JP4735494B2 - Certified printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an authentication printing system using a mobile phone.

  In recent years, with the spread of networking of PCs (personal computers) and the like, the number of printers and MFPs (multifunction printers) connected to the network is also increasing. Therefore, printers and the like are shared by a plurality of PCs.

  In addition, today, as an information-oriented society, the amount of information handled has increased, and along with this, devices such as copiers and fax machines have become increasingly popular. On the other hand, security awareness is improving socially, such as protecting personal information, and more careful handling is required for handling information.

  Therefore, printers, MFPs, copiers, fax machines, etc. are equipped with a function that performs fingerprint authentication / IC card authentication, etc., and permits operations, or performs fingerprint authentication / IC card authentication, etc., and stores data for each operator. Since then, it has a function that can print data that matches the operator.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a conventional authentication printing (confidential printing) system using an IC card UID (unique ID).
The authentication printing system 500 includes ID cards 502 and 509, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 503, a unique ID (hereinafter referred to as UID) reading device A (503), a shared printer 506, a UID reading device B (508), and a network. 510.

  The UID reading device A (503) and the UID reading device B (508) are reading devices for reading the UID 501 of the ID cards (cards on which IC chips storing the UID 501 are mounted) 502 and 509. The UID reading device A (503) and the UID reading device B (508) are connected to the PC 504 and the shared printer 506, respectively.

  The ID cards 502 and 509 are cards capable of non-contact data communication using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification System) or the like, and different UIDs (unique No) 501 are assigned to each of the ID cards 502 and 509.

  The shared printer 506 has a built-in hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 507. The PC 504 and the shared printer 506 are connected via a network (for example, a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark)) 510.

  FIG. 18 shows a conventional UID authentication flow on the PC side. FIG. 19 shows a conventional UID authentication flow on the printer side. Below, the flow of FIG. 18, FIG. 19 is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  (1) First, the UID 501 of the ID card 502 is read and registered from the UID reading device (RFID reader or the like) 503 connected to the PC 504. Specifically, when the PC side places the ID card 502 on the UID reading device A (503), the UID reading device A (503) reads the UID 501 of the ID card 502 and registers the UID 504 in the PC 503.

  (2) When performing authentication printing, when the PC operator places the ID card 502 on the UID reading apparatus A (503), the PC 504 reads the ID (step 501. Step 1 is hereinafter referred to as “S”). And the PC 504 can be used.

  Next, when the user causes the PC 503 to perform printing (S502), the PC 504 determines whether to perform authentication printing (S503). Since authentication processing has been performed in S501, the PC determines that the printing is authentication printing, generates a print data 505 with UID by incorporating a UID in the header of the print data (S504), and transfers the print data to the printer 506 (S505).

  (3) Upon receiving the print data, the printer 506 side stores the print data in the built-in HDD 507 (S511). Then, the header of the received print data is confirmed, and whether or not the authentication print is performed is determined based on whether or not there is a UID (S512).

  When it is determined that the print is not authenticated printing (when there is no UID in the header of the print data) (proceeding to “No” in S512), the printer 506 determines that the print is normal printing and prints the print data.

  When it is determined that authentication printing is performed (when the print data has a UID in the header of the print data) (proceed to “Yes” in S512), the printer 506 causes the ID card corresponding to the UID to be transferred to the UID reading apparatus B (508). Until this is done (S513), the print data is held in the internal HDD 507. However, when the preset storage period has elapsed (S514), the printer 506 discards the print data (S516).

  (4) When the ID card 509 is inserted into the UID reading device B (508) connected to the printer 506, and the UID is read from the ID card 509 by the printer 506 (proceed to "Yes" in S513), the printer 506 The read UID is collated with the UID of the print data stored in the HDD (S515).

  (5) If there is a matching UID, the printer 506 prints print data corresponding to the UID (S517). If there is no matching UID, the printer 506 determines whether a preset storage period has passed (S514). If the storage period has passed, the printer discards the print data (S516). If not, the process returns to S513.

