JP2011130037A - Image forming apparatus, output method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism which allows easy acquisition of printed matters ensuring authenticity and printed matters not needing to ensure authenticity, by outputting printed matters to which a timestamp using the time of an image forming apparatus is given, and printed matters to which the timestamp is not given in accordance with storage destinations of printing data. <P>SOLUTION: Printing data is stored in a first storage area or a second storage area provided in the image forming apparatus. When the printing data are stored in the first storage area, a timestamp generated in accordance with the time managed by the image forming apparatus is acquired and the acquired timestamp is combined with the printing data. When the printing data are stored in the second storage area, the printing data stored in the second storage area is acquired, and the combined printing data or the acquired printing data are outputted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an output method, and a program for outputting a printed matter in which authenticity is ensured.

  As copy machines (multifunction machines) are connected to a network and their applications are expanding, multifunction machines have been installed in various places.

  For this reason, copying and printing can be easily performed in places with few people, and there has been a security problem such as tampering with printed matter and printing of confidential information.

  For example, in recent years, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), which is used in the pharmaceutical industry, can be stored in paper documents such as pharmaceuticals and other quality control standards established by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare based on the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. The falsification of the document that has been decided has become a problem.

  The GMP document is an operation in which when a change or addition occurs in the document, the change addition part is added to the saved paper document. In such an operation, falsification is performed by a method of copying and replacing the original, or a method of printing and replacing the same document as the original.

  In the case of a special document such as a GMP document, in order to prevent tampering: 1. Measures using copy prohibited characters 2. Countermeasure by copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing (for example, Patent Document 1); 3. Time stamp printing measures Tampering prevention is performed using the copy prohibition function of the multifunction device.

JP 2007-317015 A

  However, the conventional mechanism has the following problems.

  1. As a countermeasure against copy prohibition characters, a document situation or a stamp function at the time of printing is a method of clearly indicating a phrase such as “copy prohibition” or “confidential document”. This preventive measure only indicates that copying is prohibited, and whether or not copying is prohibited is left to individual judgment, and it cannot be said that the prevention effect is high.

  2. The countermeasure by copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing is an effective method for distinguishing whether it has been copied, but it cannot prevent the replacement when the same document as the original is printed. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing is a mechanism that prints a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern together with print data, so that when the original is copied or scanned, the wording of the set-for-print pattern is revealed. Although it is possible to prevent copying, if the same document as the original is printed, it may be copied and tampered with.

  3. The countermeasure by time stamp printing is a method for certifying the date and time when a printed material is embedded with a time stamp. As a method of embedding the time stamp, there are a method of embedding in a document, setting with a printer driver, setting with a multi-function peripheral (printer), and any setting can be changed.

  In particular, in the method of setting with a printer driver embedded in a document, the user can easily change the time setting.

  4). As for the copy prohibit function of multifunction devices, in recent years, it is possible to prevent copying from being prohibited by embedding specific information in a print document to be prohibited from being copied and reading and determining that information when copying. is there. However, since the specification of the copy machine restriction is unique to the manufacturer, copying can be easily performed with a copy machine of another manufacturer.

  In addition, in general, corporate printing includes printing of general documents that do not need to deter unauthorized printing such as tampering used in the office, in addition to special documents such as GMP documents. Therefore, there is a demand for a print system that uses a mechanism for preventing falsification of general documents.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printed material with a time stamp using the time of the image forming apparatus according to a storage location of the print data, and a printed material that ensures authenticity by outputting a printed material without the time stamp. Provided is a mechanism for easily obtaining a printed material that does not require authenticity.

  ...

  According to the present invention, according to the storage location of the print data, the printed material with the time stamp using the time of the image forming apparatus and the printed material without the time stamp are output, thereby ensuring the authenticity of the printed material and the authenticity. It is possible to easily obtain a printed matter that does not need to ensure the above.

System configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming system (information processing system) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 103 and the authentication server 102 Block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the multifunction machine 100 Functional block diagram showing an example of functions of the authentication server 102, the client PC 103, and the multifunction peripheral 100 The figure which showed an example explaining the process outline in an image forming system (information processing system) Flowchart of print data transmission and storage process Flow chart of print execution processing Flow chart of MFP usage processing IC card authentication request screen provided by the authentication control application Keyboard authentication screen provided by the main unit control platform Authentication error dialog provided by authentication control application or main unit control platform Special document error dialog provided by the printer driver Print time error dialog provided by the print control application Print data list screen provided by the print control application The figure which shows an example of IC card authentication DB managed with the authentication server 102 The figure which shows an example of job information DB for managing print data (job) The figure which shows an example of the bibliographic information acquired from print data (job) The figure which shows an example of a structure of print data (job) Image of box 415 managed by HDD 304 of MFP 100 Box display screen set with the printer driver

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a screen forming system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system (information processing system) of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system (information processing system) includes, for example, one or a plurality of multifunction peripherals (image forming apparatuses) 100, an authentication server 102, and one or a plurality of client PCs 103 including a local area network (LAN) 110. It is configured to be connected via (communication medium).

