JP2010036522A - Image forming apparatus and method of releasing authentication of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent unauthorized use of a third party by accepting authentication release during printing and by performing authentication release after printing. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus forming an image on a conveyed recording medium is equipped with: a user authentication means which provides an authenticated state enabling printing to be performed on the basis of prescribed user authentication information; and an authentication release means which accepts a command for releasing the authenticated state during authenticated state and during a printing-related operation. The authentication release means carries out the release of an authenticated state on condition that an operation is complete relating to a printing plate or printing which has been performed before an authentication release operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an authentication canceling method for the image forming apparatus. More specifically, when an authentication cancel command is received, the authentication state is canceled on the condition that the operation related to the printing being executed is completed. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an authentication cancellation method for the image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, for example, in an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, a printing apparatus will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus), printing can be performed based on input of authentication information (password, etc.) to permit use by only a specific user. There is something that shifts to the authentication state, which is a bad state.

  That is, when a user uses a printing apparatus that is normally unable to perform printing or the like, the user inputs a password to the printing apparatus to perform printing. The user then performs an operation for canceling (logout) the authentication state after using the printing apparatus.

See also Patent Documents 1 and 2.
JP 2007-98922 A JP 2007-208573 A

  Such a conventional method has the following problems.

  Since deauthorization is not accepted when printing or plate-making is being performed in the authenticated state, there is a possibility that printing will be performed by a third party before the printing operation or plate-making operation is completed and the printer enters a standby state. There was a problem that it was difficult to seat.

  In addition, the user may leave the place while printing a large number of sheets for a special reason, and there is a high possibility that the user forgets to cancel the authentication (logout). If the authentication state continues for a long time, it is printed to a third party. There was a problem of being manipulated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. The invention according to claim 1 is capable of printing based on reading of user authentication information in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a conveyed recording medium. An authentication unit that shifts to an authentication state that is an unauthenticated state, and an authentication release unit that accepts an authentication release command for releasing the authentication state during an operation related to printing in the authentication state, When the authentication cancellation command is received, it is preferable that the authentication state is canceled on the condition that the operation related to the printing being executed is completed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the authentication cancellation command for canceling the authentication state is accepted during the operation related to printing in the authentication state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent forgetting to cancel the authentication.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the authentication canceling unit completes the operation related to the printing being executed on condition that the authentication cancellation command is received during the operation related to the printing in the authentication state. It is desirable to disable the operation.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the operation is invalidated until the operation related to the printing being executed is completed. Therefore, even if the user leaves the seat, there is an effect that there is no possibility of unauthorized printing by a third party.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the authentication state, the operation is invalidated until the operation related to the printing being executed is completed on condition that an authentication cancellation command is received during the operation related to the printing. It is desirable to provide notification means for notifying the user.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the user is notified that the operation is invalidated until the operation related to the printing in progress is completed. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the operation is invalid, and can notify the third party that printing cannot be performed.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the time until the operation related to the printing being executed is completed on the condition that the notification means receives an authentication cancellation command during the operation related to the printing in the authentication state. It is desirable to notify the user.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the user is notified of the time until the operation related to the printing in progress is completed. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the time until the printing is completed, and the work efficiency is improved.

  In the invention according to claim 5, it is preferable that the operation relating to printing includes an operation of printing or plate making.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the operation relating to printing includes the operation of printing or plate making. Therefore, the period in which the authentication can be canceled is appropriate.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the authentication cancellation method for an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a conveyed recording medium, authentication for shifting to an authentication state that is a printable state based on reading of authentication information for each predetermined user And an authentication release step for accepting an authentication release command for releasing the authentication state during the operation related to printing while in the authentication state, and the authentication release step, when the authentication release command is received, It is preferable that the authentication state is canceled on condition that the operation related to the printing being executed is completed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the authentication cancellation command for canceling the authentication state is accepted during the operation related to printing in the authentication state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent forgetting to cancel the authentication.

  As described above, according to the present invention, authentication cancellation (logout) is accepted during printing or plate-making in the authentication state, and the printing operation is not stopped until the ongoing plate-making or printing operation is completed, and authentication cancellation is automatically performed after completion. By doing so, it is possible to prevent forgetting to cancel the authentication.

