JP2014030902A - Data printing method, printing device, and portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data printing method which enables a portable terminal to command a printing device to perform printing.SOLUTION: When a user is authenticated, a password processing unit 22 generates a password with a limit of predetermined authentication validity time since the user is authenticated. A code processing unit 23 displays a code including the password with the time limit on a display unit 210. A portable terminal reads the displayed code by a camera, analyzes the read code to acquire the password with the time limit, generates print data including print target data and the password with the time limit, and transmits the generated print data to a multifunction printer 2. When the password with the time limit included in the received data is valid, a print processing unit 24 prints the print data included in the received data.

Description

  The present invention relates to a data printing method, a printing apparatus, and a portable terminal.

  For example, a portable terminal such as a tablet computer generally includes a camera and a function of analyzing a barcode photographed by the camera. Therefore, data may be printed from a printing apparatus using a camera of a tablet computer and a barcode analysis function.

  For example, a barcode incorporating printing device information, which is information necessary for specifying the output destination printing device, is displayed on, for example, an operation panel of the printing device. The printing apparatus information includes, for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection setting information. The user acquires the printing device information in the mobile phone by taking a barcode incorporating the printing device information with the camera of the mobile phone at a business trip destination, for example. Thereafter, the user transmits the data from the mobile phone to the printing apparatus that is the output destination using the printing apparatus information, and requests printing to execute data printing.

  In addition, a two-dimensional barcode image generated from a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the content for the mobile terminal associated with the displayed posted content and the password is displayed on the display unit of the content posting device, and the password is the password It is generated by the generation unit in association with the content posting device ID and the posting time zone information, and the mobile phone captures a two-dimensional barcode image with the camera, and reproduces the URL and password reproduced from the barcode image. To the content distribution device, and the content distribution device authenticates the relationship between the URL and the password by the content distribution management device, and when the distribution is authenticated, the content distribution device proposes to distribute the content for the mobile terminal to the mobile phone. Has been.

  Also, ticket information recorded on a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card can be read by a contact method via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or a non-contact method via an antenna coil. The ticket information recorded on the SIM card is converted into a two-dimensional bar code and displayed on the liquid crystal display so that it can be read optically. The two-dimensional bar code displayed on the liquid crystal display is erased after a predetermined time has elapsed. It has been proposed.

JP 2008-090512 A JP 2006-085391 A

  For example, when a mobile phone can be connected to a printing apparatus via a wireless LAN, an encryption key such as a WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key is set for the wireless LAN as a means for preventing unauthorized use of the network. Yes. However, for some reason, the mobile phone user may know the WEP key of the wireless LAN to which the printing apparatus is connected. In this case, the user of the mobile phone can easily connect to the printing apparatus and print data. Therefore, user authentication for the printing apparatus is required separately from the WEP key of the wireless LAN.

  As a means for user authentication, it is conceivable to previously register the MAC address of a mobile phone having usage qualifications and the individual identification number of the mobile phone in the printing apparatus. However, for example, when a user of a mobile phone wants to temporarily use a visited printing device during a business trip, an operation for registering the mobile phone with the printing device is required each time, which is troublesome.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a data printing method capable of printing from a portable terminal by a printing apparatus.

  According to one aspect, when the user authentication unit of the printing apparatus authenticates the user and the password processing unit of the printing apparatus authenticates the user by the user authentication unit, the data printing method is performed by the user authentication unit. A password with a time limit having a predetermined authentication valid time is generated and stored from the authentication, the code processing unit of the printing device generates a code including the generated password with the time limit, and the generated code is displayed on the printing device. The mobile terminal reads the code displayed on the display unit of the printing device by the mobile terminal camera and analyzes it to obtain a password with a time limit, and the mobile terminal prints the print target. Generate print data including the target data and the acquired password with a time limit, send the generated print data to the printing device, and the password processing unit of the printing device A password with a time limit held by the password processing unit is used to determine whether the password with a time limit included in the received print data is valid, and the print processing unit of the printing apparatus determines the time limit based on the determination by the password processing unit. When the attached password is valid, the print target data included in the received print data is printed.

  According to one aspect, printing by a printing device can be performed from a portable terminal.

It is a figure which shows an example of a portable terminal. It is explanatory drawing of print data. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multifunction machine. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. It is the data printing processing flow in a portable terminal. 3 is a data printing processing flow in the multifunction peripheral. 3 is a data printing processing flow in the multifunction peripheral.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mobile terminal. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of print data. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multifunction peripheral.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the mobile terminal 1 and the multifunction device 2 are connected by, for example, a wireless LAN and communicate with each other. In other words, the portable terminal 1 and the multifunction device 2 are in a state where they can communicate in advance via a wireless LAN. The portable terminal 1 transmits print data to the multifunction device 2 via the wireless LAN, and prints out the print data from the multifunction device 2. Thereby, for example, the user can carry around the portable terminal 1 and print out print data from the portable terminal 1 using the multifunction device 2 at a business trip destination.