Incidentally, in recent years, with the development of printing apparatuses, printing in various forms using electronic mail has become possible (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3).
In Patent Literature 1, an e-mail address necessary for acquiring an e-mail to be acquired is input, an e-mail stored in an e-mail server is acquired based on the input e-mail address, and the acquired e-mail is acquired. A printer for printing mail is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, when sending mail, fingerprint information is added to the sent mail for transmission, and at the time of reception, the identity of the sender of the mail is confirmed by confirming whether or not the fingerprint information is registered. An e-mail system that permits reception (opening) of only e-mails that have been confirmed is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a printer system that transmits a notification mail notifying a transmission destination user that a document has been transmitted to a printer used by the transmission destination user when the transmission source user issues a print instruction to the printer. Has been.

  In recent years, IC cards, mobile phones (mobile phones compatible with Felica (registered trademark)) and the like to which RFID (Radio Frequency ID densification) technology for reading RF tag data in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic waves are widely used. .

The RFID is composed of an RF tag (or non-contact IC card) and a reader / writer. An RF tag (or a non-contact IC card) is an information medium that reads and writes data in a built-in memory in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic waves. The reader is a device that reads data stored in the RF tag. The writer is a device that writes data to the RF tag.
JP 2000-259518 A JP 2001-51915 A JP 2001-75886 A

However, when the PC operator performs authentication printing on a person other than himself (the recipient of the printed matter), it is necessary to notify the recipient beforehand (this takes time).
In the case of a rule that authentication printing is performed periodically (for example, at the end of every month), even if the receiver does not contact, it is necessary to perform output processing with the shared printer at that time. May be forgotten and the print data may be discarded as the storage period elapses.

In addition, when the recipient does not know the contents of printing, necessary items are not printed, or unnecessary items are printed, leading to waste of paper and toner.
In view of the above problems, in the present invention, when the sender performs authentication printing, the sender notifies the recipient and when the recipient outputs the authentication print data, the recipient is authenticated and output. An authentication printing system to be executed is provided.

  An authentication printing system according to the present invention includes a mobile phone having a non-contact type IC chip storing unique identification information and having an e-mail transmission / reception function, a computer that executes print instructions and outputs print data, A printing device for printing the print data, wherein the computer is configured to read the identification information of the mobile phone in a contactless manner; first input means for inputting an email address of the mobile phone; First storage means for storing basic information, which is information relating an identification number and the e-mail address, authentication print instruction means for instructing authentication printing, and print to be printed based on the authentication print instruction means First transmission means for transmitting data and the basic information, and the printing apparatus receives the transmitted print data and the basic information. A receiving unit; a second storage unit that stores authentication print-related information that is information that associates the received print data with the basic information; and a mail that creates an e-mail based on the authentication print-related information Creating means; second sending means for sending the e-mail created by the e-mail creating means to the mobile phone; second reading means for reading the identification information of the mobile phone in a contactless manner; The identification information read by the second reading means and the identification information included in the authentication printing related information, and if there is a matching result of the matching means and the matching identification information, the identification information includes And printing means for printing the corresponding print data.

  With this configuration, when the sender performs authenticated printing, the recipient is notified, and when the recipient outputs the certified print data, the recipient is authenticated and output. Can do.

  In the authentication printing system, the computer further includes storage period setting means for setting storage period information for storing the print data in the printing apparatus, and the storage period information is a component of the basic information. Is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus further comprises authentication printing related information erasing means for erasing the authentication printing related information from the second storage means based on the storage period information. It is characterized by.

With this configuration, it is possible to set on the sender side a period during which print data is held in the printing apparatus.
An authentication printing system according to the present invention includes a mobile phone having an e-mail transmission / reception function, a computer that executes a print instruction and outputs print data, and a printing apparatus that prints the print data. Registration means for registering the e-mail address of the mobile phone as basic information, authentication print instruction means for instructing authentication printing, print data to be printed based on the authentication print instruction means, and the basic information 1, wherein the printing apparatus receives the transmitted print data and the basic information, and authentication is information that associates the received print data with the basic information. Storage means for storing print-related information, mail creation means for creating an e-mail based on the authentication print-related information, and the mobile phone Mail transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving the e-mail to / from, e-mail authenticating means for authenticating based on the content of a reply mail to the e-mail transmitted by the e-mail transmitting / receiving means, and reply mail by the mail authenticating means When the authentication is performed, reply mail instruction execution means for executing processing corresponding to the instruction by the reply mail is provided.

