JP2011175588A - Image formation system, image formation management device, information processing apparatus, image formation management program, and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation system in which a place for forming an image is restricted even when a place at which an image forming apparatus is installed is not obtained from the image forming apparatus, an image formation management device, an information processing apparatus, an image formation management program, and an information processing program. <P>SOLUTION: A terminal device 18 arranged at an installation place of the image forming apparatus 1 reads authentication information, position information and position information obtaining time information from a user terminal device 16 of a user, and when an authentication server 14 authenticates the authentication information, the terminal device 18 requests of a print server 12 a print list of jobs that can be subjected to image formation by the image forming apparatus 1. The print server 12 generates a print list on the basis of the authentication information, the position information and the position information obtaining time information, and transmits the print list to the terminal device 18, and the user selects a job requesting printing from the print list. When allowing the selected job to be printed, the print server 12 outputs the job to the image forming apparatus 1 and instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to form an image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image formation management apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image formation management program, and an information processing program.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133830 discloses a job storage unit that stores a submitted job, a job information display unit that displays information related to a job stored in the job storage unit, and an authentication that obtains job authentication information. An image processing apparatus comprising: an information acquisition unit; and an permission unit that permits the job information display unit to display information related to a job authenticated by the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit. Are listed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a printing apparatus that is used together with an external device that can output first location information that specifies a certain area, and that is a first location for acquiring the first location information from the external device. The information acquisition means, the second location information acquisition means for acquiring the second location information related to the location where the printing apparatus is installed, and the locations indicated by the first and second location information are duplicated. A printing apparatus is described that includes an authentication unit that permits use of the printing apparatus when a predetermined condition indicating that the printing apparatus is satisfied is satisfied, and otherwise restricts use of the printing apparatus.

JP 2006-15625 A JP 2009-55243 A

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming management apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and an image forming management program in which a place where an image is formed is restricted even when the place where the image forming apparatus is installed is not acquired from the image forming apparatus. And an information processing program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming system according to claim 1 is arranged at a place where the image forming apparatus is installed, and authentication information for specifying a predetermined user of the image forming apparatus, and Acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the user terminal stored in the user terminal, first storage means in which authentication information is stored in advance, and first storage means are stored in the first storage means. Based on the authentication information, an authentication unit that authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit, image formation information for giving an instruction regarding image formation, a registrant of the image formation information, and the image formation information A second storage unit for storing a correspondence relationship in association with image formation position information indicating a position where image formation is permitted; and when the authentication information is authenticated by the authentication unit, the second storage unit To the means In the case where the image formation according to the image formation information is permitted at the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition unit based on the stored correspondence, the image formation information is stored in the image forming apparatus. Transmitting means for transmitting.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, when the authentication information is authenticated by the authentication unit, the correspondence relationship stored in the second storage unit is used. Based on this, the generation means for generating list information indicating a list of image formation information permitted to form an image at the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition means, and the list information generated by the generation means are displayed. Display means; and selection means for selecting the image formation information to be formed by the image forming apparatus from the list information displayed on the display means; and the transmission means selected by the war record selection means. When the image formation according to the information is permitted, the image forming information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming system according to claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition unit includes the position information indicating the position of the user terminal, and the position information is the user. The time information related to the time stored in the terminal is acquired, and the transmission unit receives an image corresponding to the image formation information after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time indicated by the time information acquired by the acquisition unit. Do not allow the formation of.

  The image forming system according to claim 4 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission unit includes a user specified by the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit. If the registrant of the image formation information is different, the image formation according to the image formation information is not permitted.

  The image forming management apparatus according to claim 5 is for specifying a predetermined user of the image forming apparatus acquired by an acquiring unit of an information processing apparatus arranged at a place where the image forming apparatus is installed. First receiving means for receiving the authentication information and the position information indicating the position of the user terminal stored in the user terminal, image forming information for instructing image formation, and the image forming information Acquired by the storage means for storing the correspondence between the registrant and the image formation position information indicating the position where the image formation according to the image formation information is permitted, and the acquisition means of the information processing apparatus Stored in the storage means when the authentication information received by the first receiving means is authenticated by the authentication means of the information management apparatus that authenticates the authentication information based on the authentication information stored in advance. When permitting image formation according to the image formation information received by the second receiving means at the position indicated by the position information received by the first receiving means based on the correspondence relationship, the image A second transmission unit configured to transmit the image formation information to a forming apparatus.

