JP2007280272A - Print out system of electronic file and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the burden of a user by eliminating the need of managing and inputting an identification number (document ID, reservation number, etc.) necessary in the conventional system. <P>SOLUTION: This print out system comprises a device 20 that stores an electronic use right 21, a file management server 50 on the Internet and a public printer 10 connected to the Internet. The electronic use right 21 includes authentication information for using the printer 10 and the Internet, and authentication information for logging in the file management server 50. The printer 10 is provided with a means 11 for reading the electronic use right 21 and a means 12 for determining the validity of the electronic use right 21. The printer 10 acquires a list of electronic files to be printed out from the file management server 50, displays the list of electronic files on a displaying means 15 if the electronic use right is legal, and acquires an electronic file selected from the list by a selection means 16 from the file management server 50 and prints out the electronic file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for enabling a desired electronic file to be printed out by using a printer installed in a public place.

Currently, convenience for mobile workers has improved due to the downsizing of information terminals and the spread of wireless connection infrastructure, but one of the inconveniences is that electronic files cannot be easily printed out on the go. Sometimes.
On the other hand, in public places such as convenience stores, hotels, airports, stations, etc., the environment where copiers can be used is relatively well prepared. Copiers installed in these public places have a printer function and are connected to the Internet. Some can be connected. As a service for printing out electronic files using a copier installed in such a public place, “PrintMe” (see Non-Patent Document 1) provided by US Electronics for Imaging (EFI) In addition, there is a “net print service” (see Non-Patent Document 2) provided by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. and Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. in partnership.

In the former, when an electronic file is to be printed out, the service provider designates the copier corresponding to the service by accessing a designated Web site in advance and designates the copier that performs the printout. When the electronic file is transmitted to the Web server, a document ID is issued for the electronic file. When the issued document ID is input to a designated copier, the copier receives the electronic file with the document ID from the Web server. The method of acquiring and printing out is adopted.
On the other hand, in the latter case, it is not necessary to designate a copier for executing printout in advance. However, when an electronic file is transmitted to a print reservation center designated by the service provider, a print reservation number is issued, and the issued print reservation number is issued. Is input to an arbitrary copying machine, the copying machine acquires a reserved electronic file from the reservation center and prints it out.
“PrintMe”, [online], EFI, USA [March 27, 2006 search], Internet <URL: http://www.printme.jp/guest/doc.html> “Net Print Service”, [online], Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., [March 27, 2006 search], Internet <URL: http://www.fujixerox.co.jp/product/service/netprint/overview .html>

  In these conventional printout systems (printout services), when an electronic file is to be printed out using a copying machine installed in a public place, the electronic file is transmitted to a designated server or center in advance. In this case, it is necessary to record an identification number such as a document ID or a reservation number issued for each electronic file, and input the identification number to the copying machine, that is, input that the identification number is recorded (stored). It was necessary.

  In this case, since the management of the identification number depends on the human storage capability, there is a risk of forgetting, and when the identification number is recorded on paper or a storage medium, there is a risk of loss or theft. Furthermore, in order to be able to print out a plurality of electronic files, when sending them to a server or center, an identification number such as a document ID or a reservation number is issued for each electronic file, which makes management complicated.

On the other hand, an identification number must be input every time printout is executed, and such an input operation is troublesome for the user.
In view of the above-described problems, the object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for management and input of identification numbers (document IDs, reservation numbers), which has been necessary in the past, and thus saves time and greatly increases the burden on the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic file printout system and method which can be easily reduced.

  According to the present invention, a printout system capable of printing out a desired electronic file by using a printer installed in a public place and connected to the Internet includes a device storing electronic usage rights, A file management server on the Internet in which an electronic file is stored and a printer, and the electronic usage right includes first authentication information for using the printer, second authentication information for using the Internet, And the third authentication information for logging in to the file management server, wherein the printer reads the electronic usage right from the device, means for determining the legitimacy of the read electronic usage right, display means, Selection means for selecting the content displayed on the display means, and the printer is electronic If the first and second authentication information is valid, a list of electronic files to be printed out is obtained from the file management server using the third authentication information of the electronic usage right and displayed on the display means. The electronic file selected by the selection means from the electronic file list is acquired from the file management server and printed out.

  The electronic file printout method according to the present invention is stored in a file management server on the Internet from a printer installed in a public place and connected to the Internet by using an electronic usage right stored in the device. An electronic file is printed out, and an electronic usage right includes first authentication information for using the printer, second authentication information for using the Internet, and a second authentication information for logging in to the file management server. 3, the printer reads the electronic usage right from the device, and if the read first and second authentication information are valid, the printer transmits the third authentication information to the file management server, and the file When the management server receives the third authentication information, the management server verifies the third authentication information. When the electronic file list is transmitted to the printer and the printer receives the electronic file list, the electronic file list is displayed on the display means, and the electronic file selected by the selection means from the electronic file list is displayed. The information is transmitted to the file management server. When the file management server receives the selection information, the file management server transmits the selected electronic file to the printer, and when the printer receives the electronic file, the electronic file is printed out.