  With this configuration, when the sender performs authentication printing, the sender notifies the recipient, and the recipient returns a mail with a predetermined instruction and confirms the contents of the reply mail. Authentication, and processing corresponding to the instruction (printing, preview, retention period extension, deletion, etc.) can be performed.

  In the authentication printing system, the reply mail instruction execution is based on the content of the reply mail, print processing of print data corresponding to the reply mail, generation processing of preview data from print data corresponding to the reply mail, One of a retention period resetting process for storing the authentication printing related information in the storage unit and an erasing process for the authentication printing related information is executed.

  With this configuration, the print data can be output in various output forms such as printing and preview, and the authentication side can be controlled on the receiving side by changing or deleting the storage period of the authentication print data.

  An authentication printing system according to the present invention includes a mobile phone having an e-mail transmission / reception function, a computer that executes a print instruction and outputs print data, and a printing apparatus that prints the print data. Based on the registration means for registering the email address of the mobile phone as basic information, the authentication print instruction means for instructing authentication printing, the print data to be printed based on the authentication print instruction means, and the basic information, Authentication is performed based on the contents of a reply mail to the email sent by the email creating means for creating an email, the email sending / receiving means for sending / receiving the email to / from the mobile phone, and the email sending / receiving means. Mail authentication means to be performed and when the reply mail is authenticated by the mail authentication means, the reply mail A reply mail instruction executing means for executing processing corresponding to the instruction, and the printing apparatus includes a printing means for executing printing when the print data is transferred by the reply mail instruction executing means. And

  With this configuration, when the sender performs authentication printing on the PC side, the recipient is notified of this, and the recipient returns a mail with a predetermined instruction, and the reply mail The content is confirmed and authenticated, and processing corresponding to the instruction (printing, preview, retention period extension, deletion, etc.) can be performed, and the printer side only executes printing processing.

  In the authentication printing system, the reply mail instruction execution includes a process of transferring print data corresponding to the reply mail to the printing apparatus based on the content of the reply mail, and a preview from the print data corresponding to the reply mail. One of a data generation process, a retention period resetting process for storing the print data, and a print data erasing process is executed.

  With this configuration, the print data can be output in various output forms such as printing and preview, and the authentication side can be controlled on the receiving side by changing or deleting the storage period of the authentication print data.

In the authentication printing system, the computer has a FAX transmission / reception function, and the printing apparatus is a FAX apparatus.
With this configuration, the present invention can be applied to a FAX apparatus.

  By using the present invention, when the sender performs authentication printing, the receiver is notified, and when the receiver outputs the authentication print data, the receiver can be authenticated and output. it can. Further, the authentication print data can be output in various output forms such as printing and preview, and the storage period of the authentication print data can be changed or deleted.

(First embodiment)
In this embodiment, the UID and mail address of the mobile phone owned by the receiver on the PC side are embedded in the print data, and the receiver of the mail address is notified by mail that the print data exists on the printer side. An authentication printing system that performs authentication using the UID will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a network configuration of an authentication printing system in the present embodiment. The authentication printing system 1 includes a mobile phone 2, a PC 6, a UID reading device A (5), a printer 8, a UID reading device B (10), and a network 11.

  The UID reading device A (5) and the UID reading device B (10) are reading devices for reading the UID (4) from the mobile phone 2 on which the IC chip storing the UID (4) is mounted. The UID reading device A (5) and the UID reading device B (10) are connected to the PC 6 and the printer 8, respectively.

  The mobile phone 2 is a mobile phone equipped with an IC chip capable of non-contact data communication using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification System) or the like. Each IC chip is assigned a unique number (UID) (4), which is a unique number for each IC chip.

  The printer 8 is a printer that is used in common within the network 11. The printer 8 includes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 9. The printer 8 is, for example, a printer having only a printing function or an MFP (multifunction printer). In the present embodiment, an MFP is used as an example.

  The PC 6 and the printer 8 are connected via a network (for example, a LAN such as Ethernet) 11. In the present embodiment, a LAN (Local Area Network) is used as an example of the network 11, but a communication network such as the Internet, WAN, dedicated line, wired, and wireless may be used.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the external configuration of the printer 8 in the present embodiment. This figure shows an example in which the printer 8 is an MFP. An operation panel (operation panel, display operation unit) 12 is located at the upper front of the printer 8. By operating the operation panel 12, various settings such as setting of the number of printed sheets, density setting, and size setting can be performed.