  The multi-function device 100 transmits a card number read from a card held over a card reader 319 described later to the authentication server 102 as an authentication request. In addition, the user name and password input by the operation unit 308 of the multi-function device, which will be described later, are transmitted to the authentication server 102 as an authentication request.

  The authentication server 102 stores authentication information (FIG. 15), which will be described later, and performs authentication processing using the authentication information in response to an authentication request using an IC card from the multifunction device 100 or an authentication request using a user name and password. I do.

  The authentication server 102 is configured to be communicable with, for example, a directory server (not shown), and when there is an authentication request with a user name and password, the directory server is inquired and the user name is stored in the directory server. If it is determined that the authentication has succeeded, the authentication result can be transmitted from the authentication server 102 to the multi-function peripheral 100. That is, the authentication server 102 is a device having a directory server function.

  The client PC 103 is installed with a printer driver for outputting to the multifunction peripheral 100, and generates print data with print settings set by the printer driver. Also, print data is output to the output destination set by the printer driver.

  The printer driver installed in the client PC 103 can designate a printer box that stores the print data provided in the multi-function peripheral 100, and can store the print data in the designated printer box.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the client PC 103 and the authentication server 102 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 103 and the authentication server 102.

  Note that FIG. 2 will be described using the client PC 103 as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the client PC 103 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a random access memory (RAM) 203, a read only memory (ROM) 202, an input controller 205, a video controller 206, and a memory via a system bus 204. A configuration in which a controller 207, a communication I / F controller 208, and the like are connected is adopted.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 will be described later, which is necessary for realizing the functions executed by each server or each PC, such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and OS (Operating System) which are control programs of the CPU 201. Various programs are stored. In addition, information (for example, a printer driver) necessary for carrying out the present invention is stored. The external memory may be a database. In the case of the authentication server 102, the IC card authentication information DB of FIG. 15 is stored.

  The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 2001. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for executing the processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 to the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  The input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).

  The video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The display device may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  The memory controller 207 is an external storage device (hard disk (HD)), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA (Personal Computer) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a Compact Flash (registered trademark) memory connected to a Memory Card International Association (Card Memory) card slot via an adapter.

  The communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 110 illustrated in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is possible.

  The CPU 201 can display on the display 210 by executing an outline font rasterization process on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction using a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, a definition file and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 as the information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  In FIG. 3, a controller unit 316 is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer 312 functioning as an image output device, and is connected to a local area network such as the LAN 110 shown in FIG. By connecting to a public line (WAN) such as ISDN, image data and device information are input and output.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller unit 316 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, an external storage device (hard disk drive (HDD)) 304, a network interface (Network I / F) 305, a modem (Modem) 306, an operation unit interface ( Operation unit I / F) 307, external interface (external I / F) 318, image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F) 320, raster image processor (RIP) 310, printer interface (printer I / F) 311, scanner interface (Scanner I / F) 313, an image processing unit 317, and the like.

  The CPU 301 is a processor that controls the entire system.

  A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 301, and is a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  The ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs.

  An external storage device (hard disk drive HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like. The HDD 304 includes a print box. This print box is a plurality of storage areas (boxes) in which access restrictions can be provided by passwords that the multifunction machine has in advance. This print box can be set as an area that can be referred to by an application that can be arbitrarily installed in the MFP 100, and can be referred to by an application that executes the steps of the flowchart of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment. It is.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308.

The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data.

  A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  An external interface (external I / F) 318 is an interface unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, RS-232C, etc. In this embodiment, a card reader for reading an IC card required for authentication is used. 319 is connected.

  The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. Note that the storage medium is not limited to an IC card, and any storage medium that can identify a user may be used.

In this case, identification information for identifying the user is stored in the storage medium. This identification information may be a production number of the storage medium or a user code given by the user within the company.
The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  On the other hand, an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F) 320 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image, for example.

