JP2006350643A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system which allows a resource to separate charging process from communication in which connection is easily disconnected while downloading and can perform the charging process even when the connection is disconnected during the downloading. <P>SOLUTION: In the image processing system capable of downloading resources, such as a font or an ICC profile, the system has a means for downloading charged resources from the Web and a means which does not charge in downloading the resources but charges when a charging system is accessed separately. To be more specific, the system has a means for downloading the resources enciphered in the resources, a means for invalidating the resources after using the resources, and a means for downloading a password in decoding the enciphered resources when the charging system is accessed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system for downloading paid resources (fonts, ICC profiles, etc.) via a network.

Conventionally, when a paid resource is downloaded from the Web, user registration is performed in advance and a usage right is purchased, or charging is performed at the time of downloading and downloading is performed.
JP 2001-134515 A

  However, when downloading from the Web, the connection is often disconnected due to communication congestion or the like, and the download may fail. In particular, resource data is often large in size and often takes a long time to download, so there is a high possibility that the network connection will be disconnected. In such a case, there has been a problem that if the user has been charged in advance, the user is charged even though the user has not downloaded, or the connection is disconnected without charging.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the processing is that the resource can separate the charging process from the communication that is easily disconnected at the time of download, and the charging process even when the connection is disconnected during the download An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of performing the above.

  To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system capable of downloading resources such as fonts and ICC profiles, and means for downloading paid resources from the Web, and does not charge for downloading resources. Further, it has a means for charging when a separate charging system is accessed.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein means for downloading the resource encrypted in the resource, means for invalidating the resource after using the resource, and decrypting the encrypted resource And a means for downloading a password when accessing the accounting system.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein means for downloading the resource encrypted in the resource, means for downloading together with a predetermined ID when the resource is downloaded, and the resource corresponding to the ID Means for downloading a password for decryption when accessing the accounting system, decryption means for enabling the resource by inputting the password and ID, and means for invalidating the resource after using the resource It is characterized by having.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to stabilize the billing process even when the connection state is unstable by separating the resource download and billing access and accessing the separate billing system. .

  According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the resource is encrypted and decrypted when used, and unauthorized use is provided by providing a password for decryption when accessing the billing system. Can be prevented.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, the present invention is applied to a composite printing apparatus (hereinafter, abbreviated as MFP (Multi Function Product)) having functions of a printer, a copy, and a facsimile, and will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of an MFP to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the MFP according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an MFP body, which can be used as a printer that receives and prints print data over a network. In addition to being connected to a telephone line, it functions not only as a facsimile but also as a copy machine alone.

  An operation panel 121 includes an operation switch and a liquid crystal touch panel that displays the state of the MFP. A control unit 101 controls the entire MFP 100.

  The laser driver 102 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 103, and switches on and off the laser beam 104 emitted from the semiconductor laser 103 in accordance with the input video signal.

  The laser beam 104 is swung left and right by the rotary polygon mirror 105 and scanned on the electrostatic drum 106, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrostatic drum 106. The latent image is developed by a developing unit (toner cartridge) 107 around the electrostatic drum 106 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in paper feed cassettes 108, 109, 110, and 111 mounted on the MFP, and is fed into the apparatus by paper feed rollers 113, 114, 115, and 116. The sheet is taken in, placed on the sheet conveying belt 117 by the sheet conveying roller 112, and passes through the image forming and developing mechanism.

  The toner (powder ink) transferred to the recording paper is fixed to the recording paper by heat and pressure in the fixing device 118, and the recording paper is output outside the MFP main body 100 by the conveyance rollers 119 and 110.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a scanner. When a document is set and a copy is instructed from the operation panel 121, the document is taken into the document table and exposed by a halogen lamp (not shown), and a reflected image thereof is taken. The captured image is A / D converted, sent to the control unit 101, subjected to necessary processing to become a video signal, and input to the laser driver 102.

  When the print data is transmitted through the external network, the print data is analyzed in the control unit 101 to become a video signal and input to the laser driver 102.

  When facsimile data is transmitted from the telephone line, it is taken into the control unit 201 via the modem 123, converted into a video signal, and input to the laser driver 202.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control unit 105 of the MFP shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes a main body of the controller board. A digital camera 231 transfers a photographed image as print data as a JPEG image. Print data is taken in via the input interface unit 202.

  When copy operation is instructed from the operation panel 121, an image read by the scanner 222 is taken in via the scanner interface unit 206, and necessary processing is performed by the CPU 203 to be converted into dot data. The generated dot data is sent to the printing mechanism main body 205 via the output interface unit 204 and actually printed. The processing performed here is, for example, conversion from the reading resolution of the scanner 222 to the printing resolution of the printing mechanism unit 205, rotation processing in accordance with the paper conveyance direction of the printing mechanism unit 205, or the like.

