JP2008225552A - Authentication printing system and authentication printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure printing of print data for authentication. <P>SOLUTION: A FAX device 20 obtains print data including destination (printing person) information by reading the data with a reading mechanism 26. An information conversion user management server 30 associates the printing person with the print data and registers them in a print waiting list 35c, converts the print data into a print job via general-purpose data, and sends the converted print job to an authentication print server 40, together with the information about the printing person. When receiving an authentication request including the user ID of the printing person from a printer 60, the authentication print server 40 authenticates the user, sets the authenticated user as a destination, and sends a print job that can be printed with the printer 60 to the printer 60. On receiving the print job, the printer 60 performs printing. In this way, each process is executed in a state where the print data is associated with the destination information. Also, FAX data received from a FAX-I/F 28 can also be printed for authentication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an authentication printing system and an authentication printing method.

Conventionally, as an authentication printing system, an image is read by a scanner, an e-mail address as a transmission destination of the read image data is input, a password associated with the image data is transmitted to the input address, and this mail is received. When the destination user inputs a password to the printer, the image data corresponding to the password is printed, that is, the password is transmitted using e-mail, thereby reducing the burden on the sender accompanying the notification of the password. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-251470 A

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, if a password is input to the printer, the image data as a print target corresponding to the password can be printed. Therefore, the transmission destination user is added to the image data stored in the printer. Are not associated with each other, and it cannot be said that it is sufficient for authentication of the user of the transmission destination. Further, if the password individually set for the image data for authentication printing is not input to the printer, the existence of the image data itself may not be noticed. As described above, there is a case where the authentication target cannot be reliably printed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an authentication printing system and an authentication printing method capable of authenticating and printing a print target more reliably.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.

The authentication printing system of the present invention includes:
An information acquisition unit that acquires information, a first information storage unit that stores information acquired by the information acquisition unit, a first information transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives information, and the information acquisition unit that is designated as a transmission destination When the processing information is acquired, the acquired transmission destination information and processing information are stored in the first information storage unit, and the stored transmission destination information and processing information are stored in the first information conversion apparatus. An information acquisition apparatus comprising: a first control unit that causes the information transmitting / receiving unit to transmit;
A second information transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving information; a second information storage unit for storing print management information registered in association with the transmission destination information and the processing information; and the processing information received from the information acquisition device General-purpose conversion means capable of converting information into predetermined general-purpose information; and when the second information transmitting / receiving means receives the destination information and processing information from the information acquisition device, the received destination information and processing Information conversion comprising: second control means for registering the print management information in the second information storage means in association with the use information and converting the received processing information into the general-purpose information into the general-purpose conversion means Equipment,
Third information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information, third information storage means for storing user authentication information including user identification information, and a predetermined authentication request in which the third information transmission / reception means includes user identification information from the printing apparatus Is received based on the received user identification information and the user authentication information stored in the third information storage means, the user is authenticated, and then the information conversion device uses the information for processing. An authentication execution apparatus comprising: third control means for causing the third information transmission / reception means to transmit print information to which the user can print on the printing apparatus based on the converted general-purpose information. ,
Identification information input means capable of inputting user identification information; fourth information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information; print processing execution means for printing print information on a print medium; and Is sent to the authentication execution apparatus to the fourth information transmitting / receiving means, and when the authentication execution apparatus permits authentication, printing based on processing information with the user as the transmission destination A printing apparatus comprising: a fourth control unit that receives information from the authentication execution unit via the fourth information transmission / reception unit and causes the print processing execution unit to print the received print information;
It is equipped with.

  In this authentication printing system, the information acquisition device acquires processing information for which the transmission destination is specified, and the information conversion device associates the information of the transmission destination with the processing information and registers the information in the print management information. The information is converted into general-purpose information, and when the authentication execution device receives an authentication request including identification information of the destination user from the printing device, this user authentication is executed. After authenticating the user, the authenticated user is Print information that can be printed by this printing apparatus based on the general-purpose information as a transmission destination is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus that receives the information executes printing. In this way, each process is executed in a state where the information on the transmission destination is associated with the processing information, and when the user requests an authentication from the printing apparatus, the printing that is the transmission destination and can be printed by this printing apparatus. The information is transmitted to the printing apparatus to execute printing. Therefore, it is possible to authenticate and print the printing target more reliably. Here, “general-purpose information” may be information that can be developed by various electronic devices, for example, information in PDF format or information in JPEG format.

  In the authentication printing system of the present invention, the information acquisition unit of the information acquisition apparatus acquires the processing information by reading a reading target, and acquires the transmission destination information by an operation of a transmission source user. Also good. By doing so, it is possible to perform authentication printing of the read image at the transmission destination designated by the user. At this time, the information acquisition device includes a second identification information input unit capable of inputting user identification information, and the first control unit receives the user identification information from the second identification information input unit. The input identification information may be transmitted to the authentication execution apparatus to the first transmission / reception unit, and the information acquisition unit may read the reading target after the user is authenticated. In this way, since the processing information is acquired after the user of the transmission source is authenticated, the security is higher. In addition, information of the transmission source can be used. Further, the information acquisition unit of the information acquisition device also acquires information of a printing device for print execution set by an operation of a transmission source user, and the first control unit includes the transmission destination information and the information of the transmission destination. The processing information and the set information of the printing apparatus are transmitted to the information conversion apparatus, and the third control means of the authentication execution apparatus receives the authentication request from the printing apparatus by the third information transmitting / receiving means. After authenticating the user, the print information that can be printed by the printing apparatus based on the general-purpose information is searched using the set printing apparatus information, and the searched print information is printed. It is good also as what makes an apparatus transmit to the said 3rd information transmission / reception means. In this way, the transmission source user can specify the printing apparatus that performs the printing process and execute the authentication printing. At this time, the information acquisition unit of the information acquisition apparatus also acquires printing conditions including information such as paper size, duplex printing, layout, and number of copies set by the operation of the transmission source user. The 4 control means may be configured to cause the print processing execution means to print the print information based on the printing conditions.

  In the authentication printing system of the present invention, the information conversion device includes a print conversion unit capable of converting the general-purpose information into print information to be printed by a printing device, and the second control unit is configured to convert the general-purpose information from the converted general-purpose information. The print conversion unit converts the print information into the print information, and the third control unit of the authentication execution device associates the print information received from the information conversion device with the destination information to store the third information. And the third information transmission / reception means receives the authentication request from the printing apparatus and authenticates the user, and then sends the print information destined for the user to the printing apparatus to the third information transmission / reception means. It may be transmitted. In this way, when the user of the transmission destination authenticates, it is stored as print information that can be printed by the printing apparatus, so that the printing process can be executed relatively quickly.

  Alternatively, in the authentication printing system of the present invention, the authentication execution device includes a print conversion unit capable of converting the general-purpose information into print data to be printed by a printing device, and the third control unit transmits and receives the third information transmission / reception. When the means receives the general information and the destination information, the general information and the destination information are associated with each other and stored in the third information storage means, and the third information transmitting / receiving means from the printing device After receiving the authentication request and authenticating the user, the general-purpose information stored in the third information storage means destined for the user is converted into print information that can be printed by the printing apparatus into the print conversion means. The converted print information may be transmitted to the printing apparatus by the third transmitting / receiving unit. In this way, it is stored in the authentication execution device in the state of general-purpose information, and when there is an authentication request, it is converted into print information that can be printed by the requested printing device. Printing can be performed.

