JP4411189B2 - Print control apparatus, image forming system, and network communication method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, an image forming system, and a network communication method that are connected to a network and control a printing operation of the image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming system, a print control device provided between a network to which a terminal device such as an external server is connected and the image forming device is known (see Patent Document 1). When the print control apparatus converts print data received from the network into a data format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus and outputs the data, or acquires information from the image forming apparatus in accordance with a request from the terminal apparatus, the IP address The conversion process was performed.
JP 2002-312140 A

  However, the conventional print control apparatus has the following problems. When performing communication between the print control apparatus and the image forming apparatus, a predetermined resource is used. In particular, when printing is performed, a plurality of resources such as print control and print data transmission are used. Further, when using a multifunction printer (MFP) as an image forming apparatus, other resources are used for functions such as a scanner and a facsimile. For this reason, there are many restrictions on resources that can be used when a plurality of applications operating on the image forming apparatus communicate with an external server connected to the network via the print control apparatus. For example, when designing and manufacturing an application and an external server in different companies, shared resources (for example, network ports) to be distributed between different companies may be shared between different companies and communication may not be possible.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a print control apparatus, an image that can be secured without limiting communication between an image forming apparatus connected to the print control apparatus and a terminal apparatus existing in the network by making a plurality of network addresses. It is an object to provide a forming system and a network communication method.

In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus of the present invention is a print control apparatus having a first network interface connected to an image forming apparatus and a second network interface connected to a network in which a terminal apparatus exists. there, the allocation unit for allocating a first Netw network address and second network address to the front Stories second network interface, the data received from the terminal apparatus via the second network interface, a development means for developing the image data in order to enable executing the printing processing by the image forming apparatus, the second said assigned to the network interfaces of the first network of address, a request inputted from a specific port a first judgment means for judging, in the first determination means In accordance with the determination request Ri, wherein performs expansion into image data by the expansion means to the received data from the terminal device via the second network interface, the image data first after the deployment First connection selecting means for connecting the first and second network interfaces and the second network interface assigned to the second network interface so as to transmit to the image forming apparatus via the network interface. A second determination unit configured to determine a request input from a specific port to the network address; and the terminal device via the second network interface according to the request determined by the second determination unit. Without developing the data received from the image data by the expansion means, The data received from the end device to transmit to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface, that and a second connection selecting means connecting the first and second network interface It is characterized by.

The image forming system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus, a terminal device connected to a network, and the image forming apparatus connected to the network via a second network interface and connected to the first network interface. An image forming system in which the terminal device communicates with the image forming apparatus via the print control apparatus, wherein the terminal apparatus is connected to the terminal via the network. a transmitting means for transmitting a request to the print control apparatus, said print control apparatus is provided with assigning means for assigning a first network address and second network address to the front Stories second network interface, the second Data received from the terminal device via a network interface A development means for developing the image data in order to enable executing the print processing by the image forming apparatus, the first network of address assigned to the second network interface, is transmitted from the terminal device, a specific port First determination means for determining a request input from the first determination means, and in response to the request determined by the first determination means, the data received from the terminal device via the second network interface A first connection between the first and second network interfaces is performed so that the image data is expanded by the expansion means and the image data after the expansion is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface . and first connection selecting means, the second value assigned to the second network interface A second determination unit configured to determine a request input from a specific port to a network address; and the terminal device via the second network interface according to the request determined by the second determination unit. So that the data received from the terminal device is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface without developing the data received from the terminal device into image data by the developing means. And a second connection selecting means for connecting between the first and second network interfaces .

The network communication method of the present invention has a first network interface connected to an image forming apparatus and a second network interface connected to a network in which a terminal device exists, and controls a printing operation of the image forming apparatus. via the print control unit, assigned the terminal device for allocating a first network address and second network address to a network communication method for communicating with the image forming apparatus, prior Symbol second network interface A step of expanding the data received from the terminal device via the second network interface into image data so that the print processing by the image forming apparatus can be executed, and the second network interface. the allocated first networks The click of address, a first determining step of determining a request inputted from a specific port, in response to a request that has been determined in the first determination step, the terminal device via the second network interface The first and second image data are expanded to the image data in the expansion step, and the image data after the expansion is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface. A first connection selection step for connecting between the second network interfaces, and a second determination for determining a request input from a specific port to the second network address assigned to the second network interface. And the second network interface in response to the request determined in the second determination step. Data received from the terminal device via the first network interface without developing the data received from the terminal device via the interface into image data in the developing step. And a second connection selecting step for connecting the first and second network interfaces so as to transmit to the network .

