JP2007168154A - Image forming apparatus, client terminal device, and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer having good usability capable of ensuring security. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 111 of a network printer 1 comprises a document reception section 111a for receiving, from a client terminal device 2, document information in a first format which is one applied with fingerprint information, a fingerprint acquisition section 111b that acquires fingerprint information from the outside when the document reception section 111a receives the document information in the first format, a judgment section 111c that judges whether or not each of the fingerprint information received by the document reception section 111a and the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint acquisition section 111b designates an identical individual, and a permission section 111d that permits the printing operation of the document information in the first format received by the document reception section 111a when it is judged that each of the fingerprint information designates the identical individual by the judgment section 111c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a client terminal apparatus, and an image processing system configured to be able to execute print processing. More specifically, the image forming apparatus ensures security in print processing using individual authentication information, The present invention relates to a client terminal device and an image processing system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer (so-called network printer) connected to a client terminal device such as a personal computer via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, for example, a document created through application software in the client terminal device Information is received as print data and printed. However, until the user of the client terminal device that has sent the print data to the printer goes to pick up the printed recording paper ejected from the printer, anyone can easily see and take away the printed information. Left in a possible state. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to ensure the security of highly confidential documents in companies, government offices, and the like.

  In order to solve such a problem, a printer and a print system (refer to Patent Document 1) having a function of so-called “confidential print mode” have been proposed. In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the print data received by the printer includes authentication information (for example, a user ID and a password), the printer is a document to be printed in the confidential print mode. to decide. In this case, even if the printer receives the print data, the printer does not print immediately, but when the authentication information included in the received print data is input, the printer includes the print data corresponding to the input authentication information. Prints the document information.

In the case of using such a printer, after sending print data to the printer, the user can move to the nearest position of the printer and input a print start command to the printer, for example, by inputting authentication information by operating the printer operation unit. For example, the document information included in the print data transmitted to the printer can be printed at that time. Therefore, the user can execute the printing process while preventing others from seeing the printed document, so that security can be ensured.
JP-A-5-143253

  However, it may be complicated to input a password or the like into the printer, and it may be difficult to ensure security due to leakage of the password or the like. Furthermore, when the user forgets the password, the document information included in the print data transmitted to the printer may not be printed, so that the convenience is not sufficient.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a client terminal apparatus, and an image processing system that are convenient and secure security. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to a client terminal device and configured to be able to execute a print process, from the client terminal device, Document accepting means for accepting document information of the first format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is given, authentication obtaining means for obtaining individual authentication information from the outside, individual authentication information accepted by the document accepting means, Determination unit for determining whether or not the individual authentication information acquired by the authentication acquisition unit is information indicating the same individual, and information for which the two individual authentication information indicates the same individual by the determination unit And a permission unit for permitting the print processing of the document information of the first format received by the document receiving unit. It is set to.

  According to this configuration, the document accepting unit accepts document information in the first format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is attached, from a client terminal device that is communicably connected. Then, the individual authentication information is acquired from the outside by the authentication acquisition means. Further, the determination unit determines whether or not the individual authentication information received by the document reception unit and the individual authentication information acquired by the authentication acquisition unit are information indicating the same individual. Then, when the permission unit determines that the two pieces of individual authentication information are information indicating the same individual, the print processing of the first format document information received by the document reception unit is permitted. .

  Accordingly, when it is determined that the individual authentication information received from the client terminal device and given to the document information and the individual authentication information acquired from the outside are information indicating the same individual, the information is received from the client terminal device. Since the print processing of the document information is permitted, convenience is good and security can be ensured.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the individual authentication information is fingerprint information.

  According to this configuration, since the individual authentication information is fingerprint information, the individual authentication information is easily acquired in a short time by the authentication acquisition unit, and the determination by the determination unit is easily performed in a short time. Therefore, the authentication acquisition unit and the determination unit are realized with a simple configuration.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the document receiving unit receives document information of a second format that is document information to which individual authentication information is not given, The permission unit permits the print processing of the document information of the second format received by the document reception unit.