  The image formation management device according to claim 6 is an image formation management device according to claim 5, wherein the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit of the information processing device is authenticated based on authentication information stored in advance. Location information received by the first receiving means based on the correspondence stored in the storage means when the authentication information received by the first receiving means is authenticated by the authentication means of the management device Generating means for generating list information indicating a list of image formation information that is permitted to form an image at a position indicated by; and a first transmitting means for transmitting the list information generated by the generating means to the information processing apparatus; Second receiving means for receiving information indicating the image formation information selected from the list information transmitted by the first transmitting means and displayed by the information processing apparatus; Provided.

  The image formation management apparatus according to claim 7 is the image formation management apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the reception unit includes the position information indicating the position of the user terminal and the position information is the position information. The time information related to the time stored in the user terminal is received from the information processing device, and the second transmission unit receives the image forming information after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time indicated by the time information. The image formation according to is not permitted.

  The image formation management device according to claim 8 is the image formation management device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second transmission unit includes the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit. If the specified user is different from the registrant of the image formation information, image formation according to the image formation information is not permitted.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 is disposed at a place where the image forming apparatus is installed, and is stored in authentication information for specifying a user of the image forming apparatus and a user terminal that are determined in advance. An acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the user terminal, a first information for transmitting the authentication information and the position information acquired by the acquisition means to the image forming management apparatus, and transmitting the authentication information to the information management apparatus. And receiving means for receiving list information indicating a list of image formation information that is permitted to form an image at a position indicated by the position information transmitted by the transmitting means and generated by the generating means of the image management apparatus. Display means for displaying the list information received by the receiving means, and selecting the image forming information to be formed by the image forming apparatus from the list information displayed on the display means. Comprises selection means, and second transmission means for transmitting information indicating the image forming information selected by said selection means to said image forming management apparatus.

  The image forming management program according to claim 10, wherein the first receiving unit acquires the predetermined image forming apparatus acquired by the acquiring unit of the information processing apparatus arranged at a place where the image forming apparatus is installed. Receiving authentication information for identifying the user and position information indicating the position of the user terminal stored in the user terminal, and image forming information for instructing image formation by the storage means Storing a correspondence relationship by associating a registrant of the image formation information with image formation position information indicating a position where image formation according to the image formation information is permitted, and second transmission Means for authenticating the authentication information acquired by the acquisition means of the information processing apparatus based on authentication information stored in advance by the authentication means of the information management apparatus by the first receiving means. When the received authentication information is authenticated, the second receiving unit receives the signal at the position indicated by the position information received by the first receiving unit based on the correspondence stored in the storage unit. When the image formation according to the image formation information is permitted, the step of transmitting the image formation information to the image forming apparatus is executed by a computer.

  An image formation management program according to an eleventh aspect is the image formation management program according to the tenth aspect, in which the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit of the information processing apparatus is generated by the generation unit based on authentication information stored in advance. When the authentication information received by the first receiving means is authenticated by the authenticating means of the information management apparatus that authenticates the information, the first receiving means uses the correspondence relationship stored in the storage means. Generating list information indicating a list of image formation information that is permitted to form an image at a position indicated by the received position information; and processing the list information generated by the generation means by the first transmission means. The list information transmitted by the first transmitting means and displayed by the information processing apparatus by the step of transmitting to the apparatus and the second receiving means. Comprising the steps of: receiving information indicating the image forming information selected from.

  An image formation management program according to a twelfth aspect is the image formation management program according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein the position information includes the position information indicating the position of the user terminal by the receiving unit. Receiving the time information related to the time stored in the user terminal from the information processing apparatus; and after the predetermined time has elapsed from the time indicated by the time information by the second transmission means, And a step of not permitting image formation in accordance with the image formation information received by the second receiving means.

  An image formation management program according to a thirteenth aspect is the image formation management program according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, in which the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit by the second transmission unit is A step of not permitting image formation according to the image forming information received by the second receiving means when the user to be identified is different from the registered person of the image forming information received by the second receiving means; Is included.

  The information processing program according to claim 14 is provided in the authentication information and the user terminal for specifying the user of the image forming apparatus, which is arranged at a place where the image forming apparatus is installed by the obtaining unit. Acquiring the stored position information indicating the position of the user terminal, and transmitting the authentication information and the position information acquired by the acquiring unit to the image forming management apparatus by the first transmitting unit; To the information management apparatus, and by the reception means, the image formation information that is permitted to form an image at the position indicated by the position information transmitted by the transmission means, generated by the generation means of the image management apparatus. A step of receiving list information indicating a list; a step of displaying the list information received by the receiving means by a display means; Selecting the image forming information to be formed by the image forming apparatus from the list information displayed on the display means; and information indicating the image forming information selected by the selecting means by the second transmitting means. And causing the computer to execute the step of transmitting to the formation management device.

