JP2011008668A - Image processing device and print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure confidentiality of a document to be printed by preventing a plurality of image processing devices from adding the same password to print data in a redundant manner.SOLUTION: The image processing device configured to generate print data by converting image information and transmit the generated print data includes: a storage unit which stores unique information assigned to each image processing device as different identification information; an authentication information generation unit which generates authentication information including the unique information; and a communication unit which transmits the print data to which the authentication information generated by the authentication information generation unit is added.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that converts image information into print data and transmits it, and a printing system that includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on print data received from the image processing apparatus.

  In the conventional printing system, in order to maintain the confidentiality of the document to be printed, the image processing apparatus adds a password to the print data and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus that has received the print data adds the password. There is a printer that waits for printing of print data until “” is input (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-177211 (paragraph “0009” to paragraph “0016”, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, in the case of a printing system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses and image forming apparatuses are connected via a communication line, and a plurality of users share and use the image forming apparatus, each image processing apparatus In some cases, the same password is added to the print data generated by the client, and the third party who has input the password is allowed to print the print data, and the confidentiality of the document to be printed cannot be maintained.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, so that a plurality of image processing apparatuses can prevent the same password from being duplicated and added to print data, and can maintain the confidentiality of a document to be printed. The purpose is to do.

  Therefore, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention generates unique print data by converting image information, and stores unique information given as different identification information for each image processing apparatus in the image processing apparatus that transmits the print data. A storage unit; an authentication information generation unit that generates authentication information including the unique information; and a communication unit that transmits the authentication information generated by the authentication information generation unit to the print data. To do.

  According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to prevent the plurality of image processing apparatuses from adding the same password to the print data repeatedly, and to maintain the confidentiality of the document to be printed.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the personal computer in a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the printing system in 1st Example. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer in a first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the personal computer in a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing of the password production | generation method in 1st Example Explanatory drawing of the password input screen in the first embodiment Explanatory drawing of the password verification result display screen in the first embodiment Flowchart showing processing of the printer in the first embodiment Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the printing system in 2nd Example. The block diagram which shows the structure of the personal computer in a 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing of the password production | generation method in 2nd Example Flowchart showing printer driver installation processing in the second embodiment Flowchart showing homepage processing in the second embodiment Sequence chart showing management number acquisition processing in the second embodiment

  Embodiments of an image processing apparatus and a printing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the printing system in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, a printing system includes a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) 100, 101, and 102 as image processing apparatuses and a printer 200 as an image forming apparatus that are communicably connected via a network 300. ing.

  The PC 100 is used by the user A, the PC 101 is used by the user B, and the PC 102 is used by the user C. A printer driver described later is installed in each of the PCs 100, 101, and 102. The printer 200 receives image data as print data from the PC 100, PC 101, or PC 102, and prints on a print medium based on the image data.

  The PCs 100, 101, 102 and the printer 200 are communicably connected via a network 300 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, and the PCs 100, 101, 102 that receive the operations of the respective users send image data to the printer 200. Sending can be instructed to print.

  Here, the printer driver is software that converts image information such as documents, photographs, and figures into image data as print data that can be printed by the printer 200. In addition to the conversion to image data, the printer driver indicates the number of prints. Or designating the paper size to be printed. By using this printer driver, an image can be formed on a print medium via the printer 200.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal computer in the first embodiment. 1 shows the configuration of the PC 100, the PC 101 and the PC 102 have the same configuration.

  In FIG. 1, a PC 100 stores a storage unit (unique information storage unit) 2 such as a memory that stores unique information given as different identification information for each PC in order to identify each PC, and prints image information such as a document. The conversion unit 3 for converting to image data, the random number generation unit 8 for generating pseudo random numbers (hereinafter referred to as “random numbers”), the unique information stored in the storage unit 2 and the random number generated by the random number generation unit 8 A password generation unit 4 as an authentication information generation unit for generating a password (authentication information), a display control unit 5 as a display unit for displaying the generated password on the display 7 of the PC 100, and image data to which the generated password is added. Is transmitted to the printer 200 and a PC based on a control program (software) stored in storage means such as a memory (not shown). 00 CPU which controls the overall operation and a control unit 9 of the (Central Processing Unit) or the like.