  According to this configuration, the second form of document information that is document information to which individual authentication information is not given is accepted by the document accepting means, and the second form of document information accepted by the document accepting means by the permitting means. Print processing is permitted.

  Accordingly, document information in the second format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is not assigned, is accepted and print processing is permitted. Therefore, the document information in the first format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is assigned, is added. In addition, it is possible to print the document information in the second format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is not assigned.

  5. The client terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the client terminal device is communicably connected to an image forming apparatus configured to execute a print process, and includes an authentication storage means for storing individual authentication information, and a predetermined document. In order to print the document generating means for generating the first format document information by giving the individual authentication information read from the authentication storage means to the information, and the first format document information generated by the document generating means And a document transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the individual authentication information is stored in the authentication storage unit, and the individual authentication information read from the authentication storage unit is added to the predetermined document information by the document generation unit, so that the document information in the first format Is generated. Then, the document transmission unit transmits the document information of the first format generated by the document generation unit to the image forming apparatus for print processing.

  Therefore, since document information of the first format in which individual authentication information is added to document information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, whether or not to permit document information print processing by performing individual authentication in the image forming apparatus. Can be determined. Therefore, convenience and good security can be ensured in document information print processing.

  The client terminal device according to claim 5 is the client terminal device according to claim 4, further comprising authentication acquisition means for acquiring individual authentication information from the outside and storing it in the authentication storage means, wherein the authentication acquisition means comprises: When installing the driver of the image forming apparatus, individual authentication information is acquired.

  According to this configuration, when installing the driver of the image forming apparatus by the authentication acquisition unit, the individual authentication information is acquired from the outside and stored in the authentication storage unit, so that the individual authentication information is reliably acquired. Is possible.

  The client terminal device according to claim 6 is the client terminal device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the document generation unit converts the individual authentication information into the document information by converting it into the same format as the document information. It is characterized by giving.

  According to this configuration, since the individual authentication information is converted into the same format as the document information and given to the document information by the document generation unit, the processing on the image forming apparatus side is simplified.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the client terminal device according to the sixth aspect, the same format is a PDL (Page Description Language).

  According to this configuration, since the format of the individual authentication information and the document information is PDL, the processing on the image forming apparatus side is further simplified.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the client terminal device according to the seventh aspect, the document generation unit assigns the individual authentication information to a page before the document information.

  According to this configuration, since the individual authentication information is given to the previous page of the document information by the document generation unit, the individual authentication information is quickly determined on the image forming apparatus side, and the individual authentication information is An identification process for identifying whether the document is a given document (identification process for identifying whether the document information is in the first format or the document information in the second format) is promptly performed.

  9. The client terminal device according to claim 9, wherein in the client terminal device according to claim 8, a PJL (Print Job Language) command for enabling the document generation unit to distinguish the document information and the individual authentication information is provided. It is characterized by doing.

  According to this configuration, a PJL command that allows discrimination between document information and individual authentication information is given by the document generation unit. Therefore, on the image forming apparatus side, document information and individual authentication information can be easily obtained based on the PJL command. Can be determined.

  11. An image processing system according to claim 10, comprising: a client terminal device that accepts an external operation input; and an image forming device that is communicably connected to the client terminal device and configured to execute print processing. In the system, the client terminal device generates first format document information by adding authentication storage means for storing individual authentication information and individual authentication information read from the authentication storage means to predetermined document information And a document transmission unit that transmits the document information of the first format generated by the document generation unit to the image forming apparatus for print processing. The image forming apparatus includes: A document receiving means for receiving the document information in the first format, an authentication acquiring means for acquiring individual authentication information from the outside, A determination unit that determines whether or not the individual authentication information received by the document reception unit and the individual authentication information acquired by the authentication acquisition unit are information indicating the same individual; And a permission unit for permitting the print processing of the document information of the first format received by the document receiving unit when it is determined that the two pieces of individual authentication information are information indicating the same individual. .

  According to this configuration, in the client terminal device, the individual authentication information is stored in the authentication storage unit, and the individual authentication information read from the authentication storage unit is added to the predetermined document information by the document generation unit. One type of document information is generated. Then, the document transmission unit transmits the document information of the first format generated by the document generation unit to the image forming apparatus for print processing.

