JP2019089338A - Printing system, printing system control method, printing device and moble terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem that when a plurality of users share and use one portable terminal, authentication for each user cannot be made and therefore an image forming device executes authentication-printing processing on image data instructed to be printed through the portable terminal by the user having used the terminal before.SOLUTION: An image forming device in an authentication printing system comprises: printing data receiving means that receives printing data with an individual terminal identifier of a portable terminal and user information added; and authentication information receiving means that receives the individual terminal identifier of the portable terminal and the user information. The image forming device, when the individual terminal identifier and the user information added to the printing data match the received individual terminal identifier and user information, executes processing for printing the printing data with the individual terminal identifier and the user information added.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, development of printing technology capable of causing an image forming apparatus to directly print image data stored in a portable terminal by instructing the image forming apparatus to print the image data from the portable terminal is in progress. In such printing technology, development of authentication printing technology for improving information security is also possible by the image forming apparatus performing user authentication of the user who uses the mobile terminal simultaneously with a print instruction from the mobile terminal to the image forming apparatus. I'm going forward.

  In Patent Document 1, when a print instruction is issued from the portable terminal to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus performs authentication based on the machine identifier of the portable terminal, and performs authentication printing when the machine identifier of the portable terminal is authenticated. Certified printing technology is disclosed. In the authentication printing technology according to Patent Document 1, when the portable terminal issues a print instruction to the image forming apparatus, a machine identifier unique to the portable terminal is added to the image data and transmitted to the document management server. Next, the user holds the portable terminal and moves to the vicinity of the image forming apparatus, and issues a print instruction to the image forming apparatus by operating the operation unit of the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus receives a print instruction from the operation unit, the image forming apparatus executes processing for detecting a portable terminal existing around the image forming apparatus via a detection device provided in the image forming apparatus. When the detection device detects a portable terminal, the image forming device acquires a machine identifier unique to the portable terminal via the detection device. Simultaneously with the detection of the portable terminal, the image forming apparatus receives image data relating to the received print instruction from the document management server. Next, when the image forming apparatus determines that the machine identifier unique to the portable terminal received through the detection device matches the machine identifier unique to the portable terminal added to the image data received from the text management server, Execute print processing. In the printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the authentication printing is realized by executing the above processing.

  Patent Document 2 discloses another authentication printing technique. In the authentication printing technology according to Patent Document 2, the image forming apparatus registers in advance a machine identifier unique to the portable terminal in the device registration table. The image forming apparatus is required for user authentication when the machine identifier of the portable terminal acquired via the short distance communication processing unit is the same as the machine identifier unique to the portable terminal registered in advance in the authentication server. Send login information to the mobile terminal. The portable terminal attempts to authenticate the user to the printing system using the received login information. When the portable terminal successfully logs in to the printing system, the portable terminal transmits a print job from the job management server to the image forming apparatus. By executing the above-described processing, authentication printing from the portable terminal is realized.

JP, 2012-138071, A JP 2012-178083 A

  In the printing system according to Patent Document 1, when a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal, it is not possible to perform authentication on a per-user basis, and image data for which a previous user issued a print instruction from the mobile terminal Also, the image forming apparatus executes the authentication printing process. When the image forming apparatus executes the authentication printing process on the image data of another user, the image data of the other user who is accumulated in the image forming apparatus without being output is collectively printed. Therefore, if the image data of another user is confidential information, there is a possibility that confidentiality can not be maintained.

  In the printing system according to Patent Document 2, it is necessary to register in advance the machine identifier unique to the portable terminal in the device registration table. Therefore, when performing new registration or change of registered contents of a portable terminal capable of performing authentication print processing, it is necessary to change the contents of the device registration table each time, and it takes time to manage the operation of the printing system. There is a fear.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: print data receiving means for receiving print data to which a terminal individual identifier of a portable terminal and user information are added; authentication information for receiving a terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal and user information Receiving means, authentication information generating means for generating authentication information from the received terminal individual identifier and the user information, the terminal individual identifier added to the print data, and the user information; And a means for printing the print data to which the terminal individual identifier that matches the authentication information and the user information is added when the terminal individual identifier matches the user information.

  According to the image forming apparatus, the image forming method, and the program according to the present invention, even when a print instruction is issued from a portable terminal shared by a plurality of users, user-based authentication can be easily performed, and authentication with high security Printing can be realized.

It is a figure which shows an example of a system configuration. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of an image formation apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of an authentication server. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a portable terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a software module block diagram of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the software module block diagram of an authentication server. It is a figure which shows an example of the software module block diagram of a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touch screen display of a portable terminal at the time of authentication printing instruction | indication. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the operation part of an image forming apparatus, (b) is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the operation part of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the print data used for the authentication printing in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the authentication information used for authentication printing. It is a figure which shows the printing data list table which the printing data management part of an authentication server manages. It is a figure which shows the printing data list table which the authentication information analysis part of an authentication server produces | generates. FIG. 6 is a view showing a requested print data table generated by a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the contents of authentication print processing in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the processing content of the printing data transmission process of a portable terminal. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of print data reception processing of the authentication server. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing contents of authentication print processing of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart figure which shows the processing content of the authentication print data extraction process of an authentication server. It is a flowchart figure which shows the processing content of the request | requirement print data transmission process of an authentication server. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the contents of authentication print processing in the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to them.

[Overview]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable terminals such as multifunctional mobile phones (hereinafter referred to as "smartphones") and tablet-type portable terminals are rapidly spreading. With the spread of mobile terminals, use cases in which a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal are increasing. When a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal, it is possible to grant access rights to image data stored in the mobile terminal and permit or deny the functions such as browsing / editing from the viewpoint of information security. It is desirable to switch to

  The OS mounted on the portable terminal corresponds to the multi-user mode assumed to be used by a plurality of users in recent years. In the multi-user mode, an account is issued for each user in order to identify the user, and the portable terminal is granted an access right to the image data stored in the portable terminal, and accounts for permission or rejection of functions such as browsing and editing. It manages every time. In addition, in the smart phone, SIM card ID (IMSI: international mobile subscriber identification number) is used as information for identifying the user. Conventionally, various functions of the portable terminal are validated only when a SIM card having a specific SIM card ID is loaded. However, in recent years, this limitation has been removed (SIM freeing), and it has become possible to enable portable terminals without depending on the type of SIM card. In the SIM-free portable terminal, when the user replaces the SIM card, it can be used as a portable terminal that allows a plurality of users to share and use one portable terminal.

