JP2007021865A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can set a printing form of authentication data proper, so that a user can determine whether or not a printing medium can be authenticated, even if both the authentication data and normal printing data are printed on the printed medium. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus 10 compares the authentication data, generated by a host device 20, with an authentication data original 16a stored in a storage 16. As a result of this comparison, when the authentication data and the original 16a correspond to each other, optimum processing is separately applied to each of the normal printing data and the authentication data. Thus, the image forming apparatus 10 can prevent a change in the form of the authentication data while maintaining the quality of the normal printing data on the printing medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system for forming an image on a predetermined medium.

  In recent years, digitization of documents has progressed, and the number of scenes in which authentication data is given to digitized documents is also increasing. In such a situation, both the authentication data and the authentication target data, which is normal print data, are printed on the print medium.

  The print medium is usually subjected to image processing so that the color arrangement and gradation values are optimal for the device. Here, it is desirable that the authentication data printed on the print medium does not change its print shape in order to maintain its visibility. However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, for example, when the print data described in Patent Document 1 is authentication data, when the same processing is performed on the authentication data and normal print data, The shape of the authentication data printed on the print medium may change. Specifically, in the conventional image forming apparatus, for example, gradation correction processing for suppressing the density on the print medium that becomes higher than the print target density due to the dot gain is the same for the authentication data and the normal print data. If applied, the change in the shape of the authentication data occurs.

JP 2004-249625 A

  Here, the above-described change in the shape of the authentication data will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 22 shows an example of authentication data 500. The authentication data 500 is digitized seal data or the like, and is expressed as a set of dots.

  Consider that the authentication data 500 is subjected to gradation correction processing that suppresses the density on the print medium that is higher than the print target density due to dot gain. As shown in FIG. 23A, the authentication data 500 is composed of 6 × 6 dots, and each dot is represented by a gradation value of 0 to 255. As shown in FIG. 24, the desirable shape on the print medium corresponding to the authentication data 500 is such that 14 dots whose gradation values are 255, 160, and 128 are expressed in black, and the remaining dots are white. Is bitmap data 600 expressed by

  When the conventional image forming apparatus performs gradation correction processing for suppressing the density on the print medium, which is higher than the print target density due to the dot gain, on the authentication data 500 as shown in FIG. Thus, when the gradation characteristic curve 510 applied to normal print data is used, the gradation value of each dot having a gradation value larger than 0 is obtained as shown in FIG. Then, the authentication intermediate data 520 suppressed based on the gradation characteristic curve 510 is generated. Subsequently, the image forming apparatus compares the threshold data 530 and the authentication intermediate data 520 as shown in FIG. 4D in order to convert the authentication intermediate data 520 into a bitmap. Here, it is assumed that the threshold value data 530 is given a threshold value “100” for all dots. That is, the image forming apparatus sets black for the dots constituting the authentication intermediate data 520 whose tone value exceeds the threshold value “100”, and the tone value does not exceed the threshold value “100”. Things are white. As a result, the image forming apparatus generates bitmap data 540 after gradation correction processing as shown in FIG.

  Here, the bitmap data 540 after the gradation correction processing has changed to a shape different from the bitmap data 600 having the desired shape shown in FIG. As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the authentication data is subjected to a process similar to the process performed on the normal print data, thereby causing a change in the shape of the authentication data. There has been a problem of inviting a situation where it is impossible to determine whether or not authentication is possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when authentication data and normal print data are both printed on a print medium, the user can determine whether or not the print medium can be authenticated. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can make the print shape of authentication data appropriate.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object includes a storage unit that stores an original of authentication data generated together with data to be authenticated by a host device, the authentication data generated by the host device, and the storage unit. If the authentication data and the original authentication data match as a result of comparison by the comparison means comparing the original authentication data stored in the comparison means and the comparison means, the authentication data Processed by each of an authenticated data processing means for performing first image processing, an authentication data processing means for performing second image processing on the authentication data, and the authenticated data processing means and the authentication data processing means. And combining means for combining the authentication data and the data to be authenticated.

  In such an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the authentication data and the original authentication data are compared by the comparison means, and if they match, the authentication data processing means and the authentication data processing means are used to detect the authentication data. Since optimum processing is separately performed on the authentication data and the authentication data, the shape of the authentication data can be prevented from changing while maintaining the quality of the data to be authenticated on the image-formed medium. .

  In addition, an image forming system according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object performs processing on a host device that generates authentication data and authentication data, and the authentication data and authentication data received from the host device. An image forming apparatus that forms an image, and the image forming apparatus stores the original of the authentication data, the authentication data generated by the host apparatus, and the storage stored in the storage If the authentication data and the original authentication data match as a result of the comparison by the comparison means comparing the original authentication data and the comparison means, the first image processing is performed on the authentication target data. Authentication data processing means to be applied, authentication data processing means for performing second image processing on the authentication data, authentication data processing means and authentication data Said authentication data and said processed by the respective processing means is characterized by having a synthesizing means for synthesizing the authentication data.

  In such an image forming system according to the present invention, the authentication data and the original authentication data are compared by the image forming apparatus, and if they match, the data to be authenticated and the authentication data are separately provided. Since the optimum processing is performed, the shape of the authentication data can be prevented from changing while maintaining the quality of the data to be authenticated on the image-formed medium.

  In the present invention, since it is possible to prevent the change of the shape of the authentication data while maintaining the quality of the data to be authenticated on the image-formed medium, the deterioration of the visibility of the authentication data is prevented, The user can determine whether or not the medium can be authenticated.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  This embodiment is an image forming system that forms an image on a predetermined print medium. In particular, in this image forming system, the print shape of the authentication data can be prevented from changing by separately processing the authentication data and the normal print data that is the authentication target data.

  First, the image forming system shown as the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus 10 and a host apparatus 20 that is a host apparatus via a predetermined network cable.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a receiving unit 11 that receives a print job transmitted from the host device 20, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12 that controls each unit, a memory 13, and bitmap data as print media. A printing unit 14 for printing, a program ROM (Read Only Memory) 15 for storing various programs, and a storage 16 for storing an authentication data original 16a and temporary authentication data 16b to be described later are provided.