  The portable terminal 1 is an example of an information processing apparatus that uses a printing apparatus. For example, the portable terminal 1 is a tablet computer, which has a function of capturing an image and does not have a print output function. The mobile terminal 1 may be a mobile information terminal, a mobile phone, or the like. The multifunction machine 2 is an example of a printing apparatus, and is an apparatus having a print output function. The multifunction device 2 is a complex device having functions as, for example, a copy, a scanner, and a printer. In other words, the multifunction device 2 is a copy device, a scanner device, and a printer device.

  In FIG. 1, a portable terminal 1 includes a drawing processing unit 11, a print processing unit 12, a camera processing unit 13, a code processing unit 14, a display / selection processing unit 15, a communication processing unit 16, and an image storage unit. 17, a print data storage unit 18, a camera 19, a touch panel 110, and a transmission / reception unit 111.

  The drawing processing unit 11 generates an image to be printed according to a user instruction input from the display / selection processing unit 15, in other words, print target data, and stores the generated print target data in the image storage unit 17. . The image storage unit 17 is a storage area used by the drawing processing unit 11. The drawing processing unit 11 reads the print target data stored in the image storage unit 17 and sends the read print target data to the print processing unit 12.

  The display / selection processing unit 15 controls the touch panel 110 that is an input device and an output device of the mobile terminal 1. The touch panel 110 includes a liquid crystal display device. Thereby, the user of the mobile terminal 1 performs input to the mobile terminal 1 and obtains the output of the mobile terminal 1. For example, the user of the mobile terminal 1 instructs generation of print target data from a menu displayed on the touch panel 110 by the display / selection processing unit 15. At this time, for example, the user designates an image or document displayed on the display / selection processing unit 15 separately from the menu and instructs generation of print target data.

  When receiving the print target data in the printing process, the print processing unit 12 stores the received print target data in the print data storage unit 18. The print data storage unit 18 is a storage area used by the print processing unit 12. The print processing unit 12 reads the print target data stored in the print data storage unit 18 and starts print processing of the read print target data.

  When the printing process is started, the print processing unit 12 repeatedly checks whether or not an image of a QR code (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter) is acquired from the camera processing unit 13 at a predetermined time interval. When the print processing unit 12 acquires the QR code image, the print processing unit 12 sends the acquired QR code image to the code processing unit 14.

  The camera processing unit 13 controls the camera 19 that is an input device of the mobile terminal 1 in accordance with a user instruction input from the display / selection processing unit 15. For example, the user of the mobile terminal 1 uses the camera 19 to photograph a QR code displayed on the display unit 210 of the operation panel of the multifunction device 2 as will be described later. At this time, the camera 19 shoots the QR code displayed on the display unit 210 of the multi-function device 2 in accordance with a user instruction input from the display / selection processing unit 15 and sends it to the camera processing unit 13. The camera processing unit 13 receives the QR code image captured by the camera 19 and sends the received QR code image to the print processing unit 12. The QR code will be described later.

  The code processing unit 14 is, for example, a QR code decoder. Upon receiving a QR code image, the code processing unit 14 executes a predetermined analysis process on the received QR code image. Thus, the code processing unit 14 acquires password information, in other words, a password with a time limit, and sends the acquired password with a time limit to the print processing unit 12. The password with a time limit will be described later.

  The print processing unit 12 generates print data when receiving a password with a time limit in the print processing. The print data includes the received password with a time limit and the read print target data. Specifically, the print processing unit 12 stores the acquired password with a time limit at “PASS =” of “COM control line” in the header of the print data, in other words, at a predetermined position of the print control line. . Further, the print processing unit 12 stores the print target data read from the print data storage unit 18 in the body of the print data. The print processing unit 12 stores the generated print data in the print data storage unit 18.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of print data. FIG. 2A shows an outline of an example of the structure of print data, and FIG. 2B shows an example of actual print data.

  The print data includes a header and a body, as shown in FIG. The header includes print data management data. The print data management data includes, for example, a “SET control line” and a “COM control line”. The body of the print data includes “DATA control line” and print target data. The “SET control line”, “COM control line”, and “DATA control line” are print control lines including a description for controlling printing.

  The SET control line includes a port name “IP — 192...” As a variable PORT and a printer model name “XX-NNNN” as a variable MODEL. The COM control line includes a job name “TEST.DOC” as a variable NAME, a print execution date “2012.03.01” as a variable DATE, and a password with a time limit “***” as a variable PASS. .

  The port name is a port for receiving print data in the multifunction device 2, in other words, an IP address of the transmission / reception unit 214. The printer model name is the model name of the printer that is the printing unit 212 in the multifunction machine 2. The port name and printer model name are stored in the mobile terminal 1 in advance. In other words, the mobile terminal 1 executes the printing process using the multifunction device 2 that holds the port name and the printer model name in advance. The job name is identification information that uniquely identifies the printing process. The job name is given by the print processing unit 12 in the mobile terminal 1.

  The DATA control line indicates the body in the print data, in other words, the start position of the print target data. As shown in FIG. 2B, the data that follows the DATA control line is the actual print target data.

  The print processing unit 12 reads the code displayed on the display unit 210 of the multifunction device 2 by the camera 19, and then transmits a reading completion notification to the multifunction device 2. For example, after receiving the QR code image, the print processing unit 12 requests the communication processing unit 16 to notify the MFP 2 of the completion of QR code imaging. The completion of QR code imaging is notified, for example, by transmitting the captured QR code. Further, after generating the print data, the print processing unit 12 reads the print data stored in the print data storage unit 18 and requests the communication processing unit 16 to transmit the read print data to the multi-function device 2.