  Here, the printer driver 1 includes a conversion unit 3, a password generation unit 4, a random number generation unit 8, and a display control unit 5.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, a printer 200 includes a communication unit 12 as a receiving unit that receives a password and image data generated by a printer driver such as the PC 100, a storage unit 13 such as a memory that stores the received password and image data, an operator The password input unit 11 as an input unit that receives the password input by the operation of the password, whether the password received by the password input unit 11 matches the password stored in the storage unit (authentication information storage unit) 13 A collation unit 15 that determines whether or not, a control unit 14 that receives a collation result of the collation unit 15 and outputs a print instruction, and a print medium based on image data stored in the storage unit 13 in response to the instruction of the control unit 14 It is composed of a printing unit 16 for forming an image thereon and a stacker 17 for stacking print media printed by the printing unit 16. There. The control unit 14 configured by a CPU or the like controls the operation of the entire printer 200 based on a control program (software) stored in a storage unit such as a memory (not shown).

  The operation of the above configuration will be described.

  First, the unique information stored in the storage unit 2 of each PC will be described with reference to FIG.

  This unique information is identification information that is assigned to each PC to identify the PC. In this embodiment, an IP (Internet Protocol) address that is assigned to identify a PC connected to the network 300 is used. As part of It is assumed that this IP address is stored in advance in the storage unit 2 of each PC.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the IP address is divided into four segments (segment 1 to segment 4), and each segment is constituted by a 3-digit decimal number from 0 to 255. This IP address has a structure in which the same numerical value cannot be set. The printer 200, the PC 100, the PC 101, and the PC 102 are assigned different numerical IP addresses.

  However, in this embodiment, one network section is configured by making the numerical values of the IP address segments 1 to 3 of the printer 200 the same as the numerical values of the IP addresses of the PC 100, PC 101, and PC 102 to the first to third segments. A PC having segments 1 to 3 different from the numerical values of segments 1 to 3 of the printer 200 cannot communicate with the printer 200.

  In this embodiment, the IP address of the PC 100 is assigned as “100” for the segment 1, “086” for the segment 2, “213” for the segment 3, “155” for the segment 4, and “155” for the segment 4 is assigned to the PC 100. It shall be used as specific information of

  Similarly, the IP address of PC 101 is “100” for segment 1, “086” for segment 2, “213” for segment 3, “058” for segment 4, and the IP address for PC 102 is “100” for segment 1. Segment 2 is assigned as “086”, segment 3 as “213”, and segment 4 as “100”. The unique information of PC 101 is assigned to “058” of segment 4 and the unique information of PC 102 is assigned to “100” of segment 4. .

  As described above, since the IP address is assigned so as not to overlap each PC, the unique information of each PC does not overlap.

  In this embodiment, the IP address is described as unique information of each PC. However, the IP address is not limited to the IP address, and each PC such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address or account name assigned to the PC is used. The identification information given to may be used as unique information.

  Next, the operation performed by the PC will be described with reference to FIG. 1 in accordance with the step represented by S in the flowchart showing the processing of the personal computer in the first embodiment of FIG.

  S1: When the conversion unit 3 of the printer driver 1 receives image information for printing from application software (not shown) of the PC 100, the conversion unit 3 converts the image information into image data for printing by the printer.

  S2: The conversion unit 3 stores the converted image data in the storage unit 2.

  S3: The random number generation unit 8 generates a 4-digit random number in hexadecimal according to an instruction from the control unit 9.

  S4: The password generation unit 4 reads the value of the 3-digit unique information in decimal notation stored in the storage unit 2, and then converts it into a 2-digit hexadecimal number, which is generated as a converted 2-digit hexadecimal number. A 6-digit password is generated by combining the 4-digit random numbers.