  In addition, when authentication is canceled during printing or plate-making in the authenticated state, no other operation is accepted until the plate-making or printing operation being executed is completed, so even if you are away from the desk, There is an effect that there is no possibility of unauthorized printing by a person.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus 1 as an aspect of an image forming apparatus.

  The printing apparatus 1 includes a system unit 3, a panel 5, a mechanism / image unit 7, a drum 9, a consumable 11, an ADF-VI (auto document feeder: automatic document feeder) (13), and a scanner 15. And.

  The system unit 3 includes hardware such as a CPU (Central: Processing: Unit), a ROM (Read: Only: Memory), an SDRAM (synchronous: dynamic random-access: memory), and a FLASH ROM (FLASH-Read: Only: Memory). 3a, mainly for panel display control and exchange with an external IF (interface) (USB (Universal: Serial: Bus), etc.). The software configuration 3b is stored.

  The panel 5 includes an EEPROM (electrically: erasable: programmable: read: only: memory) (5a), but does not include a CPU (Central: Processing: Unit). Display control is performed.

  The mechanical / image unit 7 includes hardware such as a CPU (Central: Processing: Unit), a RAM (Random: Access: Memory), a FLASH ROM (FLASH-Read: Only: Memory), and a DRAM (dynamic: random-access: memory). Ware 7a, which mainly controls writing of an image read from a scanner on a plate and control of mechanical operation.

  The drum 9 includes an EEPROM (electrically: erasable: programmable: read: only: memory) (9a) and the like, and the number counter printed on the drum is an EEPROM (electrically: erasable: programmable: read: only: memory). (9a).

  The consumable 11 has an RF-TAG (radio: frequency-TAG) attached to each of the ink, the master, etc. 11a, and mainly stores remaining amount information.

  The ADF-VI (auto document feeder: automatic document feeder) 13 is used to automatically feed a multi-document and have the main body read it.

  The scanner 15 includes a shading microcomputer 15a and the like, and is a device that reads a document as image data.

  Please refer to FIG. The software configuration 3 b includes an authentication unit 17, an input / output control unit 19, a password registration memory 21, an authentication release unit (authentication release unit) 23, and a state display control unit 31.

  The authentication cancellation unit (authentication cancellation unit) 23 includes an authentication cancellation request receiving unit 25, a print monitoring unit 27, and an authentication cancellation control unit 29.

  The authentication unit 17 collates the identification information (password or the like) input from the user U with the password for each user U already registered in the password registration memory 21, and is the predetermined user U Authenticate.

  The input / output control unit 19 receives input / output information from the panel 5 / USB terminal and the like, and transmits information such as an internal state to the panel 5 / USB terminal and the like.

  The password registration memory 21 registers a password for each user U as described above.

  The authentication cancellation unit (authentication cancellation unit) 23 includes an authentication cancellation request reception unit 25, a print monitoring unit 27, and an authentication cancellation control unit 29, and performs overall control related to authentication.

  The authentication cancellation request receiving unit 25 receives an authentication cancellation command for canceling the authentication state during an operation related to printing in the authentication state.

  The print monitoring unit 27 determines whether the printing operation is being performed. In the present example, the operation related to printing includes a printing or plate making operation.

  The authentication cancellation control unit 29 cancels the authentication state on condition that the printing or plate making operation that was executed before the authentication cancellation operation is completed.

  The state display control unit 31 notifies the user U that the operation is not accepted until the operation being executed is completed on the condition that the authentication cancellation command is accepted during the operation related to printing in the authentication state. . In addition, the user U can be notified of the time until the operation related to the printing being executed is completed.

  Please refer to FIG. The overall operation of the printing apparatus 1 will be described.

  First, the user U inputs authentication information (password or the like) to the printing apparatus 1, and the printing apparatus 1 shifts to an authentication state. In step S <b> 301, the system unit 3, the mechanical / image unit 7, and the like start operations such as printing and plate making based on an operation related to printing by the user U.

  In step S <b> 303, a request for an authentication cancellation command is transmitted to the system unit 3 based on an operation related to the user U's authentication cancellation.