  In the authentication printing system of the present invention, the information acquisition device includes display means capable of displaying information, and the first information transmission / reception means stores user authentication stored in the third information storage means of the authentication execution device. The information of one or more users stored in the information is received via the third information transmission / reception means, and the first control means displays the acquired user information on the display means, and the operation of the transmission source user The information of one or more users selected by the method may be transmitted to the information conversion apparatus as the transmission destination information. In this way, the user of the transmission destination can be selected by a simple operation of selecting the displayed user information using the user recognition information. In addition, a plurality of users can be selected as transmission destinations using the user recognition information.

  In the authentication printing system of the present invention, the information acquisition unit of the information acquisition apparatus receives the FAX information via a telephone line, thereby receiving the FAX information as the processing information and the transmission source information as the transmission destination information. And the third information storage means of the authentication execution apparatus stores FAX correspondence information in which FAX transmission source information and the transmission destination user are associated with each other, and the third control means After setting the transmission destination user corresponding to the processing information from the transmission source information using correspondence information, and receiving the authentication request from the printing apparatus and authenticating the user Searching for print information whose destination is the user who can print on the printing apparatus based on the general-purpose information, and causing the printing apparatus to transmit the searched print information to the third information transmitting / receiving means; It may be. In this way, since the user associated with the FAX transmission source is set as the transmission destination based on the FAX correspondence information, the transmission destination can be set with a relatively simple process.

  The authentication printing system according to the present invention includes a plurality of the information acquisition devices, and the information acquisition unit of the information acquisition device receives the FAX information via a telephone line, thereby obtaining the processing information and the transmission destination information. And the third information storage means of the authentication execution device obtains FAX correspondence information associating one of the plurality of information acquisition devices with the destination user. And when the information acquisition device of any one of the plurality acquires the processing information, the third control means uses the stored FAX correspondence information from the information of the information acquisition device for the processing. The destination user corresponding to the information is set, and the third information transmitting / receiving unit receives the authentication request from the printing apparatus and authenticates the user. Printable said user device retrieves the print information printed information the search for a destination may be configured to be transmitted to the third information transmitting and receiving means to said printing apparatus. In this way, FAX information can be authenticated and printed to a user corresponding to the information acquisition apparatus.

  The authentication printing system of the present invention includes a fifth information transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving information, a mail information storage unit for storing an e-mail to a user, and a mail information storage unit when an e-mail inquiry is received from the user. And a fifth control means for sending the stored e-mail addressed to the user to the fifth information transmitting / receiving means to the user, wherein the information conversion apparatus is a mail for creating an e-mail. Creating means, and when the second control means receives the destination information and the processing information from the information acquisition device, the second control means sends an e-mail indicating that the processing information to the destination has been accepted. It is good also as what makes a mail preparation means produce and sends this produced e-mail to the said 2nd information transmission / reception means to the said information transmission apparatus. In this way, the destination user can relatively easily recognize that there is information to be authenticated and printed by e-mail.

  In the authentication printing system of the present invention, the identification information input means of the printing apparatus may be a card reader that inputs the user identification information from a card having a storage element that stores the user identification information. If it carries out like this, identification information can be input by easy operation using a card | curd.

The authentication printing method of the present invention includes:
An information acquisition device having a first information storage means for storing information, and a second information storage means for storing print management information in which processing information with a destination specified and information about the destination are registered in association with each other An information conversion device comprising: an authentication execution device comprising a third information storage means for storing user authentication information including user identification information; an identification information input means capable of inputting user identification information; and printing print information An authentication printing method by a computer program using an authentication printing system comprising: a printing apparatus comprising a printing process execution means for performing printing processing on a medium,
(A) When the information acquisition apparatus acquires the processing information, the acquired transmission destination information and processing information are stored in the first information storage unit, and the stored transmission destination information and processing information are stored. Transmitting to the information conversion device;
(B) When the information conversion apparatus receives the transmission destination information and the processing information from the information acquisition apparatus, the information conversion apparatus associates the received transmission destination information with the processing information and registers them in the print management information. And converting the received processing information into predetermined general-purpose information;
(C) When the authentication execution apparatus receives a predetermined authentication request including user identification information from the printing apparatus, the authentication execution apparatus is based on the received user identification information and the user authentication information stored in the third information storage unit. The user is authenticated, and after the user is authenticated, the printing information to the printing apparatus is sent to the printing apparatus as the transmission destination that can be printed by the printing apparatus based on the general-purpose information converted from the processing information by the information conversion apparatus. Sending, and
(D) When the printing apparatus inputs user identification information by the identification information input means, an authentication request including the identification information is transmitted to the authentication execution apparatus, and when the authentication is permitted by the authentication execution apparatus, the user Receiving from the authentication execution apparatus print information based on the processing information having the transmission destination as the transmission destination, and causing the print processing execution means to print the received print information.

  In this authentication printing method, the information acquisition device acquires the processing information for which the transmission destination is specified, and the information conversion device associates the information of the transmission destination with the processing information and registers the information in the print management information. The information is converted into general-purpose information, and when the authentication execution device receives an authentication request including identification information of the destination user from the printing device, this user authentication is executed. After authenticating the user, the authenticated user is Print information that can be printed by this printing apparatus based on the general-purpose information as a transmission destination is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus that receives the information executes printing. In this way, each process is executed in a state where the information on the transmission destination is associated with the processing information, and when the user requests an authentication from the printing apparatus, the printing that is the transmission destination and can be printed by this printing apparatus. The information is transmitted to the printing apparatus to execute printing. Therefore, it is possible to authenticate and print the printing target more reliably. In this authentication printing method, various aspects of the above-described authentication printing system may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described authentication printing system may be added.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a FAX authentication printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of information stored in an HDD 35 provided in an information conversion user management server 30. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of information stored in the HDD 45 provided in the authentication print server 40. A FAX authentication printing system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a FAX apparatus 20 that transmits and receives FAX data from a telephone line 14 serving as an electric communication line, and an information conversion user management server connected to the FAX apparatus 20 via a LAN 12 serving as a network. 30, an authentication print server 40 connected via the LAN 12, a mail server 50 connected via the LAN 12, a plurality of printers 60 and 69 connected via the LAN 12, and a connection via the LAN 12. And a plurality of user personal computers (hereinafter referred to as user PCs) 70 and 79. The FAX authentication printing system 10 includes a plurality of other FAX apparatuses, printers, and user PCs (not shown). Note that the FAX apparatus, the printer, and the user PC may each have an arbitrary number.