  The receiving unit 11 receives a print job transmitted from the host device 20 via a network cable. Here, the print job is composed of a page description language command. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the print job 30 sequentially includes an authentication data identification command 32 for identifying normal print data 31 in which normal drawing data is described, and authentication data 33. And authentication data 33 necessary for authentication processing are arranged side by side. The print job 30 received by the receiving unit 11 is accumulated in the reception buffer 13a in the memory 13 under the control of the CPU 12.

  The CPU 12 comprehensively controls each unit based on the print control program 15 a stored in the program ROM 15.

  The memory 13 includes a reception buffer 13a that stores the print job 30 received by the reception unit 11, and a page buffer 13b that stores bitmap data obtained by analyzing the normal print data 31 included in the print job 30. . The print job 30 stored in the reception buffer 13a is read by the CPU 12. Also, the bitmap data stored in the page buffer 13b is read by the printing unit 14 under the control of the CPU 12.

  The printing unit 14 reads the bitmap data stored in the page buffer 13b under the control of the CPU 12, and prints it on a print medium.

  The program ROM 15 stores various programs executed by the CPU 12. Specifically, the program ROM 15 includes a print control program 15 a for controlling the CPU 12, a print job analysis program 15 b for analyzing the print job 30 in command units, and normal print data 31 included in the print job 30. The normal print data processing program 15 c for performing predetermined image processing on the authentication data, the authentication data processing program 15 d for performing predetermined image processing on the authentication data 33 included in the print job 30, and the storage 16 are stored. An authentication data comparison program 15e for comparing the authentication data original 16a and the authentication data 33 included in the print job 30 is stored.

  The storage 16 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory and stores authentication data original 16a and temporary authentication data 16b. Here, the authentication data 33 and the temporary authentication data 16b are both configured as bitmap data, and are represented by a set of dots, for example, as shown in FIG. Among these, the temporary authentication data 16b is used instead of the authentication data 33 when the authentication data 33 included in the print job 30 does not match the original authentication data 16a. The original authentication data 16 a is also configured as data in the same format as the authentication data 33. The original authentication data 16a and the temporary authentication data 16b are read by the CPU 12.

  The image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above receives the print job 30 transmitted from the host apparatus 20 and processes the print job 30 to form an image on a print medium.

  On the other hand, the host device 20 is composed of, for example, a personal computer or the like, and includes a transmission unit 21 that transmits a print job 30 to the image forming apparatus 10 and a program ROM 22 that stores various programs.

  The transmission unit 21 transmits a print job 30 generated under the control of a CPU (not shown) to the image forming apparatus 10 via a network cable.

  The program ROM 22 stores various programs executed by a CPU (not shown). Specifically, the program ROM 22 includes a driver program 22a that generates a print job 30, an application program 22b that handles application data such as image data and document data, and an authentication data addition program that adds authentication data 33 to the print job 30. 22c is stored.

  Such a host device 20 generates data to be printed by an application program 22b executed by a CPU (not shown), and generates a print job 30 by a driver program 22a executed by the CPU based on the generated data. . If there is authentication data 33, the host device 20 executes an authentication data addition program 22 c by a CPU (not shown) and adds the authentication data 33 to the print job 30. Then, the host device 20 transmits the generated print job 30 to the image forming apparatus 10.

  Now, the image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a print medium according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in the figure, when the image forming apparatus 10 receives the print job 30 from the host apparatus 20 in step S1, the image forming apparatus 10 performs normal printing from the print job 30 by the print job analysis program 15b under the control of the CPU 12. Data 31 is acquired, and authentication data 33 is acquired from the print job 30 in step S2.

  Subsequently, in step S3, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the authentication data original 16a stored in the storage 16 by the authentication data comparison program 15e under the control of the CPU 12, and in step S4, the authentication data 33 and It is determined whether or not the authentication data original 16a matches. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B, for example, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a dot distribution of authentication data 33 composed of 6 × 6 dot bitmap data and an original authentication data. The dot distribution of 16a is compared.

  If the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the authentication data 33 and the original authentication data 16a match as shown in FIG. 5A, the image forming apparatus 10 controls the CPU 12 in step S5. The normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 are processed separately. In other words, under the control of the CPU 12, the image forming apparatus 10 performs a process of analyzing the normal print data 31 by the normal print data processing program 15c and converting it into bitmap data, and the authentication data processing program 15d to authenticate the authentication data. 33 is analyzed and converted into bitmap data.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 10 combines the bitmap data of the normal print data 31 and the bitmap data of the authentication data 33 under the control of the CPU 12 in step S6, and the obtained bitmap in step S7. The data is printed on the print medium by the printing unit 14, and the series of processing ends.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the image forming apparatus 10 adds an authentication data addition program 22c to the print job 30 as application data created by the application program 22b stored in the program ROM 22 of the host apparatus 20. If the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a coincide with each other when the authentication data 33 is added, the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 are processed separately, and the obtained bits After combining the map data, the printing unit 14 prints it on the print medium.

  On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 10 determines in step S4 that the authentication data 33 and the original authentication data 16a do not match as shown in FIG. 5B, the control of the CPU 12 is performed in step S8. Originally, the temporary authentication data 16b stored in the storage 16 is acquired by the authentication data comparison program 15e, and in step S9, the temporary authentication data 16b is analyzed and converted into bitmap data by the authentication data processing program 15d. I do.

  Then, in step S10, the image forming apparatus 10 combines the bitmap data of the normal print data 31 and the bitmap data of the temporary authentication data 16b under the control of the CPU 12, and the obtained bit in step S7. The map data is printed on the printing medium by the printing unit 14, and the series of processes is completed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, the image forming apparatus 10 adds an authentication data addition program 22c to the print job 30 as application data created by the application program 22b stored in the program ROM 22 of the host apparatus 20. When the authentication data 33 is added by the above, if the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a do not match, the temporary authentication data 16b is obtained, and the normal print data 31 and the temporary authentication data 16b are separately provided. Are processed, and the obtained bitmap data is synthesized, and then printed on the printing medium by the printing unit 14.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 separately processes the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 or the temporary authentication data 16b, and performs image formation based on the obtained bitmap data.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 10 performs an optimum process on the normal print data 31 in step S5 in FIG. 4 according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

  That is, as shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 10 converts the color component included in the normal print data 31 into the output color component of the image forming apparatus 10 under the control of the CPU 12 in step S21, In step S22, a predetermined multi-valued logical operation is performed based on the obtained output color component to generate a black component, and the under color is removed.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 23, the image forming apparatus 10 performs predetermined image processing on the normal print data 31 under the control of the CPU 12. For example, when performing the gradation correction process, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires a gradation characteristic curve for normal print data that defines an output gradation value with respect to an input gradation value under the control of the CPU 12. A gradation correction process is performed based on the gradation characteristic curve for normal print data. Here, the gradation characteristic curve for normal print data is defined such that the output gradation value changes along a predetermined quadratic curve with respect to the input gradation value, for example, as shown in FIG. The The image forming apparatus 10 performs optimal image processing on the normal print data 31 based on the normal print data gradation characteristic curve.

