JP2012131085A - Image forming apparatus, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism capable of easily yielding a printed matter whose authenticity is ensured and a printed matter whose authenticity is not needed to be ensured by outputting a printed matter to which signature data input from an image input device are given and a printed matter to which the signature data are not given according to the storage destination of print data.SOLUTION: The print data are stored in a first storage area or a second storage area included in the image forming apparatus. When the print data are stored in the first storage area, the signature data are acquired from the image input device, and the acquired signature data are combined with the print data. When the print data are stored in the second storage area, the print data stored in the second storage area are acquired, and the combined print data or the acquired print data are output.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program for outputting a printed matter that ensures authenticity.

  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 special documents such as GMP documents, in order to prevent tampering,
1. Measures using copy prohibited characters Countermeasure by tint block printing (for example, Patent Document 1)
3. Measures by time stamp printing 4. Copy prohibition function of MFP Handwritten signature (signature)
Is used to prevent tampering.

JP 2007-317015 A

  However, the conventional system 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.

  5). The handwritten signature is the most powerful way to prove that paper has not been replaced. By stamping an approval mark after the signature, it can be easily confirmed visually that the printed matter is the original. However, the work of handwriting and stamping each printed document such as a GMP document with dozens of printed materials is very time-consuming. Also, it is not necessarily possible to prevent replacement by imitating handwriting and signing.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to use the electronic signature data signed in the image input device to print the printed matter with the signature data on all the printed matter, thereby ensuring the authenticity of all pages of one printed matter. Provide a mechanism that allows easy creation of secured printed matter.
Furthermore, by making it possible to create a printed matter that does not have an electronic signature, there is also provided a mechanism that can easily obtain a printed matter that ensures authenticity and a printed matter that does not require authenticity.

That is, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that receives print data from an information processing apparatus, a storage unit that stores print data received from the information processing apparatus in a storage unit, and the user according to a login request from the user. A list screen display unit for displaying a list screen of print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus on the display unit, and an instruction for outputting the print data from the list screen of print data displayed by the list screen display unit And first determination means for determining whether the print data whose output instruction has been received by the output instruction reception means is print data that requires signature information by the user's operation And when the first determination means determines that the print data requires the signature information of the user, Signature information input reception means for displaying an input reception screen on the display unit and signature information combination for combining the signature information received by the previous signature information input reception means into a predetermined area of the print data to receive input of information And output means for outputting the print data obtained by synthesizing the signature information in a predetermined area by the signature information synthesizing means.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the storage unit stores a first storage area for storing the print data for combining the signature information, and a first storage area for storing the print data for which the signature information is not combined. A second storage area that determines whether or not the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus is print data to be stored in the first storage area by using a predetermined condition A determination unit, and when the second determination unit determines that the print data is print data to be stored in the first storage area, stores the print data in the first storage area; On the other hand, when it is determined that the print data is not print data to be stored in the first storage area, the print data is stored in the second storage area.
In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the output unit may perform printing without combining the signature information when the first determination unit determines that the print data does not need the signature information of the user. It is characterized by outputting data.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the signature information input accepting unit may require the signature data of the user by the first determination unit when the print data is stored in the second storage area. Even if it is determined that the signature information is not received, the signature information input is received by receiving a user instruction in the image forming apparatus.
In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the print data is stored in the second storage area, the image forming apparatus determines whether the print data is print data to be stored in the first storage area. An area determination unit; and a storage area changing unit that stores the print data in the first storage area when the storage area determination unit determines that the print data is to be stored in the first storage area. And further comprising.
Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a storage area identification information transmitting unit that transmits storage area identification information of the first storage area and the second storage area to the information processing apparatus in accordance with a request from the information processing apparatus. The storage means includes a first storage area or a second storage area corresponding to the designated storage area identification information, the print data received according to the designation of the storage area identification information in the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by storing in.
Also, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the print data output by the output means and the history management means for storing and managing the print data and the signature information received by the signature information input receiving means in association with each other and stored by the history management means It further comprises search means for searching for the print data to be managed and the signature information.

  According to the present invention, according to the print data storage destination, the printed matter with the signature data acquired from the image input device and the printed matter without the signature data are output, thereby ensuring the authenticity and the printed matter. It is possible to easily obtain printed matter that does not need to be performed.