  As information for identifying a user who uses a smartphone, there is a UUID generated in a specific application on a portable terminal. Although UUID is limited to use in an application, a portable terminal can generate UUID uniquely determined for each user, and can manage user information by using UUID as user information. The portable terminal grants the access right to the image data stored in the portable terminal, and switches permission or rejection of functions such as browsing / editing according to the UUID. This makes it possible to secure information security even if a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal.

  In the present invention, account information in a plurality of user modes (for example, a user ID or the like with low confidentiality), SIM card ID information, UUID information, and the like as described above are used to execute authentication printing as user information. As a result, even when a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal, it is possible to easily perform authentication on a per user basis, and highly secure authentication printing can be realized.

  As described above, in the prior art, the text management server is configured to execute authentication printing when only the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal is authenticated. In the present invention, assuming that a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal, authentication printing is performed when user information is also authenticated in addition to the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, account information in a plurality of user modes, SIM card ID information, UUID information, and the like are illustrated as user information. These pieces of user information are not identification information uniquely determined all over the world, and there is a possibility that each may overlap. Therefore, it is not a desirable form from the viewpoint of information security to implement authentication printing by authenticating only user information instead of the terminal individual identifier.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the authentication printing system 100 in the present embodiment. The authentication printing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 200, an authentication server 300, and a portable terminal 400. The image forming apparatus 200, the authentication server 300, and the portable terminal 400 are connected to the network 101. Connected to each other via

  The network 101 can take the form of a wide area network (WAN) or a local area network (LAN), and can be configured wirelessly or by wire.

  The image forming apparatus 200 can be a multifunction peripheral having various functions such as scanning, faxing, printing, copying, and the like. Alternatively, it may be a printer having only a print function. When executing authentication printing, the image forming apparatus 200 acquires authentication information from the portable terminal 400 via the short distance sensor 209 (FIG. 2).

  The mobile terminal 400 can be a mobile phone, a PDA, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like. In the present embodiment, a smartphone will be described as an example, but any form may be used as long as it has a communication function capable of acquiring terminal individual identifiers and user information, generating print data, and transmitting the generated print data. It may be one. The portable terminal 400 can convert image data browsed and edited on the portable terminal 400 into print data. The portable terminal 400 can transmit the converted print data to the authentication server 300 using the communication function of the portable terminal 400.

  When the portable terminal 400 generates print data, the portable terminal 400 acquires a terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400, and adds the acquired terminal individual identifier to the print data. Here, the terminal individual identifier may be a MAC address, IMEI (international mobile device identification number) or the like, and the portable terminal 400 may use identification information uniquely determined in the whole world as the terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400. Get as.

  Similar to the process of adding the terminal individual identifier to the print data, the portable terminal 400 acquires user information using the portable terminal 400, and adds the acquired user information to the print data. When the OS operating on the portable terminal 400 supports the multi-user mode, the portable terminal 400 can use account information (such as a user ID with low confidentiality) as user information. When the portable terminal 400 is a SIM-free portable terminal 400, the portable terminal 400 can use SIM card ID information as user information. If the portable terminal 400 can use the UUID generated by a specific application, the portable terminal 400 can use the UUID information as user information.

  In the present embodiment, when the portable terminal 400 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 to perform authentication printing, the short range sensor 408 (FIG. 4) and the short range sensor 209 (FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 200 are used. The terminal individual identifier and the user information are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 via the terminal. At this time, the terminal individual identifier and the user information constitute authentication information.

  The authentication server 300 in the present embodiment holds a plurality of various print data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 200, and manages by associating a terminal individual identifier that is authentication information, user information, and these print data. Have a function to

  Further, the authentication server 300 executes a process of analyzing the content of the print data at the timing when the authentication server 300 receives the print data. As a result of the print data analysis process, the authentication server 300 extracts a terminal individual identifier, user information, and print setting information included in the print data, and updates a print data management table 330 described later.

  Next, when the image forming apparatus 200 executes the authentication printing process, the authentication server 300 receives the authentication information from the image forming apparatus 200. When the authentication server 300 receives the authentication information from the image forming apparatus 200, the print data management unit 324 manages it, and extracts print data whose authentication information matches the print data group stored in the storage device 304. Do. Details of processing by the authentication server 300 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 in the present embodiment.

  Although FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 alone, as described in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 200 wirelessly or wiredly communicates with the authentication server 300, the portable terminal 400, and the network 101. Connected to A print job for executing print processing is transmitted from the portable terminal 400 or the authentication server 300 to the image forming apparatus via an interface such as the network 101 or USB. In the authentication print process in the embodiment of the present invention, the contents of the authentication print process are described in a mode in which print data is transmitted from the authentication server 300. In another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 200 may be configured to include the function of the authentication server 300. In this case, the image forming apparatus 200 receives print data directly from the portable terminal 400.

  The image forming apparatus 200 in FIG. 2 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a storage device 203, a RIP 204, a network I / F 205, a short range sensor I / F 206, an operation unit I / F 207, and a device I / F 208. The image forming apparatus 200 further includes a short distance sensor 209, an operation unit 210, and a printer engine 211. The respective components are communicably connected via a bus 212. Note that "I / F" means "interface" (same below).

  The CPU 201 includes an arithmetic circuit, and controls the image forming apparatus 200 in an integrated manner. A RAM 202 is a temporary storage area, and is used when the CPU 201 executes an operation. The storage device 203 has a function as a storage area, and various programs are stored. The storage device 203 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The CPU 201 reads a program stored in the storage device 203 into the RAM 202 and executes various processes.

  The CPU 201 may adopt a multiprocessor system having a plurality of processors as hardware in order to realize parallel processing. Moreover, even if it is equipped with a plurality of processor cores as a microprocessor. It is also possible to use a technology such as hyperthreading, which makes efficient use of registers and pipelines in a processor to operate one processor as if it were a plurality of processors.

  The RIP 204 (Raster Imange Processor) is dedicated hardware that develops intermediate print data into a raster image. The RIP 204 is for processing the intermediate print data generated on the RAM 202 at high speed and in parallel with the execution of the CPU 201.

  The network I / F 205 controls input / output of data between the network 101 and the image forming apparatus 200 based on control of the CPU 201. The connection between the network I / F 205 and the network 101 may be either wired connection or wireless connection.