  In the image forming apparatus, the document receiving unit receives document information in the first format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is added, from the client terminal device. Individual authentication information is acquired from the outside by the authentication acquisition means, and the individual authentication information received by the document reception means by the determination means and the individual authentication information acquired by the authentication acquisition means indicate the same individual. It is determined whether it is information. Further, when the determination unit determines that the two pieces of individual authentication information are information indicating the same individual by the permission unit, the print processing of the document information of the first format received by the document reception unit is permitted. .

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, when it is determined that the individual authentication information received from the client terminal device and given to the document information and the individual authentication information acquired from the outside are information indicating the same individual, Since print processing of the document information received from the client terminal device is permitted, convenience is good and security can be ensured.

  According to the image forming apparatus of claim 1, the individual authentication information received from the client terminal device and given to the document information and the individual authentication information acquired from outside are information indicating the same individual. When the determination is made, the print processing of the document information accepted from the client terminal device is permitted, so that security can be ensured while improving convenience.

  According to the image forming apparatus of claim 2, since the individual authentication information is fingerprint information, the individual authentication information is easily acquired in a short time by the authentication acquisition unit, and the determination by the determination unit is easy and Since it is performed in a short time, the authentication acquisition means and the determination means can be realized with a simple configuration.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, since the document information of the second format that is document information to which the individual authentication information is not given is accepted and the print processing is permitted, the individual authentication information is given. In addition to document information in the first format that is document information, document information in the second format that is document information to which individual authentication information is not attached can be printed.

  According to the client terminal device of the fourth aspect, since the document information of the first format in which the individual authentication information is added to the document information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, by performing the individual authentication in the image forming apparatus, Since it is possible to determine whether or not to permit document information print processing, convenience and good security can be ensured in document information print processing.

  According to the client terminal device of claim 5, when installing the driver of the image forming apparatus, the individual authentication information is acquired from the outside and stored in the authentication storage unit, so that the individual authentication information is reliably acquired. can do.

  According to the client terminal device of the sixth aspect, since the individual authentication information is converted into the same format as the document information and given to the document information, the processing on the image forming apparatus side can be simplified.

  According to the client terminal device of the seventh aspect, since the format of the individual authentication information and the document information is PDL, the processing on the image forming apparatus side can be further simplified.

  According to the client terminal device of the eighth aspect, since the individual authentication information is given to the previous page of the document information by the document generation unit, the determination processing of the individual authentication information on the image forming apparatus side is promptly performed. In addition, the identification processing for identifying whether or not the document has individual authentication information (identification processing for identifying whether the document information is the first format or the second format) is promptly performed. Can do.

  According to the client terminal device of the ninth aspect, since the PJL command for enabling discrimination between the document information and the individual authentication information is given, the image forming apparatus side determines the document information and the individual authentication information based on the PJL command. Can be easily determined.

  According to the image processing system of claim 10, in the image forming apparatus, the individual authentication information received from the client terminal device and given to the document information is identical to the individual authentication information acquired from the outside. When it is determined that the received information is the information to be displayed, the print processing of the document information received from the client terminal device is permitted, so that security can be ensured while improving convenience.

  Hereinafter, an image processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an image processing system according to the present invention. That is, the image processing system includes a network printer 1 (an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention) and a client terminal device 2. The image forming apparatus will be described by taking as an example a network printer that receives image data from the client terminal apparatus 2 and has a print function for printing the received image data. The present invention can be applied even to a multi-function peripheral configured to be capable of executing at least one process.

  The network printer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, an image memory 114, a codec (CODEC: Coder and Decoder) 115, a reading unit 116, and a recording unit 117. , An operation unit 118, a fingerprint reading unit 119, a display unit 120, and a LAN interface 121, and the units 111 to 121 are communicably connected via a bus 122.

  The CPU 111 functions as a control unit that controls each of the units 112 to 121 constituting the network printer 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 113. The RAM 112 functions as a work area for the CPU 111. The ROM 113 stores the control program. The image memory 114 stores received image data, image data read by the reading unit 116, and the like.