  For example, when the random number generated by the random number generation unit 8 is “1F32” in hexadecimal and the unique information stored in the storage unit 2 is “155” in decimal 3 digits, the password generation unit 4 sets the unique information 10 Convert the 3-digit hexadecimal number “155” to the 2-digit hexadecimal number “9B” and combine the converted 2-digit hexadecimal number “9B” with the generated random 4-digit hexadecimal number “1F32” to create a 6-digit password. “9B1F32” is generated.

  S5: The display control unit 5 displays the generated 6-digit password (for example, “9B1F32”) on the display 7 of the PC 100. FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displayed on the display 7 and displays a message prompting the user to input the generated password from the operation panel of the printer together with the generated password.

  S6: The communication unit 6 reads the image data stored in the storage unit 2 according to an instruction from the control unit 9.

  S7: The communication unit 6 adds the generated hexadecimal 6-digit password to the read image data and transmits it to the printer.

  S8: The control unit 9 of the PC 100 waits for reception of the password verification result from the printer that has transmitted the image data with the password added thereto. The password verification result is a result of verifying the password transmitted from the communication unit 6 to the printer and the password input by the printer.

  S9: Upon receiving the password verification result from the printer, the control unit 9 determines the password verification result. If it is determined that the passwords do not match, the process proceeds to S10. If it is determined that the passwords match, the process ends.

  S10: If it is determined that the passwords do not match, the display control unit 5 displays a warning screen indicating that the password has been input incorrectly on the display 7. This warning screen displays, for example, a message indicating that the input password is incorrect and a word prompting to perform the printing operation again as shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation performed by the printer will be described with reference to FIG. 3 according to the step represented by S in the flowchart showing the processing of the printer in the first embodiment of FIG.

  S21: The control unit 14 of the printer 200 stands by until a password and image data are received from the PC.

  S22: When the communication unit 12 of the printer 200 receives the password and image data from the PC, the communication unit 12 stores the received password and image data in the storage unit 13.

  S23: The control unit 14 initializes the counter N stored in the storage unit to “1”.

  S24: The control unit 14 stands by until a password is input to the password input unit 11 by a user operation.

  S25: When a password is input to the password input unit 11 by a user operation, the verification unit 15 verifies the input password with the password stored in the storage unit 13. As a result of the collation, if it is determined that the input password matches the password stored in the storage unit 13, the process proceeds to S26, and if it is determined that they do not match, the process proceeds to S28.

  S26: When it is determined that the input password matches the password stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 14 instructs the printing unit 16 to start printing, and the printing unit 16 that has received the instruction stores it. An image is formed on a print medium based on the image data stored in the unit 13, and the print medium is discharged to the stacker 17.

  S27: The control unit 14 notifies the printer driver of the PC of the collation result between the input password and the password stored in the storage unit 13 via the communication unit 12, and ends the process.

  S28: On the other hand, if it is determined in S25 that the input password does not match the password stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 14 adds “1” to the counter N stored in the storage unit. Update.

  S29: The control unit 14 determines whether or not the updated counter N is greater than or equal to a threshold value (for example, 4). If it is determined that the updated counter N is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to S24 and a password is input by a user operation Accept again.

  S30: When it is determined that the updated counter N is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 14 deletes the password and image data stored in the storage unit 13 and proceeds to S27. The printer driver of the PC is notified that the password stored in the storage unit 13 does not match. Here, the reason why the password and the image data stored in the storage unit 13 are deleted is to ensure security.

  As described above, the printer 200 performs a printing process when the password received together with the received image data matches the input password.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in an environment where a PC and a printer are connected to the network 300, it is generally performed that a plurality of PCs share and use one printer 200. Since the same printer driver for the printer 200 is installed in the PC 100 used by the user A, the PC 101 used by the user B, and the PC 102 used by the user C, the random number generation unit generates the same printer driver. The same password (for example, “1F32”) may be generated from the PC 100, the PC 101, and the PC 102 only with the password.

  When the same password is generated by a plurality of PCs in this way, a print medium on which an image is formed by a third party may be taken away, and confidentiality cannot be ensured.