  A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer 312 and the controller unit 316 to perform synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 corrects, processes, and edits input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  A scanner 314 connected to the scanner I / F 313 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer 312 connected to the printer I / F 311 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is supplied from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet method for ejecting and printing an image directly on a sheet, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 connected to the operation unit I / F 307 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit. A touch panel sheet is affixed on the LCD to display a system operation screen, and when a displayed key is pressed, the position information is transmitted to the CPU 301 via the operation unit I / F 307. The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. There are green and red LEDs in the center of the start key, and indicates whether or not the start key can be used depending on the color. In addition, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation being performed. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit 308.

  A card reader 319 connected to the external I / F 318 reads information stored in an IC card (for example, Sony Felica (registered trademark)) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information to the external I / F. The CPU 301 is notified via F318.

  Next, functions of the authentication server 102, the client PC 103, and the multifunction peripheral 100 as an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the authentication server 102, the client PC 103, and the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.

  The output destination designation unit of the client PC 103 designates the storage destination of the box 415 with the printer driver. In this specification, even in a format in which the user arbitrarily selects a print box from the printer driver, a printer object in which each output destination print box is specified is generated on the client PC 103, and this printer printer object is specified. Including.

  After the output destination is specified by the output destination specifying unit 403, the print data generation unit 404 receives data from the application installed in the client PC 103 via the OS, and generates print data.

  The print data output unit 405 outputs the print data generated by the print data generation unit 404 to the multifunction device 100.

  The multifunction device 100 includes a main body control platform that controls basic functions of the multifunction device 100, an authentication control application, and a print control application. When the authentication control application determines that authentication is successful, Execute printing controlled by the print control application. In this embodiment, when print data to be a special document is stored in the box 415, printing is executed without the authentication control application determining that authentication has succeeded.

  The print data reception unit 413 of the multi-function peripheral 100 receives print data from the client PC 103 and stores the print data received by the print data storage unit 414 in the box 415 according to the print data storage destination included in the request of the client PC 103.

  The print box monitoring unit 407 monitors the box 415 managed by the print control application, and acquires bibliographic information such as a user name and a print document name from the print data when detecting that the print data is stored in the box. . The print data management unit 408 manages job information including the acquired bibliographic information.

  The authentication control unit 406 of the MFP 100 transmits the card number of the IC card read by the card reader 319 to the authentication server 102. The authentication control unit 406 searches the authentication DB (IC card authentication information DB in FIG. 15) by the authentication management unit 401 of the authentication server 102, accepts the search result (authentication OK / user name etc./authentication NG), and controls the main body. The user name and the like are notified to the login unit 412 of the platform.

  When the login unit 412 receives a user name or the like, the login unit 412 performs a login process so that the print function and the scan function that the MFP 100 has in advance can be executed. The login process includes, for example, unlocking a function or enabling transition to a screen for executing each function.

  When the login unit 412 performs a login process, the main body control platform notifies the user that the user has logged in to the print control application.

  Upon receiving the notification, the print control application extracts print data corresponding to the logged-in user name from the print data managed by the print data management unit 408 and displays a list of print data on the operation unit 308 of the multifunction peripheral 100. To do. The print data selection unit 409 determines the print data selected by the user.

  The print data acquisition unit 410 acquires the print data determined by the print data selection unit from the box 415 and performs printing with the printer unit 312. In addition, when the print data monitoring unit 407 detects print data to be a special document, the print data acquisition unit 410 sets a time stamp based on the system time managed by the multifunction device 100 by the print data processing unit 411. Generate. Then, the print data processing unit 411 combines a time stamp with the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit 410. Note that when a special document is instructed to be printed by the client PC 103, printing is performed by combining the time stamps without performing authentication processing in the case where the MFP 100 immediately prints the special document.

  The processing of the print data acquisition unit 410 and the print data processing unit 411 will be described more specifically.

When the print data is stored in the box 415, the print control application receives a handle of the print data from the main body control platform. Using the handle, the print data acquisition unit 410 acquires the print data from the box 415 by specifying the handle of the print data to be combined with the time stamp and passing it to the main body control platform. Also, the print data processing unit 411 uses the handle to instruct the main body control platform to synthesize a time stamp, thereby synthesizing the print data instructed by the print data acquisition unit 410 and the time stamp. This synthesis is performed by the main body control platform.
Next, the outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of processing in the image forming system (information processing system) in the present embodiment.