  The codec 115 performs encoding and decoding of image data. That is, the image data of the document read by the reading unit 116 is encoded by the MH, MR method or the like for transmission, and the image data received from the outside is decoded.

  The reading unit 116 reads image data of a document, and includes, for example, a CCD color line sensor, an A / D converter, an image processing circuit, and the like. The recording unit 117 performs image formation processing (print processing) on the received image data and the like on recording paper. For example, an electrophotographic system is applied. The operation unit 118 includes input keys for inputting information by the user, a touch panel, and the like, and various input operations by the user are performed via the operation unit 118. Note that the recording unit 117 executes print processing only for document information whose print processing is permitted by a permission unit 111d described later with reference to FIG.

  The fingerprint reading unit 119 includes imaging means such as a CCD camera, for example, and features necessary for personal authentication from fingerprint information (= fingerprint image data) generated by imaging the user's fingerprint via the CCD camera. This is to extract point data. The display unit 120 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) arranged in parallel with the operation unit 118, and functions as a display unit that displays various screen information. The LAN interface 121 connects the network printer 1 and a LAN (Local Area Network) 21 so that they can communicate with each other. For example, the client terminal device 2 that receives an operation input from a user is connected to the LAN 21.

  The client terminal device 2 is composed of, for example, a personal computer, receives an operation input from a user via a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and transmits an operation input to the network printer 1 via the LAN 21, and from the network printer 1. Various information such as image data is received via the LAN 21 and displayed on a monitor.

  The network printer 1 having the above-described configuration receives image data from the client terminal device 2 via the LAN 21 and prints the received image data on recording paper via the recording unit 117.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the client terminal device 2 according to the present invention. That is, the client terminal device 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 212, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 213, an operation unit 214, a fingerprint reading unit 215, a display unit 216, and a LAN interface 217. The units 211 to 217 are communicably connected via a bus 218.

  The CPU 211 functions as a control unit that controls the units 212 to 217 constituting the client terminal device 2 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 213. The RAM 212 functions as a work area for the CPU 211. The ROM 213 stores the control program.

  The operation unit 214 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like through which the user inputs information. Various input operations by the user are performed via the operation unit 214. The fingerprint reading unit 215 includes imaging means such as a CCD camera, for example, and extracts feature point data necessary for personal authentication from fingerprint information (fingerprint image data) generated by imaging a user's fingerprint via the CCD camera. To extract. The display unit 216 includes, for example, an LCD and displays various screen information. The LAN interface 217 connects the client terminal device 2 and the LAN 21 so that they can communicate with each other.

  FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a main part of the network printer 1 according to the present invention. The CPU 111 of the network printer 1 functionally includes a document reception unit 111a (corresponding to a document reception unit), a fingerprint acquisition unit 111b (corresponding to an authentication acquisition unit), and a determination unit 111c (corresponding to a determination unit). , And a permission unit 111d (corresponding to permission means). The RAM 112 of the network printer 1 functionally includes a document storage unit 112a and a fingerprint storage unit 112b.

  Here, the CPU 111 reads out and executes a control program stored in advance in the ROM 113 or the like, thereby functioning as a functional unit including the document reception unit 111a, the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b, the determination unit 111c, and the permission unit 111d. The RAM 112 functions as a functional unit including the document storage unit 112a and the fingerprint storage unit 112b.

  Next, each functional unit of the network printer 1 will be described. The document receiving unit 111a receives document information of the first format, which is document information to which individual authentication information (here, fingerprint information) is assigned, from the client terminal device 2, and document information to which no individual authentication information is assigned. The second format document information is received. The document reception unit 111a stores the first format document information and the second format document information received from the client terminal device 2 in the document storage unit 112a.

  The fingerprint obtaining unit 111b obtains individual authentication information (here, fingerprint information) from the outside via the fingerprint reading unit 119 shown in FIG. 1 when the first form document information is received by the document receiving unit 111a. The acquired fingerprint information is stored in the fingerprint storage unit 112b. More specifically, the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b first detects that the user's finger (usually the index finger) is placed within the imaging range of the CCD camera disposed in the fingerprint reading unit 119, and then The finger is imaged to acquire image data, and fingerprint information (= feature point data) is extracted from the image data.