  In step S305, the system unit 3 determines whether printing or plate making is in progress. When printing or plate making is in progress, the process proceeds to step S307. If printing or plate making is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S309. In step S <b> 307, the system unit 3 displays on the panel 5 such as operation invalidity and authentication cancellation.

  In step S309, the system unit 3 recognizes that printing / plate making has ended and cancels the authentication state.

  With reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 will be described in more detail.

  First, in step S401, the panel 5 displays an authentication screen. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the panel 5 includes a display unit 33 for displaying information relating to printing, a numeric keypad 35 for inputting numbers and the like, a wakeup key 37 for canceling the authentication state, A lamp section 37a for displaying that no operation is accepted, a start key 39 for starting printing, a stop key 41 for stopping printing, and a number-of-prints display section 43 for displaying the number of printed sheets (or the remaining number of printed sheets). have.

  The display unit 33 of the panel 5 displays an authentication screen under the control of the system unit 3.

  Please refer to FIG. The authentication screen has a password input field 45 for inputting a password as authentication information, a password confirmation button 47 for confirming the entered password, and the like.

  In step S <b> 403, the system unit 3 controls the display of the authentication screen on the display unit 33 of the panel 5. Then, the user U inputs a password from the numeric keypad 35. That is, a password is entered in the password entry field 45 of the authentication screen, and the password confirmation button 47 is pressed. As a result, the password is transmitted to the system unit 3 via the input / output control unit 19.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, instead of inputting the password by the user U, a message such as “Please insert the USB memory for proof” is displayed on the display unit 33, and as shown in FIG. May authenticate whether or not the authentication unit 17 is an appropriate user U by inserting the USB memory into the USB insertion unit of the printing apparatus 1.

  In step S405, the authentication unit 17 acquires password data of the input password from the input / output control unit 19.

  In step S407, the authentication unit 17 determines password authentication. That is, the password input from the user U and the password for each user U already registered in the password registration memory 21 are collated to authenticate that the user is a predetermined user U.

  In step S409, when the authentication unit 17 determines that authentication is possible (when authentication is confirmed), the authentication enable signal is transmitted to the panel 5 side.

  In step S411, the authentication unit 17 causes the printing apparatus 1 to shift to an authentication state. That is, operating the panel 5 shifts to a state where printing or the like can be performed.

  In step S413, the panel 5 shifts to a normal standby screen where printing can be performed, and the lamp (wake-up LED) 37a is turned on.

  In step S 415, the user U inputs the number of prints to be printed this time from the ten key 35 of the panel 5.

  In step S417, based on the input print number, the print number display unit 43 of the panel 5 updates the display of the number of prints using the 7-segment LED. As a result, the current print number is displayed in the print number display section 43 of the panel 5.

  In step S419, the number of printed sheets is notified from the panel 5 to the system unit 3 via the input / output control unit 19.

  In step S421, the user U presses the start key 39 on the panel 5.

  In step S423, a printing operation start signal is transmitted from the panel 5 to the system unit 3 via the input / output control unit 19, and the system unit 3 accepts the start of the printing operation.

  In step S425, an instruction to start the printing operation is transmitted from the system unit 3 to the mechanism / image unit 7. As a result, the actual printing operation is started on the mechanism / image 7 side.

  In step S427, the mechanical / image unit 7 is in the plate making or printing operation state. That is, actual printing is performed.

  In step S429, a signal during the printing operation is transmitted from the mechanism / image unit 7 to the system unit 3. That is, the print monitoring unit 27 receives the signal and determines whether or not printing is completed.

  In step S431, a display instruction during a printing operation is transmitted from the system unit 3 to the panel 5.

  In step S433, the panel 5 is updated during the printing operation.

  In step S435, an authentication cancellation command (a lock-off request) is generated in response to a predetermined operation (for example, pressing of the wake-up key 37) on the panel 5 of the user U.

  In step S437, an authentication cancellation command (logoff request) signal is transmitted from the panel 5 to the system unit 3. Then, the authentication cancellation request receiving unit 25 receives the authentication cancellation command (logoff request).

  In step S439, the mechanism / image unit 7 is inquired of whether or not the print monitoring unit 27 of the system unit 3 is operating.

  In step S441, the mechanical / image unit 7 notifies the print monitoring unit 25 of the system unit 3 whether or not it is operating.