  The communication processing unit 16 causes the transmission / reception unit 111 to notify the multifunction device 2 of the completion of QR code photographing in response to a request for notification of the completion of QR code photographing to the multifunction device 2. In addition, the communication processing unit 16 causes the transmission / reception unit 111 to transmit print data to the multifunction device 2 in response to a request for transmission of print data to the multifunction device 2.

  In FIG. 3, the MFP 2 includes a user authentication unit 21, a password processing unit 22, a code processing unit 23, a print processing unit 24, a print performance processing unit 25, a communication processing unit 26, and a card reader 27. The authentication information storage unit 28, the password storage unit 29, the display unit 210, the print data storage unit 211, the printing unit 212, the printing result storage unit 213, and the transmission / reception unit 214. Further, the IC card 3 stores authentication information 31 and owner information 32.

  The card reader 27 is an example of a user authentication device, and reads information stored in the IC card 3 carried by the user of the mobile terminal 1. Thereby, for example, the authentication information 31 and the owner information 32 stored in the IC card 3 are read. Since user authentication is executed by the card reader 27 and the user authentication unit 21, it can be considered that the user authentication unit 21 includes the IC card reader 27.

  For example, the user of the mobile terminal 1 instructs the card reader 27 to read information on the IC card 3 carried by the user after instructing the mobile terminal 1 to generate an image to be printed. The card reader 27 sends the authentication information 31 and the owner information 32 read from the IC card 3 to the user authentication unit 21. The authentication information 31 is identification information for identifying a user such as an employee, for example, a user ID. The owner information 32 is information about the user, such as the name of the user and the affiliation in the company.

  The user authentication unit 21 performs user authentication using, for example, authentication information 31 read from the IC card 3. The user authentication unit 21 receives authentication information 31 and owner information 32 from the card reader 27 and holds them. Then, the user authentication unit 21 authenticates the user by comparing the received authentication information 31 with the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 28. The authentication information storage unit 28 is a storage area used by the user authentication unit 21. The authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 28 is stored in advance in the authentication information storage unit 28 and indicates identification information of a user who is qualified to use the multifunction device 2, for example, a user ID.

  The user authentication unit 21 determines that the user has been authenticated when the received authentication information 31 matches the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 28. When the user is authenticated, the user authentication unit 21 notifies the print processing unit 24 that the user has been authenticated.

  The user authentication unit 21 ends the process when the received authentication information 31 does not match the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 28. Thereby, users other than the user of the portable terminal 1 cannot be authenticated by the card reader 27, and the password can be prevented from being illegally used.

  Note that when the user is authenticated by the authentication using the authentication information 31, the user authentication unit 21 may acquire the owner information 32 that is information about the user. In this case, the user authentication unit 21 may determine whether or not the multifunction device 2 can be used based on the acquired owner information 32. The authentication information 31 may be obtained by a device that reads biometric information such as a fingerprint instead of the card reader 27. The authentication information 31 may be acquired from a server that manages information about the user, for example.

  When receiving a notification that the user has been authenticated, the print processing unit 24 executes a printing process such as copy or print output, and a reading process by a scanner in accordance with a user instruction input from the operation panel of the multifunction device 2. For example, the user of the mobile terminal 1 causes the card reader 27 to read the IC card 3, and then selects printing of print data from the mobile terminal 1 from the menu on the operation panel of the multifunction device 2. Input the print data print instruction from.

  For example, when the user receives an authenticated notification, the print processing unit 24 receives a normal print instruction as a user instruction from the operation panel of the multifunction device 2. Execute the printing process.

  Further, the print processing unit 24 receives a notification that the user has been authenticated, and when an instruction to print print data from the portable terminal 1 is input as an instruction from the operation panel of the multifunction device 2. Then, the printing process of the print data from the portable terminal 1 is started. In the print processing, the print processing unit 24 notifies the password processing unit 22 that the user instruction is a print data instruction from the mobile terminal 1 when the user instruction is a print data instruction from the mobile terminal 1.

  The password processing unit 22 generates a time-limited password by executing a predetermined process when the user is authenticated and the multifunction device 2 can be used. Specifically, the password processing unit 22 acquires the owner information 32 from the user authentication unit 21 when receiving a notification that is an instruction of print data from the mobile terminal 1. Then, the password processing unit 22 generates a password with a time limit based on the acquired owner information 32. The password processing unit 22 holds the generated password with a time limit in the password storage unit 29, sends it to the code processing unit 23, and sends it to the print processing unit 24. Accordingly, the password processing unit 22 generates and holds a password with a time limit when the user is authenticated by the user authentication unit 21. The password storage unit 29 is a storage area used by the password processing unit 22.

  As a result, when printing using the multifunction device 2 used by an unspecified number of people from the mobile terminal 1, by using a password with a time limit generated based on personal authentication, while ensuring the security of the multifunction device 2, A printing process can be executed.

  The time-limited password may be randomly generated without being based on the owner information 32. The owner information 32 may be acquired from a server that manages information about the user, for example.