  The FAX machine 20 includes an operation panel 21 for a user to input various instructions, a CPU 22 for executing various controls, a ROM 23 for storing various processing programs, a RAM 24 for temporarily storing data, and an image on recording paper. Via a printing mechanism 25 for printing, a reading mechanism 26 for reading an image on recording paper, a LAN-interface (I / F) 27 connected to the LAN 12 and capable of transmitting / receiving signals to / from an external device, and a telephone line 14. A FAX-interface (I / F) 28 capable of transmitting and receiving FAX information, and an authentication device 29 for confirming whether or not the user is a system registrant. The operation panel 21 is a device for a user to input various instructions to the FAX apparatus 20, and includes a display unit 21 a that is a liquid crystal display on which characters, figures, and symbols corresponding to the various instructions are displayed. An operation unit 21b for performing various operations including a cursor key for moving the cursor displayed on the unit 21a and a determination key for determining input contents is provided. The CPU 22 is connected to a printing mechanism 25, a reading mechanism 26, and the like so that information can be exchanged via a bus (not shown). The RAM 24 is provided with a plurality of areas such as a print buffer that temporarily stores image information to be printed by the printing mechanism 25 and a scanner buffer that temporarily stores image information read by the reading mechanism 26. The RAM 24 is also used to temporarily store information when exchanging information with an external device connected to the FAX apparatus 20. The printing mechanism 25 is configured as a full-color electrophotographic printing mechanism that employs a single photoreceptor system and an intermediate transfer system, and includes cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). An electrostatic latent image of an image for each color separated into four colors is formed on a photoreceptor, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner of each color, and the developed toner image is transferred to a recording paper S via a transfer belt. In this mechanism, the recording sheet S that has been transferred to is transferred and fixed by heating and pressing. The reading mechanism 26 separates the reflected light after being emitted toward the recording paper placed on the glass surface into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors by a line image sensor, and scan data. It is configured as a so-called flatbed scanner. The authentication device 29 is configured as a card reader that inputs information such as a user ID in a contact or non-contact state with an authentication card including a storage element that stores a user ID, a password, and the like as user identification information.

  The information conversion user management server 30 is a server that manages user information and executes processing for converting authentication print data into print jobs that can be printed by any printer via general-purpose data. The information conversion user management server 30 includes a CPU 32 that executes various controls, a ROM 33 that stores various control programs, a RAM 34 that temporarily stores data, and an HDD 35 that is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs and various data files. And an I / F 37 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external device connected to the LAN 12. The CPU 32 is connected to the HDD 35 and the I / F 37 so that information can be exchanged via a bus (not shown). The information conversion user management server 30 uses a reception buffer and a transmission buffer provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 34 when transmitting / receiving data to / from the FAX apparatus 20 or the user PC 70 via the LAN 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the HDD 35 includes user management information 35 a storing user information registered in the system, FAX correspondence information 35 b which is various setting information of the FAX apparatus connected to the LAN 12, and the FAX apparatus 20. A print acceptance list 35c as print log information including information on the sender of the print data such as scan data for authentication printing and FAX data received from the outside, and a print driver which is a driver of a printer connected to the system 35d, an authentication server communication driver 35e as a program for transmitting / receiving information to / from the authentication print server 40, an image data conversion module 35f for converting received data into a general-purpose data format that can be used by other devices, and transmission of print data Email creation module for creating emails to be communicated to the previous printer Such Lumpur 35g is stored. In this information conversion user management server 30, the image data conversion module 35f generates PDF data as general-purpose data.

  Here, information stored in the HDD 35 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the user management information 35a is associated with the name of the user who uses the system, the group name in which the user is registered, such as a company department, the user ID unique to the user, and the user ID. The received password, the user's e-mail address used for notifying receipt of the authentication print data, the notification FAX device name which is information of the FAX device to which the received FAX data is notified in correspondence with the user, and the like are included. Yes. The FAX correspondence information 35b is a transmission destination for notifying the name of the FAX apparatus, the retention period of the FAX data received by the FAX apparatus, the FAX number as the FAX transmission source information, and the FAX data received from the FAX number. Notification registrant information associated with the printer information is included. The print acceptance list 35c includes an acceptance number assigned to the print data in the order in which the authentication prints are received, a print job name read or received by each FAX apparatus, an accepting apparatus name that is a sender of the authentication print, and a print use Date and time of data reception, sender information such as the user name of the sender of the print data, the name of the printer who is the recipient of the print data, as well as the size of the print data, paper size, whether double-sided printing is not shown Information such as allocation and number of copies is included. For example, when the reception device name is read by a reading mechanism included in “FAX-1”, “scanner-1” is stored, and when FAX-1 receives FAX data via the telephone line 14, “FAX-1” is set to be stored.

  The authentication print server 40 is a server that stores a print job and executes authentication processing at the time of authentication printing. The CPU 42 executes various controls, a ROM 43 that stores various control programs, and a RAM 44 that temporarily stores data. An HDD 45, which is a large-capacity memory for storing various application programs and various data files, and an I / F 47 capable of transmitting / receiving signals to / from an external device connected to the LAN 12 are provided. The CPU 42 is connected to the HDD 45 and the I / F 47 so that information can be exchanged via a bus (not shown). The authentication print server 40 uses a reception buffer and a transmission buffer provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 44 when transmitting / receiving data to / from the FAX apparatus 20 or the user PC 70 via the LAN 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the HDD 45 stores print job and destination information generated based on user authentication information 45 a used when executing user authentication and print data received from the information conversion user management server 30. And the like are stored. Information similar to the user management information 35a is stored in the user authentication information 45a, and the user authentication information 45a is also updated when the user management information 35a is updated. The print job management information 45b includes a receipt number assigned to the print data in the order of reception of the authentication prints, a data body of the print job converted into a format printable by any printer by the information conversion user management server 30, and print Specify the name of the printer that can print the job, the name of the receiving device that is the sender of the authentication print, the date and time when the print data is received, the user name of the sender of the print data, and the destination of the print data. In addition to a certain printer name, information such as the size of the print job, the paper size, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, the layout, and the number of copies is included (not shown).

  The mail server 50 is a server that distributes e-mails in response to polling from each user PC, and the like. The CPU 52 executes various controls, the ROM 53 stores various control programs, the RAM 54 temporarily stores data, and various types. An HDD 55, which is a large-capacity memory for storing application programs and various data files, and an I / F 57 capable of transmitting and receiving signals between external devices connected to the LAN 12 are provided. The CPU 52 is connected to the HDD 55 and the I / F 57 so that information can be exchanged via a bus (not shown). The mail server 50 uses a reception buffer and a transmission buffer provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 54 when transmitting / receiving data to / from the FAX apparatus 20 or the user PC 70 via the LAN 12. The HDD 55 stores mail information 55a including e-mail data corresponding to each user's mail address.