  The short distance sensor I / F 206 controls input / output of data with the short distance sensor 209 based on the control of the CPU 201. The short distance sensor I / F 206 and the short distance sensor 209 can adopt various communication standards on the condition that they are standards capable of transmitting and receiving authentication information in the present embodiment. For example, as the short distance sensor I / F 206 and the short distance sensor 209, a short distance wireless communication interface conforming to a standard such as infrared communication, NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

  The operation unit I / F 207 controls input / output of data with the operation unit 210 based on the control of the CPU 201. The operation unit I / F 207 outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 210, and transmits information input by the user via the operation unit 210 to the CPU 201 as input information. The operation unit 210 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel and a sound source as an output device, and a touch screen display, a keyboard, a microphone and the like as an input device.

  The image forming apparatus 200 is connected to the printer engine 211 via the device I / F 208. The device I / F 208 executes transmission of an image signal to the printer engine 211, transmission of a device operation instruction, and reception processing of device information from the printer engine 211 based on control of the CPU 201.

  The printer engine 211 is an output device that outputs an image signal from the image forming apparatus 200 onto a medium such as a recording sheet, and can be configured as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, or the like.

  Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, a disk drive capable of reading / writing a portable disk recording medium such as a CD or a DVD may be connected to the bus 212. Similarly, a reader / writer capable of reading / writing a portable nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory may be connected to the bus. The program in which the processing content of the present embodiment is described may be stored in the storage device 203 via the various media described above and installed in the image forming apparatus 200.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the authentication server 300 in the present embodiment.

  The authentication server 300 in FIG. 3 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a network I / F 303, and a storage device 304. Furthermore, each component is communicably connected via a bus 305.

  The CPU 301 is composed of an arithmetic circuit and controls the authentication server 300 in an integrated manner. A RAM 302 is a temporary storage area, and is used when the CPU 301 executes an operation. The storage device 304 has a function as a storage area, and various programs are stored. The storage device 304 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The CPU 301 reads a program stored in the storage device 304 into the RAM 302 and executes various processing.

  The network I / F 303 controls input / output of data between the network 101 and the authentication server 300 based on control of the CPU 301. The connection between the network I / F 303 and the network 101 may be either wired connection or wireless connection.

  Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, a disk drive capable of reading / writing a portable disk recording medium such as a CD or a DVD may be connected to the bus 305. Similarly, a reader / writer capable of reading / writing a portable non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory may be connected to the bus 305. The program in which the processing content of the present embodiment is described may be stored in the storage device 304 via the various media described above, and may be installed in the authentication server 300.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the portable terminal 400 in the present embodiment.

  A portable terminal 400 in FIG. 4 includes a CPU 401, a RAM 402, a storage device 403, a network I / F 404, an operation unit I / F 405, a short range sensor I / F 406, an operation unit 407, and a short range sensor 408. Furthermore, each component is communicably connected via a bus 409.

  The CPU 401 is composed of an arithmetic circuit, and centrally controls the mobile terminal 400. A RAM 402 is a temporary storage area, and is used when the CPU 401 executes an operation. The storage device 403 has a function as a storage area, and stores various programs and user data such as image data. The storage device 403 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD) or the like, and the CPU 401 reads the program stored in the storage device 403 into the RAM 402 to execute various processing.

  The network I / F 404 controls input / output of data between the network 101 and the portable terminal 400 based on the control of the CPU 401. The connection between the network I / F 404 and the network 101 may be either wired connection or wireless connection. The portable terminal 400 according to the present embodiment may access the content server via the network I / F 404 and the network 101, download an application dedicated to the portable terminal 400, and install the application on the storage device 403.

  The operation unit I / F 405 controls input / output of data with the operation unit 407 based on control of the CPU 401. The operation unit I / F 405 outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 407, and transmits information input by the user via the operation unit 407 to the CPU 401 as input information. The operation unit 407 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel and a sound source as an output device, and a touch screen display, a keyboard, a microphone and the like as an input device.

  The short distance sensor I / F 406 controls input / output of data with the short distance sensor 408 based on the control of the CPU 401. The short range sensor I / F 406 and the short range sensor 408 can adopt various communication standards on the condition that they are standards capable of transmitting and receiving authentication information in this embodiment. For example, as the short distance sensor I / F 406 and the short distance sensor 408, a short distance wireless communication interface conforming to a standard such as infrared communication, NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like can be used.

  Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, a disk drive capable of reading / writing a portable disk recording medium such as a CD or a DVD may be connected to the bus 409. Similarly, a reader / writer capable of reading / writing a portable nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory may be connected to the bus. The program in which the processing content of the present embodiment is described may be stored in the storage device 403 via the various media described above and installed in the image forming apparatus 200.

  FIG. 5 is a software module block diagram of the image forming apparatus 200 in the present embodiment. Each software module described in FIG. 5 is stored as a program in the storage device 203, loaded into the RAM 202, and executed by the CPU 201.

  The control unit 221 is responsible for overall control of various processing of authentication information generation processing, print data transmission / reception processing, data interpretation processing, and image rendering processing. The data interpretation unit reads the print data received by the transmission / reception unit via the control unit 221, and interprets drawing information in the document. The drawing information extracted as a result of the data interpretation process is sent to the renderer via the control unit 221 and used for the rendering process. The renderer generates a bitmap image using the RIP and drawing information sent from the data interpretation unit. The generated bitmap image is sent to the printer engine via the device I / F, and an image forming process is performed on the printing paper.

  The authentication information generation unit 224 generates authentication information of the portable terminal 400 from the terminal individual identifier acquired from the short distance sensor 209 and the user information. The transmission / reception unit 222 transmits or receives the print data, the print data list table 340, the generated authentication information, the request print data table 260, and the like via the network I / F 205.

  FIG. 6 is a software module configuration diagram of the authentication server 300 in the present embodiment. Each software module described in FIG. 6 is stored as a program in the storage device 304, loaded into the RAM 302, and executed by the CPU 301.

  The control unit 321 is in charge of overall control of various processes of print data transmission / reception processing, storage processing, and authentication processing. The transmission / reception unit 322 receives print data transmitted from the portable terminal 400, authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200, and the like via the network I / F 303. Furthermore, the transmission / reception unit 322 transmits the print data list table 340, print data, and the like to the image forming apparatus 200 via the network I / F 303.