  The time-limited password is a password having an authentication valid time determined in advance from user authentication by the user authentication unit 21 and includes a password and an authentication valid time that is added to the password and indicates a valid time of the password. The password is generated, for example, by encoding the owner information 32 by a predetermined process.

  The authentication valid time is, for example, the time when the valid time has elapsed since the time when the user was authenticated by the user authentication unit 21. The valid time is determined in advance and is, for example, about several tens of seconds. Actually, the time from the time when the user is authenticated by the user authentication unit 21 to the time when the password processing unit 22 generates the password with a time limit is extremely shorter than the valid time, and can be ignored. Accordingly, the authentication valid time is actually the time when the valid time has elapsed from the time when the password processing unit 22 generated the password with a time limit.

  The code processing unit 23 generates and displays a QR code by executing a predetermined process. The QR code is an example of a code displayed on the display unit 210, and the code displayed on the display unit 210 is not limited to this. For example, instead of the QR code, another one-dimensional code such as another two-dimensional code or bar code may be generated and displayed. Therefore, instead of the QR code, any code that can code the amount of information required for a password with a time limit can be used. Further, the QR code may include characteristic information and setting information of the multifunction device 2.

  For example, when receiving the password with a time limit, the code processing unit 23 generates a QR code by executing a predetermined process for the received password with a time limit. Therefore, the QR code includes the generated password with a time limit. The code processing unit 23 displays and holds the generated QR code on the display unit 210 of the operation panel. The display unit 210 is a dedicated display unit for displaying QR codes, for example. By reading a QR code including a password with a time limit with the camera 19 of the mobile terminal 1, the work of registering the mobile terminal 1 in the multifunction device 2 in advance can be omitted. As a result, the authenticated user of the portable terminal 1 can easily execute the printing process from the multifunction device 2.

  Instead of the code processing unit 23, a code generation unit that generates a QR code and a code display unit that displays the QR code on the display unit 210 may be provided. The display unit 210 may be a display unit that performs various displays provided on the operation panel, instead of a dedicated display unit for displaying QR codes.

  The print processing unit 24 determines whether or not the authentication valid time of the password with a time limit has passed based on the received password with a time limit. When the authentication valid time has passed, the print processing unit 24 discards the password with a time limit and hides the QR code. In addition, the print processing unit 24 holds the password with a time limit and hides the QR code when the authentication valid time has not elapsed and in a predetermined state.

  Specifically, the print processing unit 24 requests the password processing unit 22 to discard the time-limited password held in the password storage unit 29 when the authentication valid time has elapsed. Upon receiving the request for discarding the password with a time limit, the password processing unit 22 discards the password with a time limit stored in the password storage unit 29. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a person other than the authenticated user from illegally using a password with a time limit for which the authentication valid time has elapsed, and to ensure the security of the multifunction device 2.

  The print processing unit 24 sends a request to hide the QR code to the code processing unit 23 when the authentication valid time has elapsed. When receiving a request to hide the QR code, the code processing unit 23 hides the QR code displayed on the display unit 210 of the operation panel. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a person other than the authenticated user from illegally using a QR code including a password with a time limit for which the authentication valid time has elapsed, and to ensure the security of the multifunction device 2.

  On the other hand, when the authentication valid time has not elapsed, the print processing unit 24 receives a notification of QR code photographing completion from the mobile terminal 1 and has a time limit held by the time-limited password received from the mobile terminal 1 If the password matches, the password with a time limit is retained and the QR code is hidden. By the time the authentication valid time elapses, a QR code imaging completion notification is received from the mobile terminal 1, and the time-limited password received from the mobile terminal 1 does not match the time-limited password. In the case of the password, as described above, the time-limited password is discarded and the QR code is hidden.

  For example, the transmission / reception unit 111 of the mobile terminal 1 transmits a QR code imaging completion notification as described above. The transmission / reception unit 214 of the multifunction device 2 receives the notification of completion of photographing of the QR code and sends it to the communication processing unit 26. Upon receiving the QR code shooting completion notification, the communication processing unit 26 sends the received QR code shooting completion notification to the print processing unit 24. Accordingly, the print processing unit 24 determines that the notification of the completion of the QR code imaging has been received by receiving the notification of the completion of the QR code imaging from the communication processing unit 26. The print processing unit 24 sends a notification of completion of photographing of the received QR code to the code processing unit 23.

  Upon receiving the QR code shooting completion notification, the code processing unit 23 executes a predetermined analysis process on the received QR code, in other words, performs a predetermined analysis process on the shot QR code, and sets a time limit. The password is extracted, and the extracted password with a time limit is sent to the password processing unit 22. When the password processing unit 22 receives the password with a time limit, the password processing unit 22 determines whether the received password with a time limit matches the password with a time limit stored in the password storage unit 29 and notifies the print processing unit 24 of the determination result. To do.

  When the print processing unit 24 receives a notification that the received time-limited password matches the time-limited password held, the print processing unit 24 sends a request to the code processing unit 23 to hide the QR code. When receiving a request to hide the QR code, the code processing unit 23 hides the QR code displayed on the display unit 210 of the operation panel. In other words, the code processing unit 23 hides the QR code displayed on the display unit 210 when receiving a read completion notification from the mobile terminal 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of a QR code including a password with a time limit that has already been taken by the mobile terminal 1, and to ensure the security of the multifunction device 2.