  The printer 60 is a device that prints a print job obtained via the LAN 12 on the recording sheet S. The printer 60 includes an operation panel 61 for inputting various instructions, a CPU 62 for controlling the entire device, and various processing programs. The stored read / write flash ROM 63, the RAM 64 for temporarily storing data, the printing mechanism 65 for printing on the recording paper S using toner as a colorant, and whether or not the user is designated for printing during authentication printing. An authentication device 66 for inputting such information, and an I / F 67 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external device connected to the LAN 12. The operation panel 61 is a device for a user to input various instructions to the printer 60, and includes a display unit 61a that is a liquid crystal display on which characters, figures, and symbols corresponding to the various instructions are displayed. An operation unit 61b is provided for performing various operations including a cursor key for moving the cursor displayed on 61a and a determination key for determining input contents. The printing mechanism 65 is the same mechanism as the printing mechanism 25 described above. The printing mechanism 25 and the printing mechanism 65 may employ an ink jet method in which the ink in the ink cartridge is pressurized and ejected toward the recording paper S by a piezoelectric element or a heater provided in the print head. Note that the printer 69 has the same configuration as the printer 60, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The user PC 70 is a well-known general-purpose personal computer configured as an information processing apparatus used by a user. The user PC 70 is a CPU 72 that executes various controls, a ROM 73 that stores various control programs, a RAM 74 that temporarily stores data, and various application programs. And an HDD 75, which is a large-capacity memory for storing various data files, and an I / F 76 capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from an external device connected to the LAN 12. The user PC 70 transmits / receives e-mails to / from the mail server 50 according to the installed program and reads information such as a print job stored in the authentication print server 40. The user PC 70 includes a display 77 for displaying various information on the screen, an input device 78 such as a keyboard for the user to input various commands, and the like, and the user inputs the cursor displayed on the display 77 via the input device 78. When operated, it has a function of executing an operation corresponding to the input operation. Since the user PC 79 has the same configuration as the user PC 70, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, regarding the operation of the FAX authentication printing system 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, first, scan data scanned by a reading mechanism (scanner) by a user registered in the system is transmitted to another user, and this other user. An operation of authenticating and printing will be described. Here, as a specific example, user A sends authentication prints to user A and user B using scan data read by the reading mechanism 26 of the FAX apparatus 20, and user B as the transmission destination executes authentication printing using the printer 60. The case where it does is demonstrated mainly. It is assumed that user A uses user PC 70 and user B uses user PC 79. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a scan execution processing routine executed by the CPU 22 of the FAX apparatus 20. This routine is stored in the ROM 23 and is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings (for example, every several milliseconds) after the FAX apparatus 20 is activated.

  When this routine is executed, the CPU 22 first determines whether or not there is an authentication operation based on whether or not authentication-related information is input by touching the authentication device 29 with an authentication card (step S100). Here, it is assumed that the user ID and password stored in the authentication card are input as information related to authentication. When the information related to authentication is not input, the CPU 22 ends this routine as it is, and when the information related to authentication is input, the input information is transmitted to the information conversion user management server 30 via the LAN-I / F 27. The user name registered in the system is acquired by the LAN-I / F 27 (step S110). Here, the user ID and password are transmitted to the information conversion user management server 30, and the authentication card 29 is brought close to the authentication device 29 to confirm whether or not the user who made the authentication request is registered in the FAX authentication printing system 10. It was. In addition, the registered user name is acquired from the information conversion user management server 30 by transmitting a transmission request for the user name registered in the system to the information conversion user management server 30.

  Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the authentication is permitted by the information conversion user management server 30 based on the information received from the information conversion user management server 30 (step S120). A message is displayed on the display unit 21a (step S130), and this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the authentication is permitted, the CPU 22 displays the registered user name received from the information conversion user management server 30 on the display unit 21a as the transmission destination information, and inputs the printer name as the transmission destination and the input of the printing conditions. Processing is executed (step S140). Here, one or more user names displayed on the display unit 21a are set to be selectable by key operation of the operation unit 21b. The group registered in the user management information 35a is also set to be displayed on the display unit 21a so that it can be selected. When a group is selected, the scan data is sent to all the users included in the selected group. It was supposed to be authenticated printing. In the printing condition input process, a process for inputting a designation of a printer that performs printing, a designation of paper size, double-sided printing, layout, the number of copies, and the like is performed by operating the operation unit 21b. When a printer who is a transmission destination is selected, information on the selected printer is temporarily stored in the RAM 24.

  Next, the CPU 22 depresses a scan start button (not shown) provided in the operation unit 21b to determine whether or not the input of the transmission destination information and the printing conditions has been completed and the reading instruction of the read document placed on the reading mechanism 26 has been issued. (Step S150), and if the reading is not instructed, the process of Step S140 is executed. On the other hand, when a reading instruction is given, the CPU 22 executes a reading process (step S160). The reading process executes a process of irradiating the read original with light and generating scan data that is digital image data from a signal output by reading the light reflected by the read original with a line image sensor. Here, it is assumed that RAW data, which is model-specific data, is generated as scan data. Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the reading process has been completed (step S170). If the reading process has not been completed, the CPU 22 executes the reading process in step S160. The data is temporarily stored in the RAM 24, and the scan data, the printing conditions, the transmission source user name (authenticated user name), and the transmission destination printer name are transmitted to the information conversion user management server 30 (step S180). This routine is terminated.

  Next, operations of the reception process and the scan data conversion process in the information conversion user management server 30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print job reception processing routine executed by the CPU 32 of the information conversion user management server 30. This routine is stored in the HDD 35 and is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings (for example, every several milliseconds) after the information conversion user management server 30 is activated. When this routine is executed, the CPU 32 first determines whether or not a user ID has been received from the FAX apparatus 20 or the like through the I / F 37 (step S200). When receiving the user ID, the CPU 32 authenticates the user by searching whether or not the input user ID is registered in the user management information 35a, and uses the registered user name included in the user management information 35a. Read (step S210). Next, the CPU 32 transmits the authentication result and the registered user name to the FAX apparatus 20 when the user is authenticated, and transmits only the authentication result to the FAX apparatus when the user is not authenticated. It transmits to 20 by I / F 37 (step S220).

  After step S220 or when the user ID is not received in step S200, the CPU 32 determines whether or not scan data has been received (step S230). When the scan data is received, the CPU 32 executes conversion processing from the received scan data to general-purpose data using the image data conversion module 35f (step S240). Here, the received RAW data is converted into PDF data. Next, the CPU 32 reads out information on the printer that executes printing based on the print conditions received together with the scan data, and generates a print job for the printer that executes this printing from the general-purpose data using the print driver 35d (step S31). S250). Here, a print job for a printer that is designated to execute printing is generated. When a plurality of printers are set as the transmission destination, a plurality of print jobs corresponding to the plurality of printers are generated from one PDF data (accept number 1 in the print acceptance list 35c in FIG. 2). , 2). Subsequently, the CPU 32 registers the name of the generated print job, the name of the apparatus that transmitted the scan data, the reception date and time, the user name of the transmission source, and the name of the printer in the print reception list 35c (step S260). Subsequently, information on the main body of the print job, the transmission source user name, and the printer name is transmitted to the authentication print server 40 (step S270), and an e-mail is created based on the transmission source user name and the printer name. (Step S280). Here, as many e-mails as the number corresponding to the number of printers are created, storing in the mail body a message indicating that there is authentication printing to be sent to the printer's email address and printing with the printer designated by the sender user It was supposed to be. Subsequently, the CPU 32 transmits the created electronic mail to the mail server 50 as mail to be transmitted to the mail address of the printer (step S290). When the printer who is the transmission destination checks the e-mail on the user PC, it receives the e-mail and recognizes that there is a print job for authentication printing by the designated printer.