  According to the present invention, an electronic usage right including various kinds of authentication information is stored in a device, and the electronic usage right is exercised by the device, so that an electronic file can be printed out from a printer installed in a public place. Therefore, unlike the conventional printout system (printout service), there is no need to manage document IDs and reservation numbers, and to input when printing out, which greatly increases the burden on the user. Can be reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic file printout system according to the present invention. In this example, the printout system includes a printer 10, a device 20, an electronic usage right issuing server 40 on the Internet 30, and a file. The management server 50 is configured.

  The printer 10 is installed in various public places such as convenience stores, hotels, airports, and stations. Although referred to herein as a printer, it corresponds to a digital color multifunction peripheral (copy, printer) currently installed in public places. The printer 10 is connected to the Internet 30.

  The device 20 stores an electronic usage right 21 necessary for using the printout service. The electronic usage right 21 includes authentication information for using the printer 10 (first authentication information), authentication information for using the Internet (second authentication information), and log-in to the file management server 50. Authentication information (third authentication information), and a key (encryption key / decryption key) for encrypting the electronic file and decrypting the encrypted electronic file. The device 20 is possessed by the user and has tamper resistance, for example, an IC card.

  The printer 10 has an electronic usage right reading unit 11, an electronic usage right determining unit 12, an electronic usage right processing unit 13, and an encryption / decryption unit 14, a display unit 15, and contents displayed on the display unit 15. A selection means 16 for selecting and a scanner function 17 for converting a paper document into an electronic file are provided. In this example, the printer 10 is equipped with a reader / writer device 18 for reading and writing information from the device (IC card) 20, and the electronic usage right reading means 11 uses the reader / writer device 18. Through the device (IC card) 20 through the electronic usage right 21.

The electronic usage right determination means 12 determines the validity of the electronic usage right 21, and determines whether the authentication information for using the printer 10 and the authentication information for using the Internet are valid. . The electronic usage right processing means 13 has a function of processing the electronic usage right 21 in accordance with registration and usage of the electronic usage right 21 in the device 20.
The electronic usage right issuing server 40 is a server owned by the printout service provider, and includes an electronic usage right issuing means 41.

  The file management server 50 includes user authentication means 51 and file management means 52, and stores electronic files for printing out. The user authentication means 51 determines the legitimacy of the user. The file management server 50 can be a server if the user has a file management server with an account. If the user does not have such a server, the print management service providing business can be used. The server specified by the administrator. In other words, in the conventional methods such as “PrintMe” and “Net Print Service”, the transmission destination (storage destination) of the electronic file to be printed out is a server designated by the printout service provider. The file management server 50 is not limited to the server of the printout service provider.

  For example, the user purchases an IC card to be the device 20 and sets the device (IC card) 20 in the reader / writer device 18 provided in the printer 10 to issue the electronic usage right 21. The electronic usage right issuance means 41 of the electronic usage right issuing server 40 which has been requested is issued the authentication information for using the printer 10 and the Internet and the key for encryption / decryption. Further, the authentication information for logging in to the file management server 50 uses the authentication information for logging in to the file management server 50 when the user has the file management server 50 with which the user has previously contracted (has an account). When the user inputs from the printer 10, the input authentication information is included in the electronic usage right 21, and if the file management server 50 is not included, the printout service provider specifies Authentication information for logging in to the file management server 50 is paid from the electronic usage right issuing means 41.

  Authentication information for using the printer 10 and the Internet is, for example, a user ID and password, and authentication information for logging in to the file management server 50 is an address, user ID, and password of the file management server 50.

FIG. 2 shows a printout sequence of an electronic file executed by the printout system shown in FIG. 1, and will be described in order with reference to FIG.
(1) When the user sets the device (IC card) 20 in the reader / writer device 18, the electronic usage right reading means 11 of the printer 10 reads the electronic usage right 21 from the device 20 (S101). The determination unit 12 determines the validity of the electronic usage right 21 by checking the authentication information for using the printer 10 and the Internet (S102).
(2) When the validity of the electronic usage right 21 is confirmed, the printer 10 sends authentication information (user information) to the file management server 50 based on the address included in the authentication information for logging in to the file management server 50. ID and password) are transmitted (S103).