  Next, for example, the transmission / reception unit 111 of the mobile terminal 1 transmits print data as described above. The transmission / reception unit 214 of the multifunction device 2 receives the print data and sends it to the communication processing unit 26. Upon receiving the print data, the communication processing unit 26 sends the received print data to the print processing unit 24.

  When the print processing unit 24 receives the print data, the print processing unit 24 stores the received print data in the print data storage unit 211. The print data storage unit 211 is a storage area used by the print processing unit 24. Then, the print processing unit 24 reads the stored print data from the print data storage unit 211 and sends the read print data to the password processing unit 22.

  The password processing unit 22 determines whether the time-limited password included in the received print data is valid using the time-limited password held by the password processing unit 22. The password processing unit 22 compares the time-limited password held by the password processing unit 22 with the time-limited password included in the received print data, and determines that the time-limited password is valid if they match. To do. The password processing unit 22 determines that the time-limited password is not valid when the two do not match and when the password processing unit 22 does not hold the time-limited password.

  Specifically, upon receiving the print data, the password processing unit 22 receives a predetermined position of the print control line in the received print data, in other words, “PASS =” of the “COM control line” in the header of the print data. ”To extract a password with a time limit. Thereafter, the password processing unit 22 determines whether or not the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 matches the time-limited password extracted from the print data, and notifies the print processing unit 24 of the determination result. .

  It should be noted that, instead of the password processing unit 22, a password generation unit that generates a password with a time limit, and a password determination that determines whether the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 matches the time-limited password extracted from the print data. May be provided.

  When the print processing unit 24 receives a notification that the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 does not match the extracted time-limited password, the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 and the extracted time-limited password Is determined not to match. In this case, the print processing unit 24 authenticates, in other words, does not execute the print data print instruction from the mobile terminal 1 by the user of the mobile terminal 1. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a person who has not taken a QR code including a password with a time limit from executing unauthorized printing from the multifunction device 2 and to ensure the security of the multifunction device 2.

  The print processing unit 24 prints print target data included in the received print data when the password with a time limit is valid based on the determination by the password processing unit 22. Specifically, when the print processing unit 24 receives a notification that the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 matches the extracted time-limited password, the print processing unit 24 stores the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29. It is determined that the extracted time-limited password matches. In this case, the print processing unit 24 reads the print data stored in the print data storage unit 211 and prints out the read print data from the printing unit 212.

  Thereafter, the print processing unit 24 requests the password processing unit 22 to discard the password with a time limit held in the password storage unit 29 when the printing by the printing unit 212 is normally completed. Upon receiving the request for discarding the password with a time limit, the password processing unit 22 discards the password with a time limit stored in the password storage unit 29. As a result, the password processing unit 22 discards the held password with a time limit after the print processing unit 24 prints the print target data.

  In addition, the print processing unit 24 acquires the owner information 32 from the user authentication unit 21 when the printing by the printing unit 212 is normally completed. Then, the print processing unit 24 notifies the printing result processing unit 25 together with the owner information 32 that the printing by the printing unit 212 has been executed. Upon receiving the notification that the printing unit 212 has executed printing, the printing result processing unit 25 saves that printing by the printing unit 212 has been executed in the printing result storage unit 213 for each user based on the owner information 32. The print record storage unit 213 is a storage area used by the print record processing unit 25. Thereby, the printing by the printing unit 212 can be counted as the printing result of the user and charged.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine.

  In the multifunction device 2, the CPU 101 controls the multifunction device 2 in accordance with an operating system (OS) that resides on a main memory included in the memory 102. The CPU 101 executes various application programs that exist on the main memory included in the memory 102. Thereby, the user authentication unit 21, the password processing unit 22, the code processing unit 23, the print processing unit 24, the print result processing unit 25, and the communication processing unit 26 are realized. The OS and application programs are stored in a portable storage medium 107 such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), for example, and a drive device 108 such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD drive is transferred from the portable storage medium 107. To the storage device 106 and loaded from the storage device 106 to the memory 102.

  The authentication information storage unit 28, the password storage unit 29, the print data storage unit 211, and the print result storage unit 213 are provided in the memory 102, for example. The authentication information storage unit 28, the password storage unit 29, the print data storage unit 211, and the print result storage unit 213 may be provided in the storage device 106.

  The input device 104 is, for example, a touch panel provided with a liquid crystal display device, various input buttons, a line sensor, a card reader 27, and the like. The output device 105 is a display unit 210 and a printing unit 212, for example. The display unit 210 is a liquid crystal display device provided with, for example, a touch panel. The printing unit 212 is, for example, a printer.

  The CPU 101, the memory 102, the communication interface 103, the input device 104, the output device 105, the storage device 106, and the drive device 108 are connected to each other via a bus 109.

  The communication interface 103 is, for example, a transmission / reception device, in other words, the transmission / reception unit 214, and is connected to a network and connected to the mobile terminal 1 and the computer via the network. Thereby, the multifunction device 2 communicates with the portable terminal 1 and the computer.