According to the printing control apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, it can be ensured without limiting the communication with the terminal device existing in the image forming apparatus and a network that is connected to the print controller. Further, according to the printing control apparatus of the second aspect , it is possible to prevent connection from a malicious user and enhance security.

  Embodiments of a print control apparatus, an image forming system, and a network communication method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to the first embodiment. In this image forming system, a server computer 113, a plurality of client computers 103a, 103b, and a printer controller 102 are connected via a user network 101, and a multifunction printer (MFP) 104 is connected to the printer controller 102 via a private network 105. Are connected. Here, the plurality of client computers 103a and 103b are also collectively referred to as the client computer 103.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the MFP 104. The MFP 104 is a full-color printer, and includes a scanner unit 201 that reads an image, a scanner IP unit 202 that performs image processing on the image data, and a facsimile (FAX) unit 203 that transmits and receives an image using a telephone line typified by a facsimile. , A network interface card (NIC) unit 204 that exchanges information by exchanging image data and device information using a network, and temporarily stores an image signal and determines a route according to how to use the MFP 104 In addition to the core unit 206, the printer unit IP207, the PWM unit 208, the printer unit 209, and the finisher unit 210 are included. The image data output from the core unit 206 is sent to the printer unit 209 that performs image formation via the printer IP unit 207 and the PWM unit 208. The sheet printed out by the printer unit 209 is further sent to the finisher unit 210, where sheet sorting processing and sheet finishing processing are performed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer controller 102. The printer controller 102 includes NICs 107 and 108, an editing I / F unit 115, an input device control unit 1201, an input job control unit 1202, a rasterization processing unit 1203, a data conversion unit 1204, an output job control unit 1205, an output device control unit 1206, It consists of a hard disk 1207 and a RAM 1208.

  A job input from the NIC 107 enters the input device control unit 1201. This module (input device control unit 1201) plays a role when the server is connected to various client applications. As input, PDL data and JCL (Job Control Language) data are accepted. This is status information about the printer and server, and is compatible with various clients, and the output of this module is responsible for combining all the appropriate PDL and JCL components.

  The input job controller 1202 manages the requested list of jobs and creates a job list for accessing individual jobs submitted to the server. This module (input job control unit 1202) has three functions: job routing for determining a job route, job split for determining whether to divide and RIP, and job scheduling for determining job order.

  There are a plurality of rasterization processing (RIP) units 1203. Although the number of RIP units 1203a, 1203b, and 1203c can be further increased as necessary, they are collectively referred to as RIP units 1203 here. The RIP module RIPs the PDLs of various jobs and creates bitmaps of appropriate size and resolution. Regarding RIP processing, various formats such as PCL, TIFF, JPEG, and PDF can be rasterized in addition to PostScript (registered trademark of Adobe).

  The data conversion unit 1204 plays a role of compressing a bitmap image created by RIP processing or performing format conversion, and selects an optimal image type that matches each printer. For example, if the job is to be handled in units of pages, the RIP unit 1203 performs processing such as adding a PDF header to the bitmap data after rasterizing the job in a format such as TIFF or JPEG and editing it as PDF data. .

  The output job control unit 1205 takes page images of jobs and manages how they are handled based on command settings. The page is printed on a printer or saved on the hard disk 1207. Whether or not to leave the job after printing in the hard disk 1207 can be selected, and when it is saved, it can be called again. Further, this module (output job control unit 1205) manages the interaction between the hard disk 1207 and the RAM 1208.

  The output device control unit 1206 controls which device is output to, or which device is clustered (multiple devices are connected and printed simultaneously), and is sent to the network interface card (NIC) 108 of the selected device. It is done. The module (output device control unit 1206) also plays a role of monitoring the status of the MFP (device) 104 and transmitting the apparatus status to the printer controller 102.

[Page Description Language (PDL)]
Next, PDL data will be described. PDL represented by PostScript (registered trademark of Adobe) language is classified into the following three elements.