  In step S <b> 24, the image forming apparatus 10 generates bitmap data of the normal print data 31 suitable for the output of the image forming apparatus 10 under the control of the CPU 12. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 applies the normal print data 31 to the normal print data 31 based on the normal print data gradation characteristic curve 41 under the control of the CPU 12 as shown in FIG. When the normal print intermediate data 42 in which the gradation value of each dot is suppressed based on the normal print data gradation characteristic curve 41 is generated by performing the gradation correction process, the normal print intermediate data 42 is converted into a bitmap. Therefore, the predetermined threshold value data 43 and the normal printing intermediate data 42 are compared. Here, the threshold value data 43 is assumed to have a threshold value “100” for all dots. Then, under the control of the CPU 12, the image forming apparatus 10 sets black for dots whose gradation value exceeds the threshold among the dots constituting the normal printing intermediate data 42, and the gradation value is the threshold. The bit map data 44 after the gradation correction processing is generated by setting the data that does not exceed 1 to white. When the image forming apparatus 10 generates the bitmap data 44 in this way, the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10 can perform optimum processing on the normal print data 31 according to such a series of procedures.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 performs an optimum process on the authentication data 33 in step S5 in FIG. 4 according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG. 10, for example.

  That is, as shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 10 converts the color component included in the authentication data 33 into the output color component of the image forming apparatus 10 under the control of the CPU 12 in step S31. In S32, a predetermined multi-valued logical operation is performed based on the obtained output color component to generate a black component, and the under color is removed.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 33, the image forming apparatus 10 performs predetermined image processing on the authentication data 33 under the control of the CPU 12. For example, when performing the gradation correction process, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires an authentication data gradation characteristic curve that defines an output gradation value with respect to an input gradation value, and uses the authentication data gradation characteristic curve as the authentication data gradation characteristic curve. Based on this, gradation correction processing is performed. Here, the gradation characteristic curve for authentication data is defined so that the output gradation value does not change with respect to the input gradation value, for example, as shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 10 performs optimal image processing on the authentication data 33 based on the authentication data gradation characteristic curve.

  In step S <b> 34, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether the output color component exceeds the total thickness limit threshold value under the control of the CPU 12. Here, the total thickness limit threshold value indicates a limit value that can be normally output by the image forming apparatus 10, for example, when outputting four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. When it has a range of 0% to 100% per color, it is expressed by 0% to 400%.

  If the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the output color component exceeds the total thickness limit threshold, the process proceeds to step S35, and the total thickness limit threshold is changed under the control of the CPU 12. Then, the processing from step S34 is repeated. The change of the total thickness limit threshold value is to increase the value with respect to the basic value of the threshold value. This total thickness limit threshold can be arbitrarily adjusted by the user.

  If the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the output color component does not exceed the total thickness limit threshold value, it is suitable for the output of the image forming apparatus 10 under the control of the CPU 12 in step S36. Bitmap data of the authentication data 33 is generated. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the image forming apparatus 10 performs gradation on the authentication data 33 based on the authentication data gradation characteristic curve 51 under the control of the CPU 12. When the authentication intermediate data 52 in which the gradation value of each dot is suppressed based on the authentication data gradation characteristic curve 51 is generated by performing the correction process, the authentication intermediate data 52 is bitmapped. The predetermined threshold data 53 and the authentication intermediate data 52 are compared. Here, the threshold value data 53 is assumed to have a threshold value “100” for all dots. Then, under the control of the CPU 12, the image forming apparatus 10 sets black for those dots whose gradation value exceeds the threshold among the dots constituting the authentication intermediate data 52, and the gradation value has the threshold. Bitmap data 54 after gradation correction processing is generated by setting the one not exceeding white as white. When the image forming apparatus 10 generates the bitmap data 54 in this way, the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10 can perform optimum processing on the authentication data 33 according to such a series of procedures.

  Here, as can be seen by comparing the bitmap data 44 shown in FIG. 9A and the bitmap data 54 shown in FIG. 9B, in the image forming apparatus 10, the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 are displayed. Are the same dot distribution, bit map data 44 and 54 having different dot distributions are obtained due to the different gradation characteristic curves. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 can prevent the print shape of the authentication data 33 from being changed by separately performing optimum processing on the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33, respectively.

  As described above, in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus 10 receives the print job 30 including the authentication data 33, the image forming apparatus 10 normally receives the print job 30 from the print job 30. The print data 31 and the authentication data 33 are acquired, and the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a are compared. If they match, the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 are optimized separately. By performing this process, it is possible to prevent the print shape of the authentication data 33 from changing while maintaining the print quality of the normal print data 31, and to prevent the visibility of the authentication data 33 from being deteriorated. Whether or not the print medium can be authenticated can be determined.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the threshold data 43 and 53 are both given the threshold value “100” for all dots. On the other hand, the normal print data gradation characteristic curve 41 and the authentication data gradation characteristic curve 51 are made different from each other, whereby optimum processing is performed separately for the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33, respectively. Has been given. However, the image forming apparatus 10 has, for example, the case where the threshold data 43 and 53 have different threshold values and the normal print data gradation characteristic curve 41 and the authentication data gradation characteristic curve 51 are the same curve. In addition, the print shape of the authentication data 33 can be prevented from changing while maintaining the print quality of the normal print data 31, and the gradation characteristic curve 41 for normal print data, the gradation characteristic curve 51 for authentication data, May be different from each other, and the threshold data 43 and 53 may be different from each other. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 performs optimum processing separately on the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 so that the print shape of the authentication data 33 is not changed while maintaining the print quality of the normal print data 31. Any processing may be performed as long as it is applied.