  The print data management unit 324 can manage a plurality of print data, and store print data to be managed by the print data management unit 324 in the storage device 304. The print data to be managed by the print data management unit 324 is held in a data table format in which the print information and the authentication information including the terminal individual identifier constituting the authentication information of the portable terminal 400, and the user information are associated. Be done. The details of the method by which the print data management unit 324 stores the data table will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 17.

  The print data extraction unit 323 extracts, from the print data managed by the print data management unit 324, print data to be subjected to print processing by the image forming apparatus 200. The print data extraction unit 323 refers to the authentication information received by the control unit 321 and the print data group held in the storage device 304 by the print data management unit 324, and extracts print data having matching authentication information. The print data extraction unit 323 transmits the extracted extraction result to the image forming apparatus 200 via the control unit 321 and the network I / F.

  FIG. 7 is a software module configuration diagram of the portable terminal 400 in the present embodiment. Each software module described in FIG. 7 is stored as a program in the storage device 403, loaded into the RAM 402, and executed by the CPU 401. The control unit 421 is responsible for overall control of various processes of print data generation processing, transmission / reception processing, and user information management processing. The transmission / reception unit 422 transmits print data to be subjected to authentication printing to the authentication server 300 via the network I / F 404.

  The print data generation unit 424 converts the image data browsed or edited on the portable terminal 400 into print data. The print data generation unit 424 further executes a process of adding the user information managed by the user information management unit 423 and the terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400 to the print data.

  The user information management unit 423 executes, for each of a plurality of users who use the portable terminal 400, user information management processing for controlling access to document data and controlling whether or not the browsing / editing function is permitted.

  In the present invention, the user information management unit 423 can use account information, SIM card ID information, UUID information of an application, and the like as user information. Also, the user information management unit 423 can manage a plurality of pieces of user information on one mobile terminal 400. More specifically, an operating system (OS) operating on one mobile terminal 400 can manage a plurality of pieces of user information as account information.

  The user information is not limited to these, and in the case where a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal 400, the user information can be identified as long as the user information can be managed. Such user information can be used.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 407 of the portable terminal 400 at the time of authentication print instruction. The screen displayed on the operation unit 407 includes a preview 431 and a pop-up 432. The preview 431 is displayed when the user views or edits image data on the screen of the portable terminal 400. The pop-up 432 is displayed when the image data being viewed or edited on the screen of the portable terminal 400 is authenticated and printed.

  When the user selects the No button 434 displayed in the pop-up 432, the authentication print instruction of the image data displayed as a preview is canceled. On the other hand, when the user selects the Yes button 433 displayed in the pop-up, an authentication print instruction of the image data displayed as a preview is started.

  In the present embodiment, data that the user can view or edit on the screen of the portable terminal 400 is image data. The image data that the user can view or edit on the screen of the portable terminal 400 can include various contents such as sentences and images.

  FIG. 9A is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 200. The screen displayed on the operation unit 210 includes a print data list 231, a Cancel button 235, and a print button 234. The print data list 231 shows print data to be subjected to authentication printing in a list format. Further, in the print data list 231, check boxes 232 are provided in association with the respective lists in order to select print data for receiving an authentication print instruction. In the present embodiment, the check box 232 functions as a selection accepting unit that accepts an authentication print instruction.

  When the user instructs authentication printing for a plurality of print data, the authentication printing instruction is accepted by selecting the corresponding check box 232. When the user erroneously instructs authentication printing, the print data in the print data list 231 corresponding to the check box 232 can be excluded from the target of authentication printing by unchecking the check box 232.

  When the user selects the Cancel button 235 displayed on the operation unit 210, the authentication print instruction can be canceled. When the user selects the print button 234 displayed on the operation unit, authentication print can be instructed on the print data selected by the check box 232. When the print button 234 is selected, the print data selected by the check box 232 is received from the authentication server 300, and then the print processing is started in the image forming apparatus 200.

  FIG. 9B is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 200. The screen displayed on the operation unit includes a pop-up 241 and an OK button 242. In the screen of FIG. 9B, the user is notified that there is no print data to be subjected to authentication printing. The pop-up 241 is displayed when the authentication fails and there is no print data to be subjected to authentication printing. The user confirms that there is no print data to be subjected to authentication printing, and selects the OK button 242 displayed in the pop-up, the printing process is not performed by the image forming apparatus 200, and the authentication printing process is ended.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of the data structure of print data used for authentication printing in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, print data used for authentication printing is generated by the print data generation unit 424 of the portable terminal 400. The print data shown in FIG. 10 includes a terminal individual identifier 441, user information 442, print setting 443, and content information 444. The terminal individual identifier 441, the user information 442 and the print setting 443 constitute a header portion and are added to the content information 444.

  The terminal individual identifier 441 is information for uniquely identifying the portable terminal 400 of the transmission source. The user information 442 is information for identifying a user, and is generated from account information in a multi-user mode used by the portable terminal 400 of the transmission source, SIM card ID, UUID, and the like. The print setting 443 is setting information for printing document data, and is information for setting, for example, color / monochrome, consolidated layout, staple position designation and the like. The content information 444 is information that defines the drawing content of the image data included in the image data itself. The content information 444 may have a file format such as the data format of Microsoft Office (registered trademark), but may also have a PDL format such as PostScript.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of authentication information used for authentication printing in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the authentication information used for authentication printing is generated by the authentication information generation unit 224 of the image forming apparatus 200. The authentication information generation unit 224 of the image forming apparatus 200 generates authentication information from the terminal individual identifier 251 of the portable terminal 400 read via the short distance sensor 209 and the user information 252.

  The terminal individual identifier 251 is information for uniquely identifying the portable terminal 400 read via the short distance sensor 209. The user information 252 is information for identifying a user, and is generated from account information in a multi-user mode used by the portable terminal 400 read via the short distance sensor 209, SIM card ID, UUID, and the like.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a print data management table 330 managed by the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 in the present embodiment. The authentication server 300 can temporarily hold a plurality of print data transmitted from various portable terminals 400, and the print data management unit 324 uses the print data management table 330 to print the plurality of print data. Manage The print data management table 330 is stored as data in the storage device 304 of the authentication server 300. When the print data held by the authentication server 300 is printed, or when the print data has passed for a certain period, the print data is erased and also excluded from the print data management table 330.