(A) Image description by character code (b) Image description by graphic code (c) Image description by raster image data In other words, PDL is a language for describing an image composed of a combination of the above elements, and is described in PDL. This data is called PDL data.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which character information R1301, graphic information R1302, and raster image information R1303 are described. In the example in which the character information R1301 is described, the line L1311 shows a description for specifying the color of the character. In parentheses, the concentrations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black are shown in order. The minimum value is 0.0 and the maximum value is 1.0. In line L1311, it is specified that the character is black. In the line L1312, the character string “IC” is assigned to the variable String1. In line L1313, the first and second parameters indicate the coordinates (x coordinate, y coordinate) of the start position on the paper on which the character string is laid out, the third parameter indicates the character size, and the fourth parameter indicates the character. The interval indicates the character string to be laid out by the fifth parameter. In short, in line L1313, an instruction to lay out the character string “IC” with a size of 0.3 and an interval of 0.1 from the coordinates (0.0, 0.0) is shown.

  In the example in which the graphic information R1302 is described, a line color is designated in the row L1321 as in the row L1311. Here, Cyan is designated. Row L1322 is designated to draw a line. The first and second parameters indicate the x and y coordinates of the beginning of the line. The third and fourth parameters indicate the x and y coordinates of the end of the line. The fifth parameter indicates the thickness of the line.

  In the example in which the raster image information is described, the raster image is assigned to the variable image1 in the row L1331. Here, the first parameter represents the image type and the number of color components of the raster image. The second parameter represents the number of bits per color component, and the third and fourth parameters represent the image sizes of the raster image in the x and y directions. The fifth and subsequent parameters are raster image data.

  The number of raster image data is the product of the number of color components constituting one pixel and the image size in the x and y directions. In row L1331, since the CMYK image is composed of four color components (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), the number of raster image data is 100 (4 × 5 × 5 =). The line L1332 indicates that the variable image1 is laid out with a size of 0.5 × 0.5 from the coordinates (0.0, 0.5).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing raster image data developed by interpreting three image descriptions in one page. The figure shows that the PDL data of character information R1301, graphic information R1302, and raster image information R1303 is expanded. Actually, these raster image data are developed in the RAM 1208 or the hard disk (ImageDisk) 1207 for each CMYK color component. For example, in the character information R1301 portion, C = 0, M = 0, Y = 0, and K = 255 are written in the RAM 1208 of each CMYK. Similarly, C = 255, M = 0, Y = 0, and K = 0 are written in the graphic information R1302 portion.

  In the printer controller 102, the PDL data sent from the client computer 103 (or the printer controller itself) remains in the PDL data or is expanded into a raster image as described above and stored in the RAM 1208 or the hard disk 1207. Written and saved as needed.

[Application running on MFP 104]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an application that operates on the MFP 104. An application 1501 is an auxiliary program that runs on the MFP 104 and provides an auxiliary service related to printing work. There are various types of applications, which communicate with the server computer 113 on the network 101 described above to provide job editing / copying and various services, or job notifications operating on the client computer 103, Some control the editing program and the printer controller 102.

  In order to perform such a service, the LCD 1505 can be used as an input unit of the application 1501. In addition, a display control unit 1506 and an input control unit 1507 are prepared to control the LCD 1501. An application 1501 including a print program can be printed by the print processing unit 1503 via the distributor 1504.

  Next, a usage example of the application 1501 is shown. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a Scan function 1601 as an application usage example. The Scan function 1601 is a function that provides various format conversions for scanned images and services associated therewith. As user interfaces for using these functions, selection buttons 1602a to 1602f are prepared on the screen of the Scan function 1601. When the selection buttons 1602a to 1602f are pressed, an operation screen 1603 is displayed as the second hierarchy screen.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen 1603 when the selection button 1602f is pressed. This operation screen 1603 is a screen for controlling an application that transfers a scanned image as facsimile data. The operation screen 1603 is independent for each function, and includes input auxiliary buttons 1604a to 1604c and a transmission destination number registration field 1605. Input auxiliary buttons 1604a to 1604c are a group of buttons for displaying a third hierarchy screen for registering a transmission destination number. The registered transmission destination number is displayed in the transmission destination number registration field 1605.

