectively. Here, the RFID read / write unit connected to the personal computer (PC1) is denoted by numeral 10, and the fingerprint authentication unit is denoted by numeral 11. The RFID read / write unit connected to the personal computer (PC2) is indicated by numeral 12, the fingerprint authentication unit is indicated by number 13, and the RFID read / write unit connected to the personal computer (PC3) is indicated by numeral 14. The fingerprint authentication unit is denoted by reference numeral 15.

  The configuration of the RFID read / write units 10, 12, and 14 and the configuration of the fingerprint authentication units 11, 13, and 15 are the same as the RFID read / write unit 6 and the fingerprint authentication unit 7 provided in the printer apparatus 1. It is the same as that of the structure.

  That is, the RFID read / write unit 10 (or 12, 14) performs wireless communication with the RFID card and records data on the RFID card. For example, data such as a user name and employee number is stored. The fingerprint authentication unit 11 (or 13, 15) reads out the fingerprint data of the user, encodes the fingerprint data, and registers it.

Next, the print processing operation of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 in the above configuration.
First, processing until print data created by the personal computers (PC1 to PC3) is transmitted to the printer apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The personal computers (PC1 to PC3) create print data based on the application program. In this example, this print data is A.

  Next, the print data A is encrypted with the encryption key C to create print data A ′ (a shown in FIG. 2). For this encryption, the encryption key C is used. For example, a numerical value extracted at random is used as the encryption key C.

  The print data A ′ thus created is transferred to the printer apparatus 1 via the LAN described above. On the other hand, the data of the encryption key C used to create the print data A ′ and the fingerprint information of the user are recorded on the RFID card 17 by the RFID read / write unit 10 (12, 14).

  On the other hand, the MFP 1 stores the print data A ′ transmitted from the personal computers (PC 1 to PC 3) in, for example, a reception buffer in the IF controller unit 2. The RFID card 17 on which the fingerprint data B and the encryption key C are recorded is carried by the user and moved to the installation location of the printer apparatus 1.

  Thereafter, when the user holds the RFID card 17 and approaches the MFP 1, the information of the fingerprint data B is transmitted to the RFID read / write unit 6 of the printer device 1 by a wireless signal from the RFID card 17. In this example, the RFID card is configured to perform communication using radio waves in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band, and the communication distance is long. For example, when the user approaches the MFP 1 within 5 m, print preparation processing described later is performed. Be started. The communication frequency is, for example, 433 MHz to 956 MHz, or 2.45 GHz. In addition, it can be used at a communication distance of several tens of meters depending on the surrounding environment, conditions of equipment to be used, and the like.

  The subsequent description is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the MFP 1 determines input of received data (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). In the case of this example, the print data A ′ is input as described above, the determination (S1) is Y (yes), and the process proceeds to determination (S2). This determination is a process for determining whether the printing is secure printing. If the printing is not secure printing, normal printing is performed (S2 is N (no), S3).

  On the other hand, if it is security printing (S2 is Y), it is determined whether there is a reception signal from the RFID card 17 (S4). This determination is to determine whether data is sent from the RFID card 17 via the RFID read / write unit 6. When the user approaches the printer device 1 as described above, the fingerprint data is read from the RFID card 17. B inputs (S4 is Y).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the fingerprint data B is authentic. This determination is executed by comparing the fingerprint data B stored in advance in the hard disk (HDD) 5 with the input fingerprint data B (S5).

  If the fingerprint data B matches as a result of this collation, the MFP 1 is set to the ready state (S6, b shown in FIG. 2). That is, the MFP 1 in the sleeve state is set to the ready mode.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the encryption key C is received from the RFID card 17, and the print data A ′ is returned to the original print data A using the encryption key C (c shown in FIG. 4). Then, the print data A is developed in the image memory and waits (S7).

  Next, the user faces the MFP 1 and places a finger on the fingerprint authentication unit 7 provided in the MFP 1 to perform fingerprint collation. Then, it is determined whether or not it matches the pre-registered fingerprint (S8). If it is confirmed by the fingerprint collation that the user is the confidential printing person, the printing process is started (YES in S8, S9).

  As described above, according to this example, when the user approaches the MFP 1, the print preparation process is started, and when the user actually gives a print instruction, the necessary preparation has been completed, Preparation is complete and the waiting time for printing can be shortened. Therefore, efficient printing processing can be performed while ensuring security, and confidential printing can be performed at high speed.