  The program may be input via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, stored in the storage device 106, and executed by the CPU 101. Alternatively, the program may be input from the portable storage medium 107 that stores the program via the drive device 108, stored in the storage device 106, and executed by the CPU 101.

  The mobile terminal 1 also has the hardware configuration shown in FIG. In this case, when the CPU 101 executes various application programs, the drawing processing unit 11, the print processing unit 12, the camera processing unit 13, the code processing unit 14, the display / selection processing unit 15, and the communication processing unit. 16 is realized. The image storage unit 17 and the print data storage unit 18 are provided in the memory 102, for example. The communication interface 103 is a transmission / reception unit 111. The input device 104 is, for example, a touch panel 110 and a camera 19 provided together with a liquid crystal display device. The output device 105 is a liquid crystal display device provided with the touch panel 110, for example.

  FIG. 5 is a data printing process flow in the portable terminal.

  The user of the portable terminal 1 instructs generation of an image to be printed from the display / selection processing unit 15, in other words, print target data.

  In the portable terminal 1, the drawing processing unit 11 generates print target data in accordance with a user instruction input from the display / selection processing unit 15 (step S <b> 11) and stores the print target data in the image storage unit 17. This is sent to the print processing unit 12.

  When the print processing unit 12 receives the print target data from the drawing processing unit 11, the print processing unit 12 stores the received print target data in the print data storage unit 18 and starts the print processing of the print target data (step S12).

  After instructing the generation of an image to be printed, the user of the portable terminal 1 uses the camera 19 to photograph the QR code displayed on the display unit 210 of the operation panel of the multifunction device 2 (step S13). The camera 19 shoots the QR code displayed on the display unit 210 of the multifunction device 2 in accordance with a user instruction input from the display / selection processing unit 15, and sends it to the camera processing unit 13. The camera processing unit 13 receives the QR code image captured by the camera 19 and sends the received QR code image to the print processing unit 12.

  When the print processing unit 12 starts the print processing, the print processing unit 12 repeatedly checks whether a QR code image is acquired from the camera processing unit 13 at a predetermined time interval. When the print processing unit 12 acquires the QR code image, the print processing unit 12 sends the acquired QR code image to the code processing unit 14.

  When the code processing unit 14 receives the QR code image from the print processing unit 12, the code processing unit 14 executes a predetermined analysis process on the received QR code image to obtain password information, in other words, a password with a time limit. Then, the acquired password with a time limit is sent to the print processing unit 12. Upon receiving the time-limited password from the code processing unit 14, the print processing unit 12 generates print data including the received time-limited password and the read print target data (step S14). Specifically, the print processing unit 12 stores the acquired password with a time limit in the variable “PASS” of the “COM control line” in the header of the print data. The print processing unit 12 stores the generated print data in the print data storage unit 18.

  Thereafter, the print processing unit 12 requests the communication processing unit 16 to notify the MFP 2 of the completion of QR code imaging, and in response to this request, the communication processing unit 16 causes the transmission / reception unit 111 to capture the QR code. The multifunction device 2 is notified of completion (step S15). The completion of QR code imaging is notified, for example, by transmitting the captured QR code.

  Further, the print processing unit 12 reads the print data stored in the print data storage unit 18, requests the communication processing unit 16 to transmit the read print data to the multifunction peripheral 2, and performs communication processing in response to this request. The unit 16 causes the transmission / reception unit 111 to transmit print data to the multifunction device 2 (step S16).

  FIG. 6 is a data printing process flow in the multifunction machine, and particularly shows a QR code display process.

  For example, after instructing the generation of an image to be printed, the user of the portable terminal 1 causes the card reader 27 to read the authentication information 31 and the owner information 32 of the IC card 3 carried by the user. The card reader 27 sends the authentication information 31 and the owner information 32 read from the IC card 3 to the user authentication unit 21.

  Upon receiving the authentication information 31 and the owner information 32 from the card reader 27, the user authentication unit 21 compares the received authentication information 31 with the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 28, thereby authenticating the user. Then, the card used by the user is authenticated (step S21). When the user is authenticated, the user authentication unit 21 notifies the print processing unit 24 that the user has been authenticated.

  For example, the user of the portable terminal 1 causes the card reader 27 to read the IC card 3 and then selects printing of print data from the portable terminal 1 from the menu on the operation panel of the multifunction device 2. Input the print data print instruction from.

  When the print processing unit 24 receives the notification that the user has been authenticated from the user authentication unit 21, whether or not the user instruction input from the operation panel of the multifunction device 2 is an instruction to print the print data from the mobile terminal 1. Is determined (step S22). If the user instruction is not an instruction of print data from the portable terminal 1 (No in step S22), the print processing unit 24 executes a normal process such as copying (step S23) and ends the process. If the user instruction is an instruction for print data from the portable terminal 1 (Yes in step S22), the print processing unit 24 notifies the password processing unit 22 that the instruction is for print data from the portable terminal 1.

  When the password processing unit 22 receives from the print processing unit 24 a notification that is an instruction for print data from the mobile terminal 1, the password processing unit 22 acquires the owner information 32 from the user authentication unit 21 (step S24). And the password process part 22 produces | generates a password with a time limit based on the acquired owner information 32, and hold | maintains the produced | generated password with a time limit in the password memory | storage part 29 (step S25). Thereafter, the password processing unit 22 sends the generated password with a time limit to the code processing unit 23 and sends it to the print processing unit 24.