  The print data management table 330 stores print data ID, terminal individual identifier, user information, print setting, and content information in each field. The print data ID is information for uniquely identifying print data to be subjected to print processing, and is given by the print data management unit 324. The terminal individual identifier is information for identifying a user such as account information of a multi-user mode used in the portable terminal 400 of the print data transmission source. The print setting is setting information when printing image data. The content information is information that defines the drawing content of image data included in the image data itself, and specifically, the file name of the image data is used.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a print data list table 340 generated by the print data extraction unit 323 of the authentication server 300 in the present embodiment. The print data extraction unit 323 of the authentication server 300 collates the authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 with the plurality of print data held by the authentication server 300, and the information including the authentication information in the print data If it matches, the print data is extracted. The print data extraction unit 323 manages the extracted print data in the print data list table 340. The print data list table 340 is stored as data in the storage device 304 of the authentication server 300.

  The authentication server 300 transmits the print data list table 340 to the image forming apparatus 200, and the image forming apparatus 200 displays the print data list on the screen of the operation unit based on the received print data list table 340 (FIG. 9). (A).

  The print data list table 340 stores the file number and the content information in each field. The print data extraction unit 323 assigns a file number to each print data extracted when the authentication data and the information included in the print data match. The file number is information for uniquely identifying the extracted print data. The content information is information that defines the drawing content of image data included in the image data itself, and specifically, the file name of the image data is used.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a requested print data table 260 generated by the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 in the present embodiment. The control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 extracts the print data in the print data list 231 input to the check box 232 in the print data list 231 illustrated in FIG. 9A. The control unit 221 manages the extracted print data in the request print data table 260. The requested print data table 260 is stored as data in the storage device 203 of the image forming apparatus 200.

  The control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 transmits the request print data table 260 to the authentication server 300. The print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 collates the information of the requested print data table 260 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 with the print data stored in the authentication server 300, and the print data to be printed is specify.

  The request print data table 260 stores the file number and the content information in each field. The respective information is the same as that of the print data list table 340, so the following description will be omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the process contents of the authentication print process in the present embodiment. In the schematic view shown in FIG. 15, the authentication print process in the present embodiment will be described by taking each table described in FIGS. 12 to 14 and various information stored in each table as an example.

  First, the control unit 421 of the portable terminal 400 transmits print data to the authentication server 300. For example, it is assumed that the terminal individual identifier is "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D", the user information is "00000241", the print setting is "Xxxxxx", and the content information is "AAAAA.doc" (FIG. 10). At this time, the control unit 421 of the portable terminal 400 transmits print data including the terminal individual identifier, the user information, the print setting, and the content information to the authentication server 300 (A. print data transmission process). .

  The control unit 321 of the authentication server 300 receives the print data including the terminal individual identifier “AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D”, the user information “00000241”, the print setting “Xxxxxx”, and the content information “AAAAA.doc”. The print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 stores the print data in the print data management table 330 (FIG. 12).

  Next, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 transmits the authentication information received from the portable terminal 400 to the authentication server 300. For example, it is assumed that the terminal individual identifier is "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D" and the user information is "00000241" (FIG. 11). At this time, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 transmits authentication data including the terminal individual identifier and the user information as authentication information to the authentication server 300 (B. Authentication print processing).

  The print data extraction unit 323 of the authentication server 300 extracts, from the print data management table 330, print data that matches the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information and the user information. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the print data corresponding to the terminal individual identifier “AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D” of the authentication information and the user information “00000241” is stored in the print data management table 330 (FIG. 12). . The print data extraction unit 323 extracts matching print data, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 200 as a print data list table 340 (FIG. 13) including the file number “000001” and the content information “AAAAA.doc” (C. Authentication print data extraction process).

  The control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the print data list table 340 received from the authentication server 300 and displays the print data list screen (FIG. 9A) on the operation unit. Then, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 executes a printing process on a sheet or the like for the print data selected by the check box 232 (S316). For example, in the print data list screen shown in FIG. 9A, it is assumed that the check box 232 corresponding to the file number “000001” and the file name “AAAAA.doc” is selected. In this case, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 200 targets the print data corresponding to the file name “AAAAA.doc” for which the check box 232 is selected, on the condition that the print button 234 is selected. Print processing is executed (S316).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of print data transmission processing of the portable terminal 400 at the time of authentication printing. The processing contents of print data transmission processing from portable terminal 400 to image forming apparatus 200 at the time of authentication printing will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. When the Yes button 433 (FIG. 8) displayed on the operation unit 407 of the portable terminal 400 is selected, the processing of this flowchart is started.

  In step S101, the control unit 421 of the portable terminal 400 converts the image data browsed and edited on the portable terminal 400 into print data. The control unit 421 converts the image data into a print data format such as PostScript so that the image forming apparatus 200 can execute the drawing process. In the present embodiment, the control unit 421 converts the image data into the print data format in S101, but in another embodiment, the process proceeds to the next step without converting the data format used by the Microsoft Office application or the like. It is also good. In this case, the image forming apparatus 200 interprets the data format, and converts the image data received from the portable terminal 400 into print data. Also, in S101, the user can perform print settings such as color / monochrome, consolidated layout, staple position designation and the like by operating the operation unit 407 of the portable terminal 400. The various print settings that have been set are added to the header portion of the print data.

  In S102, the control unit 421 acquires a terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400. The acquired terminal individual identifier is added as authentication information to the header portion of print data.

  In S103, the control unit 421 acquires user information of the portable terminal 400. The acquired user information is added as authentication information to the header portion of the print data.

  In step S104, the control unit 421 transmits the generated print data to the authentication server 300 via the transmission / reception unit 422.

  By the above processing, print data transmission processing from the portable terminal 400 to the image forming apparatus 200 at the time of authentication printing is executed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of the print data reception process of the authentication server 300. The contents of print data reception processing of the authentication server 300 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. When print data is transmitted from portable terminal 400 to authentication server 300, the process of this flowchart is started.

  In step S201, the control unit 321 of the authentication server 300 receives the print data transmitted from the portable terminal 400.

  In S202, the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 stores the received print data in the storage device. In S202, the terminal individual identifier of the transmission source portable terminal 400, the user information, and the print setting, which are added to the header portion of the print data, are associated with the print data ID for identifying the print data. The print data management table 330 is stored.

  Through the above processing, the print data reception processing of the authentication server 300 is executed.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the process contents of the authentication print process of the image forming apparatus 200. The process contents of the authentication print process of the image forming apparatus 200 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When the short distance sensor 408 of the portable terminal 400 approaches the short distance sensor 209 of the image forming apparatus 200 and communication between the portable terminal 400 and the image forming apparatus 200 is started, the processing of this flowchart is started. .