  According to the first, fifth, ninth, tenth, and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to perform print control based on information on a place where a user actually obtains a printed matter with the image forming apparatus. It becomes possible.

  According to the second, sixth, and eleventh aspects, the user can select image formation information based on the generated list of image formation information.

  According to the third, seventh, and twelfth aspects of the present invention, print control is performed based on information on a place where the user actually obtains a printed matter with the image forming apparatus and information on the time when the user obtains the information. It becomes possible.

  According to the inventions according to claims 4, 8, and 13, image information is leaked even when the authentication information is different from the registrant of the image formation information compared to the case where image formation is permitted. Is suppressed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic processing flow of the entire image forming system according to the present exemplary embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the terminal device based on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with the terminal device based on this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the authentication server based on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the corresponding | compatible relationship between the authentication information previously stored in the user database of the authentication server and a user based on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by the authentication server based on this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the print server based on this Embodiment. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a correspondence relationship between the type of image data stored in a job management unit and a print-permitted base according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a correspondence relationship between a document type stored in a job storage unit, a job owner (registrant), and a print permission base according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an outline of the overall flow of processing executed by the print server according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of print list generation processing executed by the print server according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the print list at the time of making a user A read position information with a terminal device in order to form an image with the image forming apparatus in a branch office based on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example when the user A makes the terminal device 18 read the user terminal device 16 which has not memorize | stored positional information with the image forming apparatus 1 in a head office based on this Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a print request process executed by the print server according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the entire image forming system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a schematic configuration of the image forming system of the present embodiment.

  The image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a print server 12, an authentication server 14, a user terminal device 16, a terminal device 18, and the image forming apparatus 1. Although only one image forming apparatus 1 is shown here, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a terminal device installed together with the image forming apparatuses are provided. As an example of such a system, cloud computing or the like is used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus having a function of forming an image on a recording medium, and an example is a so-called printer. The print server 12 is a print management apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by the image forming apparatus 1, that is, for managing printing performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The authentication server 14 is an information management apparatus having a function for authenticating a user who can form an image with the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 18 is disposed at a location that can be regarded as substantially the same position as the image forming device 1 such as the side of the image forming device 1. The terminal device 18 has a function of reading authentication information, position information, and the like from the user terminal device 16 and performing processing such as transmission / reception between the print server 12 and the authentication server 14.

  The user terminal device 16 is a portable terminal device carried by a user who uses the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, a mobile phone equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) 19 that acquires current position information on the earth, such as the mobile terminal 16A, may be used. In the present embodiment, in the case of the user terminal device 16 having a function of acquiring equi-position information including the GPS 19, the position information acquisition application 17 is acquired in advance from the print server 12 and stored (details will be described later). The mobile terminal 16A stores authentication information, position information, and position information acquisition time information. Moreover, the portable terminal which does not have a function which acquires positional information, such as GPS, like the portable terminal 16B is mentioned. The portable terminal 16B stores authentication information. Moreover, what records authentication information, such as IC card 16C, is mentioned. Here, for convenience of explanation, the IC card (IC card 16C) is also referred to as a user terminal device.

  FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an example of a schematic processing flow of the entire image forming system 10 of the present exemplary embodiment. In the present embodiment, a user who intends to form an image with the image forming apparatus 1 registers a job in the print server 12 in advance. In the present embodiment, information relating to image formation including image data and information for forming an image based on the image data on a recording medium is referred to as a job.

  Further, when the user terminal device 16 has a position acquisition function such as the mobile terminal 16A, the user acquires the current position using the position information acquisition application 17, and the position information and position information acquisition time information (position information) (Information indicating the time at which the data is acquired) is stored in the mobile terminal 16A.

  In step 100, the terminal device 18 reads authentication information, position information, and position information acquisition time information stored in the user terminal device 16.

  Next, in step 102, authentication processing of the authentication information read by the authentication server 14 is performed. In step 104, it is determined whether or not authentication is completed. If completed (if authenticated), the process proceeds to step 106. The print server 12 determines whether or not the acquisition of the print list is requested. If the request is requested, the print server 12 determines that the user who has completed the authentication information authentication process in the next step 108. However, the image forming apparatus 1 extracts print jobs that are permitted to form an image and generates a print list that is a list of printable jobs.