  After step S290 or when scan data is not received in step S230, the CPU 32 determines whether or not predetermined printed information has been received (step S300). As will be described in detail later, this printed information is information transmitted from this apparatus when the authentication printing is completed by an authentication printing execution apparatus such as the printer 60. When the printed information is not received, this routine is terminated as it is. When the printed information is received, the print job information stored in the print acceptance list 35c and included in the printed information is printed. The registered information is registered (step S310), and an e-mail is created based on the user name and printer name of the print job transmission source (step S320). Here, it is assumed that an e-mail is transmitted that is transmitted to the e-mail address of the transmission source user and stores in the e-mail text that the printer has completed the authentication printing. Then, the CPU 32 transmits the created electronic mail to the mail server 50 as mail to be transmitted to the mail address of the transmission source (step S330), and ends this routine as it is. In this way, the information conversion user management server 30 registers the print job name and the like in the print acceptance list 35c as a print log, and the main body of the print job is transmitted to the authentication print server 40 and stored therein, and printed by e-mail. The authentication print acceptance process is executed by transmitting information related to the authentication print to the user and the transmission source user.

  Next, an operation for performing print processing of a print job for authentication printing by the printer 60 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an authentication print execution processing routine executed by the CPU 62 of the printer 60. This routine is stored in the flash ROM 63 and is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings (for example, every several milliseconds) after the printer 60 is activated. When this routine is executed, the CPU 62 first determines whether or not there is an authentication operation based on whether or not authentication-related information is input by touching the authentication device 66 with an authentication card (step S400). Here, it is assumed that the user ID and password stored in the authentication card are input as information related to authentication. When the information regarding authentication is not input, the CPU 62 ends this routine as it is, and when the information regarding authentication is input, the input information is transmitted to the authentication print server 40 by the I / F 67 (step S410). Here, the user ID and password are transmitted to the authentication print server 40 and the authentication card 29 is brought close to the authentication device 29 to confirm whether or not the user who made the authentication request is registered in the FAX authentication print system 10. .

  Next, the CPU 62 determines whether or not authentication is permitted by the authentication print server 40 based on the information received from the authentication print server 40 (step S420). If authentication is not permitted, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit. 61a is displayed (step S430), and this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the authentication is permitted, the CPU 62 acquires the print job name and the print condition of the authentication print that can be printed by the printer that is associated with the authenticated user and that has executed the authentication from the authentication print server 40 and displays it. It is displayed on 61a (step S440). The print job name is transmitted from the authentication print server 40 based on information stored in the print job management information 45b of the authentication print server 40, which will be described in detail later. Next, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the printing condition of the displayed print job has been changed (step S450), and when the printing condition is changed, the printing condition is changed to the changed content (step S460). Here, the printing conditions that can be changed by the printer 60, such as the presence or absence of double-sided printing, are changed based on the operation of the operation unit 61b by the user.

  After step S460 or when the printing conditions are not changed in step S450, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the selection of the print job name displayed on the display unit 61a is confirmed (step S470). Here, one or more print job names displayed on the display unit 61a are selected by operating a cursor key (not shown) or an enter key (not shown) of the operation unit 61b, and the selection is confirmed by pressing a print start key (not shown). Is set to When the selection of the print job name has not been confirmed, the CPU 62 executes the processing after step S450, and when the selection of the print job name has been confirmed, the CPU 62 transmits a transmission request for the selected print job to the authentication print server 40. (Step S480), it is determined whether or not a print job has been received (Step S490). When the print job is not received, the CPU 62 stands by as it is, and when the print job is received, the print processing is executed (step S500). In the printing process, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged photoconductor by the printing mechanism 65 based on the image data of the print job, and the applied and charged toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. The toner images of the respective colors are superposed through a transfer belt, the superposed toner image is transferred onto the recording paper S, heated and pressurized while being transported, and the toner image is recorded. A process of fixing on the surface of the paper S is performed.

  Subsequently, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the printing process is finished (step S510). When the printing process is not finished, the printing process is continued (step S500), and when the printing process is finished, the printing is performed. Printed information indicating that the authentication printing of the completed print job has been completed is transmitted to the information conversion user management server 30 and the authentication print server 40 (step S520), and this routine ends. As described above, when a user as a printer performs an authentication operation on the printer 60, all print jobs to be authenticated by the printer are displayed by the user, and the user executes authentication printing while appropriately changing the printing conditions. It is.

  Next, the operations of print job management and printer authentication processing in the authentication print server 40 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print job management printer authentication process routine executed by the CPU 42 of the authentication print server 40. This routine is stored in the HDD 45 and is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings (for example, every several milliseconds) after the authentication print server 40 is activated. When this routine is executed, the CPU 42 first determines whether or not a print job and accompanying information have been received from the information conversion user management server 30 by the I / F 47 (step S600). Here, the information transmitted in step S270 of the print job reception processing routine is received. When the print job is received, the CPU 42 registers the received print job and information associated therewith in the print job management information 45b (step S610). Here, the main body of the print job is registered in the print job management information 45b, and as the accompanying information, the name of the receiving device, the name of the printer designated to execute printing, the reception date and time at the information conversion user management server 30, and the user of the transmission source In addition to the name, the printer name of the transmission destination, etc., printing conditions (not shown) are registered.

  After step S610 or when no print job has been received in step S600, the CPU 42 determines whether a user ID and password as a user authentication request have been received from the printer 60 or the like (step S620). . When the user ID is received, the CPU 42 executes the user authentication process by searching whether or not the received user ID is registered in the user authentication information 45a (step S630). Next, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the user is authorized (step S640). When it is determined that the authentication is permitted, the CPU 42 prints a print job corresponding to this user ID that can be printed by the authentication request source printer. A search is performed based on the print job management information 45b (step S650). Subsequently, the CPU 42 transmits a search result, that is, if there is a print job that can be printed, and transmits information indicating that there is no print job that can be printed (step S660).

  After step S660, or when the user ID is not received in step S620, or when authentication is not permitted in step S640, the CPU 42 determines whether or not printed information has been received (step S670). ). Here, the printed information transmitted in step S520 of the authentication printing execution processing routine is received. When the printed information is not received, this routine is terminated as it is, and when the printed information is received, the information regarding the print job corresponding to the received printed information is deleted from the print job management information 45b (step S680). This routine is terminated. In this way, the authentication print server 40 registers and manages the print job received from the information conversion user management server 30 in the print job management information 45b, executes an authentication request from the printer 60, and sends the print job to the printer 60. The authentication print is executed by transmitting to the server.