  For example, when the same password “1F32” is generated on the PC 100 used by the user A and the PC 101 used by the user B, and the printing starts by the user A and the user B at substantially the same timing, the image transmitted from the PC 100 by the user A When the user B inputs the password “1F32” to the printer 200 before the user A, the user B can take away the print medium on which the image information of the user A is formed.

  In the present embodiment, on the other hand, a 4-digit password generated by the random number generator (for example, “1F32”, for example, is assigned to each PC and includes a part of two digits of different IP addresses in the password. ") May be duplicated, but not the entire combined 6-digit password.

  For example, when the same 4-digit password (for example, “1F32”) is generated by the random number generator of the PC 100 used by the user A, the PC 101 used by the user B, and the PC 102 used by the user C Even so, the combined 6-digit password is “9B1F32” in the PC 100, “3A1F32” in the PC 101, and “641F32” in the PC 102, and the generated 6-digit password does not overlap among users.

  Accordingly, even when a single printer 200 is shared by a plurality of PCs and a document is printed, the generated passwords do not overlap, so that the confidentiality of the document to be printed can be maintained.

  In the present embodiment, the network 300 has been described as being connected by a LAN cable, but may be connected by a USB cable or the like.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, a random number generator generates a part of a different IP address that is given to each PC connected to the network and includes a part of a different IP address as unique information. Even if passwords are duplicated, they are not duplicated in the entire password combined with unique information, and printing is performed even when a single printer is shared by multiple PCs to print a document. The effect that the confidentiality of the document can be maintained is obtained.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the printing system in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 9, the configuration of the second embodiment differs from the configuration of the first embodiment in that a Web server 210 is connected to a network 300 via the Internet 301. As a result, the PC 100, the PC 101, and the PC 102 can be connected to the Web server 210 of the manufacturer of the printer 200, and the home page of the manufacturer can be accessed.

  The Web server 210 includes a communication unit that performs communication control via the Internet 301 or the like, and a control unit such as a CPU as a control unit controls the overall operation based on a control program stored in a storage unit such as a memory. It is a computer as a normal Web server.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, in the second embodiment, the management number of the printer driver 1 is used as unique information. In the first embodiment, the IP address of the PC is included in the unique information, whereas in the second embodiment, the management number of the printer driver 1 is included in the unique information.

  Note that parts similar to those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described.

  First, the management number of the printer driver will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the printer 200 is purchased, a compact disc (hereinafter referred to as “CD”) for installing the printer driver 1 in the PC is generally attached to the printer 200. In this CD, the same printer driver 1 (program) is stored for the printer 200 of the same model. When the printer driver 1 is changed due to the convenience of the printer manufacturer, a method is generally used in which the version number is updated (added) and managed.

  An example of the management number of the printer driver 1 in this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  The CD stores a 12-digit management number in hexadecimal of the printer driver 1. The management number of the printer driver 1 is composed of the following three types. The three-digit type indicating the type of the printer 200, the one-digit version indicating the version of the printer driver 1, and the printer driver 1 It consists of an 8-digit management section indicating a serial number.

  The management number stored in the CD is assumed to store exactly the same contents unless the version number is updated. This is because if the management numbers in the CD are different one by one, the generated costs are increased.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the management number stored in the CD is configured. The 3-digit type classification indicating the type of the printer 200 is “100”, the 1-digit version classification indicating the version number of the printer driver 1 is “1”, and the 8-digit management classification indicating the serial number of the printer driver 1 is “ 00000000 ". Further, when the version number of the printer driver 1 is updated, the three-digit type classification indicating the type of the printer 200 does not change, so “100”, and the one-digit version classification indicating the version number of the printer driver 1 is “2”. The 8-digit management classification indicating the serial number of the printer driver 1 is “00000000”. Here, the management division number stored in the CD is always “00000000”.

  Next, the printer driver installation process performed by the PC will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 in accordance with the step represented by S in the flowchart showing the printer driver installation process in the second embodiment of FIG.

  S41: A CD for installing the printer driver bundled with the printer 200 is mounted on a CD reading means (not shown) of the PC 100.

  S42: The control unit 9 of the PC 100 reads the program stored in the CD, and stores the management number of the 12-digit printer driver stored in the CD in the storage unit 2.