  In the next step 110, the print list generated by the terminal device 18 is displayed on a touch display (details will be described later). The user selects a job to be printed by the image forming apparatus 1 from the displayed print list, and issues a print request. Accordingly, in the next step 112, the print request for the selected job is transmitted from the terminal device 18 to the print server 12. In the next step 114, the print server 12 instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to form (print) an image, and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the print server 12 determines in step 106 that the print list acquisition request has not been made, whether or not the print server 12 permits printing in the next step 116 is authentication information, position information, and position information acquisition time. If there is a job to be judged based on the information and permitted, the job that is affirmed in the next step 114 and permitted to be printed is extracted, and the process proceeds to step 114. If the print server 12 determines that there is no job that permits printing, the result in Step 118 is negative and the process proceeds to Step 120. If the authentication server 14 determines that an authentication error has occurred in step 104, the determination in step 104 is negative and the process proceeds to step 120. In step 120, after the terminal device 18 displays an error on the touch display or the like, the present process is terminated.

  Next, the configuration of each device and the processing executed by each device will be described in detail for each device.

  First, the terminal device 18 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example of a schematic configuration of the terminal device 18 of the present embodiment. The terminal device 18 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 80, an authentication information reading unit 82, a position information reading unit 84, a position information acquisition time information reading unit 86, a user I / F (interface) 88, an authentication request transmission / reception unit 90, And a list acquisition request / print request transmission / reception unit 92.

  The control unit 80 includes a CPU 94, a ROM 96, and a processing program 97, and has a function for controlling the entire terminal device 18. The CPU 94 controls the terminal device 18 by executing the processing program 97. A processing program 97 executed by the CPU 94 is stored in the ROM 96. The RAM 98 secures a work area when the CPU 94 executes the processing program. The processing program 97 may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, stored in the ROM 96 or other storage unit (not shown), and executed by the CPU 94.

  The authentication information reading unit 82 reads authentication information stored in the user terminal device 16. Specific examples of the authentication information include an authentication number (user ID), a barcode, and the like, but are not particularly limited as long as it is information that can identify an individual user. Further, a password may be input, and authentication information may be obtained by a combination of an authentication number and a password. The position information reading unit 84 reads position information stored in the user terminal device 16. The position information acquisition time information reading unit 86 reads position information acquisition time information stored in the user terminal device 16.

  The user I / F 88 has a display function for displaying a print list, an error notification, and the like to the user, and a function for giving an instruction for the user to select a job from the print list or to instruct a print request. It is what you have. A specific example is a touch panel display.

  The authentication request transmission / reception unit 90 has a function of transmitting an authentication request, authentication information, and the like to the authentication server 14 and receiving an authentication result and the like. The list acquisition request / print request transmission / reception unit 92 has a function of transmitting a list acquisition request, a print request, and the like to the print server 12 and receiving a print list and the like.

  Processing executed in the terminal device 18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of an outline of the flow of processing executed by the CPU 94 of the terminal device 18 of the present embodiment.

  In step 200, authentication information stored in the user terminal device 16 is read. In the next step 202, position information is read. In the present embodiment, when the user terminal device 16 is a user terminal in which position information is not stored, such as the mobile terminal 16B or the IC card 16C, or when the position information is not stored even in the mobile terminal 16A. Suppose that the position information is unknown.

  In the next step 204, position information acquisition time information is read. Thereby, the authentication information unique to the user who owns the user terminal device 16, the position information indicating the position where the user terminal device 16 acquired the position information, and the position information acquisition time information indicating the time when the position information was acquired are the terminal device 18. Will be read.

  In the next step 206, the authentication information read together with the authentication request is transmitted to the authentication server 14. In response to this, when the result of the authentication process performed by the authentication server 14 is received, in the next step 208, the authentication result is determined. If it is determined that the authentication error has occurred, the process proceeds to step 210, and the authentication error is transmitted to the user I / F 88. After displaying, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 208 that authentication is complete (authentication is permitted when image formation is permitted), the process advances to step 212 to transmit a list acquisition request, authentication information, position information, and position information acquisition time information to the print server 12. In response to this, the print list generated by the print server 12 is transmitted. Therefore, in the next step 214, it is determined whether or not a print list has been received. If it has not been received, the result is denied and the standby state is entered. Accordingly, the user selects a print job to be printed from the displayed print list and instructs printing. In the next step 218, it is determined whether or not a print instruction has been issued from the user. If not, the determination is negative and a standby state is established.

  In step 220, a print request for the print job instructed to be printed is transmitted to the print server 12. In response to this, the print server 12 instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to form an image for the print job selected by the user and instructed to print, and ends this processing.

  Next, the authentication server 14 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of an example of a schematic configuration of the authentication server 14 of the present embodiment. The authentication server 14 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 40, a user database 42, an authentication processing unit 44, and a transmission / reception unit 46.