  In 1-1, print data is output to the multifunction peripheral 100 via the printer driver of the client PC 103. The multi-function device 100 stores the print data in the box of the multi-function device 100 according to the box number that can be received when the print data is received. In the case of a special document, the print data is stored in a special document box 2101, and in the case of a general document, print data is stored in a general document box 2102.

  The box 1-1 is designated when the user selects the special document box 2201 or the general document box 2202 on the box setting screen of the printer driver.

  In 1-2, it is detected that the MFP 100 is stored in the special document box 2201 or the general document box 2202. This detection is performed by making a notification reservation to notify the MFP main body control platform when print data is stored, or by polling the box at regular intervals for monitoring. To do.

  In 1-3, the print processing changes depending on whether the detected print data is the print data stored in the special document box 2201 or the print data stored in the general document box 2202. The print data stored in the special document box 2201 is printed by combining the time stamps, and the print data stored in the general document box 2202 is printed without combining the time stamps. Note that the printing process will be described in detail in a flowchart described later.

  Next, in 2-1, when an IC card is held over the card reader 319 and the multifunction peripheral 100 receives card information (such as a card number) from the card reader 319, the card information to be authenticated to the authentication server 102 in 2-2. Send an authentication request containing When the authentication server 102 receives the authentication request, the authentication server 102 performs authentication by searching the authentication DB in 2-3. In 2-4, the authentication result of the authentication request 2-3 is returned. In the multifunction device 100, login processing is performed according to the authentication result.

  Next, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The characteristic configuration of this embodiment is, for example, step S608, step S609, step S702, step S707, and step S708. Also, step S610, step S812, and step S816.

  FIG. 6 illustrates print data transmission and storage processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The processing in steps S601 to S606 is processing of the client PC 103 and is executed by the CPU 201. Further, the processing in steps S607 to S615 is processing of the multi-function device 100 and is executed by the CPU 301.

  In step S601, it is determined whether a print setting change instruction has been given by a user operation. The print setting change instruction is issued by the printer driver from the client PC 103. To change the print setting, in the “output method” 2203 of “print attribute” from the printer properties, the setting that is normally “print” is changed to “save”. If this change has occurred, it is determined that there has been a change instruction, and the process proceeds to step S602.

  Next, in step S602, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to select a storage destination box location of the user box to be [saved] in the setting of “output method” of “print attribute” from the printer properties. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the button 2204 such as [Save to] is pressed. When this instruction is given, the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S603, the MFP 100 transmits a box number and a box name to the client PC 103 (transmission of storage area identification information). Then, the client PC 103 receives the list information of the box number and the box name from the multifunction device 100. Then, the list information, such as box numbers and box names 2201 and 2202 (storage area identification information), is displayed as indicated by reference numeral 2205 in FIG.

  In step S604, designation of a box to be saved is received from the box list information, and a saving destination box is set.

  In step S605, a print instruction is issued from a document creation application, a document display application, a browser, or the like. If there is a print instruction, the process proceeds to step S606.

  When a printer (also referred to as a printer object) for which a storage destination box has been specified in advance is generated in the client PC and this printer is specified, the processes in steps S601 to S604 are omitted. Is also possible. In this case, two printers are generated in the client PC 103: a printer in which the special document box 2201 is set and a printer in which the general document box 2202 is set. Even if other printers are generated in the client PC 103.

  In step S606, the printed data is transmitted to the box set in step S604 according to the print setting set in the printer driver. When transmitting, a box number (box identification information) for identifying the box is transmitted.

  In step S607, the MFP 100 receives the print data transmitted.

  In step S608, the print data is saved (stored) in the box corresponding to the box number designated in step S604. The boxes in this embodiment are a special document box 2101 (first storage area) and a general document box 2102 (second storage area).

  Although the special document box 2101 (first storage area) and the general document box 2102 (second storage area) will be described later, the special document box 2101 (first storage area) is printed on the print data. A general document box 2102 (second storage area) is a box for outputting the time stamps without combining the time stamps when printing the print data. is there.

  In step S609, upon receiving a notification that the print data has been stored from the main body control platform, it is determined whether the notified box is a special document box or a general document box, and the print data is stored in the general document box. If so, the process moves to step S610. If the print data is stored in the special document box, the process proceeds to step S616.

  In step S610, the bibliographic information of the print data stored in the box is acquired. From the bibliographic information, the job owner, job name, and number of pages necessary for display on the 1500 print screen in FIG. 14 of the screen transition diagram in FIG. 9 are acquired. Further, according to the time managed by the multifunction device 100, information such as a time stamp when the print data is received is acquired. Further, job information including this information is stored in a temporary storage area or database in the multifunction peripheral 100 (management information storage). An example of bibliographic information is shown in FIG. 17, and an example of a job information DB that manages job information including bibliographic information is shown in FIG. That is, information including bibliographic information for managing print data is managed by the job information DB.