  S43: The control unit 9 of the PC 100 connects to the printer manufacturer's Web server 210 via the network 300 and the Internet 301, and accesses the home page. If access to the home page is possible, the process proceeds to S44. If access is not possible, the process proceeds to S50, and a program other than the management number is stored in the storage unit 2 to store the printer driver 1. Complete the installation and make it available for use.

  S44: When access to the home page is possible, the control unit 9 uploads the management number stored in the storage unit 2 to the home page via the communication unit 6 and notifies the Web server 210 that the printer driver 1 has been installed. To notify.

  S45: When the management number is uploaded to the homepage, the control unit 9 waits to receive from the homepage the determination result whether the management number stored in the storage unit 2 is the latest from the homepage via the communication unit 6 To do.

  S46: When the determination result is received from the homepage, the control unit 9 proceeds to S47 when it is determined that the management number is not the latest, while it proceeds to S50 when it is determined that the management number is the latest. Then, necessary programs other than the management number are stored in the storage unit 2 to complete the installation of the printer driver 1 and make it usable.

  S 47: If it is determined that the management number is not the latest, the control unit 9 receives a new management number from the homepage via the communication unit 6.

  S48: The control unit 9 stores the received new management number in the storage unit 2.

  S49: When the new management number is stored in the storage unit 2, the control unit 9 uploads the new management number stored in the storage unit 2 to the homepage via the communication unit 6 again.

  S50: The control unit 9 stores necessary programs in addition to the management number in the storage unit 2, completes the installation of the printer driver 1, and puts it into a usable state.

  When installing the printer driver 1 by directly accessing the homepage instead of the CD, the following processes S47 to S50 are performed after the program is downloaded from the homepage. Note that the Web server 210 can know that the printer driver 1 has been installed by downloading the program from the home page.

  S47: The control unit 9 receives a new management number from the homepage via the communication unit 6.

  S48: The control unit 9 stores the received new management number in the storage unit 2.

  S49: When the new management number is stored in the storage unit 2, the control unit 9 uploads the new management number stored in the storage unit 2 to the home page via the communication unit 6.

  S50: The control unit 9 stores necessary programs in addition to the management number in the storage unit 2, completes the installation of the printer driver 1, and puts it into a usable state.

  Next, the processing performed by the home page of the Web server 210 that sets the management number stored in the storage unit 2 of the PC to the latest management number is S in the flowchart showing the processing of the home page in the second embodiment of FIG. A description will be given according to the steps shown.

  S61: The control unit of the Web server 210 waits until the PC accesses. With this access by the PC, the control unit of the Web server 210 receives a notification that the printer driver has been installed in the PC.

  S62: When there is an access from the PC, the control unit of the Web server 210 transmits an instruction to read the management number stored in the storage unit 2 of the PC to the PC, and the control unit 9 of the PC stores the management stored in the storage unit 2 Read the number.

  S63: The control unit of the Web server 210 waits until a management number is received from the PC.

  S64: The control unit of the Web server 210 that has received the management number from the PC determines whether the management number is new or old. Here, whether the management number is new or old is determined by comparing the version number classification of the received management number with the latest version number classification stored in advance in the storage means of the Web server 210, and the version number classification of the received management number. Determine whether is the latest.

  For example, the control unit of the Web server 210 receives the received management number when the latest version number classification stored in the storage unit is “2” and the version number classification of the received management number is “1”. It is determined that the number is old, and when the version number classification of the received management number is “2”, it is determined that the received management number is the latest. Also, when the management classification of the received management number is “00000000”, it can be seen that it is a unique value of the printer driver installation CD, and in this case as well, it is determined that the received management number is old.

  S65: The control unit of the Web server 210 transmits the old and new judgment result of the management number to the PC.

  S66: When the control unit of the Web server 210 determines that the version number classification of the received management number is the latest, this process ends.

  S67: On the other hand, when it is determined that the version number classification of the received management number is old, the control unit of the Web server 210 acquires a new management number and stores the management number in the storage unit. The new management number is generated by adding “1” to the management section number of the management number of the printer driver 1 that has already been generated.