  The control unit 40 includes a CPU 48, a ROM 50, and an authentication program 51, and has a function for controlling the entire authentication server 14. The CPU 48 controls the authentication server 14 by executing the authentication program 51. An authentication program 51 executed by the CPU 48 is stored in the ROM 50. The RAM 52 secures a work area when the CPU 48 executes the authentication program 51. The authentication program 51 may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, stored in the ROM 50 or other storage unit (not shown), and executed by the CPU 48.

  The user database 42 stores the correspondence between authentication information and users in advance. A specific example of the correspondence relationship between the authentication information stored in the user database 42 of this embodiment and the user is shown in FIG.

  The authentication processing unit 44 has a function of authenticating a user depending on whether authentication information received from the terminal device 18 is stored in the user database 42. The transmission / reception unit 46 has a function of receiving authentication information from the terminal device 18 and transmitting an authentication result to the terminal device 18.

  Processing executed by the authentication server 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of an outline of the flow of authentication processing executed by the CPU 48 of the authentication server 14 of the present embodiment.

  In step 300, it is determined whether authentication information has been received from the terminal device 18. If it has not been received, the result is denied and a standby state is entered. If it has been received, the result is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 302. In step 302, the authentication information stored in the user database 42 is compared with the received authentication information. In the next step 304, it is determined whether or not there is matching authentication information. If the result is negative and the process proceeds to step 306, information indicating an authentication error is transmitted to the terminal device 18, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is matching authentication information, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 308. Information indicating that the authentication is complete is transmitted to the terminal device 18, and then the present process ends.

  Next, the print server 12 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 shows a functional block diagram of an example of a schematic configuration of the print server 12 of the present embodiment. The print server 12 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 20, a job reception unit 22, a job management unit 24, a print permission unit 26, a print list generation unit 28, a print request processing unit 30, a list acquisition request, and a print request transmission / reception unit 31. The image forming instruction transmission unit 32 and the terminal location information acquisition application distribution unit 33 are included.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU 34, a ROM 36, and a processing program 37, and has a function for controlling the entire print server 12. The CPU 34 controls the print server 12 by executing the processing program 37. A processing program 37 executed by the CPU 34 is stored in the ROM 36. The RAM 38 secures a work area when the processing program 37 is executed by the CPU 34. The processing program 37 may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, stored in the ROM 36 or other storage unit (not shown), and executed by the CPU 34.

  The job reception unit 22 has a function of receiving a job from an external computer or the like. In the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, a user who wants to form an image stores information (jobs) related to the image to be formed from a computer or the like used by each user in advance in the print server 12.

  The job management unit 24 includes a job storage unit, and the job received by the job reception unit 22 is a job, the owner of the job (the registrant who registered the job in the print server 12), the job And the location information of the bases where printing is permitted are managed in association with each other. In the present embodiment, the job management unit 24 stores in advance the correspondence relationship between the document type and the print-permitted base shown in FIG. 9 as a specific example, and based on the correspondence relationship, the job reception unit A print permission base is determined from the type of document to be printed such as image data, file name, file name extension, and the like included in the job accepted in 22, and stored in the job storage unit in association with the job. FIG. 10 shows the corresponding relationship stored in the job storage unit of the present embodiment.

  The print permission unit 26 has a function of permitting printing based on position information, position information income time information, authentication information, and the like received from the terminal device 18. In the present embodiment, if the user specified by the authentication information is different from the job owner, image formation is not permitted, so the print permission unit 26 has a correspondence relationship between the authentication information and the user (see FIG. 6). ) Is stored in advance.

  The print list generation unit 28 has a function of generating, as a print list, a list of jobs that are permitted to be formed by the image forming apparatus 1 in response to a list acquisition request received from the terminal device 18. The print request processing unit 30 has a function of processing a print request received from the terminal device 18 such as instructing the image forming apparatus 1 to form an image of a job permitted by the print permission unit 26. The list acquisition request / print request transmission / reception unit 31 receives a list acquisition request, a print request, and the like from the terminal device 18 and transmits a print list and the like to the terminal device 18. The image formation instruction transmission unit 32 has a function of transmitting a job, an image formation instruction, and the like to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The terminal location information acquisition application distribution unit 33 has a function for distributing the location information acquisition application 17 to the user terminal device 16, and stores the location information acquisition application 17 for distribution. In the present embodiment, the location information acquisition application is used as an application to be used in order to acquire location information and time information (location information acquisition time information) when the user terminal device 16 acquires the location information using the GPS 19 or the like. 17 is distributed to the user terminal device 16. Therefore, a user who uses the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment stores the location information acquisition application 17 from the print server 12 in advance by downloading it to the configuration terminal 16A possessed by the user.