In the description of this example, the MFP 1 is used. However, a configuration using a printer device may be used.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram illustrating Embodiment 2 of the present example. In the figure, the MFP 1 includes an interface controller unit (IF controller unit) 2, an engine controller unit 3, a print head 4, a hard disk (HDD) 5, and an operation panel 1a as described above. The IF controller unit 2 is connected to the USB connector 21 via the USB. Also in this example, the MFP 1 includes circuits corresponding to functions such as a FAX modem, a facsimile control unit, a scanner unit, and a scanner control unit (not shown).

  The personal computers (PC1 to PC3) create print data according to the application as described above and supply the print data to the printer apparatus 1. A USB memory stick is connected to the personal computers (PC1 to PC3). For example, a USB memory stick 22 is connected to the personal computer (PC1), a USB memory stick 23 is connected to the personal computer (PC2), and a USB memory stick 24 is connected to the personal computer (PC3).

  In the above configuration, the processing operation of this example will be described below. First, using a USB memory stick, data of a personal computer (for example, PC1) is written into the USB memory stick 22 and taken to the printer apparatus 1. Next, the user inserts the USB memory stick 22 into the USB connector 21 of the printer apparatus 1 and connects it.

  Thereafter, processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether there is a print job in the MFP 1 (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). If there is no print job (ST1 is N), it is determined whether or not the USB memory stick 22 is present (ST2). In the description of this example, since the USB memory stick 22 is attached to the MFP 1 (ST2 is Y), print data is read from the USB memory stick 22 and printing processing is performed (ST3).

On the other hand, if there is a print job (Y in ST1), the printing process is continued (ST4), and the presence or absence of the USB memory stick 22 is determined as soon as the process during printing is completed (ST5).
Therefore, according to this example, printing processing can be preferentially executed on the condition that the USB memory stick is attached, so that it is possible to shorten the printing waiting time in confidential printing or the like.

  In the description of this example, an example in which a USB memory stick is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a USB memory stick. For example, a USB flash memory with a fingerprint authentication function may be used.

1 is a system configuration diagram of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing until print data is transmitted from a host device to an MFP. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process until data transmission. 6 is a system configuration diagram of Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
1a ... operation panel 2 ... IF controller part,
3 ... Engine controller,
4 ... print head,
5. Hard disk (HDD),
6 ... RFID read / write unit,
7 ... fingerprint authentication unit 10, 12, 14 ... RFID read / write unit 11, 13, 15 ... fingerprint authentication unit,
21 ... USB connector,
22, 23, 24 ... USB memory stick

Claims (6)

In a printing system in which a host device and a printing device are connected via a network,
The host device includes a reading unit that reads user identification information, an encryption unit that encrypts print data based on an encryption key, a transmission unit that transmits the encrypted print data to the printing apparatus, UHF A communication means for performing data communication with an RFID card using a radio wave of the band, and recording the user identification information and the encryption key on the RFID card;
The printing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives the print data transmitted from the host device, a communication unit that transmits and receives the user identification information and an encryption key recorded on the RFID card, and the communication unit. A preparation processing unit that performs a print preparation process when one or both of the user identification information and the encryption key is detected, and a printing unit that performs a printing process when the user identification information is input via an operation panel. A printing system featuring. Reading means for reading user identification information;
An encryption means for encrypting the print data based on the encryption key;
Transmitting means for transmitting the encrypted print data to a printing apparatus;
A host device comprising: communication means for performing data communication with an RFID card using UHF band radio waves and recording the user identification information and the encryption key on the RFID card. Receiving means for receiving print data encrypted based on an encryption key from a host device;
Communication means for exchanging user identification information and an encryption key recorded in the RFID card using UHF band radio waves;
Preparation processing means for performing print preparation processing upon detection of one or both of the user identification information and the encryption key via the communication means;
Printing means for performing a printing process when the user identification information is input via an operation panel;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein a communication frequency of radio waves in the UHF band is 433 MHz to 956 MHz.   The host device according to claim 2, wherein a communication frequency of the radio wave in the UHF band is from 433 MHz to 956 MHz.   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a communication frequency of the radio wave in the UHF band is 433 MHz to 956 MHz.

Images