  S68: The control unit of the Web server 210 transmits the acquired management number to the PC.

  S69: When the acquired management number is transmitted to the PC, the control unit of the Web server 210 waits until the management number is received from the PC.

  S70: Upon receiving the management number from the PC, the control unit of the Web server 210 compares the received management number with the management number stored in the storage unit, confirms that they match, and ends this processing. To do.

  Next, the processing of the PC shown in FIG. 12 and the processing of the homepage (Web server) shown in FIG. 13 will be described according to a sequence chart showing the management number acquisition processing in the second embodiment of FIG.

  In FIG. 14, the home page is first accessed from the PC 100. Next, when the home page of the Web server 210 receives an access from the PC 100, it instructs to read the management number of the printer driver 1 stored in the storage unit 2 of the PC 100.

  The PC 100 uploads the management number of the printer driver 1 stored in the storage unit 2 to the home page according to the instruction from the home page. The home page of the Web server 210 determines whether the management number of the printer driver 1 received from the PC 100 is new or old.

  When the home page of the Web server 210 determines that the management number is the latest, it notifies the PC 100 accordingly. The PC 100 receives the determination result that the management number is the latest and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the homepage of the Web server 210 determines that the management number is old, it notifies the PC 100 accordingly. The PC 100 receives the determination result that the management number is old.

  The home page of the Web server 210 acquires a new management number, transmits the management number to the PC 100, and stores it in the storage means.

  The PC 100 downloads a new management number from the home page and stores the management number in the storage unit 2. The PC 100 uploads the management number stored in the storage unit 2 to the home page again.

  The home page of the Web server 210 compares the management number received from the PC 100 with the management number stored in the storage unit, confirms that they match, and ends the process.

  Next, password generation processing performed by the PC will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 based on the explanatory diagram of the password generation method in the second embodiment of FIG. In the second embodiment, the password generation process is different from that in the first embodiment (S4 in FIG. 4), and other PC and printer processes (the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 8) are the same as those in the first embodiment. Similar to the example.

  In FIG. 11, the management number of the printer driver 1 stored in the storage unit 2 of the PC 100, PC 101, and PC 102 in which the printer driver 1 is installed in a state where the home page cannot be accessed is, for example, “100”-“1”-“0000” -“0000”, which is the same value on all PCs.

  When the PC can access the home page, a new management number of the printer driver 1 can be acquired, so that the management number stored in the storage unit 2 of each PC is changed.

  For example, in the printer driver A of the PC 100, “100”-“1”-“0000”-“3155”, and in the printer driver B of the PC 101, “100”-“1”-“0005”-“B992” In the printer driver C of the PC 102, “100”-“1”-“0000”-“0155”.

  In the homepage, the management division number of the management number of the printer driver 1 is incremented by 1 in accordance with the access order from the PC so that the assigned management division does not have the same value between the PCs. It has become.

  In the second embodiment, the password is 8 digits, and the last 4 digits of the management number of the printer driver 1 is used as the unique information of the password. Since the last 4 digits of the management number of the printer driver 1 can be assigned 65535 management numbers from “0001” to “FFFF” (hexadecimal) for each printer type, a management number that does not overlap is assigned. This is a sufficient number of digits. When 65536 or more management numbers are assigned, the number of digits of the management number may be increased and the number of digits of the password may be increased.

  As described above, since a part of the management number of the printer driver 1 that is not duplicated is assigned to the password as in the first embodiment, the password is generated even if the four-digit password generated by the random number generator is duplicated. There is no overlap as 8 digits.

  For example, when the same 4-digit password (for example, “1F32”) is generated in the random number generation unit of the PC 100 used by the user A, the PC 101 used by the user B, and the PC 102 used by the user C Even so, the combined 8-digit password is “31551F32” in the PC 100, “B9921F32” in the PC 101, and “01551F32” in the PC 102, and the generated 8-digit password does not overlap among users.

  Therefore, the confidentiality of a document to be printed can be maintained even when a plurality of PCs share one printer 200 to print the document.