  When facsimile data is received from the modem 223 connected to the telephone line, it is processed by the CPU 203 and converted into dot data. The generated dot data is sent to the printing mechanism main body 205 via the output interface unit 204 and actually printed. The processing performed here is, for example, expansion of print data compressed with Huffman.

  The processing procedure of the series of processes performed by the CPU 203 is all programmed in the ROM 207, and the CPU 203 operates according to this program. Data from the host computer 231, the scanner 222, and the modem 223 is stored on the RAM 208 and subjected to necessary processing.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a non-volatile memory composed of a general EEPROM or the like, and is hereinafter referred to as NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM). The NVRAM 209 stores the panel setting value specified on the operation panel 221.

  A hard disk 210 is used for storing the downloaded ICC profile and print data.

  A network IF unit 211 connects to the network. Access to the Web is performed via the network IF unit.

  In the present embodiment, an ICC profile for color matching between the digital camera 231 and the MFP 100 is a target of resources to be downloaded from the Web.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each means according to the first aspect of the present invention, and explains the operation of the printing apparatus at the time of resource download and printing.

  Print data is received from the digital camera 231 (S301). Access to the Web holding the ICC profile (S302). The ICC profile is downloaded (S303). If the download fails (S304), the download is attempted again (S303). If the download is successful (S304), the accounting system is accessed (S305). If the access fails (S306), the accounting system is accessed again (S305).

  If the access is successful (S306), printing processing is performed using the resource (S307).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each means according to claim 2 of the present invention, and explains the operation of the printing apparatus during printing.

  Print data is received from the digital camera 231 (S401). Access to the Web is performed (S402). The ICC profile is downloaded (S403). If the download has failed (S404), the download is attempted again (S403). If the download is successful (S404), the accounting system is accessed (S405). If the access fails (S406), the accounting system is accessed again (S405).

  If the access is successful (S406), the password is downloaded (S407). The resource is decrypted using the password (S408). Printing processing is performed using the resource (S409). If printing is completed, the resource is encrypted (S410).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each means according to the third aspect of the present invention, illustrating the operation of the printing apparatus during printing.

  Print data is received from the digital camera 231 (S501). Access to the Web is performed (S502). The ICC profile is downloaded (S503). The ID for the downloaded ICC profile is downloaded (S504). If the download fails (S505), the download is attempted again (S503). If the download is successful (S505), the accounting system is accessed (S506), and the ID obtained in step 504 is input (S507).

  If the access is successful (S508), the corresponding password is downloaded (S509). The ICC profile is decrypted using the password (S510). Printing processing is performed using the ICC profile (S511). If the printing process is completed, the password is registered so that it cannot be decompressed with the password obtained in step 509 and invalidated (S512).

  FIG. 6 shows a system in which resource data is deleted in the resource invalidation means in step 512 in FIG.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is implemented by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, a medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium to the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus operates in a predetermined manner.

<Embodiment 2>
Hereinafter, the present invention is applied to a composite printing apparatus (hereinafter, abbreviated as MFP (Multi Function Product)) having functions of a printer, a copy, and a facsimile, and will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of an MFP to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the MFP according to the embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an MFP body, which can be used as a printer that receives and prints print data through a network. In addition to being connected to a telephone line, it functions not only as a facsimile but also as a copy machine alone.

  An operation panel 121 includes an operation switch and a liquid crystal touch panel that displays the state of the MFP. A control unit 101 controls the entire MFP 100.

  The laser driver 102 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 103, and switches on and off the laser beam 104 emitted from the semiconductor laser 103 in accordance with the input video signal.

  The laser beam 104 is swung left and right by the rotary polygon mirror 105 and scanned on the electrostatic drum 106, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrostatic drum 106. The latent image is developed by a developing unit (toner cartridge) 107 around the electrostatic drum 106 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in paper feed cassettes 108, 109, 110, and 111 mounted on the MFP, and is fed into the apparatus by paper feed rollers 113, 114, 115, and 116. The sheet is taken in, placed on the sheet conveying belt 117 by the sheet conveying roller 112, and passes through the image forming and developing mechanism.

  The toner (powder ink) transferred to the recording paper is fixed to the recording paper by heat and pressure by the fixing device 118, and the recording paper is output to the outside of the MFP body by the conveying rollers 109 and 110. Reference numeral 112 denotes a scanner. When a document is set and a copy is instructed from the operation panel 121, the document is taken into the document table and exposed by a halogen lamp (not shown), and a reflected image thereof is taken. The captured image is A / D converted, sent to the control unit 101, subjected to necessary processing to become a video signal, and input to the laser driver 102.