  When the code processing unit 23 receives the password with a time limit from the password processing unit 22, the code processing unit 23 generates a QR code by executing a predetermined process for the received password with a time limit, and displays the generated QR code on the operation panel. The information is displayed on the unit 210 (step S26).

  Thereafter, the print processing unit 24 determines whether or not the authentication valid time of the password with a time limit has passed based on the received password with a time limit (step S27). The step S27 is, for example, a time sufficiently shorter than the authentication valid time of the password with a time limit, and waits for a predetermined time to elapse after the print processing unit 24 receives the notification that the user has been authenticated. And executed.

  If the authentication valid time has not elapsed (No in step S27), the print processing unit 24 determines whether or not the QR code imaging completion notification is received from the mobile terminal 1, in other words, the QR code imaging completion notification. Is received from the communication processing unit 26 (step S28). When the QR code imaging completion notification is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 111 of the portable terminal 1 in step S15 of FIG. When the communication processing unit 26 receives the QR code shooting completion notification from the transmission / reception unit 214, the communication processing unit 26 sends the received QR code shooting completion notification to the print processing unit 24. If the QR code imaging completion notification has not been received (No in step S28), the print processing unit 24 repeats step S27.

  If the QR code imaging completion notification is received (step S28 Yes), the print processing unit 24 sends the received QR code imaging completion notification to the code processing unit 23. When the code processing unit 23 receives the QR code shooting completion notification from the print processing unit 24, the code processing unit 23 executes the received QR code shooting completion notification, in other words, executes a predetermined analysis process for the shot QR code. Then, a password with a time limit is extracted, and the extracted password with a time limit is sent to the password processing unit 22. When the password processing unit 22 receives the time-limited password from the code processing unit 23, the password processing unit 22 determines whether or not the received time-limited password matches the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 (step S29). To the print processing unit 24.

  When the notification that the received time-limited password does not match the time-limited password held is received (No in step S29), the print processing unit 24 repeats step S27. When the notification that the received time-limited password matches the time-limited password held is received, the print processing unit 24 sends a request to hide the QR code to the code processing unit 23.

  When the code processing unit 23 receives a request to hide the QR code from the print processing unit 24, the code processing unit 23 hides the QR code displayed on the display unit 210 of the operation panel (step S210) and ends the process.

  In step S <b> 27, when the authentication valid time has elapsed (No in step S <b> 27), the print processing unit 24 requests the password processing unit 22 to discard the time-limited password held in the password storage unit 29. Upon receiving the request for discarding the password with a time limit from the print processing unit 24, the password processing unit 22 discards the password with a time limit stored in the password storage unit 29 (step S211), and then executes step S210.

  FIG. 7 is a data print processing flow in the multifunction peripheral, and particularly shows print data print processing.

  When the print data is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 111 of the portable terminal 1 in step S16 of FIG. 5, the transmission / reception unit 214 of the multifunction device 2 receives the print data and sends the received print data to the communication processing unit 26 ( Step S31). When receiving the print data from the transmission / reception unit 214, the communication processing unit 26 sends the received print data to the print processing unit 24.

  When the print processing unit 24 receives the print data from the communication processing unit 26, the print processing unit 24 stores the received print data in the print data storage unit 211 and sends the print data to the password processing unit 22. When the password processing unit 22 receives the print data from the print processing unit 24, the password processing unit 22 determines a predetermined position of the print control line in the received print data, in other words, “PASS =” of the “COM control line” in the header of the print data. ], A password with a time limit is extracted (step S32).

  Thereafter, the password processing unit 22 determines whether or not the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 matches the extracted time-limited password (step S33), and notifies the print processing unit 24 of the determination result. To do.

  When the notification that the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 and the extracted time-limited password do not match is received (No in step S33), the print processing unit 24 from the mobile terminal 1 by the user of the mobile terminal 1 The print data print instruction is not authenticated (step S34), and the process ends.

  When the notification that the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 matches the extracted time-limited password is received (Yes in step S33), the print processing unit 24 stores the print data stored in the print data storage unit 211. The read print data is printed out from the printing unit 212 (step S35).

  Thereafter, the print processing unit 24 determines whether or not printing by the printing unit 212 has been normally completed (step S36).

  When printing has been completed normally (Yes in step S36), the print processing unit 24 notifies the print result processing unit 25 that printing by the printing unit 212 has been executed. When the printing result processing unit 25 receives a notification that printing by the printing unit 212 has been executed from the printing processing unit 24, the printing result processing unit 25 stores in the printing result storage unit 213 that printing by the printing unit 212 has been executed for each user. Thereby, the printing result processing unit 25 records the printing by the printing unit 212 in the printing result of the user (step S37).

  Thereafter, the print processing unit 24 requests the password processing unit 22 to discard the password with a time limit held in the password storage unit 29. When the password processing unit 22 receives the request for discarding the time-limited password from the print processing unit 24, the password processing unit 22 discards the time-limited password stored in the password storage unit 29 (step S38), and ends the processing.