  A plurality of paper feed cassettes 16 are provided at the lower front of the printer 8, and the paper feed cassettes 16 can be pulled out with the corresponding handles. In addition, a paper discharge tray 17 is provided in the middle part of the printer 8, and printing paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 16. The printing paper on which image formation has been performed is output to the paper discharge tray 17.

  A scanner unit 20 is provided above the printer 8. When the original platen cover of the scanner unit 20 is opened, an original is placed on the original platen, and a predetermined button on the key unit 15 is pressed, the original is scanned and an image (original data) is read. As will be described later, the printer 8 can also send and receive faxes.

  The operation panel 12 is used for displaying the status of the printer 8 or performing an operation when a failure or the like occurs in the printer 8, but can also set printing conditions. The operation panel 12 includes a display unit 13, an LED unit 14, and a key unit 15. The display unit 13 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), for example, and can display the setting state of the printer 8. The display unit 13 displays scan information.

  For example, the LED unit 14 can notify the operating state of the printer 8 by lighting ON / OFF, blinking, or the like. The key unit 15 is a plurality of key groups operated to set the printer 8. The key unit 15 may be a touch panel LCD (liquid crystal display).

  When printing conditions are set on the operation panel 12, a menu button (a button included in the key unit 15 or a touch panel type button displayed on the LCD) may be pressed. A setting menu or the like is displayed on the display unit 13 and setting is performed by the key unit 15.

  FIG. 3 shows an outline of the configuration of the printer 8 in the present embodiment. The printer 8 mainly includes a scanner unit 20, a main unit 23, a printer unit 33, and a display operation unit (operation panel) 12.

  The scanner unit 20 includes a reading mechanism unit 21. When the reading mechanism unit 21 is driven, the document placed on the document table of the scanner unit 20 is scanned to read an image (document data), and the image data is transmitted to the control unit 28.

  The main unit 23 includes a control unit 28, a reading mechanism control unit 24, a display operation control unit 25, a UID reading device control unit 26, a communication control unit 27, a LAN communication control unit 29, a mail creation unit 30, a storage device control unit 31, And a storage unit (HDD) 9.

  The reading mechanism control unit 24 performs mechanism control of the reading mechanism unit 21 of the scanner unit 20 described above. The document data read by the scanner unit 20 is sent to the control unit 28 under the control of the reading mechanism control unit 24.

  A display operation unit (operation panel) 12 can display setting information of the printer 8. Further, the setting of the printer 8 can be changed by pressing an operation key provided on the display operation unit 12. The display operation control unit 25 is, for example, a touch panel type LCD (liquid crystal display), and controls the display operation of the display operation unit 12, controls the display form of data output to the display operation unit 12, An operation signal based on an operation of an operation key or the like provided in the display operation unit 12 is output to the control unit 28.

  The UID reading device control unit 26 is connected to the UID reading device 10. The UID reading device 10 is a device that reads information written on an IC chip in a mobile phone in a non-contact manner when a mobile phone on which an IC chip is mounted is placed. The UID reading device control unit 26 controls the operation of the UID reading device 10 to execute reading of the IC chip of the mobile phone, and information on the IC chip of the mobile phone read by the UID reading device 10 (for example, UID) Is sent to the control unit 28. The UID reading devices 5 and 10 may be an external type or a built-in type.

The mail creation unit 30 is predetermined mail client application software, and creates a mail to be described later.
The storage device control unit 31 controls data writing to the storage device unit (HDD) 9 and reading of data stored in the storage device unit 9. The storage device unit 9 is a large-capacity storage device for spooling print data or temporarily storing data.

  The printer unit 33 includes a paper feeding device 34, a print control unit 36, and a printing mechanism unit 35. The printer unit 33 drives the printing mechanism unit 35 based on the control processing of the print control unit 36 and outputs the print result 37 to the printing paper fed by the paper feeding device 34. The printing mechanism unit 35 includes a print head and other mechanism units such as an image forming unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit.

  The printer 8 is connected to an external network via the communication control unit 27 and can send and receive mail via the mail server 38. The LAN communication control unit 29 is an interface for connecting the printer 8 to the LAN 11.