  The determination unit 111c determines whether the fingerprint information received by the document reception unit 111a and the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b are information indicating the same individual (= user). is there. That is, the determination unit 111c performs a so-called individual authentication process by performing a fingerprint authentication process between the fingerprint information included in the document information of the first format and the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b.

  The permission unit 111d determines that the two pieces of fingerprint information (the fingerprint information included in the document information of the first format and the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b) are information indicating the same individual by the determination unit 111c. If it is determined that the information of the first type of document information received by the document receiving unit 111a is permitted and the information does not indicate the same individual, an error message is displayed on the LCD of the display unit 120. Is displayed. In addition, the permission unit 111d permits printing processing of document information in the second format received by the document receiving unit 111a. In other words, the permission unit 111d permits the print process only when individual authentication is established by the determination unit 111c when document information of the first format is received by the document reception unit 111a. When document information of the second format is received by 111a, the print processing is permitted unconditionally. Note that the recording unit 117 illustrated in FIG. 1 executes print processing only for document information for which print processing is permitted by the permission unit 111d.

  The document storage unit 112a stores the first format document information and the second format document information received by the document reception unit 111a. The fingerprint storage unit 112b stores the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b.

  FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a main part of the client terminal device 2 according to the present invention. The CPU 211 of the client terminal device 2 functionally includes a fingerprint acquisition unit 211a (corresponding to an authentication acquisition unit), a document generation unit 211b (corresponding to a document generation unit), and a document transmission unit 211c (corresponding to a document transmission unit). And). The RAM 212 of the client terminal device 2 functionally includes a fingerprint storage unit 212a (corresponding to an authentication storage unit).

  Here, the CPU 211 reads out and executes a control program stored in advance in the ROM 213 or the like, thereby functioning as a functional unit including the fingerprint acquisition unit 211a, the document generation unit 211b, and the document transmission unit 211c, and the RAM 212. The function unit includes a fingerprint storage unit 212a.

  Next, each functional unit of the client terminal device 2 will be described. When installing the driver of the network printer 1 via the fingerprint reading unit 215 shown in FIG. 2, the fingerprint acquisition unit 211a acquires individual authentication information (in this case, fingerprint information) from the outside, and stores it in the fingerprint storage unit 212a. To store. More specifically, the fingerprint acquisition unit 211a first detects that the user's finger (usually the index finger) is placed within the imaging range of the CCD camera disposed in the fingerprint reading unit 215, and then The finger is imaged to acquire image data, and fingerprint information (= feature point data) is extracted from the image data.

  The document generation unit 211b generates the first format document information by adding the fingerprint information read from the fingerprint storage unit 212a to the predetermined document information. The document generation unit 211b also generates second-format document information to which fingerprint information is not added. Here, the predetermined document information may be generated by the client terminal device 2 through, for example, word processing software installed in the client terminal device 2, or via the LAN 21 (or the Internet not shown). May be obtained from another terminal device (or server device).

  Also, the document generation unit 211b converts the fingerprint information into the same format as the document information (here, PDL (Page Description Language)), and assigns the fingerprint information converted into PDL to the previous page of the document information. Thus, document information of the first format is generated. Further, the document generation unit 211b generates a first form of document information by giving a PJL (Print Job Language) command that enables discrimination between document information and fingerprint information.

  The document transmission unit 211c transmits the first format document information and the second format document information generated by the document generation unit 211b to the network printer 1 via the LAN 21 in order to perform print processing. The fingerprint storage unit 212a stores fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint acquisition unit 211a.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the client terminal device 2. For convenience, it is assumed that fingerprint information is previously stored in the fingerprint storage unit 212a by the fingerprint acquisition unit 211a. First, the document generation unit 211b determines whether to add fingerprint information (whether to generate first format document information) (S101). If it is determined not to add fingerprint information (NO in S101), the document generation unit 211b acquires (or generates) the document information (S109), and generates second-format document information (S111). The process proceeds to step S113.