(3) The user authentication means 51 of the file management server 50 receives the authentication information and verifies the authentication information (S104). When the authenticity of the authentication information is confirmed, the file management unit 52 transmits to the printer 10 a list of electronic files that can be printed out by the user having the authentication information (the user can print out) (S105). ).
(4) Upon receiving the electronic file list, the printer 10 displays the electronic file list on the display means 15 (S106). When the user selects a desired electronic file from the displayed electronic file list by the selection means 16 (S107), information on the selected electronic file is transmitted to the file management server 50 (S108).
(5) Upon receipt of the electronic file selection information, the file management means 52 of the file management server 50 transmits the selected electronic file to the printer 10 (S109).

(6) When the electronic file is received, the encryption / decryption means 14 of the printer 10 decrypts the electronic file using the key included in the electronic usage right 21 (S110) and prints it out (S111).
(7) When the printout is completed, the electronic usage right processing means 13 performs processing for setting the electronic usage right 21 to be used or deleting it, for example (S112), and the processed electronic usage right 21 is read / read. The data is stored in the device 20 via the writer device 18 (S113). At this time, for example, the electronic usage right 21 may be used once. In this case, the electronic usage right 21 has a storage unit that stores processing information, that is, usage status. .

  In the example described above, the printer 10 includes the electronic usage right determination unit 12. However, the electronic usage right determination unit 12 may include the electronic usage right determination server 40. FIG. 3 shows a sequence in this case. In this example, the printer 10 reads the electronic usage right 21 from the device 20 (S101), and authentication for using the printer 10 of the electronic usage right 21 and the network. Information is transmitted to the electronic usage right issuing server 40 (S121), and the electronic usage right determining means of the electronic usage right issuing server 40 determines its validity (S122). The determination result is transmitted to the printer 10 (S123), and if the validity of the electronic usage right 21 is confirmed in this way, steps S103 to S113 are executed as in the case of FIG. In addition to the electronic usage right determination unit 12, the electronic usage right processing unit 13 may be included in the electronic usage right issuing server 40. In this case, the electronic usage right processing in step S112 is performed not on the printer 10 but on the electronic usage right issuing server 40 side.

Next, a sequence when a paper document is converted into an electronic file using the printout system shown in FIG. 1 and stored in the file management server 50 will be described in order with reference to FIG.
(1) The user sets the device 20 in the reader / writer device 18 and sets a paper document in the printer 10. The electronic usage right reading unit 11 of the printer 10 reads the electronic usage right 21 from the device 20 (S131), and the electronic usage right determining unit 12 checks the authentication information for using the printer 10 and the Internet, thereby checking the electronic usage right 21. Is determined (S132).

(2) When the validity of the electronic usage right 21 is confirmed, the printer 10 scans a paper document by the scanner function 17 and creates an electronic file (S133). The encryption / decryption means 14 encrypts the created electronic file using the key included in the electronic usage right 21 (S134).
(3) The printer 10 transmits the authentication information (user ID and password) to the file management server 50 based on the address included in the authentication information for logging in to the file management server 50 (S135).
(4) The user authentication means 51 of the file management server 50 receives the authentication information and verifies the authentication information (S136). The verification result of the authentication information is transmitted to the printer 10 (S137). If the validity of the authentication information is confirmed, the printer 10 transmits the encrypted electronic file to the file management server 50 (S138).

(5) When the electronic file is received, the file management means 52 stores the electronic file in the file management server 50 as the electronic file of the user having the authentication information (S139), and notifies the printer 10 that the storage is completed. Transmit (S140).
(6) Upon receipt of the storage completion notification, the electronic usage right processing means 13 processes the electronic usage right 21 as necessary (S141), and the processed electronic usage right 21 is transferred to the device 20 via the reader / writer device 18. (S142).

  Thus, by using the scanner function 17 of the printer 10, a paper document can be converted into an electronic file. In this example, the electronic file can be stored in the file management server 50. For example, an electronic file stored in a PC (personal computer) owned by a user can be stored in the file management server 50 by being transmitted from the PC to the file management server 50.

  As described above, in the present invention, the electronic usage right 21 is stored in the tamper-resistant device 20 such as an IC card, and the electronic usage right 21 includes a plurality of pieces of authentication information. By using the electronic usage right 21, there is no need to store or save the document ID or reservation number as in the conventional printout system, and it is not necessary to input the identification number, which is troublesome. Therefore, the burden on the user can be greatly reduced.

  Further, in the conventional printout system, an identification number such as a document ID or a reservation number is assigned to each electronic file, and the identification number is input when a printout request is made. Therefore, the electronic file to be printed out is uniquely specified. However, in the present invention, an electronic file to be printed out can be selected from a list of electronic files transmitted from the file management server 50, and thus an electronic file that can be printed out by one electronic usage right 21 is unique as in the prior art. The system is more flexible in that respect.