  A PC 6 is connected to the LAN 11. The PC 6 is a PC that can be used only by a specific person. That is, when using the PC 6 to which the UID reading device 5 is connected (software for performing authentication processing by the UID reading device 5 is incorporated), the mobile phone equipped with the IC chip storing the UID is read by the user. When placed on the device 5, the PC 6 reads the UID in the IC chip from the UID reading device 5, and performs an authentication check to determine whether or not the user is a regular user. The specification is such that the use of the PC 6 is permitted. Therefore, in a PC having such a specification, when the operation (including a print instruction) or printing is performed, the operation (including printing) or printing cannot be performed unless authentication is performed.

  On the other hand, the specification is such that user authentication is not performed on a PC to which the UID reading device 5 is not connected. Therefore, the user of such a PC can perform printing by a normal operation without requiring a special operation procedure.

The user of the PC can create data (print data) to be printed by predetermined application software installed on the PC and print it with the printer 8.
FIG. 4 shows an outline of the operation of the printer 8 in the present embodiment. The printer 8 in FIG. 4 shows only the components necessary for explaining the present embodiment among the functions explained in FIG. 3, and other parts are omitted.

  First, “basic information” (e-mail address, UID, storage period, document name, etc.) and “print data” created and transmitted by the PC 6 are received by the printer 8. The received “basic information” and “print data” are stored in the storage unit 9 under the control of the control unit 28 of the printer 8 (S1).

  Next, the mail creating unit 30 extracts necessary information from the “basic information” read from the storage device unit 9 to create a “mail document”, and assigns a destination mail address to the “mail document”. Transfer to the communication control unit 27. The communication control unit 27 transmits the “destination mail address” and “mail document” to the mail server 38 as electronic mail (S2).

  When the user receives the mail by the mail transmission / reception function of the mobile phone, the user confirms the content of the mail and places the mobile phone 2 on the UID reading device 10 of the printer 8 that has transmitted the mail. Then, the UID reading device 10 is driven by the control of the UID reading device control unit 26, and the UID reading device 10 reads the UID of the IC chip mounted on the mobile phone 2 (S3).

  The control unit 28 searches the storage unit 9 for print data that matches the read UID. If there is matching print data, the control unit 28 sends the print data to the print control unit 36 for printing (S4).

Next, in order to describe the contents of FIG. 4 in detail, the flows of FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 shows an authentication printing flow on the PC side in the present embodiment. First, when the user A (sender) points the mobile phone 2 owned by the user B (recipient) to the UID reader A (5) (RFID reader or the like) connected to the PC 6, the UID reader A ( 5), the UID (4) of the mobile phone 2 is read, and the PC 6 obtains the UID (4) (S11).

Next, the user A registers the acquired UID (4) and the mail address of the mobile phone 2 in association with each other in the PC 6 (S12).
The user A causes the printing process to be executed on the data created by the predetermined application software on the PC 6 (S13). At this time, the printer driver installed in the PC 6 displays a message as to whether or not to perform authentication printing on the display. Based on this display, the user A selects whether or not to perform authentication printing.

  The PC 6 determines whether or not the printing process selected by the user A is authentication printing (S14). If it is determined that the authentication printing is to be performed (the process proceeds to “Yes” in S14), the printer driver installed in the PC 6 displays a message that prompts the user to set the storage period of the print data.

  User A sets a retention period for the print data (S15). The storage period is a period (or time limit) to be retained in the HDD 9 of the printer 8. The printer driver incorporates information (basic information 7) such as a UID, an e-mail address, and a set retention period in the header of the print data (PDL (Page Description Language) command sequence) (S16), and transfers it to the printer 8 (S16). (S17).

  If it is determined in S14 that authentication printing is not performed (the process proceeds to “No” in S14), the PC 6 transfers the print data to the printer 8 without adding basic information to the header (S17).

  FIG. 6 shows an authentication printing flow on the printer side and the receiver side in this embodiment. When the control unit 28 of the printer 8 receives the print data transferred from the PC 6, it holds it in the reception buffer (S21). Then, the print data is taken out from the reception buffer, and the PDL command sequence included in the print data is analyzed to generate image data (S22).

  Next, the control unit 28 determines whether the print data is authentication print data (S23). If there is a UID in the header of the print data, the control unit 28 determines that it is authentication print data, and if not, determines that it is normal printing. When it is determined that the printing is normal printing (the process proceeds to “No” in S23), the print control unit 36 outputs the print data to the printing paper.