[Application operation processing]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the “Scan to Fax” function which is a service for facsimile transfer of a scanned image as an example of use of the application 1501. First, it waits for a document to be placed at a predetermined position. When the document is placed at a predetermined position (step S1), the service instructed from the LCD 1505 is selected (step S2). The telephone number, image format, and transmission method information input by the user is received (step S3). When the user presses the start button, image acquisition starts (step S4).

  When the end of image acquisition is detected (step S5), the image is converted into a predetermined format (step S6), and the image is transmitted by the transmission method selected by the user (step S7). The end of transmission is confirmed (step S8). If the transmission has been completed, a transmission history is described (step S10), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the transmission has not been completed, the number of retransmissions is confirmed (step S9). If the number of retransmissions is less than the set value, the process returns to step S7 to perform retransmission. On the other hand, if the value is equal to or greater than the set value, the retransmission is stopped, the fact is described in the transmission history in step S10, and the process is terminated.

[Port forwarding]
Next, the port forwarding operation of the printer controller 102 when the application 1501 communicates with the server computer 113 on the user network 101 via the printer controller 102 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a portion related to the port forwarding operation of the printer controller 102. As described above, the printer controller 102 includes the two NICs 107 and 108 and the storage devices 1801a and 1801b. The NICs 107 and 108 are connected to the user network 101 and the private network 105, respectively. Two network addresses 1802a and 1802b are assigned to the NIC 107, and two network addresses 1803a and 1803b are assigned to the NIC 108.

  The storage devices 1801a and 1801b store port control programs 1804a and 1804b. These port control programs (port forwarding programs) 1804a and 1804b control two NICs 107 and 108 and a plurality of network addresses. In other words, the port on each NIC is opened and closed to control the data flow.

[Port forwarding program]
FIG. 11 shows a port forwarding program. The port forwarding programs 1804a and 1804b include connection selection units (Connection Selectors) 1901a and 1901b and operation units (Operate units) 1902a and 1902b, respectively.

  The client computer 103 and the server computer 113 send a connection request in advance to a predetermined port at a predetermined address in order to communicate with the MFP 104 through the printer controller 102. If the request is for an application running on the MFP, the request is sent to the Operate unit 1902a, addressed to the network address 1802a. In the operating unit 1902a, information such as a port number to be used, a connection source address, a connection destination address, a protocol, and a connection time is read from the request. The Operate unit 1902a sends a connection command to the Connection Selector 1901a based on the read information, and performs a connection between the NIC 107 and the NIC 108.

  On the other hand, if the received request is a request related to printing, the request is sent to the Operate unit 1902b addressed to the network address 1802a. In the operating unit 1902b, information such as a port number to be used, a connection source address, a connection destination address, a protocol, and a connection time is read from the request. The operating unit 1902b sends a connection command to the connection selector 1901b based on the read information. In the connection selector 1901b, communication is started when the connection port is opened in accordance with the connection command. In the case of printing, when data is received by a spool 1903, developed into image data by a RIP 1203, and compressed by a compression unit 1904, the compressed data is sent from the NIC 108 to the MFP 104 for printing. Is done.

[Operation processing of port forwarding]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation processing procedure of port forwarding. When the client computer 103, the server computer 113 or the MFP is connected to a port (here, port number 15000) that receives a command for operating the port forwarding program (step S21), the client computer 103, the server computer 113 or A connection request for allowing the printer controller 102 to pass through is transmitted from the MFP (step S22). This connection request includes information such as a port to be used, a connection source, a connection destination, a protocol, and a connection time. In the printer controller 102, the connection request is received by the activated port forwarding program, and the passage information is read and analyzed (step S23). Then, the analyzed information is transmitted to a predetermined connection selection unit (Connection Selector) (step S24). The NIC 107 and the NIC 108 are connected from the information read in step S23 (step S25), and after the connection is completed, necessary ports are opened and closed (step S26). For example, in step S25, the port 8080 of 1802a and the port 80 of 1803a are connected, and in step S26, the ports 1802a and 1803a are changed from OFF to ON to open and close the ports.