  In step S611, the print data is moved and stored in a temporary storage box that is another box in order to obtain bibliographic information as the acquired print data. It should be noted that identification information may be assigned and stored in the general document box 2202 so that the bibliographic information can be determined as the acquired print data.

  In step S612, it is determined whether the document saved in step S611 is a special document (print data determination). In other words, it is processing for determining whether or not the print data is to be stored in the special document box 2101. The criteria for determining whether the document is a special document can be changed in advance as setting information of the application. In order to change the settings, a method is provided in which a print control application can be connected and set via a browser. Alternatively, the setting can be changed from the operation screen of the multifunction machine. It is assumed that an administrator password is set to change the setting and security is set so that a general user cannot easily change it.

  The criteria for determining whether a document is a special document include OCR processing (not shown) for the document name and print data to determine that the print data containing a specific keyword is a special document, printing from a specific application, and setting a tint block There are cases where printing is performed. If it is determined as a special document, the process proceeds to step S616. If it is determined as a general document, the process proceeds to step S613. When it is determined that the document is a special document, the storage location of the print data is changed from the general document box 2102 to the special document box 2101 (change storage location).

  If it is determined that the document is a special document or a general document, information indicating a special document or information indicating a general document is recorded in the special document determination (classification) 1711 of the job information DB in FIG.

  If it is determined that the document is a special document, the special document error dialog shown in FIG. 12 may be notified to the printer driver of the client PC 103 and displayed on the display 210.

  In step S613, it is determined whether printing is direct printing or storage printing. The criterion for determining whether direct printing or stored printing can be changed in advance as setting information of the application. In order to change the settings, we provide a method that allows you to connect to the application via the browser. Alternatively, the setting can be changed from the operation screen of the multifunction machine. In the case of direct printing, the process proceeds to step S614. In the case of preservation printing, the process proceeds to [B].

  In step S614, print data of a general document in the box is acquired (print data acquisition). The acquired print data is output for printing.

  In step S615, the print data in the box is deleted after printing is completed, and this process ends.

  If it is determined in step S609 or step S612 that the document is a special document, the process proceeds to step S616. In step S616, it is determined whether printing is direct printing or storage printing. The criterion for determining whether direct printing or stored printing can be changed in advance as setting information of the application. In order to change the settings, we provide a method that allows you to connect to the application via the browser. Alternatively, the setting can be changed from the operation screen of the multifunction machine. In the case of direct printing, the process proceeds to [A]. In the case of storage printing, the process proceeds to step S617, and bibliographic information of the print data stored in the box is acquired. As the bibliographic information, information such as a user name, a document name, the number of pages, and a time stamp necessary for display on the 1500 print screen in the screen transition diagram of FIG. 9 is acquired. Further, this information is stored in a temporary storage area or database in the multi-function device 100.

  In step S618, the print data is moved and stored in a temporary storage box, which is another box, in order to obtain bibliographic information as the acquired print data. Note that identification information may be assigned and stored in the special document box 2201 so that the bibliographic information can be determined as the acquired print data. Next, the process proceeds to [B].

  Next, a print execution process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the process [A], print processing of print data for guaranteeing originality, which is determined as a special document, is executed.

  The processing in steps S701 to S710 is processing of the multifunction device 100 and is executed by the CPU 301.

  In step S701, print data is acquired from the box.

  In step S702, a system time (time) managed by the multi-function device 100 is acquired (time stamp acquisition) in order to generate a time stamp for guaranteeing the original (guaranteeing authenticity).

  In step S703, it is determined whether a time server (not shown) is set. The determination criteria can be changed in advance by setting information of this application. In order to change the settings, we provide a method that allows you to connect to the application via the browser. Alternatively, the setting can be changed from the operation screen of the multifunction machine.

  If set, time (time) is acquired from a time server (not shown) in step S704. The acquired time is stored in the temporary storage area of the multifunction device 100. If there is no setting, the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S705, the reception time stamp 1706 of the print data acquired in step S610 or step S617 and the time of the MFP 100 acquired in step S702 are set so that there is no error in the time stamp for combining with the print data. Compare If the time server setting determined in step S703 is “Yes”, the time acquired in step S704 is also compared. If the compared times are different, it is determined that there is a printing time error, and the process proceeds to step S706. If the compared times are the same, it is determined that the printing time is correct, and the process proceeds to step S707. Note that a range in which the printing time is determined to be correct can be set (for example, within 30 seconds from the reception time stamp 1706). This setting provides a method that can be set by the administrator by connecting to the application via a browser. Alternatively, the administrator can change the setting from the operation screen of the multifunction machine.