  In step S301, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 acquires a terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400 via the short distance sensor 209.

  In step S302, the control unit 221 acquires user information of the portable terminal 400 via the short distance sensor 209.

  In S303, the authentication information generation unit 224 of the image forming apparatus 200 generates authentication information from the terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400 acquired in S301 and S302 and the user information. In S301 and S302, the short distance sensor 209, which receives the terminal individual identifier and the user information, constitutes the authentication information receiving means of the present invention.

  In S304, the control unit 221 transmits the authentication information generated in S303 to the authentication server 300 via the transmission / reception unit 322. In steps after S305, the authentication server 300 extracts print data, and the image forming apparatus 200 is in a standby state until receiving the extraction result. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the extraction result from the authentication server 300, the image forming apparatus 200 resumes the process after S305.

  In step S305, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives the extraction result, the control unit 221 refers to the extraction result to determine whether print data corresponding to the authentication information acquired from the portable terminal 400 exists. If the corresponding print data does not exist (S305: No), the process proceeds to S306. If the corresponding print data exists (S305: Yes), the process proceeds to S307.

  In step S306, the control unit 221 executes processing for displaying on the operation unit 201 a screen (FIG. 9B) for notifying that there is no authentication print data. In the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 200 transmits the authentication information to the authentication server 300, and the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 has no print data associated with the authentication information, the process proceeds to S306. It is determined to migrate. At this time, the authentication print system 100 can not continue the authentication print process. When the screen (FIG. 9B) notifying that the authentication print data does not exist is displayed, and the user selects the OK button 242 via the operation unit 210, the processing of this flowchart ends.

  In step S307, the control unit 221 receives the print data list table 340 (FIG. 13) from the authentication server 300. The print data list table 340 is generated by the authentication print data extraction process (S408), and is transmitted from the authentication server 300.

  In step S308, the control unit 221 refers to the print data list table 340 received in step S307, and displays a print data list screen (FIG. 9A) including the print data list and the like on the operation unit.

  In step S309, the control unit 221 determines whether the Cancel button 235 (FIG. 9A) is selected while the print data list screen is displayed on the operation unit 210. If it is determined that the Cancel button 235 is selected (S309: Yes), the user transmits an instruction to cancel the authentication print process to the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 via the operation unit 210. Therefore, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 ends the authentication printing process. If it is determined that the Cancel button 235 is not selected (S309: No), the process proceeds to S310.

  In step S310, when the print data list screen is displayed on the operation unit 210, the control unit 221 determines whether one or more check boxes 232 (FIG. 9A) are selected. When one or more check boxes 232 are selected through the operation on the operation unit 210 by the user (S310: Yes), the process proceeds to S311. If none of the check boxes 232 is selected (S310: No), the process returns to S308, and the processes after S308 are repeated again. Further, at this time, in response to determining that one or more check boxes 232 have been selected (S310: Yes), the control unit 221 makes it possible to receive the selection of the print button 234 (FIG. 9A). , And execute the process of enabling the print button 234.

  In step S311, when the print data list screen is displayed on the operation unit 210, the control unit 221 determines whether the print button 234 (FIG. 9A) is selected. If it is determined that the print button 234 has been selected through the operation of the operation unit 210 by the user (S311: Yes), the process proceeds to S312. If it is determined that the print button 234 is not selected (S311: No), the process returns to S308, and the processes after S308 are repeated again.

  In S312, the control unit 221 generates the requested print data table 260 (FIG. 14) for the print data for which the check box 232 is selected in S310.

  In step S313, the control unit 221 transmits the request print data table 260 generated in step S312 to the authentication server 300 via the transmission / reception unit 222. In the present embodiment, information of print data corresponding to the check box 232 selected in S310 is transmitted as data of a table format to the authentication server 300. Thus, a print request can be selectively transmitted to the authentication server 300 for print data that the user desires to print.

  In step S313, the control unit 221 transmits the requested print data table 260 generated in step S312 to the authentication server 300. In step S314 and subsequent steps, the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 transmits target print data to be printed to the image forming apparatus 200, and waits until the image forming apparatus 200 receives the target print data. Become. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the target print data from the authentication server 300, the image forming apparatus 200 resumes the process after S314.

  In step S314, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 receives target print data to be printed in step S313 from the authentication server 300 via the transmission / reception unit. Next, in step S315, the control unit 221 determines whether all the target print data has been received from the authentication server 300.

  When the control unit 221 completes the reception of all the target print data (S315: Yes), the print processing is executed on the target print data (S316). On the other hand, if the control unit 221 has not received all the target print data (S315: No), the process returns to S314 to receive the target print data from the authentication server 300 again. In the present embodiment, it is determined that all print data has been received in S315, and then execution of the printing process is started. However, if it is determined that even one print data has been received, It may be a mode of starting processing for executing printing at any time.

  The authentication print process by the image forming apparatus 200 is executed by the above process.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the process contents of the authentication print data extraction process of the authentication server 300. The processing content of the authentication print data extraction processing of the authentication server 300 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. When authentication information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 to the authentication server 300 in S304 (FIG. 18), the process of this flowchart is started.

  In S401, the transmission / reception unit 322 of the authentication server 300 receives the authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200.

  In step S402, the print data extraction unit 323 specifies a terminal individual identifier from the authentication information received in step S401 with reference to the print data management table 330 (FIG. 12).

  In step S403, the print data extraction unit 323 extracts a print data group that matches the terminal individual identifier identified in step S402 from the print data management table 330 referenced in step S402.

  In step S404, the print data extraction unit 323 specifies user information from the authentication information received in step S401.

  In step S405, the print data extraction unit 323 extracts print data that matches the user information identified in step S404 from the print data group extracted in step S403. In the present embodiment, the print data that matches the user information is further extracted from the print data group that is the extraction result of S403, and the print data that matches the combination of the terminal individual identifier and the user information is extracted. By executing the above-described process to extract print data, authentication can be performed on a per-user basis even when a print instruction is issued from a portable terminal shared by a plurality of users, and authentication print with high security is realized. be able to.

  In step S406, the print data extraction unit 323 transmits the extraction result in step S405 to the image forming apparatus 200 via the transmission / reception unit 322. In the present embodiment, if the number of print data extracted in S406 is one or more, the extraction result “corresponding data is present” is transmitted. If the number of print data extracted is 0, the extraction result “no relevant data” is transmitted.