  If it is determined that the fingerprint information is to be added (YES in S101), the document generation unit 211b acquires (or generates) the document information (S103), and the document generation unit 211b acquires the fingerprint information from the fingerprint storage unit 212a. Read (S105). Then, the document generation unit 211b adds the fingerprint information read out in step S105 to the document information acquired (or generated) in step S103 to generate document information in the first format (S107). When the process in step S107 or the process in step S111 is completed, the document transmission unit 211c transmits the generated first format document information (or second format document information) to the network printer 1. (S113), the process ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the network printer 1. First, the document receiving unit 111a determines whether or not document information has been received from the client terminal device 2 (S201). If it is determined that the document information has not been received (NO in S201), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the document information has been received (YES in S201), the determination unit 111c determines whether the document information received by the document reception unit 111a is document information of the first format. (S203). If it is determined that the document information is not in the first format (that is, document information in the second format) (NO in S203), the process proceeds to step S211.

  If the determination unit 111c determines that the document information is in the first format (YES in S203), the determination unit 111c selects fingerprint information, document information, and the like from the received first format document information. The fingerprint information is extracted (S205), and the fingerprint information is acquired by the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b via the fingerprint reading unit 119 (S207). Then, whether or not the fingerprint information extracted in step S205 and the fingerprint information acquired in step S207 are fingerprint information of the same individual by the determination unit 111c (here, for simplicity, “match? Determination is made (S209).

  If it is determined that they match (YES in S209), or if NO in Step S203, the permission unit 111d permits printing of document information (S211), and the process ends. If it is determined that they do not match (NO in S209), the permission unit 111d displays an error message such as “Personal authentication is not established!” On the LCD of the display unit 120 (S213). Is terminated.

  In this way, when it is determined in the network printer 1 that the fingerprint information received from the client terminal device 2 and attached to the document information and the fingerprint information acquired from the outside are information indicating the same individual. In addition, since printing processing of document information received from the client terminal device 2 is permitted, convenience is good and security can be ensured.

  Further, since the individual authentication information is fingerprint information, the individual authentication information is easily acquired in a short time by the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b, and the determination by the determination unit 111c is easily performed in a short time. Therefore, the fingerprint acquisition unit 111b and the determination unit 111c are realized with a simple configuration.

  Furthermore, since document information in the second format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is not assigned, is accepted and print processing is permitted, the document information in the first format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is assigned, is added. In addition, it is possible to print the document information in the second format, which is document information to which individual authentication information is not assigned.

  In addition, since the document information of the first format in which the individual authentication information is added to the document information is transmitted to the network printer 1, the individual authentication (in this case, fingerprint authentication) is performed by the network printer 1. It is possible to determine whether or not to permit print processing. Therefore, convenience and good security can be ensured in document information print processing.

  Also, when installing the driver of the network printer 1, individual authentication information (here, fingerprint information) is acquired from the outside and stored in the fingerprint storage unit 212a, so that the fingerprint information can be reliably acquired. It becomes.

  Furthermore, since the individual authentication information is converted into the same format as the document information and given to the document information, the processing on the network printer 1 side is simplified.

  In addition, since fingerprint information is added to the previous page of the document information, the individual authentication information determination process on the network printer 1 side is promptly performed, and whether or not the document is provided with the individual authentication information. Identification processing (identification processing of whether the document information is in the first format or the document information in the second format) is promptly performed.

  In addition, since the PJL command that allows discrimination between the document information and the individual authentication information is given, the network printer 1 can easily discriminate between the document information and the fingerprint information based on the PJL command.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The following forms may be sufficient.
(A) In the present embodiment, the case where the personal authentication information is fingerprint information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be biometric information such as a retina, iris, and voiceprint. Since the level of security varies depending on the type of personal authentication information, a desired security level can be realized by selecting appropriate personal authentication information.

  (B) Although the case where the image forming apparatus is the network printer 1 has been described in the present embodiment, a multifunction machine having a print function may be used.