  In step S443, when the print monitoring unit 27 receives a signal indicating that printing is in operation, the status display control unit 31 transmits a logoff pending display instruction to the operation panel 5.

  In step S445, the panel 5 (LCD panel) updates the authentication pending display and shifts to the panel operation invalid state. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, a display “Panel operation is invalid” is displayed on the display unit 33.

  In step S447, an operation completion notification is transmitted from the mechanism / image unit 7 to the print monitoring unit 27 of the system unit 3.

  In step S449, the authentication cancellation control unit 29 of the system unit 3 cancels the authentication state.

  In step S451, the state display control unit 31 transmits a display update instruction to the panel 5.

  In step S453, the state display control unit 31 turns off the lamp 37a. Then, the authentication cancellation control unit 29 cancels the panel operation invalid state. In addition, an authentication screen is displayed on the panel 5.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the example of the embodiment mentioned above, It can implement in another aspect by adding an appropriate change.

  For example, a computer system can be realized as follows.

In an image forming system for forming an image on a conveyed recording medium,
An authentication unit that shifts to an authentication state that is a printable state based on reading of user authentication information;
An authentication release means for accepting an authentication release command for releasing the authentication state during an operation related to printing in the authentication state;
When the authentication cancellation command is received, the authentication cancellation unit cancels the authentication state on the condition that the operation related to the printing being executed is completed.

  The computer program can be realized as follows.

In a computer program for executing control to form an image on a conveyed recording medium,
On the computer,
An authentication unit that shifts to an authentication state that is a printable state based on reading of user authentication information;
During the operation related to printing in the authentication state, a function as an authentication release unit that receives an authentication release command for releasing the authentication state is executed,
A computer program for causing the authentication cancellation means to execute a function of canceling the authentication state on condition that the operation related to the printing being executed is completed when the authentication cancellation command is received.

  A recording medium on which a computer program is recorded can be realized as follows.

In a recording medium recording a computer program for executing control to form an image on a conveyed recording medium,
On the computer,
An authentication unit that shifts to an authentication state that is a printable state based on reading of user authentication information;
During the operation related to printing in the authentication state, a function as an authentication release unit that receives an authentication release command for releasing the authentication state is executed,
Recording medium storing a computer program for causing the authentication cancellation means to execute a function for canceling the authentication state on condition that the operation relating to the printing being executed is completed when the authentication cancellation command is received .

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus. It is the schematic explaining the structure of the outline of a control part. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of the printing apparatus. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed operation of the printing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining an operation panel. It is explanatory drawing explaining the input screen which inputs a PIN code. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display screen which displays a message. It is explanatory drawing in the case of canceling | releasing authentication by USB memory. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display screen which displays notification information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 3 System part 5 Panel 7 Mechanical / image part 9 Drum 11 Consumable 13 ADF-VI
15 Scanner

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a conveyed recording medium,
An authentication unit that shifts to an authentication state that is a printable state based on reading of user authentication information;
An authentication release means for accepting an authentication release command for releasing the authentication state during an operation related to printing in the authentication state;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the authentication cancellation command is received, the authentication cancellation unit cancels the authentication state on condition that the operation related to the printing being executed is completed.   The authentication canceling unit invalidates an operation until the operation related to the printing being executed is completed on the condition that the authentication cancel command is received during the operation related to the printing in the authentication state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   In the authentication state, provided with a notification means for notifying the user that the operation is invalidated until the operation related to the printing being executed is completed on condition that an authentication cancellation command is received during the operation related to the printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:   The notification means notifies the user of the time until the operation related to the printing being executed is completed on the condition that the authentication cancellation command is received during the operation related to the printing in the authentication state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation related to printing includes a printing or plate making operation. In the de-authentication method of the image forming apparatus for forming an image on the conveyed recording medium,
An authentication step of shifting to an authentication state that is a printable state based on reading of authentication information for each predetermined user;
An authentication release step of accepting an authentication release command for releasing the authentication state during the operation related to printing while being in the authentication state;
An authentication cancellation method for an image forming apparatus, wherein in the authentication cancellation step, when the authentication cancellation command is received, the authentication state is canceled on the condition that the operation related to the printing being executed is completed.

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