  In step S <b> 407, the control unit 321 determines whether the print data extracted in step S <b> 405 exists. If the print data extracted in S405 is present (S407: Yes), the process proceeds to S408. If the extracted print data does not exist (S407: No), the print data to be printed does not exist, and the image forming apparatus 200 can not continue the authentication print process, so the process of extracting the authentication print data ends. Do.

  In step S408, the control unit 321 generates a print data list table 340 (FIG. 13) from the print data extracted in step S405.

  In step S <b> 409, the control unit 321 transmits the print data list table 340 generated in step S <b> 408 to the image forming apparatus 200. In the present embodiment, the print data extracted in S405 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 as data in the form of a table as the print data list table 340.

  By the above process, the authentication print data extraction process of the authentication server 300 is executed.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing processing contents of processing in which the authentication server 300 calls target print data to be printed, which is specified by the request print data table 260, and transmits the target print data to the image forming apparatus 200. A process of calling target print data to be printed and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the requested print data table 260 is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 to the authentication server 300 in S313 (FIG. 18), the processing of this flowchart is started.

  In step S <b> 501, the control unit 321 of the authentication server 300 receives the requested print data table 260 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 via the transmission / reception unit 322.

  In step S502, the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 calls from the storage device 304 the print data to be printed that is included in the requested print data table 260 received in step S501 from the storage device 304. Send to 200

  In step S503, the control unit 321 determines whether all print data included in the requested print data table 260 received in step S501 has been transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200. When all target print data included in the request print data table 260 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 (S503: Yes), the processing of this flowchart is ended. On the other hand, when the transmission of all the target print data included in the request print data table 260 has not been completed (S503: No), the process returns to S502, and the transmission process of the target print data is repeated again.

  By the above-described processing, processing of calling out target print data to be printed and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus 200 is performed.

Second Embodiment
In the authentication print system 100 according to the first embodiment, the aspect in which the image forming apparatus 200 executes the authentication print process using the terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400 and the user information in order to execute the print process has been described.

  In the prior art, a printing system is known in which the image forming apparatus 200 or the authentication server 300 manages a plurality of pieces of user information used in the authentication system in advance. In such a printing system, the image forming apparatus 200 receives user information from a terminal in the printing system (hereinafter referred to as a “print instruction terminal”), and the received user information matches one of the plurality of user information. Executes the printing process.

  In the authentication printing system 100 according to the second embodiment, the technical idea of the present invention is applied by linking an existing printing system that manages a plurality of user information in advance with authentication information that is a characteristic configuration of the present invention. An aspect of executing the authentication print process will be described.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing the process contents of the authentication print process in the present embodiment. First, the control unit of the print instruction terminal 500 transmits print data to the authentication server 300. For example, it is assumed that the terminal individual identifier is “EE-FFFFFF-GGGGGG-D”, the user information is “00000241”, the print setting is “Xxxxxx”, and the content information is “AAAAA.doc”. At this time, the control unit of the print instruction terminal 500 transmits print data including the terminal individual identifier, the user information, the print setting, and the content information to the authentication server 300 (A. print data transmission process). . The print instruction terminal 500 is a terminal different from the portable terminal 400 described later, and corresponds to the “first print instruction terminal” in the claims.

  The control unit 321 of the authentication server 300 receives print data including the terminal individual identifier “EE-FFFFFF-GGGGGG-D”, user information “00000241”, print setting “Xxxxxx”, and content information “AAAAA.doc”. The print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 stores the print data in the print data management table 330 (FIG. 12).

  Next, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 transmits the authentication information received from the portable terminal 400 to the authentication server 300. For example, it is assumed that the terminal individual identifier is "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D" and the user information is "00000241". At this time, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 transmits authentication data including the terminal individual identifier and the user information as authentication information to the authentication server 300 (B. Authentication print processing). The portable terminal 400 is a terminal different from the print instruction terminal 500 described above, and corresponds to a “second print instruction terminal” in the claims.

  The print data extraction unit 323 of the authentication server 300 extracts, from the print data management table 330, print data that matches the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information is "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D", while the terminal individual identifier of the print data management table 330 is "EE-FFFFFF-GGGGGG-D". Therefore, the print data extraction unit 323 can not extract print data (S403).

  In the authentication print process according to the present embodiment, even if it is not possible to extract print data that matches the terminal individual identifier, a process of extracting print data that matches the user information is executed (S405). In the example shown in FIG. 21, the user information of the authentication information is “00000241”, and the user information of the print data management table 330 is also “00000241”. In this case, the print data extraction unit 323 further determines whether the user information “00000241” of the authentication information matches one of a plurality of pieces of user information managed by the image forming apparatus 200 or the print server. The process of collating with the user information of the print data management table 330 using the user information of the authentication information described above and the process of collating with a plurality of user information managed by the image forming apparatus 200 or the print server is the same as S405 in FIG. Is executed by

  If it is determined that the user information “00000241” of the authentication information matches, the print data extraction unit 323 extracts print data matching the user information of the authentication information from the print data management table 330. In the example illustrated in FIG. 21, print data that matches the user information “00000241” of the authentication information is stored in the print data management table 330. The print data extraction unit 323 extracts matching print data, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 200 as a print data list table 340 (FIG. 13) including the file number “000001” and the content information “AAAAA.doc” (C. Authentication print data extraction process).

  The control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the print data list table 340 received from the authentication server 300 and displays the print data list screen (FIG. 9A) on the operation unit. Then, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 executes a printing process on a sheet or the like for the print data selected by the check box 232 (S316). For example, in the print data list screen shown in FIG. 9A, it is assumed that the check box 232 corresponding to the file number “000001” and the file name “AAAAA.doc” is selected. In this case, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 selects the print data corresponding to the file name “AAAAA.doc” selected in the check box 232 as a sheet on condition that the print button 234 is selected. The print processing of step S316 is executed (S316).

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, even if the terminal individual identifier of the print instruction terminal 500 and the terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400 are different, the authentication printing process is enabled. Specifically, authentication print processing is enabled by linking a plurality of user information managed by the image forming apparatus 200 or the authentication server 300 with the user information of the authentication information. Therefore, even if the print instruction terminal 500 for transmitting print data and the portable terminal 400 for transmitting authentication information via the short distance sensor 209 in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 200 are different, authentication printing to which the present invention is applied Can be performed.