  As a result, the authenticity of the time stamp itself to be combined with the print data can be guaranteed, and the authenticity (originality) of the print data that cannot be tampered with such as a special document can be guaranteed.

  In step S706, an error screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 308 of the MFP 100. The error screen displays an error reason such as “The print data time is different”. Or you may comprise so that the error notification printed matter which printed the information to which the time of print data differs may be output. In this case, which print data could not be printed, a part of the print data is combined with the error notification printed matter and output. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S709.

  In step S707, a time stamp to be combined based on the time acquired in step S702 is generated and combined with print data (print data combination). It is assumed that settings for combining the time stamps (for example, in which position of the print data the time stamp is combined) can be set in advance. The composition format includes time stamp density, character size, font type, color, print location, date format, and the like.

  In step S708, the print unit 312 prints the print data combined with the time stamp in step S707.

  In step S709, when the printing in step S708 is completed, the print data stored in the box is deleted.

  In step S 710, the print log is saved in a save storage area in the multifunction peripheral 100. As the log, job information of the printed print data is acquired from the job information DB of FIG. 16 and stored in the HDD 304. At this time, since there is no value in the print result 1707, success information is recorded in the print result.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a description will be given of the MFP use processing of the embodiment according to the present invention.

  In the [B] process, a print process for print data determined to be stored printing is executed.

  In step S804, step S805, step S808, step S809, and step S811 to step S817, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 100 executes processing. In step S806, step S807, and step S810, the CPU 201 of the authentication server 102 executes processing.

  In step S801, a card holding event that can be acquired when an IC card is held over the card reader 319 is detected. The IC card stores card information (card manufacturing number and a unique identification number to be arbitrarily stored). In step S802, card information included in a card holding event obtained by holding the IC card over the card reader 319 is acquired. In step S803, the acquired card information and reading event are notified to the multi-function device 100.

  In step S804, the read card information is accepted. In step S805, authentication information including card information is transmitted to the authentication server 102 via the network I / F 305.

  In step S806, the authentication server 102 receives the authentication information transmitted from the multifunction device 100. In step S806, authentication determination of authentication information is performed. The information (IC card authentication information DB in FIG. 15) stored in advance in the storage area of the authentication server 102 is searched for the IC card manufacturing number that is authentication information and a unique identification number to be arbitrarily stored. Judgment is made based on whether information exists. If the corresponding information exists, authentication is successful, and if it does not exist, authentication fails. Further, it is assumed that the authentication determination can be performed by inputting user login information (user name and password) separately in addition to the IC card information.

  When the authentication determination fails, the authentication server 102 transmits the result information indicating the authentication failure to the multi-function device 100.

  In step S808, the result is received. In step S809, the authentication failure screen (FIG. 11) stored in advance in the HDD 304 by the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 100 is displayed on the operation unit 308, and the process ends.

  If the authentication is successful in step S807, the authentication success result and authentication information (user name 1602 of the IC card authentication information DB in FIG. 15, special print authority 1603) are transmitted in step S810.

  In step S811, the authentication success result and authentication information sent are received (user information reception). If the authentication is successful, the user name is notified to the main body control platform, and the MFP 100 is logged in.

  In step S812, job information that matches the logged-in user name is acquired from the job information DB in FIG. 16 of the print data stored in the storage area of the multifunction peripheral 100, and job list information is generated. The information acquired from the job list includes, for example, the print document name 1703, the number of printed pages 1704, the reception time stamp 1706, the classification 1711, etc., among the print data job information that matches the user name acquired in step S811. .

  In step S813, the acquired job list information is displayed on the panel of the multifunction peripheral 100 (list display). A display example is the print list display screen of FIG.

  In step S814, the print data selected by the user in the job list is designated (print data designation), and pressing of the “print” button (print instruction) is detected.

  In step S815, it is determined whether the print data for which a print instruction has been issued is a special document. Whether the document is a special document is determined by referring to the special document determination (classification) 1711 of the job information DB in FIG. In the case of a special document, the process proceeds to [A] processing. In the case of a general document, the process proceeds to step S816.