The IC card used for the device 20 may be either a contact type or a non-contact type, and is not limited to an IC card, and an IC chip incorporated in a terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook PC, or the like. It can also be used as the device 20. In FIG. 1, the printer 10 is equipped with a reader / writer device 18 for an IC card. However, when the device 20 is an IC chip incorporated in an information terminal or the like possessed by a user, Assume that the printer 10 is equipped with an interface.
The electronic usage right 21 includes authentication information for logging in to the file management server 50. However, there may be a plurality of file management servers 50. In this case, login to the plurality of file management servers 50 is possible. Authentication information for this is included in the electronic usage right 21.

  As in the above-described example, the electronic file is encrypted and stored in the file management server 50. When printing out, the electronic file is transmitted in an encrypted state, decrypted on the printer 10, and printed out. By doing so, the electronic file is in an encrypted state on the file management server 50 or the communication path, so that it is possible to ensure strong safety.

The figure for demonstrating the structure of one Embodiment of the printout system of the electronic file by this invention. The figure which shows the sequence of one Embodiment of the printout method of the electronic file by this invention. The figure which shows the sequence of other Embodiment of the printout method of the electronic file by this invention. The figure which shows the sequence at the time of making a paper document into an electronic file using the electronic file printout system by this invention, and preserve | saving it in a file management server.

Claims (8)

A system that enables a desired electronic file to be printed out by using a printer installed in a public place and connected to the Internet,
A device storing electronic usage rights, a file management server on the Internet where the electronic file is stored, and the printer.
The electronic usage right includes first authentication information for using the printer, second authentication information for using the Internet, and third authentication information for logging in to the file management server,
The printer includes means for reading the electronic usage right from the device, means for determining the legitimacy of the read electronic usage right, display means, and selection means for selecting the contents displayed on the display means. It is assumed
If the first and second authentication information of the electronic usage right is valid, the printer uses the third authentication information of the electronic usage right to display a list of electronic files to be printed out from the file management server. An electronic file print having a function of acquiring and displaying the electronic file selected by the selection means from the electronic file list from the file management server and printing it out from the electronic file list Out system. A system that enables a desired electronic file to be printed out by using a printer installed in a public place and connected to the Internet,
A device storing an electronic usage right; a file management server on the Internet where the electronic file is stored; the printer; and an electronic usage right issuing server on the Internet.
The electronic usage right includes first authentication information for using the printer, second authentication information for using the Internet, and third authentication information for logging in to the file management server,
The printer includes means for reading the electronic usage right from the device, display means, and selection means for selecting the contents displayed on the display means,
The electronic usage right issuance server includes means for determining the validity of the electronic usage right read by the printer,
If the first and second authentication information of the electronic usage right is valid, the printer uses the third authentication information of the electronic usage right to display a list of electronic files to be printed out from the file management server. An electronic file print having a function of acquiring and displaying the electronic file selected by the selection means from the electronic file list from the file management server and printing it out from the electronic file list Out system. The electronic file printout system according to claim 1 or 2,
The printer has a scanner function for converting a paper document into an electronic file,
If the first and second authentication information of the electronic usage right is valid, the printer transmits the electronic file document to the file management server using the third authentication information of the electronic usage right. An electronic file printout system characterized by having a function to store the electronic file. The electronic file printout system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The electronic usage right includes a key for encrypting an electronic file and decrypting the encrypted electronic file,
An electronic file printout system, wherein the printer includes means for encrypting an electronic file using the key and decrypting the encrypted electronic file. The electronic file printout system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An electronic file printout system, wherein the printer has processing means for registering an electronic usage right in the device and processing the electronic usage right according to the usage. A method of printing out an electronic file stored in a file management server on the Internet from a printer installed in a public place and connected to the Internet by using an electronic usage right stored in the device,
The electronic usage right includes first authentication information for using the printer, second authentication information for using the Internet, and third authentication information for logging in to the file management server. And
The printer reads the electronic usage right from the device, and if the read first and second authentication information is valid, transmits the third authentication information to the file management server,
When the file management server receives the third authentication information, the file management server verifies the third authentication information, and if valid, sends a list of electronic files to be printed out to the printer.
Upon receiving the electronic file list, the printer displays the electronic file list on the display means, and transmits information on the electronic file selected by the selection means from the electronic file list to the file management server,
Upon receipt of the selection information, the file management server sends the selected electronic file to the printer,
When the printer receives an electronic file, the printer prints out the electronic file. The electronic file printout method according to claim 6.
A method for printing out an electronic file, wherein the printer requests the electronic usage right issuing server on the Internet to determine the validity of the read first and second authentication information. The electronic file printout method according to claim 6 or 7,
When the printer prints out an electronic file, the printer processes the electronic usage right and stores the processed electronic usage right in the device.

Images