  Next, an image forming system shown as the second embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming system shown as the first embodiment, for all print jobs received by the image forming apparatus from the host apparatus, authentication data included in the print job is acquired and compared with the original authentication data. In the image forming system shown as the second embodiment, before the comparison of the authentication data, the condition regarding the print medium on which the authentication data is formed and the condition regarding the print medium on which the image forming apparatus can form an image are set. To compare. Therefore, in the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the image forming system is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus 100 and a host apparatus 130 via a predetermined network cable.

  In addition to the receiving unit 11, the CPU 12, the memory 13, the printing unit 14, the program ROM 15, and the storage 16, the image forming apparatus 100 has a medium condition that is a condition regarding a print medium on which the image forming apparatus 100 can form an image. A print medium condition acquisition unit 101 is provided.

  The print medium condition acquisition unit 101 acquires a medium condition stored in, for example, the storage 16 or the like under the control of the CPU 12, although not particularly illustrated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the medium condition 110 includes a sheet type 111 indicating the type of sheet as a print medium, a sheet thickness 112 indicating the thickness of the sheet, and a medium indicating the attribute of the sheet. And attribute information 113. The medium condition 110 acquired by the print medium condition acquisition unit 101 is supplied to the CPU 12.

  On the other hand, in addition to the driver program 22a, the application program 22b, and the authentication data addition program 22c described above, the host device 130 sets, in the print job, a medium condition that is a condition regarding the print medium on which the authentication data 33 is formed. An authentication data medium condition addition program 22d to be added is stored.

  When there is a medium condition of the authentication data 33, such a host device 130 executes an authentication data medium condition addition program 22d by a CPU (not shown) and adds the medium condition to the print job. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the host device 130 sequentially displays the normal print data 31, the authentication data identification command 32, the authentication data 33, and the authentication data for identifying the medium condition of the authentication data 33 from the head side. A print job 120 configured by arranging authentication data medium condition data 122 that is data including medium conditions of the medium condition identification command 121 and the authentication data 33 is generated.

  In such an image forming system, the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the authentication data medium condition data 122 and the medium conditions that the image forming apparatus 100 can form an image before comparing the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a. 110 is compared. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a print medium according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG. 14, for example.

  First, as shown in the figure, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives the print job 120 from the host apparatus 130 in step S51, the print job analysis program 15b performs normal printing from the print job 30 under the control of the CPU 12. Data 31 is acquired. In step S52, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the authentication data medium condition data 122 from the print job 120 by the print job analysis program 15b under the control of the CPU 12.

  Subsequently, in step S53, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the medium condition 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 stored in the storage 16 or the like by the print medium condition acquiring unit 101 under the control of the CPU 12, and the step S53. In S54, it is determined whether the authentication data medium condition data 122 and the medium condition 110 match.

  If the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the authentication data medium condition data 122 and the medium condition 110 do not match, the image forming apparatus 100 proceeds to step S61. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the authentication data medium condition data 122 and the medium condition 110 match, the print job analysis program 15b executes a print job under the control of the CPU 12 in step S55. In step S56, the authentication data original 16a stored in the storage 16 is acquired by the authentication data comparison program 15e. In step S57, the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a match. It is determined whether or not to do.

  If the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a match, the process shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 is performed under the control of the CPU 12 in step S58. As a result, the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 are separately processed to generate bitmap data. In step S59, the image forming apparatus 100 synthesizes the bitmap data of the normal print data 31 and the bitmap data of the authentication data 33 under the control of the CPU 12, and the bitmap obtained in step S60. The data is printed on the print medium by the printing unit 14, and the series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 100 determines in step S54 that the authentication data medium condition data 122 and the medium condition 110 do not match, or in step S57, the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a do not match. If it is determined that it is, the temporary authentication data 16b stored in the storage 16 is acquired by the authentication data comparison program 15e under the control of the CPU 12 in step S61, and the authentication data processing program 15d is acquired in step S62. Thus, the temporary authentication data 16b is analyzed and converted into bitmap data.

  In step S63, the image forming apparatus 100 synthesizes the bitmap data of the normal print data 31 and the bitmap data of the temporary authentication data 16b under the control of the CPU 12, and the obtained bit in step S60. The map data is printed on the printing medium by the printing unit 14, and the series of processes is completed.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 compares the authentication data medium condition data 122 with the medium condition 110 on which the image forming apparatus 100 can form an image before comparing the authentication data 33 with the original authentication data 16a. The authentication data 33 is acquired only when they match, the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 or the temporary authentication data 16b are separately processed, and image formation based on the obtained bitmap data is performed. It can be carried out.

  As described above, in the image forming system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives the print job 120 including the authentication data 33, the image forming apparatus 100 authenticates from the print job 120. The data medium condition data 122 is acquired, the authentication data medium condition data 122 and the medium condition 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 are compared, and if they match, the authentication data 33 is acquired and the original authentication data 16a. And compare. That is, since the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not the authentication data 33 can be printed prior to obtaining the authentication data 33, the useless analysis of the authentication data 33 is performed. Processing can be avoided, and processing speed can be increased. If the authentication data medium condition data 122 and the medium condition 110 match, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the authentication data 33 and compares the authentication data original 16a. By performing optimum processing separately on the print data 31 and the authentication data 33, it is possible to prevent the print shape of the authentication data 33 from being changed while maintaining the print quality of the normal print data 31. It is possible to prevent the visibility of the authentication data 33 from being lowered and to allow the user to determine whether or not the print medium can be authenticated.

  Next, an image forming system shown as the third embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming system shown as the first embodiment, for all print jobs received by the image forming apparatus from the host apparatus, authentication data included in the print job is acquired and compared with the original authentication data. Thus, the image forming system shown as the third embodiment detects the status of the image forming apparatus before comparing the authentication data, determines whether or not the authentication data can be printed, and then prints the authentication data. When image data can be printed, image formation based on a print job including the authentication data is performed. Therefore, in the description of the third embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the image forming system is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus 200 and a host apparatus 20 via a predetermined network cable.

  The image forming apparatus 200 includes a state detection unit 201 that detects the state of the image forming apparatus 100 in addition to the reception unit 11, the CPU 12, the memory 13, the printing unit 14, the program ROM 15, and the storage 16. Further, the image forming apparatus 200 stores authentication data in the program ROM 15 in addition to the above-described print control program 15a, print job analysis program 15b, normal print data processing program 15c, authentication data processing program 15d, and authentication data comparison program 15e. An authentication printing permission determination program 15f for determining whether printing is possible is stored.