  In this embodiment, since the PC accesses the home page, the PC can download and obtain the latest printer driver. Also, on the homepage, by receiving the printer driver management number from the PC, it is possible to obtain marketing information indicating how many old versions of the printer driver exist in the market. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the homepage acquires only the printer driver management number, but it also acquires user usage data such as the number of printed sheets, the printing frequency, or the size of the medium to be printed. Further marketing information can be acquired.

  In this embodiment, the management number of the printer driver has been described as the unique information. However, the management number is not limited to the management number of the printer driver, and may be the management number of various software incorporated in the PC.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the random number generation unit generates a part of the management number of a different printer driver that is assigned to each PC and is included in the password as unique information. Even if the passwords are duplicated, they are not duplicated in the entire password combined with the unique information, and even when a single printer is shared by a plurality of PCs and the document is printed, The effect that confidentiality can be maintained is obtained.

  In addition, since the PC accesses the home page, the PC can download and obtain the latest printer driver.

  In the first and second embodiments, the image processing apparatus has been described as a personal computer. However, the image processing apparatus is not limited thereto, and may be a scanner, a digital camera, a video camera, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be a copying machine, a multifunction machine, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer driver 2 Storage part 3 Conversion part 4 Password generation part 5 Display control part 6 Communication part 7 Display 8 Random number generation part 9 Control part 11 Password input part 12 Communication part 13 Storage part 14 Control part 15 Verification part 16 Printing part 17 Stacker 100, 101, 102 Personal computer (PC)
200 printer

Claims (9)

In an image processing apparatus that converts image information to generate print data and transmits the print data,
A storage unit for storing unique information given as different identification information for each image processing device;
An authentication information generating unit for generating authentication information including the unique information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit that adds the authentication information generated by the authentication information generation unit to the print data and transmits the print data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
A random number generator for generating pseudo-random numbers,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the authentication information generation unit includes a pseudo-random number generated by the random number generation unit in authentication information to be generated. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2.
The image processing apparatus, wherein the authentication information generation unit combines the pseudo random number generated by the random number generation unit and the unique information to generate authentication information. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the unique information includes one of an IP address, a MAC address, an account name, and a management number of embedded software. A communication line connects multiple image processing devices that convert image information, generate print data, send the print data, and instruct printing, and an image forming device that forms an image based on the received print data Printed system,
In each of the image processing devices,
A unique information storage unit for storing unique information given as different identification information for each image processing device;
An authentication information generating unit for generating authentication information including the unique information;
A display unit for displaying the authentication information generated by the authentication information generation unit;
A communication unit that adds the authentication information generated by the authentication information generation unit to print data and transmits the print data;
In the image forming apparatus,
A receiving unit that receives the print data to which the authentication information is added from the image processing apparatus;
An authentication information storage unit for storing authentication information received by the receiving unit;
An input unit that accepts input of authentication information displayed on the display unit of the image processing apparatus;
A verification unit that verifies the authentication information input in the input unit and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit;
When the collation unit of the image forming apparatus determines that the authentication information input by the input unit matches the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit, the print data received by the image forming apparatus An image is formed based on the printing system. The printing system according to claim 5.
In each of the image processing devices,
A random number generator for generating pseudo-random numbers,
The printing system, wherein the authentication information generation unit includes the pseudo random number generated by the random number generation unit in the authentication information to be generated. The printing system according to claim 6.
The printing system, wherein the authentication information generation unit generates authentication information by combining the pseudo random number generated by the random number generation unit and the unique information. The printing system according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The printing system, wherein the unique information includes any one of an IP address, a MAC address, an account name, and a management number of software installed in the image processing apparatus. The printing system according to claim 8.
The unique information is a management number of software incorporated in the image processing apparatus,
A server connected to the communication line, receiving that the software from the image processing apparatus is installed, generating a different management number for each image processing apparatus, and transmitting the management number to the image processing apparatus; Prepared,
When the software is installed, the image processing apparatus transmits information indicating that the software is installed to the server, and stores the management number received from the server as unique information in the unique information storage unit. And printing system.

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