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 MFP usage processing Flow chart of print execution 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 Print data list screen provided by the print control application Sign input screen provided by the print control application Sign input error dialog provided by the print control application Preview confirmation 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) The figure which shows an example of signature information DB in order to manage signature information 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. 16), which will be described later, and performs an authentication process using authentication information in response to an authentication request from the multifunction device 100 using an IC card 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 201. 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 may be a display such as a liquid crystal display, etc. These are used by an administrator as necessary.

  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 that functions as an image input device and a printer unit 312 that functions as an image output device, and a local area network such as the LAN 110 shown in FIG. Alternatively, image data and device information are input / output by connecting to a public line (WAN) such as ISDN.

  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. Further, the operation unit 308 can recognize characters and pictures drawn on the touch panel with the touch pen 1301 or the like and convert them into image data.
The operation unit I / F 307, the operation unit 308, and the like can be replaced by a computer or tablet PC other than the multifunction peripheral 100.

  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 unit 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs 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 unit 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, or ink from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet method that prints an image directly on a sheet by discharging the ink, 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. This designation may be a format in which the user arbitrarily selects a print box from the printer driver, or a printer object in which each output destination print box is designated is generated on the client PC 103, and this printer object may be designated. 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.

  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 data from the client PC 103 can be stored in a designated folder of another personal computer or server instead of the multifunction peripheral 100. In this case, the job information DB (FIG. 17), bibliographic information DB (FIG. 18), and job DB (FIG. 19) are stored in a database in the computer.

  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.

  The print data acquisition unit 410 uses the print data processing unit 411 from the touch panel of the operation unit 308 for print data that becomes a special document in the print box monitoring unit 407 or print data that is instructed to print a signature on a general document. Image data of the input electronic signature is generated.

The print data processing unit 411 synthesizes an electronic signature with the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit 410. In addition, when a general document is instructed to be printed by the client PC 103 and the print data for which no sign is instructed on the print list display screen (FIG. 12), the sign image data is printed without printing. Is done.

  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 and passing it to the main body control platform.

The print data processing unit 411 uses the handle to instruct the main body control platform to synthesize the signature data (signature information) and thereby synthesize the print data instructed by the print data acquisition unit 410 and the signature data. 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 multifunction peripheral 100 is stored in the special document box (first storage area) 2201 or the general document box (second storage area) 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 signature image data, and the print data stored in the general document box 2202 is printed without being combined. In addition, even print data stored in the general document box 2202 is printed by combining signature image data with print data instructed to sign on the print list display screen (FIG. 12). 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 S715, and step S716. Steps S802 and S806 are also performed.

  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 of steps S607 to S617 is processing of the multifunction peripheral 100 and is executed by the CPU 301.

  In step S601, the client PC 103 determines 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, the client PC 103 determines whether or not there is an instruction to select a storage location of the user box to be [saved] in the setting of “output method” of “printing attribute” from the printer properties. To do. 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). The client PC 103 receives box number and box name list information from the multi-function peripheral 100. When the list information is received, on the printer driver property screen of the client PC 103, a sub-dialog screen that displays information such as box numbers and box names 2201 and 2202 (storage area identification information) is displayed as shown in 2205 of FIG. The

  Next, in step S604, designation of a box to be saved is received from the box list information display section of the sub-dialog screen displayed in 2205 of FIG. 22 (the background of the designated box as indicated by 2201 in FIG. 22). Set the save destination box.

  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 103 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. Other printers may be generated in the client PC 103.

  In step S606, the client PC 103 transmits the printed data 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 transmitted from the client PC 103 in step S606 is stored (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. This is a box for storing a special document (for example, a GMP document) for synthesizing and outputting signature data (signature information) at the time of printing, and a general document box 2102 (second storage area) stores print data. This is a box for outputting signature data for printing without compositing.

  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, number of pages, print date, print time, and the like necessary for display on the print list display screen of FIG. 12 are 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 transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 100 together with the print job is shown in FIG. 18, 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 in the signature check item 1207 on the print list display screen (FIG. 12).
Assume that an administrator password is set to change application settings, and security is applied so that ordinary users cannot easily change it.

The criteria for determining whether or not a document is a special document is when the document name or print data is subjected to OCR processing (not shown) and print data including a specific keyword is determined to be a special document (for example, “GMP” There is a case where a character string of “confidential” is included), and a case where printing from a specific application or a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting is performed (for example, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print setting is “confidential”). Also, when a determination is made in the OCR process, if a specific keyword is detected, it is determined as a special document.
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. If 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 (storage area change).