  When the print data is transmitted through the external network, the print data is analyzed in the control unit 101 to become a video signal and input to the laser driver 102. When facsimile data is transmitted from the telephone line, it is taken into the control unit 201 via the modem 123, converted into a video signal, and input to the laser driver 702.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control unit 105 of the MFP shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a main body of the controller board. Reference numeral 731 denotes a host computer which transmits print data. In the present embodiment, a font that is not built in the image processing apparatus is used in the print data. The print data is taken in via the input interface unit 702.

  When copy operation is instructed from the operation panel 121, an image read by the scanner 722 is taken in via the scanner interface unit 706, and necessary processing is performed by the CPU 703 to be converted into dot data. The generated dot data is sent to the printing mechanism main body 705 via the output interface unit 704 and actually printed. The processing performed here is, for example, conversion from the reading resolution of the scanner 722 to the printing resolution of the printing mechanism unit 705, rotation processing in accordance with the paper transport direction of the printing mechanism unit 705, or the like.

  When facsimile data is received from the modem 723 connected to the telephone line, it is processed by the CPU 703 and converted to dot data. The generated dot data is sent to the printing mechanism main body 705 via the output interface unit 704 and actually printed. The processing performed here is, for example, expansion of print data compressed with Huffman.

  The processing procedure of the series of processing by the CPU 703 is all programmed in the ROM 707, and the CPU 703 operates according to this program. Data from the host computer 731, the scanner 722, and the modem 723 is stored on the RAM 708 and subjected to necessary processing.

  Reference numeral 709 denotes a non-volatile memory composed of a general EEPROM or the like, and is hereinafter referred to as NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM). The NVRAM 709 stores the panel setting value specified on the operation panel 721. A hard disk 710 is used to store downloaded ICC profiles and print data. Reference numeral 711 denotes a network IF unit, which connects to a network. Access to the Web is performed via the network IF unit.

  In the present embodiment, a font that is not incorporated in MFP 100 used in the print data is a target of a resource for downloading from the Web.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each means according to the third aspect of the present invention, illustrating the operation of the printing apparatus during printing.

  Print data is received from the host computer 731 (S801). Access to the Web is performed (S802). Font data is downloaded (S803). The ID for the downloaded font data is downloaded (S804). If the download has failed (S805), the download is attempted again (S803). If the download is successful (S805), the accounting system is accessed (S806), and the ID obtained in step 804 is input (S807).

If the access is successful (S808), the corresponding password is downloaded (S809). The font data is decrypted using the password (S810). Printing processing is performed using the font data (S811). When the printing process is completed, the font data is deleted (S812).
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is implemented by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, a medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium to the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus operates in a predetermined manner.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an MFP that is a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of each means of Claim 1 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of each means of Claim 2 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of each means of Claim 3 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of each means of Claim 3 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the printing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of each means of Claim 3 in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printing apparatus main body 101 Control unit 102 Laser driver 103 Semiconductor laser emitting apparatus 104 Laser beam 105 Rotating polygon mirror 106 Electrostatic drum 107 Toner cartridge 108 Paper feed tray 1
109 Feed tray 2
110 Paper Tray 3
111 Paper Tray 4
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 Paper conveyance roller 113 Paper feed roller 117 Paper conveyance belt 118 Fixing device 121 Operation panel 122 Scanner 123 Modem 201 Controller board 202 Input interface part with host computer 203 CPU
204 Output interface unit to the printing mechanism unit 205 Printing mechanism unit 206 Scanner interface unit 207 ROM
208 RAM
209 NVRAM
210 HD (hard disk)
211 Network IF unit 222 Scanner 223 Modem 231 Digital camera 801 Controller board 802 Input interface unit with host computer 803 CPU
804 Output interface unit to the printing mechanism unit 805 Printing mechanism unit 806 Scanner interface unit 807 ROM
808 RAM
809 NVRAM
810 HD (hard disk)
811 Network IF unit 822 Scanner 823 Modem 831 Host computer

Claims (3)

In an image processing system that can download resources such as fonts and ICC profiles,
An image processing system comprising means for downloading a paid resource from the Web, and means for charging when a resource is downloaded, instead of charging when the resource is downloaded.   Means for downloading an encrypted resource in the resource, means for invalidating the resource after using the resource, and means for downloading a password for decrypting the encrypted resource when accessing the charging system The image processing system according to claim 1.   Means for downloading a resource encrypted in the resource, means for downloading together with a predetermined ID when the resource is downloaded, and downloading a password corresponding to the ID for decrypting the resource when accessing the billing system 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: means, a decoding means for enabling the resource by inputting the password and the ID, and a means for invalidating the resource after using the resource.

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