  Processing executed in the print server 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example of an outline of the overall flow of processing executed by the CPU 34 of the print server 12 according to the present embodiment.

  In step 400, it is determined whether a list acquisition request is received from the terminal device 18. If received, the determination is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 402 where authentication information, position information, and position information acquisition time information transmitted from the terminal device 18 together with the list acquisition request are received. In step 404, details will be described later. The print list generation process is executed to generate a print list and transmit it to the terminal device 18.

  In the next step 406, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the print list was transmitted to the terminal device 18. When a print request for a job selected based on the print list transmitted to the terminal device 18 within a predetermined time is received from the terminal device 18, an affirmative determination is made in step 408, and an image formation instruction for the job requested to be printed in step 410 Then, the process proceeds to step 416. In step 408, if a print request is not made from the terminal device 18 based on the print list after the print list is transmitted to the terminal device 18, a negative determination is made and a standby state is entered. If the predetermined time has passed in this standby state, a negative determination is made in step 406, and the print list is discarded assuming that the user does not intend to print or that the user has moved away from the terminal device 18 and moved to another location. Then, the process proceeds to step 416.

  On the other hand, if the list request has not been received in step 400, the process proceeds to step 412, where it is determined whether a print request has been received from the terminal device 18. If not received, the result is negative and the process returns to 400. If no request has been received in this way, both step 400 and step 406 are denied and a standby state is entered. On the other hand, if a print request is received in step 406, the process proceeds to step 408, where print request processing, which will be described in detail later, is executed to instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to form an image, or an error notification is sent to the terminal apparatus 18. After that, go to step 410.

  In step 416, it is determined whether or not to end this process. If the print server 12 is turned off or shifts to the low power mode, the determination is affirmed and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the result is negative, the process returns to step 400 to repeat this process.

  Next, the print list generation process in step 404 will be described in detail. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an example of the print list generation process shown in step 404 of FIG.

  In step 500, one job stored from the job storage unit of the job management unit 24 is acquired. In the next step 502, it is determined whether or not a job has been acquired in step 500. If there is a job that has not been subjected to this processing yet, since the job has been acquired in step 500, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 504. The user specified by the authentication information matches the job registrant. Determine whether or not. If not, the determination is negative and the process returns to step 500. On the other hand, if they match, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 506.

  In step 506, it is determined whether the job has printing restrictions. In the present embodiment, if “no restriction” is stored as the print permission base, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 514. On the other hand, if information other than “no limit” is stored, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 508. In step 508, it is determined whether the position information is unknown. If the position information is unknown, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 516. On the other hand, if it is not unknown, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 510 to determine whether or not the position indicated by the position information is a position where printing is permitted. For example, in the case where the correspondence relationship shown in FIG. 10 is stored, if the position information indicates a branch, the confidential document with ID = 2 is not permitted to print, and is denied here, and denied. Proceeds to step 516. On the other hand, the in-house document with ID = 3 is affirmed here because printing is permitted, and if affirmed, the process proceeds to step 512.

  In step 512, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the time indicated by the position information acquisition time. This step is for preventing the image forming apparatus 1 from forming an image using the position information acquired by the user terminal device 16 at another location. For example, after position information is acquired at the head office, an image is prevented from being formed by an image forming apparatus installed at the branch office. Therefore, in this embodiment, the predetermined time is 5 minutes.

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the result is negative, and the process proceeds to step 514 to add the job to the print list as print permission, and then returns to step 500. On the other hand, if it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 516, and after adding the job to the print list as print permission not permitted, the process returns to step 500.

  If this process is executed for all jobs, the result of step 502 is negative, and the process proceeds to step 518. After the generated print list is transmitted to the terminal device 18, this process ends.

  A specific example of the generated print list is shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows a case where the user A shown in FIG. 10 causes the terminal device 18 to read position information in order to form an image with the image forming apparatus 1 in the branch office. FIG. 14 shows a case where the user A causes the terminal device 18 to read the user terminal device 16 in which the position information is not stored by the image forming apparatus 1 in the head office.

  Next, the print request process in step 408 will be described in detail. FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of an example of the print request process shown at step 408 in FIG.

  In step 600, the job requested to be printed by the terminal device 18 from the job management unit 24 is acquired. In the next step 602, it is determined whether or not the job has a print restriction. If there is no print restriction, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 610. On the other hand, if there is, the result is denied and the process proceeds to step 604. In step 604, it is determined whether the position information is unknown. If the position information is unknown, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 612. On the other hand, if it is not unknown, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 606, where it is determined whether or not the position indicated by the position information is a position where printing is permitted. If not permitted, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 612. On the other hand, if it is permitted, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 608.