  The state detection unit 201 detects the state of the image forming apparatus 200 under the control of the CPU 12. Here, in the image forming apparatus 200, when the authentication data 33 is printed, the visibility of the authentication data 33 on the print medium is important. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 200, printing defects such as printing rubbing should be avoided as much as possible, and the best printing quality is required. Therefore, the state detection unit 201 detects elements related to the print quality. Specifically, the state detection unit 201 detects a toner density value as an element related to print quality under the control of the CPU 12. The toner density value detected by the state detection unit 201 is supplied to the CPU 12.

  Under the control of the CPU 12, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the authentication data 33 can be printed by the authentication print permission determination program 15 f based on the toner density value detected by the state detection unit 201. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the authentication print permission condition 210 stored in the storage 16 or the like by the authentication print permission determination program 15f under the control of the CPU 12. . This authentication printable condition 210 defines a normal range 211 of toner density values that can print the authentication data 33. In the image forming apparatus 200, the toner density value detected by the state detection unit 201 under the control of the CPU 12 is larger than the lower limit density value min defined by the authentication printable condition 210, and the upper limit density value. If it is determined by the authentication printing permission determination program 15f that the value is smaller than max, it is determined that the authentication data 33 can be printed.

  In such an image forming system, the image forming apparatus 200 detects whether or not the authentication data 33 can be printed by detecting the state of the image forming apparatus 200 before comparing the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a. to decide. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 200 forms an image on a print medium according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in the figure, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives a print job 30 from the host apparatus 20 in step S101, the print job analysis program 15b performs normal printing from the print job 30 under the control of the CPU 12. Data 31 is acquired. In step S <b> 102, the image forming apparatus 200 detects the state of the image forming apparatus 200, that is, the toner density value under the control of the CPU 12.

  Subsequently, in step S103, the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the authentication print permission condition 210 stored in the storage 16 or the like by the authentication print permission determination program 15f under the control of the CPU 12, and the state detection unit 201 It is determined whether or not the detected toner density value is larger than the lower limit density value min defined by the authentication printable condition 210 and smaller than the upper limit density value max.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 200, the toner density value detected by the state detection unit 201 is larger than the lower limit density value min defined by the authentication printable condition 210 and not smaller than the upper limit density value max. If it is determined that the authentication data 33 cannot be printed, it is determined that the authentication data 33 cannot be printed, and the series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 200, the toner density value detected by the state detection unit 201 is larger than the lower limit density value min defined by the authentication printable condition 210 and smaller than the upper limit density value max. If it is determined, it is determined that the authentication data 33 can be printed. In step S104, the authentication data 33 is acquired from the print job 30 by the print job analysis program 15b under the control of the CPU 12. In step S105, the authentication data original 16a stored in the storage 16 is acquired by the authentication data comparison program 15e. In step S106, it is determined whether or not the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a match.

  If the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the authentication data 33 and the original authentication data 16a match, the processing shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 is performed under the control of the CPU 12 in step S107. As a result, the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 are separately processed to generate bitmap data. Then, the image forming apparatus 200 combines the bitmap data of the normal print data 31 and the bitmap data of the authentication data 33 under the control of the CPU 12 in step S108, and the obtained bitmap in step S109. The data is printed on the print medium by the printing unit 14, and the series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 200 determines in step S106 that the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a do not match, the image forming apparatus 200 is stored in the storage 16 under the control of the CPU 12 in step S110. The temporary authentication data 16b is acquired by the authentication data comparison program 15e, and in step S111, the authentication data processing program 15d analyzes the temporary authentication data 16b and converts it into bitmap data.

  In step S112, the image forming apparatus 200 synthesizes the bitmap data of the normal print data 31 and the bitmap data of the temporary authentication data 16b under the control of the CPU 12, and the obtained bit in step S109. The map data is printed on the printing medium by the printing unit 14, and the series of processes is completed.

  As described above, before comparing the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a, the image forming apparatus 200 detects the state of the image forming apparatus 200 and determines whether the authentication data 33 can be printed. Only when it is determined that the data 33 can be printed, the authentication data 33 is acquired, the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 or the temporary authentication data 16b are separately processed, and the obtained bits Image formation based on map data can be performed.

  As described above, in the image forming system shown as the third embodiment of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives the print job 30 including the authentication data 33, the image forming apparatus 200 The status is detected to determine whether or not the authentication data 33 can be printed. If it is determined that the authentication data 33 can be printed, the authentication data 33 is acquired and compared with the authentication data original 16a. That is, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether or not the state of the image forming apparatus 200 satisfies the authentication printable condition 210 before acquiring the authentication data 33. Can be avoided, and the processing speed can be increased. If the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the authentication printable condition 210 is satisfied, the image forming apparatus 200 acquires the authentication data 33 and compares the authentication data original 16a. By performing optimal processing separately on the authentication data 33 and the authentication data 33, the print shape of the authentication data 33 can be prevented from changing while maintaining the print quality of the normal print data 31, and the authentication data It is possible to prevent a decrease in the visibility of 33 and allow the user to determine whether or not the print medium can be authenticated.

  Finally, an image forming system shown as the fourth embodiment will be described.

  The image forming system shown as the third embodiment has been described as terminating the process without forming an image when the state of the image forming apparatus does not satisfy the authentication printable condition. The image forming system shown as the embodiment performs alternative printing by another image forming apparatus when the state of the image forming apparatus does not satisfy the authentication printable condition. Therefore, in the description of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the image forming system, an image forming apparatus 300 and a host apparatus 310 are connected via a predetermined network cable, and an alternative image forming apparatus 320 that performs alternative printing is also connected via a predetermined network cable. Connected and configured.