  If a special document is selected, it is confirmed whether or not there is “special print authority 1603” of the user information acquired in step S811. If the user has authority, the process shifts to [A]. If the user has no authority, a print error and a message such as “no authority to print special document” are displayed.

  In step S816, print data of a general document is acquired from a box (for example, a general document box 2102) (print data acquisition), and printing is performed by the print unit 312.

  In step S817, after printing is completed, the print data is deleted from the box, and the process ends.

  Next, screen examples of FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14 displayed on the operation unit 308 of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described. Further, an example of the screen of FIG. 12 displayed on the display 210 of the client PC 103 will be described.

  FIG. 9 shows an IC card authentication request screen provided by the authentication control application. When the IC card authentication request screen is displayed, the IC card is held over the card reader 319, whereby an IC card authentication request is transmitted to the authentication server 102.

  FIG. 10 is a keyboard authentication screen provided by the main body control platform, which is displayed when the keyboard input button 1001 in FIG. 9 is pressed. When a user name, a password, and a login destination are specified and the login button 1101 is pressed, an authentication request using the user name and password is transmitted to the authentication server 102.

  FIG. 11 is an authentication error dialog provided by the authentication control application or the main body control platform, and is displayed when the authentication server 102 fails in authentication.

  FIG. 12 shows a special document error dialog provided by the printer driver, which is displayed when print data that is a special document is stored in the general document box.

  FIG. 13 is a print time error dialog provided by the print control application, and is displayed when the time managed by the multifunction peripheral 100 and the time of the print data (document) are separated by a predetermined time or more.

  FIG. 14 is a print data list (job list) screen provided by the print control application, and displays a list of print data that the user who has logged in to the MFP 100 has instructed to print on the client PC 103.

  In the case of a special document, the remaining time 1506 is displayed. This remaining time 1506 is printed from the reception time stamp 1706 to a predetermined time set in the application (for example, printing from the printing time to 3 hours). The remaining time until (possible) is calculated and displayed.

  When print data (job) is selected from the list and the print button 1512 is pressed, the selected print data (job) is acquired from the box and printing is executed.

  Next, the IC card authentication information DB stored in the authentication server 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an IC card authentication DB managed by the authentication server 102.

  The IC card authentication information DB is a table referred to for authentication using a card ID (card information such as a card number) or a user name and password included in an authentication request (authentication information) from the multifunction peripheral 100. The card ID 1601 , A user name 1602, a special print authority 1603, and a password 1604 are stored.

  Next, data stored and managed by the multi-function device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job information DB for managing print data (jobs).

  The job information stored in the job information DB is stored in association with each print data. The job information includes bibliographic information of FIG.

  As job information, a user name 1702 and a bibliographic information job owner 1801 are stored. The print document name 1703 stores a job name 1802 of bibliographic information. As the number of printed pages 1704, the number of pages 1805 of bibliographic information is stored. The printing time 1705 stores the time when printing is completed. The reception time stamp 1706 stores the time when print data is received by the multifunction peripheral 100. The reception time stamp 1706 may be a time when print data is generated by the printer driver.

  The print result 1707 stores the result of printing the print data. That is, the result is not stored until the print data is printed. The printing method 1708 stores a bibliographic information printing method 1803. The color mode 1709 stores a bibliographic information color mode 1804. The tint block printing 1710 stores tint block information obtained by analyzing print data. In the special document determination (classification), identification information for identifying whether the document is a special document or a general document determined from data obtained by analyzing the print data is stored.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of bibliographic information acquired from print data (job).

  The bibliographic information includes a job owner 1801, a job name 1802, a printing method 1803, a color mode 1804, and a page number 1805.

  The job owner 1801 is configured to store the user name logged into the client PC 103 and match the user name obtained from the authentication server 102.

  The job name 1802 stores the document name of a document created by an application (for example, a document creation application) installed in the client PC 103. Note that the job name 1802 may be a name assigned by the printer driver.

  A printing method 1803 stores settings for both sides and one side set by the printer driver, and a color mode 1804 stores settings for color printing, monochrome printing, and auto printing set by the printer driver. The page number 1805 stores the page number of the print data.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of print data (job).

  The print data includes the bibliographic information 1901 of FIG. 17 and the PDL data 1902 to be drawn. The PDL data 1902 is drawn according to the print settings of the bibliographic information 1901.

  Next, boxes managed by the HDD 304 of the multifunction machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is an image diagram of a box 415 managed by the HDD 304 of the multi-function device 100.