  Next, an operation when authentication printing of FAX data received via the telephone line 14 by the FAX apparatus 20 or the like will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a FAX data reception process routine executed by the CPU 22 of the FAX apparatus 20. This routine is stored in the ROM 23 and is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings (for example, every several milliseconds) after the FAX apparatus 20 is activated. When this routine is executed, the CPU 22 first determines whether or not FAX data has been received (step S700). If the FAX data has not been received, the CPU 22 ends the routine as it is, and if FAX data has been received, the CPU 22 receives the FAX data. The fax data and the information of the sender of the fax data (here, the fax number) are transmitted to the information conversion user management server 30 (step S710), and this routine is terminated. Here, the FAX correspondence information 35b stored in the information conversion user management server 30 is associated with the information of the transmission source and the information of the printer of the transmission destination. That is, when the transmission source is determined, the transmission destination is changed. Therefore, the FAX transmission source information is transmitted to the information conversion user management server 30 as FAX printer information. Subsequently, the operation of the FAX data reception process in the information conversion user management server 30 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a FAX data reception process routine executed by the CPU 32 of the information conversion user management server 30. This routine is stored in the HDD 35 and is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings (for example, every several milliseconds) after the information conversion user management server 30 is activated. When this routine is executed, the CPU 32 first determines whether or not FAX data has been received from the FAX apparatus 20 or the like (step S800). If the FAX data has not been received, the CPU 32 ends this routine as it is, and the FAX data Is received, the printer as the transmission destination user is set based on the FAX transmission source data and the FAX correspondence information 35b. (S810) Here, using the notification registrant information registered in advance in the FAX correspondence information 35b, the transmission destination corresponding to the FAX transmission source associated with the FAX apparatus is set to the printer. When a group is registered in the transmission destination of the notification registrant information, all users included in the group are set as printers. After setting the printer, the CPU 32 converts the received FAX data into general-purpose data (step S820), and thereafter executes the same processing as steps S250 to S290 of the print job reception processing routine shown in FIG. This routine ends. At this time, it is assumed that the user name of the transmission source is set to use a name (company name, personal name, etc.) corresponding to the FAX number of the FAX data transmission destination. Further, the printing conditions in the FAX data are set so that predetermined conditions are applied to FAX printing. Further, the authentication print server 40 and the printer 60 handle print jobs based on the FAX data by the same processing as described above. In this way, reception of FAX data authentication printing can be performed in the same manner as scan data authentication printing described above.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The FAX apparatus 20 of this embodiment corresponds to the information acquisition apparatus of the present invention, the information conversion user management server 30 corresponds to the information conversion apparatus, and the information conversion user management server 30 and the authentication print server 40 correspond to the authentication execution apparatus. The printer 60 and the printer 69 correspond to a printing device, and the mail server 50 corresponds to an information transmission device. Among the information acquisition apparatuses, the reading mechanism 26, the operation unit 21b, and the FAX-I / F 28 correspond to information acquisition means, the RAM 24 corresponds to first information storage means, and the LAN-I / F 27 corresponds to first information transmission / reception means. The CPU 22 corresponds to the first control means, the authentication device 29 corresponds to the second identification information input means, and the display unit 21a corresponds to the display means. Among the information conversion apparatuses, the I / F 37 corresponds to the second information transmission / reception means, the print acceptance list 35c corresponds to the print management information, the HDD 35 corresponds to the second information storage means, and the image data conversion module 35f performs general-purpose conversion. The CPU 32 corresponds to the second control means, the print driver 35d corresponds to the print conversion means, the e-mail creation module 35g corresponds to the mail creation means, and the scan data and FAX data correspond to the processing information. To do. Among the authentication execution devices, I / F 37 and I / F 47 correspond to the third information transmitting / receiving unit, the user ID corresponds to the user identification information, and the user management information 35a and the user authentication information 45a correspond to the user authentication information. The HDD 35 and HDD 45 correspond to third information storage means, the print job corresponds to print information, the CPU 32 and CPU 42 correspond to third control means, and the FAX correspondence information 35b corresponds to FAX correspondence information. Among the printing apparatuses, the authentication device 66 corresponds to identification information input means, the I / F 67 corresponds to fourth information transmission / reception means, the recording paper S corresponds to a print medium, and the printing mechanism 65 corresponds to print processing execution means. The CPU 62 corresponds to fourth control means. Among the information transmission devices, the I / F 57 corresponds to a fifth information transmission / reception unit, the HDD 55 corresponds to a mail information storage unit, and the CPU 52 corresponds to a fifth control unit. In the present embodiment, an example of the authentication printing method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the FAX authentication printing system 10.

  According to the FAX authentication printing system 10 of the present embodiment described in detail above, the FAX apparatus 20 acquires the printing data designated by the transmission destination by reading with the reading mechanism 26, and the information conversion user management server 30 transmits this transmission. The previous information and the print data are associated with each other and registered in the print acceptance list 35c, and the print data is converted into a print job via the general-purpose data, and the converted print job is transmitted to the authenticated print server 40. When the authentication request including the user ID of the transmission destination printer is received from the printer 60, the user is authenticated, and after the user is authenticated, the printer 60 with the authenticated user as the transmission destination can print. A print job is transmitted to the printer 60, and the printer 60 that receives the print job executes printing. In this way, each process is executed in a state in which the destination information is associated with the print data, and when the user requests authentication from the printer 60, the user who is the destination and prints that can be printed by the printer 60. The job is transmitted to the printer 60 to execute printing. Therefore, the printing data can be authenticated and printed more reliably. Further, when the user of the transmission destination performs an authentication operation with the printer 60, it is stored in the authentication print server 40 in the state of a print job that can be printed by the printer 60, so that the printing process can be executed relatively quickly. . In addition, an image read by the reading mechanism 26 can be authenticated and printed at a transmission destination designated by the user.