  The image forming apparatus 300 transmits a transfer print job to the alternative image forming apparatus 320 in addition to the reception unit 11, the CPU 12, the memory 13, the printing unit 14, the program ROM 15, the storage 16, and the state detection unit 201 described above. The transmitting unit 301 is provided. In addition, the image forming apparatus 300 stores the above-described print control program 15a, print job analysis program 15b, normal print data processing program 15c, authentication data processing program 15d, authentication data comparison program 15e, and authentication print availability determination program in the program ROM 15. In addition to 15f, an image forming apparatus search program 15g for searching for an alternative image forming apparatus capable of performing alternative printing, and a transfer print job are transferred to the alternative image forming apparatus searched by the image forming apparatus search program 15g. The print job transfer program 15h to be stored is stored. Further, the image forming apparatus 300 stores, in the storage 16, stamp data 16 c instead of the authentication data 33 in addition to the authentication data original 16 a and the temporary authentication data 16 b described above.

  In such an image forming apparatus 300, the state detection unit 201 detects the state of the image forming apparatus 300 under the control of the CPU 12, and the state of the image forming apparatus 300 does not satisfy the authentication printable condition 210. If it is determined, the image forming apparatus search program 15g searches for an alternative image forming apparatus capable of performing alternative printing from among the image forming apparatuses connected to the network. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 300 executes the image forming apparatus search program 15g, inquires the state of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, and determines that the state satisfies the authentication printable condition 210. In such a case, the image forming apparatus is authorized as the alternative image forming apparatus 320.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 300 asks the user whether or not the execution of the alternative printing is permitted. When the execution of the alternative printing is permitted, the print job transfer program 15h passes the transmission unit 301 under the control of the CPU 12. Then, the transfer print job is transferred to the alternative image forming apparatus 320. At this time, the image forming apparatus 300 generates a transfer print job using the seal data 16 c stored in the storage 16 instead of the authentication data 33. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the stamp data 16 c is a mark printed at a place where the seal stamp or the like is stamped in order to urge manual authentication work using the seal stamp or the like. That is, in the image forming system, when the user desires to print the authentication data 33 by the image forming apparatus 300, the alternative image forming apparatus when the state of the image forming apparatus 300 does not satisfy the authentication printable condition 210. Assuming that it is necessary to perform alternative printing by the alternative image forming apparatus 320 that does not have the function of collating the authentication data 33, but uses the stamp data 16c instead of the authentication data 33. . Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 300, under the control of the CPU 12, as shown in FIG. 20, the normal print data 31, the authentication data identification command 32, and the stamp data 16c are sequentially arranged from the head side. The transfer print job 350 configured as described above is generated by the print job transfer program 15 h and transferred via the transmission unit 301.

  In addition to the driver program 22a, the application program 22b, and the authentication data addition program 22c described above, the host device 310 allows the alternative print execution permission program 22e to permit the replacement image forming apparatus 320 to execute the replacement printing in the program ROM 22. Remember.

  Such a host device 310 is executed by the alternative print execution permission program 22e under the control of a CPU (not shown) in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 300 to determine whether or not the alternative image forming apparatus 320 can execute the alternative printing. The user is inquired about whether or not to perform alternative printing, and when an input operation for performing alternative printing is performed via an operation unit (not shown), the fact is notified to the image forming apparatus 300 via the transmission unit 21. Send to.

  Further, the alternative image forming apparatus 320 includes a receiving unit 321 that receives the transfer print job 350 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 300, a CPU 322 that controls the respective units, a memory 323, and bitmap data as a print medium. A printing unit 324 for printing, a state detection unit 325 for detecting the state of the alternative image forming apparatus 320, and a program ROM 326 for storing various programs.

  The receiving unit 321 receives the transfer print job 350 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 300 via the network cable. The transfer print job 350 received by the receiving unit 321 is stored in the reception buffer 323 a in the memory 323 under the control of the CPU 322.

  The CPU 322 comprehensively controls each unit based on the print control program 326a stored in the program ROM 326.

  The memory 323 includes a reception buffer 323 a that stores the transfer print job 350 received by the reception unit 321, and a page buffer that stores bitmap data obtained by analyzing the normal print data 31 included in the transfer print job 350. 323b. The transfer print job 350 stored in the reception buffer 323 a is read by the CPU 322. The bitmap data stored in the page buffer 323b is read out by the printing unit 324 under the control of the CPU 322.

  Under the control of the CPU 322, the printing unit 324 reads the bitmap data stored in the page buffer 323b and prints it on a print medium.

  The state detection unit 325 detects the state of the image forming apparatus 320 under the control of the CPU 322. Specifically, the state detection unit 325 detects a toner density value as an element related to print quality under the control of the CPU 322. The toner density value detected by the state detection unit 325 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 300 under the control of the CPU 322.

  The program ROM 326 stores various programs executed by the CPU 322. Specifically, the program ROM 326 includes a print control program 326a for controlling the CPU 322, a print job analysis program 326b for analyzing the transfer print job 350 in units of commands, and a normal print job included in the transfer print job 350. A normal print data processing program 326c for performing predetermined image processing on the print data 31 is stored.

  The substitute image forming apparatus 320 configured by each unit receives the transfer print job 350 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 300 and processes the transfer print job 350 to process the print medium. Perform image formation.

  In such an image forming system, an image is formed on a print medium according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG. 21, for example.

  First, as shown in the figure, when the image forming apparatus 300 receives the print job 30 from the host apparatus 310 in step S201, the image forming apparatus 300 performs normal printing from the print job 30 by the print job analysis program 15b under the control of the CPU 12. Data 31 is acquired. In step S202, the image forming apparatus 300 detects the state of the image forming apparatus 300, that is, the toner density value by the state detection unit 201 under the control of the CPU 12.

  Subsequently, in step S203, the image forming apparatus 300 refers to the authentication print enable condition 210 stored in the storage 16 or the like by the authentication print enable / disable determination program 15f under the control of the CPU 12, and the state detection unit 201 It is determined whether or not the detected toner density value is larger than the lower limit density value min defined by the authentication printable condition 210 and smaller than the upper limit density value max.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 300, the toner density value detected by the state detection unit 201 is larger than the lower limit density value min defined by the authentication printable condition 210 and smaller than the upper limit density value max. If it is determined that the authentication data 33 can be printed, the authentication data 33 is acquired from the print job 30 by the print job analysis program 15b under the control of the CPU 12 in step S204. At the same time, in step S205, the authentication data original 16a stored in the storage 16 is acquired by the authentication data comparison program 15e, and in step S206, it is determined whether or not the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a match.