  If it is determined whether 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) 1710 of the job information DB in FIG.

  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 [A].

  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 that the document is a special document, the process proceeds to step S616. In step S616, as 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, number of pages, print date, print time, and the like necessary for display on the print list display screen of FIG. 12 are 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. 18, 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.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the multi-function peripheral use processing according to the embodiment of the present invention is described. In the process starting with [A], the use process of the multifunction machine and the print data execution process are performed.

  In step S704, step S705, step S708, step S709, and step S711 to step S718, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 100 executes processing. In step S706, step S707, and step S710, the CPU 201 of the authentication server 102 executes processing.

  In step S701, 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 S702, the card information included in the card holding event obtained by holding the IC card over the card reader 319 is acquired. In step S703, the acquired card information and reading event are notified to the multi-function device 100.

  In step S704, the multi-function device 100 receives the read card information. In step S705, authentication information including card information is transmitted to the authentication server 102 via the network I / F 305.

  In step S706, the authentication server 102 receives the authentication information transmitted from the multifunction device 100. In step S706, authentication information authentication is determined. The information (IC card authentication information DB in FIG. 16) stored in advance in the storage area of the authentication server 102 is searched for the IC card manufacturing number which 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 S708, the result is received. In step S709, 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 S707, the authentication success result and authentication information (user name 1602 of the IC card authentication information DB in FIG. 16) are transmitted in step S710.

  In step S711, 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 S712, job information that matches the logged-in user name is acquired from the job information DB in FIG. 17 of the print data stored in the storage area of the multifunction peripheral 100, and job list information is generated. As the information acquired in the job list, for example, among the print data job information that matches the user name acquired in step S711, the print document name 1702, the number of printed pages 1703, the reception time 1705, the classification 1711, and the like are acquired.

  In step S713, the acquired job list information is displayed on the panel of the MFP 100 (list display). A display example is the print list display screen of FIG.

  In step S714, the print data selected by the user in the job list is designated (print data designation), and pressing of the [Print] button 1208 (print instruction) is detected.

In step S715, it is determined whether the print data for which the print instruction has been received is a special document. Whether the document is a special document is determined by referring to the special document determination (classification) 1710 in the job information DB of FIG. Alternatively, even if the special document determination (classification) 1710 of the job information DB in FIG. 17 is a general document, the determination is made based on whether or not the job signature check item 1207 on the print list display screen (FIG. 12) is checked.
In the case of a special document, the process proceeds to [B] processing. In the case of a general document, the process proceeds to step S716.

  In step S716, it is confirmed whether or not the signature is printed on the general document. In the confirmation, a confirmation message (not shown) as to whether or not to sign is displayed on the panel of the multifunction device 100. When printing a signature, the process proceeds to [B] processing. If the signature is not printed, the process proceeds to step 717.

  Whether or not to display confirmation of whether or not to print a signature can be changed in advance as setting information of this 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. Assume that an administrator password is set to change application settings, and security is applied so that ordinary users cannot easily change it.

  In step S717, 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 printer unit 312. In step S718, after printing is completed, the print data is deleted from the box, and the process ends.

  Next, print execution processing according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the [B] processing, print processing of print data for guaranteeing originality, which is determined as a special document, is executed. The processing in steps S801 to S809 is processing of the multifunction peripheral 100 and is executed by the CPU 301.

  In step S801, a message prompting the user to enter a signature and an input screen (the signature input screen in FIG. 13) are displayed on the panel of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  In step S802, it is confirmed whether a signature (signature information) has been entered in the signature reception area 1305 in FIG. If the [Enter] button 1304 on the sign input screen of FIG. 13 is pressed, it is determined that the entry has been made, and the process proceeds to step S804.

  If the signature is not entered in step S802, the process proceeds to step S803, where it is confirmed whether a preset timeout period has elapsed. When the time-out period has elapsed, the process returns to [A] processing and shifts to the use screen of the multifunction device 100. If the time-out period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S801, and the sign entry screen continues to be displayed.

  The timeout setting 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 step S804, it is determined whether the signature data can be recognized. If not recognized, the process proceeds to step S805. Whether or not the signature data can be recognized is determined by the application based on the signature image data input from the operation unit I / F 307 and the operation unit 308.