  As described above, according to the present invention described above, even when a print instruction is issued from a portable terminal shared by a plurality of users, authentication for each user can be easily performed, and highly secure authentication printing can be realized. it can.

[Other embodiments]
In the first and second embodiments, the aspect in which the authentication server 300 executes the print data extraction process has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 200 may be configured to have the function of the authentication server 300 and execute print data extraction processing.
[Other embodiments]
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to execute.

  Further, the program code for realizing the functions of the present embodiment may be executed by one computer (CPU, MPU), or may be executed by cooperation of a plurality of computers. It is also good. Furthermore, the program code may be executed by a computer, or hardware such as a circuit for realizing the function of the program code may be provided. Alternatively, part of the program code may be implemented by hardware, and the remaining part may be executed by a computer.

The present invention relates to a printing system, a control method of the printing system, a printing apparatus, and a mobile terminal .

A printing system according to the present invention is a printing system including a mobile terminal and a printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus is configured to transmit a user from the mobile terminal in a first communication method via a first communication interface. A second communication method using a second communication interface that receives print data including user information to be identified and stores the received print data in a storage area, and a second communication interface different from the first communication interface And receiving means for receiving user information identifying a user who uses the mobile terminal from the mobile terminal, and print control means for performing printing based on print data stored in the storage means, the mobile terminal Transmitting, using the first communication method, print data including user information identifying the user to the printing apparatus; Communication means, and second transmission means for transmitting user information identifying a user who uses the mobile terminal to the printing apparatus in the second communication method, the print control means of the printing apparatus Receiving from the mobile terminal from among the print data stored in the storage area based on receiving the user information from the mobile terminal in the second communication method via the second communication interface; Print data including user information that matches the specified user information, and performing printing based on the specified print data, and the control by the print control unit is the first communication via the first communication interface The method is characterized in that it is not executed in response to receiving the print data including the user information in a method .

According to the present invention , even when a print instruction is issued from a portable terminal shared by a plurality of users, authentication on a per-user basis can be easily performed, and highly secure print can be realized.

Claims (12)

Print data receiving means for receiving print data to which a terminal individual identifier of a portable terminal and user information are added;
Authentication information receiving means for receiving a terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal and user information;
Authentication information generation means for generating authentication information from the received terminal individual identifier and the user information;
When the terminal individual identifier added to the print data and the user information match the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information and the user information, the terminal individual identifier that matches the authentication information and the user information And means for printing the print data to which the image data is added. The mobile terminal further comprises user information management means for managing a plurality of the user information on one mobile terminal,
The authentication information receiving means receives a terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal and one of the plurality of pieces of user information managed by the user information managing means. Image forming apparatus as described. It further comprises an operation means for displaying the extracted print data as a print data list in a format associated with selection reception means for receiving a print instruction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit executes a printing process of the print data for which the print instruction has been received by the selection receiving unit.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal individual identifier is a uniquely determined MAC address or an IMEI (international mobile device identification number).   The account information according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user information is account information of an OS operating on the portable terminal, ID information of a SIM card, or UUID information of an application. Image forming apparatus.   The authentication information receiving means may receive the terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal and the user information via any one of near field communication interfaces of infrared communication, NFC (Near Field Communication), or Bluetooth. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: In an image forming apparatus that manages a plurality of pieces of user information, and executes printing processing when the user information received from the print instruction terminal matches one of the plurality of pieces of user information.
Print data receiving means for receiving print data to which a terminal individual identifier of the first print instruction terminal and user information are added;
Authentication information receiving means for receiving the terminal individual identifier of the second print instruction terminal and the user information;
Authentication information generation means for generating authentication information from the received terminal individual identifier and the user information;
When the terminal individual identifier added to the print data does not match the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information, the user information added to the print data, and the user information of the authentication information And means for printing the print data to which the user information of the authentication information is added, when the user information of the authentication information matches one of the plurality of user information. Image forming apparatus characterized by A portable terminal having print data generation means for adding a terminal individual identifier and user information to print data;
An image forming apparatus including authentication information receiving means for receiving a terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal and user information, and authentication information generating means for generating authentication information from the received terminal individual identifier and the user information;
The terminal individual identifier and the user information added to the print data are received by receiving the print data generated by the print data generation unit and the authentication information generated by the authentication information generation unit. An authentication server comprising print data extraction means for extracting the print data to which the terminal individual identifier matching the authentication information and the user information are added when the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information matches the user information And a system comprising
The image forming apparatus further executes a print process of the print data extracted by the print data extraction unit. In a system for managing a plurality of user information and having the image forming apparatus execute a printing process when the user information received from the print instruction terminal matches one of the plurality of user information,
A first print instruction terminal having print data generation means for adding a terminal individual identifier and user information to print data;
An image forming apparatus comprising authentication information receiving means for receiving a terminal individual identifier of a second print instruction terminal and user information; authentication information generating means for generating authentication information from the received terminal individual identifier and the user information; ,
The terminal data identifier generated by the print data generation unit and the authentication information generated by the authentication information generation unit, the terminal individual identifier added to the print data, and the terminal of the authentication information When the individual identifier does not match, the user information added to the print data matches the user information of the authentication information, and the user information of the authentication information is the plurality of user information An authentication server having print data extraction means for extracting the print data to which the user information of the authentication information is added when one of the above matches.
The image forming apparatus further executes a print process of the print data extracted by the print data extraction unit. A print data receiving step of receiving print data to which a terminal individual identifier of a portable terminal and user information are added;
An authentication information receiving step of receiving a terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal and user information;
An authentication information generation step of generating authentication information from the received terminal individual identifier and the user information;
When the terminal individual identifier added to the print data and the user information match the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information and the user information, the terminal individual identifier that matches the authentication information and the user information Printing the print data to which the image data has been added. An image forming method including a printing step of managing a plurality of pieces of user information and executing a printing process when the user information received from the print instruction terminal matches one of the plurality of pieces of user information;
A print data receiving step of receiving print data to which the terminal individual identifier of the first print instruction terminal and the user information are added;
An authentication information receiving step of receiving a terminal individual identifier of the second print instruction terminal and user information;
An authentication information generation step of generating authentication information from the received terminal individual identifier and the user information;
When the terminal individual identifier added to the print data does not match the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information, the user information added to the print data, and the user information of the authentication information Printing the print data to which the user information of the authentication information is added when the user information of the authentication information matches one of the plurality of user information. Characteristic image forming method.   A program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images