  In step S36, if the printing is not normally completed (No in step S36), the print processing unit 24 outputs an error notification to the user, for example, on the operation panel (step S39), and determines whether or not the error notification is canceled by the user. Judgment is made (step S310). For example, the user cancels the error notification by performing a predetermined error canceling operation from the operation panel. If the error notification is not canceled (No at Step S310), the print processing unit 24 repeats Step S39.

  When the error notification is canceled (Yes in step S310), the print processing unit 24 determines whether the user has canceled the print data print instruction from the portable terminal 1 (step S311). If the printing instruction is not canceled (No in step S311), the print processing unit 24 repeats step S35. When the printing instruction is canceled (Yes in step S311), the print processing unit 24 executes step S38 and ends the process. As a result, when printing is completed normally, it is possible to account for printing results, and when printing fails, it is possible not to count printing results.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable terminal 11 Drawing process part 12 Print process part 13 Camera process part 14 Code process part 15 Display / selection process part 16 Communication process part 17 Image storage part 18 Print data storage part 19 Camera 110 Touch panel 111 Transmission / reception part 2 Multifunction machine 21 User Authentication unit 22 Password processing unit 23 Code processing unit 24 Print processing unit 25 Printing result processing unit 26 Communication processing unit 27 Card reader 28 Authentication information storage unit 29 Password storage unit 210 Display unit 211 Print data storage unit 212 Printing unit 213 Printing result storage Unit 214 transceiver

Claims (10)

The user authentication unit of the printing device authenticates the user,
When the user is authenticated by the user authentication unit, the password processing unit of the printing apparatus generates and holds a password with a time limit having a predetermined authentication valid time from user authentication by the user authentication unit. ,
A code processing unit of the printing device generates a code including the generated password with a time limit, and displays the generated code on a display unit of the printing device;
The mobile terminal reads the code displayed on the display unit of the printing device by the camera of the mobile terminal and analyzes it to obtain the password with a time limit,
The mobile terminal generates print data including print target data to be printed and the acquired password with a time limit, and transmits the generated print data to the printing apparatus;
The password processing unit of the printing apparatus determines whether the time-limited password included in the received print data is valid using the time-limited password held by the password processing unit,
The print processing unit of the printing apparatus prints the print target data included in the received print data when the password with a time limit is valid based on the determination by the password processing unit. Data printing method. The data printing method according to claim 1, wherein the password processing unit discards the held password with a time limit after the print processing unit prints the print target data. When the authentication valid time has passed since user authentication by the user authentication unit, the code processing unit hides the code displayed on the display unit, and the password with a time limit held by the password processing unit The data printing method according to claim 1, wherein the data printing method is discarded. The password processing unit compares the time-limited password held by the password processing unit with the time-limited password included in the received print data, and if both match, the time-limited password is valid. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the password is determined not to be valid when it is determined that the password does not match, and when the password processing unit does not hold the password with the time limit. Data printing method. After the portable terminal reads the code displayed on the display unit of the printing apparatus with the camera, it transmits a reading completion notification to the printing apparatus,
The data printing method according to claim 1, wherein when the code processing unit receives the reading completion notification from the portable terminal, the code displayed on the display unit is not displayed. When the user is authenticated, the user authentication unit acquires owner information that is information about the user, and determines whether or not the printing apparatus can be used based on the acquired owner information.
The data printing method according to claim 1, wherein the password processing unit generates the password with a time limit when the user is authenticated and the printing apparatus can be used. The user authentication unit includes an IC card reader, authenticates the user using information read from the IC card owned by the user by the IC card reader, and reads the owner information from the IC card. The data printing method according to claim 6. The portable terminal stores the acquired password with a time limit in a predetermined position of a print control line in a header of the print data, and stores the print target data in a body of the print data. The data printing method according to claim 1, wherein: A user authentication unit for authenticating the user;
If the user authentication unit authenticates the user, generates and holds a time-limited password having a predetermined authentication valid time from the user authentication by the user authentication unit, and whether the time-limited password is valid A password processing unit for determining
A code processing unit for generating a code including the generated password with a time limit, and displaying the generated code on a display unit;
A print processing unit for printing data,
The password displayed with the time limit is obtained by reading and analyzing the code displayed on the display unit with a camera of a mobile terminal, and print data including the print target data to be printed and the acquired password with the time limit The password processing unit holds whether the password with a time limit included in the print data received from the portable terminal that generates and transmits the generated print data to the printing apparatus is valid. Judgment using the password with a time limit
The printing apparatus, wherein the print processing unit prints the print target data included in the received print data when the password with a time limit is valid based on the determination by the password processing unit. When the user authenticating unit authenticates the user and the password processing unit authenticates the user by the user authenticating unit, the password authenticating unit generates a time-limited password having a predetermined authentication valid time from the user authentication by the user authenticating unit. A portable terminal that transmits print data to a printing apparatus that generates a code including the time-limited password generated by the code processing unit and displays the generated code on a display unit,
The code displayed on the display unit of the printing apparatus is read and analyzed by a camera to obtain the password with a time limit,
A portable terminal that generates the print data including print target data to be printed and the acquired password with a time limit, and transmits the generated print data to the printing apparatus.

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