  In step S805, a sign input error screen (FIG. 14 sign input error dialog) is displayed. By pressing the [OK] button, the process proceeds to the sign entry screen in step S801.

  If the signature data can be recognized in step S804, the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, the signature data and the print data are combined. The same signature data is combined with all the data to be printed. It is assumed that settings for combining (for example, in which position of the print data the sign data is combined, print density, size, color, etc.) can be set in advance.

  In addition to the signature, the date / time data of the time stamp acquired by the multifunction machine, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing can be added. Thereby, the authenticity (originality) of the print data can be guaranteed. Note that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information set for copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing can be set from the printer driver properties from the client PC 103. It is also possible to set copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing in this application.

  In step S807, the printer unit 312 prints the print data combined with the signature data in step S806. In step S808, when the printing in step S807 is completed, the print data stored in the box is deleted.

  In step S 809, the print log is stored in a storage area in the multifunction peripheral 100. As the log, the job information of the print data printed from the job information DB in FIG. 17 and the signature data acquired in step S802 are acquired and stored in the HDD 304. At this time, since the print result 1706 has no value, success information is recorded in the print result.

  Next, screen examples of FIGS. 9 to 15 displayed on the operation unit 308 of the multifunction peripheral 100 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. This figure is displayed in step S709 of FIG.

  FIG. 12 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. This figure is displayed in step S713 of FIG.

  The user name display field 1201 displays the name of the user who has logged into the multifunction device 100. The document name display column 1202 displays the document name of the print data. The page number display column 1203 displays the number of pages of print data. The date display column 1204 displays the date when the print instruction is given by the client PC 103 on which the print data is printed. On this date, the time up to the hour may be displayed.

  The section display column 1205 displays whether the document is a special document or a general document. In the case of a special document, the remaining time 1206 is displayed, and this remaining time 1206 can be printed from the reception time 1705 to a predetermined time set in the application (for example, from the printing time to 3 hours). The remaining time until) is calculated and displayed.

In the signature check item 1207, a check box for whether to sign the print data is displayed. Special documents are forcibly checked and cannot be changed.
For general documents, signatures can be printed when this check is selected.

  When print data (job) is selected from the list and the [Print] button 1208 is pressed, the selected print data (job) is acquired from the box and printing is executed.

  FIG. 13 shows a sign input screen provided by the print control application. A user who logs in to the multifunction peripheral 100 signs the sign entry area 1305 on the touch panel of the operation unit 308 using the touch pen 1301 or the like. This figure is displayed in S801 of FIG.

  A [Clear] button 1302 is pressed to delete information displayed in the signature entry area 1305. [Preview] 1303 is pressed to display a preview after signing. If pressed, the screen shifts to the preview confirmation screen in FIG. The [OK] button 1304 is pressed when printing is executed after the signature is entered. When the button is pressed, printing of the print data (job) composed of the signature is executed.

  FIG. 14 is a signature input error dialog provided by the print control application, and is displayed when the information of the entered signature cannot be recognized correctly (for example, nothing is entered). This figure is displayed in S805 of FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a preview confirmation screen provided by the print control application, and shifts to when the [OK] button on the sign input screen in FIG. 13 is pressed. 13 According to the setting for combining the sign data signed on the sign input screen in advance (for example, in which position of the print data the sign data should be combined, print density, size, color, etc.) A preview of the signature information combined with the print data is displayed. In this screen, as a preview display function, enlargement / reduction, transition of the display screen by scrolling, switching of a print display page, and the like can be performed. This figure is displayed in S804 of FIG.

By pressing the [Change Settings] button, the settings for combining the signatures can be changed (the setting screen is not shown). A [Determination] button 1502 is pressed to execute printing. When the button is pressed, printing of the print data (job) composed of the signature is executed.

  Next, the IC card authentication information DB stored in the authentication server 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 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.

  The special print authority 1603 is authority information as to whether or not to print signature data for a general document. If the user has authority, the signature can be printed. If the user does not have authority, the signature cannot be printed.

Next, data stored and managed by the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
These stored data can be managed by another server after being temporarily stored by the multifunction peripheral 100.

  In particular, the signature information DB and its signature image in FIG. 20 are more suitable for operation if the information is centrally managed by another server. By storing the signature information and confirming the signature image after printing, it is possible to trace when and who wrote what signature on what printed matter.