  If the image forming apparatus 300 determines that the authentication data 33 and the original authentication data 16a match, the process shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 is performed under the control of the CPU 12 in step S207. As a result, the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33 are separately processed to generate bitmap data. In step S208, the image forming apparatus 300 synthesizes the bitmap data of the normal print data 31 and the bitmap data of the authentication data 33 under the control of the CPU 12, and the bitmap obtained in step S209. The data is printed on the print medium by the printing unit 14, and the series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 300 determines in step S206 that the authentication data 33 and the original authentication data 16a do not match, the image forming apparatus 300 is stored in the storage 16 under the control of the CPU 12 in step S210. The temporary authentication data 16b is acquired by the authentication data comparison program 15e, and in step S211, the authentication data processing program 15d analyzes the temporary authentication data 16b and converts it into bitmap data.

  In step S212, the image forming apparatus 300 synthesizes the bitmap data of the normal print data 31 and the bitmap data of the temporary authentication data 16b under the control of the CPU 12, and the obtained bit in step S209. The map data is printed on the printing medium by the printing unit 14, and the series of processes is completed.

  Further, in step S203, the image forming apparatus 300 has the toner density value detected by the state detection unit 201 larger than the lower limit density value min defined by the authentication printable condition 210 and higher than the upper limit density value max. If it is determined that the value is not too small, the process proceeds to step S213 to perform alternative printing by the alternative image forming apparatus 320.

  That is, in step S213, the image forming apparatus 300 searches for an alternative image forming apparatus 320 satisfying the authentication printable condition 210 from the image forming apparatuses connected to the network under the control of the CPU 12. 15g is searched to determine whether or not there is such an alternative image forming apparatus 320. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 300 executes the image forming apparatus search program 15g under the control of the CPU 12, inquires of the state of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, and in the image forming apparatus. The state detected by the state detection unit 325 is acquired. Then, under the control of the CPU 12, the image forming apparatus 300 determines whether or not the inquired state of the image forming apparatus satisfies the authentication printable condition 210. That is, under the control of the CPU 12, the image forming apparatus 300 refers to the authentication print enable condition 210 stored in the storage 16 or the like by the authentication print enable / disable determination program 15f, and determines the toner density value of the inquired image forming apparatus. Then, it is determined whether or not it is larger than the lower limit density value min defined by the authentication printable condition 210 and smaller than the upper limit density value max. The image forming apparatus 300 performs such processing, and determines whether there is an alternative image forming apparatus 320.

  If the image forming apparatus 300 determines that the alternative image forming apparatus 320 is not present, the image forming apparatus 300 cannot perform the alternative printing, and thus ends the series of processes. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 300 determines that the alternative image forming apparatus 320 is present, in step S214, the image forming apparatus 300 inquires of the user via the host apparatus 310 whether the alternative image forming apparatus 320 can execute the alternative printing. . Then, if the user is not permitted to execute the alternative printing by the alternative image forming apparatus 320, the image forming apparatus 300 ends the series of processes as it is.

  On the other hand, if execution of alternative printing by the alternative image forming apparatus 320 is permitted by the user, the image forming apparatus 300 starts from the print job 30 by the print job analysis program 15b under the control of the CPU 12 in step S215. In step S216, the authentication data original 16a stored in the storage 16 is acquired by the authentication data comparison program 15e. In step S217, whether the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a match. Determine whether or not.

  If the image forming apparatus 300 determines that the authentication data 33 and the authentication data original 16a do not match, the image forming apparatus 300 ends the series of processes without performing alternative printing. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 300 determines that the authentication data 33 and the original authentication data 16a match, the print job transfer program 15h sends the print job 30 to the print job 30 in step S218 under the control of the CPU 12. The authentication data 33 included is replaced with the seal data 16c stored in the storage 16 to generate the transfer print job 350. In step S219, the generated transfer print job 350 is replaced with the substitute image via the transmission unit 301. Transfer to forming apparatus 320.

  In response to this, in step S220, the alternative image forming apparatus 320 performs processing for analyzing the transfer print job 350 by the normal print data processing program 326c and converting it into bitmap data under the control of the CPU 322. In step S221, the obtained bitmap data is printed on a print medium by the printing unit 324, and a series of processes is completed.

  As described above, before comparing the authentication data 33 and the original authentication data 16a, the image forming apparatus 300 detects the state of the image forming apparatus 300 and determines whether the authentication data 33 can be printed. If it is determined that the data 33 cannot be printed, the alternative image forming apparatus 320 can perform the alternative printing.

  As described above, in the image forming system shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus 300 receives the print job 30 including the authentication data 33, the image forming apparatus 300 If the status is detected to determine whether or not the authentication data 33 can be printed, and if it is determined that the authentication data 33 cannot be printed, the alternative image forming apparatus 320 that satisfies the authentication printable condition 210 is searched. Then, when the alternative image forming apparatus 320 exists and the user's permission is obtained, the image forming apparatus 300 acquires the authentication data 33 and compares it with the authentication data original 16a, and these match. In this case, since the transfer print job 350 is generated and transferred to the substitute image forming apparatus 320, the print medium in which the authentication data 33 is replaced with the stamp data 16c that prompts manual authentication work is used as the substitute image. It can be acquired by the user via the forming apparatus 320.

  If the image forming apparatus 300 determines that the authentication data 33 can be printed, the image forming apparatus 300 acquires the authentication data 33 and compares it with the original authentication data 16a. By performing optimum processing separately for the normal print data 31 and the authentication data 33, unnecessary analysis processing for the authentication data 33 can be avoided, and the processing speed can be increased. The print shape of the authentication data 33 can be prevented from changing while maintaining the print quality of the normal print data 31, and the visibility of the authentication data 33 can be prevented from being lowered, and the user can be authenticated whether or not the print medium can be authenticated. Judgment can be made.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, in the above-described fourth embodiment, the transfer print job in which the authentication data is replaced with the seal data has been described as being transferred from the image forming apparatus to the substitute image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus has a function of collating authentication data, the print job may be transferred as it is to the alternative image forming apparatus without being replaced with the stamp data.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given using an example applied to a printer that performs printing on a print medium. However, the present invention may be, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Printer) that combines a facsimile apparatus, a printer, and a scanner apparatus. Any apparatus that forms an image such as a copying machine or the like can be easily applied. Furthermore, the output is displayed on a display screen without forming an image on a print medium. The present invention can also be applied to a monitor having a display screen.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, various programs are stored in the program ROM included in the image forming apparatus, and these programs are executed by the CPU included in the image forming apparatus. Various programs may be stored in a program ROM provided in a computer or the like including a host device capable of controlling the image forming apparatus via the CPU, and executed by a CPU provided in the computer or the like.