  (C) In the present embodiment, the case where the client terminal device 2 acquires the fingerprint information and stores it in the fingerprint storage unit 212a when installing the driver of the network printer 1 has been described. Information may be acquired and stored in the fingerprint storage unit 212a. For example, the client terminal device 2 may acquire fingerprint information when assigned to a predetermined user and store it in the fingerprint storage unit 212a. In this case, the fingerprint reading unit 215 becomes unnecessary after the fingerprint reading unit 215 is connected when the client terminal device 2 is assigned to a predetermined user and the fingerprint information is stored in the fingerprint storage unit 212a. The client terminal device 2 is simplified.

  (D) In this embodiment, the case where the client terminal device 2 includes the fingerprint reading unit 215 has been described. However, fingerprint information is read in advance by another device (for example, the network printer 1) and recorded on a CD or the like. It may be stored in a medium and stored in the fingerprint storage unit 212a at a predetermined timing. In this case, since the client terminal device 2 does not need to include the fingerprint reading unit 215, the client terminal device 2 is simplified.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the network printer which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the client terminal device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a main part of a network printer according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the principal part of the client terminal device which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining an example of operation | movement of a client terminal device. It is a flowchart explaining an example of operation | movement of a network printer.

Explanation of symbols

1 Network printer (image forming device)
111 CPU
111a Document acceptance unit (document acceptance means)
111b Fingerprint acquisition unit (authentication acquisition means)
111c determination unit (determination means)
111d permission section (permission means)
112 RAM
112a Document storage unit 112b Fingerprint storage unit 2 Client terminal device 211 CPU
211a Fingerprint acquisition unit (authentication acquisition means)
211b Document generation unit (document generation means)
211c Document transmission unit (document transmission means)
212 RAM
212a Fingerprint memory (authentication memory)

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to a client terminal device and configured to execute print processing,
Document accepting means for accepting document information of a first format that is document information to which individual authentication information is given from the client terminal device;
Authentication acquisition means for acquiring individual authentication information from outside;
Determination means for determining whether the individual authentication information received by the document reception means and the individual authentication information acquired by the authentication acquisition means are information indicating the same individual;
And a permitting unit for permitting the print processing of the document information of the first format accepted by the document accepting unit when the judging unit determines that the two individual authentication information is information indicating the same individual. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the individual authentication information is fingerprint information. The document accepting means accepts document information of a second format that is document information to which individual authentication information is not given,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permission unit permits a printing process of document information of the second format received by the document reception unit. A client terminal device communicably connected to an image forming apparatus configured to execute print processing,
Authentication storage means for storing individual authentication information;
Document generating means for generating the document information of the first format by giving the individual authentication information read from the authentication storage means to the predetermined document information;
A client terminal device comprising: a document transmission unit that transmits document information of the first format generated by the document generation unit to the image forming apparatus to perform a print process. Acquiring individual authentication information from the outside, comprising authentication acquisition means for storing in the authentication storage means
The client terminal apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the authentication acquisition unit acquires individual authentication information when installing a driver of the image forming apparatus.   The client terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the document generation unit converts the individual authentication information into the same format as the document information and adds the converted information to the document information.   The client terminal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the same format is PDL (Page Description Language).   The client terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the document generation unit assigns the individual authentication information to a previous page of the document information.   9. The client terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the document generation unit assigns a PJL (Print Job Language) command that makes it possible to distinguish the document information and the individual authentication information. An image processing system having a client terminal device that accepts an operation input from the outside, and an image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to the client terminal device and configured to execute print processing,
The client terminal device
Authentication storage means for storing individual authentication information;
Document generating means for generating the document information of the first format by giving the individual authentication information read from the authentication storage means to the predetermined document information;
Document transmitting means for transmitting the document information of the first format generated by the document generating means to the image forming apparatus for print processing,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Document accepting means for accepting document information of the first format from the client terminal device;
Authentication acquisition means for acquiring individual authentication information from outside;
Determination means for determining whether the individual authentication information received by the document reception means and the individual authentication information acquired by the authentication acquisition means are information indicating the same individual;
And a permitting unit for permitting the print processing of the document information of the first format accepted by the document accepting unit when the judging unit determines that the two individual authentication information is information indicating the same individual. An image processing system characterized by that.

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