  FIG. 17 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. 18 to be described later.

  As job information, a user name 1701 and a bibliographic information job owner 1801 are stored. The print document name 1702 stores a job name 1802 of bibliographic information. As the number of printed pages 1703, the number of pages 1805 of bibliographic information is stored. The reception time 1705 stores the time when printing is completed. The reception time 1705 stores the time when print data is received by the multifunction device 100. The reception time 1705 may be a time when print data is generated by the printer driver.

  The print result 1706 stores the result of printing the print data. That is, the result is not stored until the print data is printed. The printing method 1707 stores a bibliographic information printing method 1803. The color mode 1708 stores a bibliographic information color mode 1804.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information set in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing 1710 is an instruction from the client PC 103 by the printer driver. The print setting can be changed by setting the tint block printing from the printer properties. It is also possible to set copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing in this application. In the background pattern information, a character for performing background pattern printing is set. In addition, the background pattern position, background pattern density, background pattern character size, color, orientation, background pattern pattern, and the like can be set.

  Special document determination (classification) 1710 is determined from data obtained by analyzing print data. Similarly, the determination is made based on whether the data is stored in the special document box 2101 or the general document box 2102.

FIG. 18 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, the number of pages 1805, and the number of copies 1806.

  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. The number of copies 1806 stores the number of copies of print data.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of print data (job).
The print data includes bibliographic information 1901 which is data managed by the bibliographic information DB in FIG. 18 and PDL data 1902 to be drawn. The PDL data 1902 is drawn according to the print settings of the bibliographic information 1901.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of sign information. The signature information stored in the signature information DB is stored in association with each print data and signature data.

As the user name 2001, a job owner 1801 of bibliographic information is stored. The print document name 2002 stores a job name 1802 of bibliographic information. As the number of printed pages 2003, the number of pages 1805 of bibliographic information is stored. The printing time 2004 stores the time when printing is completed.

The signature time 2005 is stored as the time when the signature was entered in step S804.
The signature image 2006 stores the data name of the signature image.
The signature image may be a TIFF or PDF image in addition to saving as image data such as JPEG. The file name may be any number of numbers. This shows a state in which signature images are managed in association with the signature information DB.

  The print result 2007 stores the result of printing the print data. That is, the result is not stored until the print data is printed. The printing method 2008 stores a bibliographic information printing method 1803. The color mode 2009 stores a bibliographic information color mode 1804. The number of copies 2010 describes the number of copies 1806 of the bibliographic information.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information set for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing 2011 is an instruction from the client PC 103 by the printer driver. The print setting can be changed by setting the tint block printing from the printer properties. It is also possible to set copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing in this application. In the background pattern information, a character for performing background pattern printing is set. In addition, the background pattern position, background pattern density, background pattern character size, color, orientation, background pattern pattern, and the like can be set.

  The special document determination (classification) 2011 is determined from data obtained by analyzing print data. Similarly, the determination is made based on whether the data is stored in the special document box 2101 or the general document box 2102.

  Next, boxes managed by the HDD 304 of the multifunction machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 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. 22 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 in 2201 It is displayed as 2202.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily create a printed matter to which the data input by the image forming apparatus is added according to the storage location of the print data in the multifunction peripheral 100 (image forming apparatus). .

  Also, the printed matter with the signature input from the image forming device and the printed matter without the signature data are managed and output in different folders, so that the printed matter with the authenticity and the printed matter with no need to ensure the authenticity are output. Can be easily obtained.

  In addition to preventing falsification of the printed material output by this application, it is possible to prevent falsification by printing the same document as the original and replacing it.

  Furthermore, since the same print data is printed with one printed matter, it can be easily confirmed visually that the printed matter has ensured authenticity.

  Further, authenticity can be ensured by tracking confirmation by centrally managing the signature information and collating the signature information of the paper document once printed with the stored signature image.

  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.

  That is, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that receives print data from an information processing apparatus, a storage unit that stores print data received from the information processing apparatus in a storage unit, and the user according to a login request from the user. A list screen display unit for displaying a list screen of print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus on the display unit, and an instruction for outputting the print data from the list screen of print data displayed by the list screen display unit And first determination means for determining whether the print data whose output instruction has been received by the output instruction reception means is print data that requires signature information by the user's operation And when the first determination means determines that the print data requires the signature information of the user, Signature information input reception means for displaying an input reception screen on the display unit to receive input of information, and signature information composition for combining the signature information received by the previous signature information input reception means into a predetermined region of the print data And output means for outputting the print data obtained by synthesizing the signature information in a predetermined area by the signature information synthesizing means.