  If it is determined that the print data is authenticated (proceed to “Yes” in S23), the control unit 28 extracts information (basic information) such as a UID, an e-mail address, and a storage period from the header of the print data. Then, the control unit 28 associates the basic information with the image data (hereinafter referred to as “authentication print management information”) and temporarily stores it in the built-in storage device (HDD) 9 (S24).

  Then, based on the authentication print management information, the mail creation unit 30 creates a mail 40 that notifies the user B that there is print data as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a mail created by the mail creation unit 30 in the present embodiment. In the figure, the mail 40 includes “Subject”, “Date”, “Retention Period”, “Printer Name”, “Destination”, “Print Data No”, “Print Data File Name”, and “Number of Pages”. Has been.

  “Subject” indicates that there is authentication print data. “Date” indicates the date when the mail 40 is notified. The “storage period” indicates a time limit for storing in the HDD 9 of the printer 8 (when the storage time limit elapses, the print data is automatically deleted on the printer 8 side). “Printer name” indicates the name of an output destination printer that outputs print data. “Destination” indicates a mail address of a destination of the mail. “Print data No.” is the print data No. Indicates. “Print data file name” indicates the file name of the print data. “Number of pages” indicates the number of pages when the print data is output.

  When the mail 40 is created by the mail creation unit 30, the control unit 28 transfers the mail 40 to the communication control unit 27. The communication control unit 27 transmits the mail to the mail server 38. The mail server 38 transmits the mail 40 to the mobile phone of the user B (S32).

  User B (recipient) receives the mail 40 (S41) and confirms the mail 40. User B determines the necessity of printing from the contents of the mail 40 (see FIG. 7) (S42).

  If printing is necessary, the user B (recipient) goes to the printer 8 specified in the mail 40, holds the mobile phone 2 over the UID reading device B (10) connected to the printer 8, and performs UID authentication. (S43).

  When the mobile phone 2 is deceived by the UID reading device B (10) connected to the printer 8 and the UID is read from the mobile phone 2 by the printer 8 (proceed to "Yes" in S26), the control unit 28 The read UID is collated with the UID of the authentication print management information stored in the HDD 9 (S29).

  If there is a matching UID (proceed to “match” in S29), the control unit 28 prints print data corresponding to the UID (S30). If there is no matching UID (goes to “no match” in S29), or if no UID is read (goes to “No” in S26), the control unit 28 determines whether or not a preset storage period has elapsed. Is determined (S27). When the storage period has elapsed, the control unit 28 discards the print data (S28), and when it has not elapsed, the control unit 28 returns to S26.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile phone UID (4) of the destination user B is read using the UID reading device of the PC 6 and registered in the PC 6 together with the email address of the mobile phone. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the UID may be transmitted by e-mail from each mobile phone. Thereby, the user A of the PC 6 reduces the operation burden.

  As described above, the authentication printing system according to the present embodiment includes a PC, a mobile phone, and a printer. The mobile phone has a non-contact communication means, and has a function of transferring the UID to the outside by the communication means and a function of receiving and browsing mail.

  The PC has means for reading the UID of the mobile phone and registering it together with the e-mail address, means for setting a retention period, and means for incorporating them into print data and transferring them to the printer.

  The printer associates the transferred print data, UID, e-mail address, and retention period with each other in the HDD, stores the e-mail addressed to the e-mail address, and non-contact communication with the mobile phone. It has means for acquiring a UID, means for searching for print data to be output from the acquired UID, and means for printing out the print data.

  According to the present embodiment, by notifying that there is print data by mail, it is possible to prevent forgetting to output and forgetting print data. In addition, since the outline of the print data can be recognized and the necessity / unnecessity of printing can be determined according to the contents of the mail, the necessary printed matter can be surely obtained, unnecessary items are not printed, and paper / toner is wasted Can be omitted.

(Second Embodiment)
In this embodiment, the e-mail address of the mobile phone owned by the recipient on the PC side is embedded in the print data, and the recipient of the e-mail address is notified by e-mail that there is print data on the printer side. An authentication printing system will be described in which processing is instructed and the printer confirms the identity by comparing the contents of the sent mail and the received mail, and performs processing based on the instruction.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the network configuration of the authentication printing system in this embodiment. The authentication printing system 1 in FIG. 8 has a configuration in which the UID reading device A (5) and the UID reading device B (10) are excluded from the authentication printing system 1 in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows an outline of the operation of the printer 8 in the present embodiment. The printer 8 in FIG. 9 has a configuration in which a preview data generation unit 50 and a mail authentication unit 51 are added to the main unit 23 of the printer in FIG. The printer 8 in FIG. 9 shows only the components necessary for explaining the present embodiment among the functions explained in FIG. 3 and omits the rest.