  As described above, according to the image forming system in the first embodiment, the communication between the application running on the MFP connected to the private network via the printer controller and the server computer and the client computer existing on the user network is performed. It can be secured without any restrictions. In addition, applications that provide services related to printing running on the MFP communicate with a server computer or the like existing in the user network via the printer controller, so that the range of services can be expanded and various contents can be provided. , Improve usability. In addition, information between devices can be communicated in a common language, and dedicated lines between devices can be reduced. Further, when starting and during operation, connection resources can be dynamically opened and closed, or alternative means can be automatically assigned when connection resources compete.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, security-enhanced port forwarding in which security measures are taken is shown in the image forming system.

[Security Enhanced Port Forwarding]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a port forwarding program in the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The port forwarding programs 1804c and 1804d are respectively composed of connection selectors 1901a and 1901b, operating units (Operate units) 1902a and 1902b, and security checking units (Security Checker units) 2101a and 2101b.

  The client computer 103 and the server computer 113 send a connection request to a predetermined port in advance in order to communicate with the MFP 104 through the printer controller 102. If the received request is for an application running on the MFP, the request is sent to the Operate unit 1902a, and information such as a port to be used, a connection source, a connection destination, a protocol, and a connection time is read out. The read information is sent to the security checker unit 2101a. The security checker 2101a examines the validity of the information. In response to a request whose validity has been confirmed, the Operate unit 1902a sends a connection command to the Connection Selector 1901a based on the read information to establish a connection between the NIC 107 and the NIC 108. After the connection is completed, the connection port is opened and communication starts. On the other hand, if the request is not valid, the request is discarded.

  On the other hand, if the received request is a request for printing, the request is sent to the Operate unit 1902b, and information such as a port to be used, a connection source, a connection destination, a protocol, and a connection time is read out. The read information is sent to the security checker unit 2101b. The security checker unit 2101b examines the validity of the information. In response to a request whose validity has been confirmed, the Operate unit 1902b sends a connection command to the Connection Selector 1901b based on the read information to establish a connection between the NIC 107 and the NIC 108. After the connection is completed, the connection port is opened and communication starts. In the case of printing, data is received by a spool 1903, developed into image data by a RIP 1203, compressed by a compression unit 1904, sent from the NIC 108 to the MFP 104, and printed. On the other hand, if the request is not valid, the request is discarded.

  In this way, by opening and closing the necessary number of necessary ports when necessary, connection from a malicious user can be prevented, and a system with high security can be constructed.

[Operation processing of enhanced security port forwarding]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation processing procedure of port forwarding. When the client computer 103, the server computer 113, or the MFP is connected to a port that receives a command for operating the port forwarding program (step S31), the client controller 103, the server computer 113, or the MFP passes the printer controller 102. A connection request is transmitted (step S32). This connection request includes information such as a port to be used, a connection source, a connection destination, a protocol, and a connection time.

  When the printer controller 102 receives this connection request by the activated port forwarding program (step S33), the printer controller 102 checks the validity of the received connection request (step S34). In this step processing, it is checked whether or not the connection request is composed of a prescribed command or whether or not it is a connection request from a malicious user.

  The result of the validity check is discriminated (step S35), and if there is no validity, this processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is valid, the connection port is detected from the connection request command (step S36), the connection protocol is detected (step S37), and other connection information is detected (step S38). The read and analyzed information is transmitted to a predetermined connection selection unit (Connection Selector) (step S39). The NIC 107 and the NIC 108 are connected from the information read in step S38 (step S40). After the connection is completed, necessary ports are opened and closed (step S41).

  As described above, according to the image forming system of the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent connection from a malicious user by opening and closing a necessary number of necessary ports when necessary, and to realize a system with high security. Can be built.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and any configuration can be used as long as the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the present embodiment can be achieved. Is also applicable.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. It is also achieved by reading out and executing the program code stored in. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Examples of storage media for supplying the program code include ROM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, memory card such as PCMCIA card and compact flash (registered trademark), hard disk, micro DAT, magneto-optical disk, CD-R, and the like. You may comprise with optical disks, such as CD-RW, phase change type optical disks, such as DVD. The program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing a part or all of the process and the process is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP 104. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer controller 102. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example which described character information R1301, figure information R1302, and raster image information R1303. It is a figure which shows the raster image data which interpreted three image descriptions and expand | deployed in 1 page. 2 is a diagram illustrating an application that operates on the MFP 104. FIG. It is a figure which shows the Scan function 1601 as an example of use of an application. It is a figure which shows the operation screen 1603 when the selection button 1602f is pushed. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of a “Scan to Fax” function which is a service for facsimile transfer of a scanned image as an example of use of an application 1501. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a portion related to a port forwarding operation of the printer controller 102. FIG. It is a figure which shows a port forwarding program. It is a flowchart which shows the operation processing procedure of port forwarding. It is a figure which shows the port forwarding program in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation processing procedure of port forwarding.