  Further, after the user is authenticated by the user ID input by the authentication device 29, the recording paper S is read by the reading mechanism 26 and authentication printing is performed, so that the security is higher and the information of the transmission source can be utilized. it can. Further, since the information of the printer 60 that executes printing is also set by the operation of the transmission source user as the printing condition, the transmission source user can specify the printer 60 that performs the printing process and execute the authentication printing. Furthermore, it is possible to select a printer as a transmission destination by a simple operation of selecting a user name displayed on the display unit 21a using the user management information 35a. A plurality of users can be selected as transmission destinations using the user management information 35a. A user who receives FAX data via the telephone line 14 and associates the FAX apparatus with the FAX transmission source using the FAX correspondence information 35b in which the FAX transmission source information and the transmission destination user are associated with each other. Therefore, the transmission destination can be set by a relatively simple process, and FAX information can be authenticated and printed by the user corresponding to the FAX apparatus. In addition, when receiving the destination information and the print data from the FAX machine 20, an e-mail indicating that the print data has been received is generated and transmitted to the destination. It can be relatively easily obtained by e-mail that there is information to be performed. Further, since the authentication device 29 and the authentication device 66 are card readers that input the user ID from an authentication card having a storage element that stores the user ID, the user ID is input by an easy operation using the card. be able to. Further, it is possible to set a printer who performs authentication printing by a simple operation of simply selecting the user name displayed on the display unit 21a in the FAX apparatus 20. Further, the user at the transmission source does not need to set a password or the like each time, and the time required for authentication printing can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the information conversion user management server 30 uses the user management information 35a to authenticate the user before the start of authentication printing. However, the authentication print server 40 uses the user authentication information 45a. The user may be authenticated before starting the authentication printing. Even in this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the embodiment described above, the information conversion user management server 30 includes the print driver 35d, and the information conversion user management server 30 generates a print job from the general-purpose data and transmits the generated print job to the authentication print server 40. 40, the information conversion user management server 30 transmits general-purpose data to the authentication print server 40. The authentication print server 40 includes a print driver and stores the general-purpose data. A print job may be generated using a print driver when a request for authenticated printing is received. In this case, the data is stored in the authentication print server 40 in the state of general-purpose data, and when there is an authentication request, it is converted into a print job that can be printed by the requested printer 60. Authentication printing can be executed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mail server 50 is provided, and information related to authentication printing such as a notification that the printing printer that is the transmission destination has the authentication print data and a notification that the authentication printing has been completed to the transmission source user is sent by e-mail. Although at least a part of this may be omitted, or the mail server 50 may not be provided. Even in this case, the print data can be authenticated and printed more reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the scan data read by the reading mechanism 26 and the FAX data received by the FAX-I / F 28 are authenticated and printed, but either one may be omitted. For example, the FAX apparatus 20 capable of acquiring scan data and FAX data is the information acquisition apparatus of the present invention, but may be a scanner apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the FAX apparatus 20 includes the authentication device 29 as a card reader. However, the FAX apparatus 20 may input a user ID or a keyword by a user key operation using the operation unit 21b. Alternatively, although an authentication card is used here, human body authentication or the like may be used. The same applies to the authentication device 66 of the printer 60. Further, the authentication of the user before the start of the authentication printing by the authentication device 29 may not be performed. Even in this case, since the user is authenticated on the printer 60 side during printing, security can be maintained.

  In the embodiment described above, the information conversion user management server 30 manages the print acceptance list 35c as a print log, but the authentication print server 40 may manage this. Further, although the authentication print server 40 as the print server manages the print job management information 45b including the print job main body, the information conversion user management server 30 may manage this.

  In the embodiment described above, the authentication print server 40 having the functions of the print server and the authentication server is used. However, the print server and the authentication server may be provided separately. At this time, the authentication may be an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Service) server. Alternatively, the information conversion user management server 30 may have an authentication server function. Alternatively, a single information conversion user management authentication print server having both functions of the information conversion user management server 30 and the authentication print server 40 may be used. In consideration of the load on the server, as described above, it is preferable to use a plurality of servers divided for each function.

  In the embodiment described above, the FAX correspondence information 35b stores the FAX apparatus, the FAX transmission source, and the printer in association with each other. However, the FAX apparatus and the printer may be associated with each other, or FAX transmission may be performed. The original and the printer may be stored in association with each other. Even in this case, the printer can be uniquely set for the FAX data, and the printing data can be more reliably authenticated and printed.

  In the above-described embodiment, when authentication is performed by the authentication device 29 of the FAX apparatus 20, all user names registered in the FAX authentication printing system 10 are displayed. However, in advance, the destination information is displayed in the user management information 35a. If the user is registered and authenticated by the authentication device 29, the user of the transmission destination registered for the authenticated user may be displayed on the display unit 21a. In this way, it is easy to select a printer as a transmission destination.

  In the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of printers are designated, a print job for a plurality of printers is generated from a single general-purpose data. However, a single print job is generated from a single general-purpose data. It is also possible to manage printed printers and non-printed printers using a list of printers. In this way, the number of print jobs can be suppressed. At this time, it is assumed that the print job is deleted from the print job management information 45b when the authentication printing of all the printers is completed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print job is deleted from the print job management information 45b when the authentication printing is finished. However, when the authentication printing is not completed, a predetermined period (for example, January) is passed. In addition, the print job may be deleted from the print job management information 45b, or the print job may be deleted from the print job management information 45b by an operation of a system administrator.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the FAX apparatus 20 accepts authentication printing and the printer 60 executes authentication printing. However, the authentication printing is executed by the FAX apparatus 20 or another FAX apparatus (not shown). Alternatively, it may be executed by the printer 69 or another printer (not shown). When the authentication printing is executed by the FAX apparatus 20, an authentication printing execution processing routine (see FIG. 6) is stored in the ROM 23 of the FAX apparatus 20, and the CPU 22 executes this routine.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a FAX authentication printing system 10. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the information memorize | stored in the information conversion user management server. 4 is an explanatory diagram of information stored in an HDD 45 of the authentication print server 40. FIG. It is a flowchart showing an example of a scan execution processing routine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print job reception processing routine. It is a flowchart showing an example of an authentication printing execution processing routine. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a print job management / printer authentication processing routine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a FAX data reception processing routine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a FAX data reception process routine.

Explanation of symbols

  10 FAX authentication printing system, 12 LAN, 14 telephone line, 20 FAX device, 21 operation panel, 21a display unit, 21b operation unit, 22 CPU, 23 ROM, 24 RAM, 25 printing mechanism, 26 reading mechanism, 27 LAN-interface (I / F), 28 FAX-interface (I / F), 29 Authentication device, 30 Information conversion user management server, 32 CPU, 33 ROM, 34 RAM, 35 HDD, 35a User management information, 35b FAX compatible information, 35c Print acceptance list, 35d print driver, 35e authentication server communication driver, 35f image data conversion module, 35g e-mail creation module, 37 interface (I / F), 40 authentication print server, 42 CPU, 43 ROM, 44 RAM, 45 H D, 45a User authentication information, 45b Print job management information, 47 interface (I / F), 50 mail server, 52 CPU, 53 ROM, 54 RAM, 55 HDD, 55a mail information, 57 interface (I / F), 60 Printer, 61 Operation panel, 61a Display unit, 61b Operation unit, 62 CPU, 63 Flash ROM, 64 RAM, 65 Printing mechanism, 66 Authentication device, 67 Interface (I / F), 69 Printer, 70 User PC, 72 CPU, 73 ROM, 74 RAM, 75 HDD, 76 interface (I / F), 77 display, 78 input device, 79 user PC.

Claims (12)