  Thus, it goes without saying that the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system shown as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print job processed by the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of authentication data and temporary authentication data. 4 is a flowchart for describing a series of processes when performing image formation on a print medium in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming system shown as a 1st embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure for explaining signs that authentication data and an authentication data original are compared, and a case where authentication data and an authentication data original correspond is explained. FIG. In the image forming system shown as a 1st embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure for explaining signs that authentication data and an authentication data original are compared, and a case where authentication data and an authentication data original do not correspond is explained. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a specific example of processing in a case where authentication data matches an authentication data original in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a specific example of processing in a case where authentication data and authentication data original do not match in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for describing a series of processes performed on normal print data in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the gradation characteristic curve for normal print data. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the gradation characteristic curve for authentication data. FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a specific example of a series of processes performed on normal print data in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a specific example of a series of processes performed on authentication data in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for describing a series of processes performed on authentication data in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the image forming system shown as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the medium conditions used with the image forming system shown as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print job processed by the image forming system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when image formation is performed on a print medium in the image forming system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the image forming system shown as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the authentication printing possible conditions used with the image forming system shown as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart for describing a series of processing when image formation is performed on a print medium in the image forming system shown as the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the image forming system shown as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of stamp data. It is a figure explaining the structure of the print job for transfer processed with the image forming system shown as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when image formation is performed on a print medium in the image forming system shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of authentication data. FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a specific example of a series of processing performed on authentication data in a conventional image forming apparatus, where (a) shows a dot distribution of authentication data, and (b) shows a tone characteristic curve. (C) shows the dot distribution of the authentication intermediate data, (d) shows the dot distribution of the threshold data, and (e) shows the dot distribution of the bitmap data after the gradation correction processing. FIG. It is a figure explaining the desirable shape on the printing medium corresponding to the authentication data shown to Fig.23 (a).

Explanation of symbols

10, 100, 200, 300 Image forming apparatus 11, 321 Receiving unit 12, 322 CPU
13,323 Memory 13a, 323a Reception buffer 13b, 323b Page buffer 14,324 Printing unit 15,22,326 Program ROM
15a, 326a Print control program 15b, 326b Print job analysis program 15c, 326c Normal print data processing program 15d Authentication data processing program 15e Authentication data comparison program 15f Authentication print availability determination program 15g Image forming apparatus search program 15h Print job transfer program 16 Storage 16a Authentication data original 16b Temporary authentication data 16c Imprint data 20, 130, 310 Host device 21, 301 Transmission unit 22a Driver program 22b Application program 22c Authentication data addition program 22d Authentication data medium condition addition program 22e Alternative printing execution permission program 30, 120 Print job 31 Normal print data 32 Authentication data identification command 33 Authentication data 41 Normal seal Data gradation characteristic curve 42 Normal printing intermediate data 43, 53 Threshold data 44, 54 Bitmap data 51 Authentication data gradation characteristic curve 52 Authentication intermediate data 101 Print medium condition acquisition unit 110 Medium condition 111 Paper type 112 Paper thickness 113 Media attribute information 121 Authentication data medium condition identification command 122 Authentication data medium condition data 201, 325 Status detection unit 210 Authentication printable condition 211 Normal range of toner density value 320 Alternative image forming device 350 Transfer print job

Claims (7)

Storage means for storing the original authentication data generated together with the data to be authenticated by the host device;
Comparison means for comparing the authentication data generated by the host device with the original authentication data stored in the storage means;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison means, if the authentication data and the original authentication data match, the authentication data processing means for applying a first image process to the authentication data, and the authentication data Authentication data processing means for performing second image processing on the image data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the authentication data processed by the authentication data processing unit and the authentication data processing unit; and a combining unit that combines the authentication data and the authentication data. Medium condition acquisition means for acquiring a medium condition that is a condition relating to a medium on which the image forming apparatus can form an image;
A condition comparison unit that compares the medium condition acquired by the medium condition acquisition unit with an authentication data medium condition that is a condition relating to a medium on which the authentication data added to the authentication data is imaged;
The comparison means, if the result of the comparison by the condition comparison means shows that the authentication data medium condition and the medium condition match, the comparison data and the original authentication data stored in the storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein comparison is made. State detecting means for detecting the state of the image forming apparatus;
Determination means for determining whether or not image formation of the authentication data is possible based on whether or not the state detected by the state detection means satisfies a predetermined condition;
When the state of the image forming apparatus detected by the state detection unit satisfies the predetermined condition as a result of the determination by the determination unit, the comparison unit is stored in the authentication data and the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication data is compared with the original authentication data. Search means for searching for an alternative image forming apparatus for performing alternative image formation when the state of the image forming apparatus detected by the state detection means does not satisfy the predetermined condition as a result of determination by the determination means;
Transfer means for transferring data including the authenticated data to the alternative image forming apparatus searched by the search means;
The comparison unit compares the authentication data with the original authentication data stored in the storage unit when the alternative image forming apparatus is searched by the search unit;
The transfer unit transfers data including the authentication target data to the alternative image forming apparatus when the authentication data matches the original authentication data as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transfer unit transfers the data stored in the storage unit to the substitute image forming apparatus together with the authentication target data instead of the authentication data. . If the authentication data does not match the original authentication data as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, the authentication data processing means performs the second authentication on the temporary authentication data stored in the storage means. Image processing,
5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the combining unit combines the authentication target data processed by the authentication target data processing unit and the temporary authentication data processed by the authentication data processing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A host device that generates data to be authenticated and authentication data;
An image forming apparatus that forms an image by performing processing on the authentication target data and the authentication data received from the host device,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing an original of the authentication data;
Comparison means for comparing the authentication data generated by the host device with the original authentication data stored in the storage means;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison means, if the authentication data and the original authentication data match, the authentication data processing means for applying a first image process to the authentication data, and the authentication data Authentication data processing means for performing second image processing on the image data;
An image forming system comprising: the authentication data processed by the authentication data processing means and the authentication data processing means; and a combining means for combining the authentication data and the authentication data.