  The storage area of the HDD 304 is divided into a plurality of boxes that can be managed by the main body control platform, such as 00, 01, 02. This box is set so that the print control application can access it, and the print control application can acquire the print data stored in this box and perform printing.

  Box 00 is a special document box 2101 accessible by the print control application, and box 01 is a general document box 2102 accessible by the print control application. Box 02... Is a box 2103 accessible by other applications. A box name can be set for a box.

  Next, a box display screen set by the printer driver will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the box display screen of FIG. 20 is displayed, the box names of the box names (for example, the special document box 2101, the general document box 2102, and other boxes 2103) acquired from the multi-function peripheral 100 are set to 2201 and 2201. It is displayed as 2202.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, according to the storage location of the print data in the multifunction peripheral 100 (image forming apparatus), the printed material to which the time stamp using the time of the image forming apparatus is applied, and the time stamp is not applied. By outputting the printed matter, it is possible to easily obtain a printed matter that ensures authenticity and a printed matter that does not need to ensure authenticity.

  In addition to preventing falsification by copying a printed material, it is possible to prevent falsification by printing the same document as the original and replacing it.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that allows a computer to execute the processing method of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Is remembered. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each apparatus in FIGS.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

100 MFP 102 Authentication Server 103 Client PC
110 LAN
201 CPU
203 RAM
301 CPU
302 RAM
304 HDD
308 Operation unit 319 Card reader

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that receives print data from an information processing apparatus,
A first storage area for combining and outputting a time stamp for printing the print data, and a second storage area for outputting the print data without combining the time stamp for printing. Including storage means;
Storage means for storing the print data in the first storage area or the second storage area;
A time stamp acquisition means for acquiring a time stamp generated according to a time managed by the image forming apparatus when the print data is stored in the first storage area;
Print data combining means for combining the time stamp acquired by the time stamp acquiring means with the print data;
Print data acquisition means for acquiring print data stored in the second storage area when the print data is stored in the second storage area;
An image forming apparatus comprising: output data that outputs print data combined by the print data combining unit or print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit.   When the print data is stored in the first storage area, the output means outputs the print data synthesized by the print data synthesis means without a user giving a print instruction on the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   When the print data is stored in the second storage area, the output unit outputs the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit when a user issues a print instruction on the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Management information storage means for storing management information of print data stored in the second storage area;
User information receiving means for receiving user information by authentication;
List display means for displaying a print data list according to management information corresponding to the user information received by the user information receiving means;
Print data specifying means for specifying print data from the print data list displayed by the list display means,
The print data acquisition unit acquires the print data from the second storage area by instructing to print the print data specified by the print data specifying unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. Print data determination means for determining whether the print data is print data to be stored in the first storage area when the print data is stored in the second storage area;
Storage location changing means for storing the print data in the first storage area when the print data determination means determines that the print data is to be stored in the first storage area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. In accordance with a request from the information processing device, comprising storage area identification information transmitting means for transmitting storage area identification information of the first storage area and the second storage area to the information processing apparatus,
The storage means stores print data received in accordance with the designation of the storage area identification information in the information processing apparatus in a first storage area or a second storage area corresponding to the designated storage area identification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A first storage area for receiving print data from the information processing apparatus and combining and outputting a time stamp for printing the print data and an output without combining the time stamp for printing the print data An output method of an image forming apparatus including a storage unit including a second storage area for performing
The image forming apparatus includes:
A storage step of storing the print data in the first storage area or the second storage area;
A time stamp acquisition step of acquiring a time stamp generated according to a time managed by the image forming apparatus when the print data is stored in the first storage area;
A print data combining step of combining the time stamp acquired in the time stamp acquisition step with the print data;
A print data acquisition step for acquiring the print data stored in the second storage area when the print data is stored in the second storage area;
An output method comprising: executing the print data combined in the print data combining step or the output step of outputting the print data acquired in the print data acquisition step. A program executable by an image forming apparatus that receives print data from an information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus;
A first storage area for combining and outputting a time stamp for printing the print data, and a second storage area for outputting the print data without combining the time stamp for printing. Including storage means;
Storage means for storing the print data in the first storage area or the second storage area;
A time stamp acquisition means for acquiring a time stamp generated according to a time managed by the image forming apparatus when the print data is stored in the first storage area;
Print data combining means for combining the time stamp acquired by the time stamp acquiring means with the print data;
Print data acquisition means for acquiring print data stored in the second storage area when the print data is stored in the second storage area;
A program that functions as an output unit that outputs print data synthesized by the print data synthesis unit or print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit.

Images