  First, “basic information” (e-mail address, storage period, document name, etc.) and “print data” created and transmitted by the PC 6 are received by the printer 8. The received “basic information” and “print data” are associated (authentication print management information) and stored in the storage unit 9 by the control unit 28 of the printer 8 (S51).

  Next, the mail creation unit 30 extracts necessary information from the “basic information” read from the storage unit 9 to create a “mail document” (see FIG. 10), and a destination mail address in the “mail document”. Is transferred to the communication control unit 27 and the storage device control unit 31. The communication control unit 27 transmits the “destination mail address” and “mail document” to the mail server as electronic mail (S52). The storage device control unit 31 stores the transferred outgoing mail document in the HDD 9 in association with the “basic information” of the authentication management information.

  When the user B (recipient) receives the mail by the mail transmission / reception function of the mobile phone, the user B (recipient) confirms the contents of the mail. Then, a reply mail that quotes the received mail is sent. At this time, editing described later is performed. The mail server 38 receives the reply mail and transfers it to the printer 8. Upon receiving the reply mail, the printer 8 transfers the reply mail to the mail authentication unit 51 via the communication control unit 27 (S53).

  The mail authentication unit 51 compares the contents of the reply mail (excluding the part edited above) with the contents of the transmitted mail stored in the HDD 9, and determines whether or not they match (S54). The mail authentication unit 51 notifies the control unit 28 of the determination result.

  If the contents of the two emails match according to the notified determination result, the control unit 28 takes out the print data corresponding to the reply mail (that is, the transmitted mail) from the HDD 9 and transfers it to the print control unit 36. To do. The print control unit 36 prints the print data by the printing mechanism unit 35.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a mail created by the mail creation unit 30 in the present embodiment. In the figure, the mail 60 has a content in which an operation column “operation: (print, hold extension, preview, delete)” is added to the last line of the mail 40 in FIG.

  When the user B receives the mail 60, the user B edits only the “operation field” for the received mail, and returns the edited reply mail 61 as it is. The mail 61 in the figure is an example in which “print” is designated in the operation column.

  Then, the printer that receives the returned mail confirms the validity of the mail. In the present embodiment, the validity of the mail is confirmed by confirming that the destination mail address of the transmission mail 60 matches the mail address of the transmission source of the reply mail, and the “operation field” of the transmission mail 60 and the reply mail 61 and This is done by confirming that the contents other than the “retention period” match.

In addition, after authenticating the validity of the reply mail 61, the printer performs print data output processing based on the contents set in the “operation field” of the reply mail 61.
Next, in order to describe the contents of FIG. 9 in detail, the flows of FIGS. 11 and 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows an authentication printing flow on the PC side in the present embodiment. First, the user A (sender) registers the mail address 3 of the mobile phone of the user B (recipient) in the PC 6 (S61).

  The user A causes the printing process to be executed on the data created by the predetermined application software on the PC 6 (S62). At this time, the printer driver installed in the PC 6 displays a message as to whether or not to perform authentication printing on the display. Based on this display, the user A selects whether or not to perform authentication printing.

  The PC 6 determines whether or not the printing process selected by the user A is authentication printing (S63). If it is determined that the authentication printing is to be performed (the process proceeds to “Yes” in S63), the printer driver installed in the PC 6 displays a message prompting the user to set the print data storage period.

  User A sets a retention period for the print data (S64). The printer driver incorporates information (basic information 46) such as the mail address 3 and the set retention period in the header of the print data (PDL (Page Description Language) command sequence) (S65), and transfers it to the printer 8. (S66).

  If it is determined in S63 that authentication printing is not performed (the process proceeds to “No” in S63), the PC 6 transfers the print data to the printer 8 without adding basic information to the header (S66).