  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 methods of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, and the storage medium according to the present invention is a program that allows the computer to execute the processing methods of 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 It goes without saying that 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.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to 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 case where 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 (9)

An image forming apparatus that receives print data from an information processing apparatus,
Storage means for storing print data received from the information processing apparatus in a storage unit;
In response to a login request from a user, a list screen display unit that displays a list screen of print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus by the user on the display unit;
Output instruction accepting means for accepting an instruction for outputting the print data from the list screen of the print data displayed by the list screen displaying means;
First determination means for determining whether or not the print data whose output instruction has been received by the output instruction reception means is print data that requires signature information by the user's operation;
When the first determination unit determines that the print data requires the signature information of the user, the signature information input reception is displayed on the display unit so as to receive the input of the signature information from the user. Means,
Signature information combining means for combining the signature information received by the previous signature information input receiving means with a predetermined area of the print data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: output means for outputting print data in which the signature information is synthesized in a predetermined area by the signature information synthesis means. The storage means includes a first storage area for storing the print data for combining the signature information and a second storage area for storing the print data for which the signature information is not combined,
A second determination means for determining whether or not the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus is print data to be stored in the first storage area by using a predetermined condition;
If it is determined by the second determination means that the print data is print data for storage in the first storage area, the print data is stored in the first storage area, while the print data is stored in the first storage area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if it is determined that the print data is not to be stored in the first storage area, the print data is stored in the second storage area.   The output unit outputs the print data without synthesizing the signature information when the first determination unit determines that the print data does not require the signature information of the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The signature information input acceptance unit is a case where the print data is stored in the second storage area, and the first determination unit determines that the print data does not require the user's signature information. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signature information input is received by receiving a user instruction in the image forming apparatus. 5. Storage area 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;
A storage area changing means for storing the print data in the first storage area when the storage area 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 apparatus, the storage area identification information transmitting means for transmitting the 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 according to 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. History management means for storing and managing the print data output by the output means in association with the signature information received by the signature information input receiving means, the print data stored and managed by the history management means, and the signature The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a search unit that searches for information. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores print data received from an information processing apparatus in a storage unit,
In the image forming apparatus,
A list screen display step in which the list screen display unit of the image forming apparatus displays a list screen of print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus by the user on a display unit in response to a login request from the user;
An output instruction accepting step for accepting an instruction for outputting the print data from the print data list screen displayed in the list screen display step by an output instruction accepting unit of the image forming apparatus;
A first determination unit of the image forming apparatus determines whether the print data for which the output instruction has been received in the output instruction reception step is print data that requires signature information by the user's operation. A determination step;
The signature information input accepting unit of the image forming apparatus displays a message to accept input of signature information from the user when it is determined in the first determination step that the print data requires the user's signature information. A signature information input reception step for displaying an input reception screen on the part;
A signature information combining step in which the signature information combining means of the image forming apparatus combines the signature information received in the previous signature information input receiving step with a predetermined area of the print data;
An output method of the image forming apparatus comprising: an output step of outputting print data obtained by combining the signature information in a predetermined area in the signature information combining step. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores print data received from an information processing apparatus in a storage unit,
The image forming apparatus;
In response to a login request from a user for synthesizing and outputting the signature information input to the image input device with the print data, a list screen of print data transmitted from the information processing device by the user is displayed on the display unit List screen display means to perform,
Output instruction accepting means for accepting an instruction for outputting the print data from the list screen of the print data displayed by the list screen displaying means;
First determination means for determining whether or not the print data whose output instruction has been received by the output instruction reception means is print data that requires signature information by the user's operation;
When the first determination unit determines that the print data requires the signature information of the user, the signature information input reception is displayed on the display unit so as to receive the input of the signature information from the user. Means,
Signature information combining means for combining the signature information received by the previous signature information input receiving means with a predetermined area of the print data;
A computer-readable and executable program that functions as output means for outputting print data obtained by synthesizing the signature information into a predetermined area by the signature information synthesizing means.

Images