  In step 608, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed from the time indicated by the position information acquisition time. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the result of the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 610. After the job and the image forming instruction of the job are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1, the present process is terminated. On the other hand, if the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 612, and an error notification is transmitted to the terminal device 18, followed by terminating the present process.

  As described above, in the image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment, the terminal device 18 arranged at the installation location of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the authentication information, the position information, and the position from the user terminal device 16 possessed by the user. The information acquisition time information is read, and the authentication server 14 performs authentication based on the read authentication information. If the authentication is successful, the terminal device 18 requests the print server 12 to print a list of jobs that can be formed by the image forming apparatus 1. To do. The print server 12 generates a print list based on the authentication information, the position information, and the position information acquisition time information, and transmits the print list to the terminal device 18. The user requests printing from the print list in the terminal device 18. Select the job to be performed. The print server 12 outputs the selected job requested to be printed to the image forming apparatus 1 and instructs image formation. When the terminal device 18 makes a print request for a job without requesting a print list from the print server, the print server does not generate the print list, and the authentication information, position information, and Based on the position information acquisition time information, a job for which printing is permitted is extracted and output to the image forming apparatus 1 to instruct image formation.

Accordingly, the position information acquired by the user terminal device 16 read by the terminal device 18 can be used in place of the information indicating the installation location of the image forming apparatus 1 to control the image forming base. Even if the place where the forming apparatus is installed is not acquired, the place where the image is formed is limited.
In this embodiment, print permission is given based on authentication information, position information, and position information acquisition time information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a digital certificate using public key cryptography may be added. Good. Thereby, the robustness is further improved. In the present embodiment, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the position information acquisition time, printing permission is not given, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the position information may be treated as unknown.

  In the present embodiment, the print server 12 includes jobs that are not permitted to be printed in the print list. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the list may be configured only by jobs that are permitted to be printed.

  In the present embodiment, the authentication information is read from the user terminal device 16, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the user himself / herself may be input by the user I / F 88.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Image forming system 12 Print server 14 Authentication server 16 User terminal device 18 Terminal device 42 User database 44 Authentication processing part 24 Job management part, Job storage part 26 Print permission part 28 Print list generation part 31 List acquisition request, Print request transmission / reception unit 32 Image formation instruction transmission / reception unit 82 Print information reading unit 84 Position information reading unit 86 Position information acquisition time information reading unit 88 User I / F

Claims (14)