Explanation of symbols

101 User network 102 Printer controller 104 MFP
105 Private network 107, 108 NIC
113 Server computer 1501 Application 1802a, 1802b, 1803a, 1803b Network address 1804a, 1804b Port forwarding program 1901a, 1901b Connection selection unit (Connection Selector)
1902a, 1902b Operate part (Operate part)

Claims (6)

A print control apparatus having a first network interface connected to an image forming apparatus and a second network interface connected to a network in which a terminal device exists.
And assigning means for assigning the first Netw network address and second network address to the front Stories second network interface,
Expanding means for expanding data received from the terminal device via the second network interface into image data so that the image forming apparatus can execute print processing;
The first network of address assigned to the second network interface, a first determination means for determining a request inputted from a specific port,
In response to the request determined by the first determination means, the data received from the terminal device via the second network interface is expanded into image data by the expansion means, and after the expansion First connection selection means for connecting the first and second network interfaces so as to transmit image data to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface ;
Second determination means for determining a request input from a specific port to the second network address assigned to the second network interface;
In response to the request determined by the second determination means, the terminal receives the data received from the terminal device via the second network interface without expanding the image data by the expansion means. Second connection selecting means for connecting between the first and second network interfaces so as to transmit data received from the apparatus to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface;
A printing control apparatus comprising: Security means for determining the validity of the input request;
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second determination units determine the request when the validity of the request is confirmed. Print control for controlling a printing operation of the image forming apparatus connected to the network via the image forming apparatus, the terminal device connected to the network, and the second network interface. An image forming system in which the terminal device communicates with the image forming apparatus via the print control apparatus,
The terminal device includes a transmission unit that transmits a request to the print control device via the network,
The print control device includes:
And assigning means for assigning a first network address and second network address to the front Stories second network interface,
Expanding means for expanding data received from the terminal device via the second network interface into image data so that the image forming apparatus can execute print processing;
The second said assigned to the network interfaces of the first network of address, is transmitted from the terminal device, a first determination means for determining a request inputted from a specific port,
In response to the request determined by the first determination means, the data received from the terminal device via the second network interface is expanded into image data by the expansion means, and after the expansion First connection selection means for connecting the first and second network interfaces so as to transmit image data to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface;
Second determination means for determining a request input from a specific port to the second network address assigned to the second network interface;
In response to the request determined by the second determination means, the terminal receives the data received from the terminal device via the second network interface without expanding the image data by the expansion means. Second connection selecting means for connecting between the first and second network interfaces so as to transmit data received from the apparatus to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface;
An image forming system comprising: A first network interface connected to the image forming apparatus, and a second network interface connected to a network in which the terminal device exists, via a print control apparatus that controls a printing operation of the image forming apparatus, A network communication method in which a terminal device communicates with the image forming apparatus,
An allocation step of allocating a first network address and second network address to the front Stories second network interface,
A developing step of expanding data received from the terminal device via the second network interface into image data so that the image forming apparatus can execute a printing process;
A first determination step of determining a request input from a specific port addressed to the first network address assigned to the second network interface;
In response to the request determined in the first determination step, the data received from the terminal device via the second network interface is expanded into image data in the expansion step, and after the expansion A first connection selecting step for connecting the first and second network interfaces so as to transmit the image data to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface;
A second determination step of determining a request input from a specific port to the second network address assigned to the second network interface;
In response to the request determined in the second determination step, the data received from the terminal device via the second network interface is not expanded into the image data in the expansion step. A second connection selecting step for connecting the first and second network interfaces so as to transmit data received from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus via the first network interface;
A network communication method characterized by comprising: Storage medium carrying computer readable program code for implementing a printing control device according to claim 1 or 2. Program having a computer readable program code for implementing a printing control device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images