An information acquisition unit that acquires information, a first information storage unit that stores information acquired by the information acquisition unit, a first information transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives information, and the information acquisition unit that is designated as a transmission destination When the processing information is acquired, the acquired transmission destination information and processing information are stored in the first information storage unit, and the stored transmission destination information and processing information are stored in the first information conversion apparatus. An information acquisition apparatus comprising: a first control unit that causes the information transmitting / receiving unit to transmit;
A second information transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving information; a second information storage unit for storing print management information registered in association with the transmission destination information and the processing information; and the processing information received from the information acquisition device General-purpose conversion means capable of converting information into predetermined general-purpose information; and when the second information transmitting / receiving means receives the destination information and processing information from the information acquisition device, the received destination information and processing Information conversion comprising: second control means for registering the print management information in the second information storage means in association with the use information and converting the received processing information into the general-purpose information into the general-purpose conversion means Equipment,
Third information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information, third information storage means for storing user authentication information including user identification information, and a predetermined authentication request in which the third information transmission / reception means includes user identification information from the printing apparatus Is received based on the received user identification information and the user authentication information stored in the third information storage means, the user is authenticated, and then the information conversion device uses the information for processing. An authentication execution apparatus comprising: third control means for causing the third information transmission / reception means to transmit print information to which the user can print on the printing apparatus based on the converted general-purpose information. ,
Identification information input means capable of inputting user identification information; fourth information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information; print processing execution means for printing print information on a print medium; and Is sent to the authentication execution apparatus to the fourth information transmitting / receiving means, and when the authentication execution apparatus permits authentication, printing based on processing information with the user as the transmission destination A printing apparatus comprising: a fourth control unit that receives information from the authentication execution unit via the fourth information transmission / reception unit and causes the print processing execution unit to print the received print information;
Authentication printing system equipped with.   The authentication printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit of the information acquisition apparatus acquires the processing information by reading a reading target, and acquires the transmission destination information by an operation of a transmission source user. . The authentication printing system according to claim 2,
The information acquisition device includes a second identification information input unit capable of inputting user identification information, and the first control unit receives the user identification information when the second identification information input unit inputs the user identification information. The authentication printing system that causes the identification execution apparatus to transmit the identification information to the first transmission / reception unit, and causes the information acquisition unit to read the reading target after the user is authenticated. The information acquisition unit of the information acquisition device also acquires information of a printing device for print execution set by an operation of a transmission source user, and the first control unit includes the information of the transmission destination and the processing Sending the information and the information of the set printing device to the information conversion device;
The third control unit of the authentication execution apparatus transmits the user who can print with the printing apparatus based on the general-purpose information after the third information transmitting / receiving unit receives the authentication request from the printing apparatus and authenticates the user. The authenticated printing according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the print information to be used is searched also using the information of the set printing device, and the searched print information is transmitted to the third information transmitting / receiving means to the printing device. system. The authentication printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The information conversion device includes print conversion means capable of converting the general-purpose information into print information to be printed by a printing device, and the second control means converts the converted general-purpose information into the print information. Converted to
The third control unit of the authentication execution apparatus stores the print information received from the information conversion apparatus and the transmission destination information in the third information storage unit in association with each other, and stores the third information storage unit from the printing apparatus. An authentication printing system in which an information transmission / reception unit receives the authentication request and authenticates the user, and then causes the printing apparatus to transmit the print information destined for the user to the third information transmission / reception unit. The authentication printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The authentication execution device includes a print conversion unit capable of converting the general-purpose information into print data to be printed by a printing device, and the third control unit is configured such that the third information transmission / reception unit includes the general-purpose information and transmission destination information. And the general information and the destination information are associated with each other and stored in the third information storage unit, and the third information transmitting / receiving unit receives the authentication request from the printing apparatus and authenticates the user. After that, the general-purpose information stored in the third information storage unit destined for the user is converted into print information that can be printed by the printing apparatus, and the converted print information is converted into the first print information. 3. An authentication printing system that causes the transmission / reception means to transmit to the printing apparatus.   The information acquisition device includes display means capable of displaying information, and the first information transmission / reception means includes one or more user authentication information stored in the third information storage means of the authentication execution device. The user information is received via the third information transmitting / receiving means, and the first control means displays the acquired user information on the display means, and the one or more users selected by the operation of the transmission source user The authentication printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted to the information conversion apparatus as the transmission destination information. The information acquisition means of the information acquisition apparatus acquires the information for processing and the information of the transmission source of the FAX as the information of the transmission destination by receiving FAX information via a telephone line,
The third information storage means of the authentication execution device stores FAX correspondence information in which FAX transmission source information is associated with the transmission destination user, and the third control means uses the FAX correspondence information. The user of the transmission destination corresponding to the processing information is set from the information of the transmission source, and the third information transmission / reception means receives the authentication request from the printing apparatus and authenticates the user. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: searching for print information whose destination is the user who can print on the printing apparatus based on the information, and transmitting the searched print information to the third information transmitting / receiving unit. Authentication printing system. A plurality of the information acquisition devices, wherein the information acquisition means of the information acquisition device receives the FAX information via a telephone line, thereby receiving information on the FAX as the processing information and the information on the transmission destination. And get the
The third information storage unit of the authentication execution device stores FAX correspondence information that associates one of the plurality of information acquisition devices with the user of the transmission destination, and the third control unit stores the plurality of information When any one of the information acquisition apparatuses acquires the processing information, the user of the transmission destination corresponding to the processing information is set from the information of the information acquisition apparatus using the stored FAX correspondence information, After the third information transmission / reception means receives the authentication request from the printing apparatus and authenticates the user, it searches the printing information for the user that can be printed by the printing apparatus based on the general-purpose information. The authentication printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing information is transmitted to the third information transmitting / receiving unit to the printing apparatus. The authentication printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A fifth information transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving information; a mail information storage unit for storing an email to the user; and an electronic mail addressed to the user stored in the mail information storage unit when the user makes an email inquiry An information transmission device comprising: a fifth control unit that causes the user to send a mail to the fifth information transmission / reception unit;
The information conversion device includes a mail creation unit that creates an electronic mail, and when the second control unit receives the destination information and the processing information from the information acquisition device, An authentication printing system that causes the mail creation means to create an e-mail indicating that the processing information has been received, and causes the information transmission apparatus to transmit the created e-mail to the second information transmission / reception means.   11. The authentication printing according to claim 1, wherein the identification information input unit of the printing apparatus is a card reader that inputs the identification information of the user from a card including a storage element that stores the identification information of the user. system. An information acquisition device having a first information storage means for storing information, and a second information storage means for storing print management information in which processing information with a destination specified and information about the destination are registered in association with each other An information conversion device comprising: an authentication execution device comprising a third information storage means for storing user authentication information including user identification information; an identification information input means capable of inputting user identification information; and printing print information An authentication printing method by a computer program using an authentication printing system comprising: a printing apparatus comprising a printing process execution means for performing printing processing on a medium,
(A) When the information acquisition apparatus acquires the processing information, the acquired transmission destination information and processing information are stored in the first information storage unit, and the stored transmission destination information and processing information are stored. Transmitting to the information conversion device;
(B) When the information conversion apparatus receives the transmission destination information and the processing information from the information acquisition apparatus, the information conversion apparatus associates the received transmission destination information with the processing information and registers them in the print management information. And converting the received processing information into predetermined general-purpose information;
(C) When the authentication execution apparatus receives a predetermined authentication request including user identification information from the printing apparatus, the authentication execution apparatus is based on the received user identification information and the user authentication information stored in the third information storage unit. The user is authenticated, and after the user is authenticated, the printing information to the printing apparatus is sent to the printing apparatus as the transmission destination that can be printed by the printing apparatus based on the general-purpose information converted from the processing information by the information conversion apparatus. Sending, and
(D) When the printing apparatus inputs user identification information by the identification information input means, an authentication request including the identification information is transmitted to the authentication execution apparatus, and when the authentication is permitted by the authentication execution apparatus, the user Receiving the print information based on the processing information with the destination as the transmission destination from the authentication execution apparatus, and causing the print processing execution means to print the received print information.

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