Authentication information for specifying a predetermined user of the image forming apparatus, and position information indicating the position of the user terminal stored in the user terminal, which is arranged at a place where the image forming apparatus is installed Acquisition means for acquiring;
First storage means in which authentication information is stored in advance;
Authentication means for authenticating the authentication information acquired by the acquisition means based on the authentication information stored in the first storage means;
Corresponding image forming information for giving an instruction regarding image forming, a registrant of the image forming information, and image forming position information indicating a position where image formation according to the image forming information is permitted Second storage means for storing the relationship;
When the authentication information is authenticated by the authentication unit, based on the correspondence relationship stored in the second storage unit, the authentication unit responds to the image formation information at the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition unit. A transmission unit that transmits the image formation information to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system. When the authentication information is authenticated by the authentication unit, image formation is permitted at the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition unit based on the correspondence stored in the second storage unit. Generating means for generating list information indicating a list of image forming information,
Display means for displaying the list information generated by the generating means;
Selecting means for selecting the image forming information to be formed by the image forming apparatus from the list information displayed on the display means;
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the image formation information to the image forming apparatus when permitting image formation according to the image formation information selected by the selection unit. Forming system.   The acquisition means acquires time information related to the time when the position information is stored in the user terminal together with position information indicating the position of the user terminal, and the transmission means acquires the time acquired by the acquisition means. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein image formation according to the image formation information is not permitted after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time indicated by the information.   The transmission unit does not permit image formation according to the image formation information when the user specified by the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit is different from the registrant of the image formation information. The image forming system according to claim 3. Authentication information for identifying a predetermined user of the image forming apparatus acquired by the acquisition means of the information processing apparatus arranged at the place where the image forming apparatus is installed and stored in the user terminal First receiving means for receiving position information indicating a position of the user terminal;
Corresponding image forming information for giving an instruction regarding image forming, a registrant of the image forming information, and image forming position information indicating a position where image formation according to the image forming information is permitted Storage means for storing the relationship;
When the authentication information received by the first reception unit is authenticated by the authentication unit of the information management device that authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit of the information processing device based on authentication information stored in advance, In the case where the image formation according to the image formation information is permitted at the position indicated by the position information received by the first reception unit based on the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit, the image formation is performed. Second transmission means for transmitting the image formation information to an apparatus;
An image forming management apparatus. When the authentication information received by the first reception unit is authenticated by the authentication unit of the information management device that authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit of the information processing device based on authentication information stored in advance, Based on the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit, list information indicating a list of image formation information permitted to form an image at a position indicated by the position information received by the first receiving unit is generated. Generating means;
First transmitting means for transmitting the list information generated by the generating means to the information processing apparatus;
Second receiving means for receiving information indicating the image forming information selected from the list information transmitted by the first transmitting means and displayed by the information processing apparatus;
The image formation management apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:   The receiving means receives time information regarding the time when the position information is stored in the user terminal together with position information indicating the position of the user terminal from the information processing apparatus, and the second transmitting means includes: The image formation management device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the image formation according to the image formation information is not permitted after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time indicated by the time information.   The second transmission unit does not permit image formation according to the image formation information when the user specified by the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit is different from the registrant of the image formation information. The image formation management device according to any one of claims 5 to 7. Authentication information for specifying a predetermined user of the image forming apparatus, and position information indicating the position of the user terminal stored in the user terminal, which is arranged at a place where the image forming apparatus is installed Acquisition means for acquiring;
First transmission means for transmitting authentication information and position information acquired by the acquisition means to the image forming management apparatus, and transmitting authentication information to the information management apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving list information indicating a list of image formation information that is permitted to form an image at a position indicated by position information transmitted by the transmission means, generated by the generation means of the image management device;
Display means for displaying the list information received by the receiving means;
Selecting means for selecting the image forming information to be formed by the image forming apparatus from the list information displayed on the display means;
Second transmission means for transmitting information indicating the image formation information selected by the selection means to the image formation management device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Authentication information for specifying a predetermined user of the image forming apparatus acquired by the first receiving unit and acquired by the acquiring unit of the information processing apparatus arranged at the place where the image forming apparatus is installed and use Receiving position information indicating the position of the user terminal stored in the user terminal;
Image forming information for instructing image formation by the storage means, a registrant of the image formation information, and image formation position information indicating a position where image formation according to the image formation information is permitted. Storing the corresponding relationship in correspondence;
Authentication information received by the first receiving means by the authentication means of the information management apparatus that authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition means of the information processing apparatus based on the authentication information stored in advance by the second transmitting means. Is authenticated, the image formation according to the image formation information is permitted at the position indicated by the position information received by the first reception means based on the correspondence stored in the storage means. If so, transmitting the image forming information to the image forming apparatus;
Is an image formation management program for causing a computer to execute.   The generating unit authenticates the authentication information received by the first receiving unit by the authenticating unit of the information management device that authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquiring unit of the information processing device based on authentication information stored in advance. A list showing a list of image formation information that is permitted to form an image at the position indicated by the position information received by the first receiving means based on the correspondence relationship stored in the storage means A step of generating information, a step of transmitting the list information generated by the generating unit to the information processing apparatus by the first transmitting unit, and a step of transmitting the first transmitting unit by the second receiving unit. Receiving the information indicating the image formation information selected from the list information displayed by the information processing apparatus. Growth management program.   A step of receiving, from the information processing apparatus, time information relating to a time at which the position information is stored in the user terminal, together with position information indicating the position of the user terminal, and the second transmission means; The image formation according to claim 10, further comprising: a step of not permitting image formation according to the image formation information after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time indicated by the time information. Management program.   A step of not permitting image formation according to the image formation information when the second transmission means differs from the user specified by the authentication information acquired by the acquisition means and the registrant of the image formation information; The image formation management program according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising: The acquisition means is arranged at a place where the image forming apparatus is installed, and predetermined authentication information for identifying the user of the image forming apparatus and the position of the user terminal stored in the user terminal are stored. Obtaining position information indicating;
Transmitting the authentication information and the position information acquired by the acquisition unit to the image forming management apparatus and transmitting the authentication information to the information management apparatus by a first transmission unit;
Receiving a list information indicating a list of image formation information that is permitted to form an image at a position indicated by the position information transmitted by the transmission means, generated by the generation means of the image management apparatus; ,
Displaying the list information received by the receiving means by a display means;
Selecting the image forming information to be formed by the image forming apparatus from the list information displayed on the display unit by a selection unit;
Transmitting information indicating the image formation information selected by the selection means to the image formation management device by a second transmission means;
Processing program for causing a computer to execute.

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