  FIG. 12 shows an authentication printing flow on the printer side and the receiver side in this embodiment. When the control unit 28 of the printer 8 receives the print data transferred from the PC 6, it holds it in the reception buffer (S71). Then, the print data is taken out from the reception buffer, and the PDL command sequence included in the print data is analyzed to generate image data (S72).

  Next, the control unit 28 determines whether or not the print data is authentication print data (S73). If the mail address 3 is in the header of the print data, the control unit 28 determines that the print data is authentication print data, and otherwise determines normal print. When it is determined that the printing is normal printing (the process proceeds to “No” in S73), the print control unit 36 outputs the print data to the printing paper.

  If it is determined that the print data is authenticated (proceed to “Yes” in S73), the control unit 28 extracts information (basic information) such as the mail address 3 and the storage period from the header of the print data. Then, the control unit 28 associates the basic information with the image data (hereinafter referred to as “authentication print management information”), and temporarily stores it in the built-in storage device (HDD) 9 (S74).

  Then, based on the authentication print management information, the mail creation unit 30 creates a mail 60 that notifies the user B that there is print data as shown in FIG.

  When the mail 60 is created by the mail creating unit 30, the control unit 28 transfers the mail 60 to the communication control unit 27. The communication control unit 27 transmits the mail 60 to the mail server 38. The mail 60 is transmitted to the mobile phone of the user B by the mail server 38 (S75).

  User B (recipient) receives the mail 60 (S91) and confirms the mail 60. User B determines the necessity of confirming the contents of the print data from the contents of the mail 60 (see FIG. 10), and returns if necessary (S92).

  When a reply is necessary, the user B selects whether to execute printing, display a preview on the display screen of the mobile phone 2, extend the storage period of the print data, or delete the print data (S93). ).

[When printing]
When printing is performed (going to “Yes” in S93), the user B moves in front of the printer 8 indicated by the printer name described in the mail 60 (S94), and describes “print” in the operation column of the mail 60. Then, the edited mail is sent as a reply mail 61 (S95).

When the printer 8 receives the reply mail 61 (S76), the printer 8 transfers the reply mail 61 to the mail authentication section 51 via the communication control section 27.
The mail authentication unit 51 confirms that the destination mail address of the transmission mail 60 matches the mail address of the transmission source of the reply mail, and the mail authentication unit 51 confirms the contents of the reply mail 61 (operation field). Are compared with the contents of the outgoing mail stored in the HDD 9 to check whether they match, and authenticate the mail (S79).

When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the control unit 28 confirms the operation content specified in the reply mail operation column (S80).
When “print” is specified in the operation column, the control unit 28 retrieves print data corresponding to the reply mail (that is, transmission mail) from the HDD 9 and transfers the print data to the print control unit 36. The print control unit 36 prints the print data by the print mechanism unit 35 (S81).

  After executing printing, the control unit 28 deletes the authentication print management information corresponding to the print data from the HDD 9. Note that the UID authentication by the mobile phone may be performed at the time of output by using the mechanism of the first embodiment together.

  If the reply mail 61 is not received in S76 (proceed to “No” in S76), or if the validity of the reply mail 61 is not authenticated in S79 (proceed to “invalid” in S79), the control unit 28 stores it in the HDD 9 It is determined whether or not the print data that has been set has passed a preset storage period (S77). When the storage period has elapsed, the control unit 28 discards the print data (S78), and when it has not elapsed, the control unit 28 returns to S76.

[When viewing the preview screen]
User B writes “Preview” in the operation field of the mail 60 (the contents other than the operation field are not changed), and transmits the edited mail as a reply mail 61 (S96).

  When the printer 8 receives the reply mail 61 (S76), the printer 8 transfers the reply mail 61 to the mail authentication section 51 via the communication control section 27. As described above, the mail authentication unit 51 authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S79).

When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the control unit 28 confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S80).
When “preview” is specified in the operation column, the control unit 28 extracts print data corresponding to the reply mail (that is, transmission mail) from the HDD 9 and transfers the print data to the preview data generation unit 50. The preview data generation unit 50 generates preview data from the print data. The preview data here is image data as a print image that is sufficient to reduce the amount of information (resolution) of print data (image data) and display it on the display screen of a mobile phone. As a method for reducing the amount of information, for example, even if the pixels forming the print data (image data) are thinned out at a fixed interval, or JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) compression is performed, the resolution of the image data is reduced. Good.

  When preview data of print data is generated by the preview data generation unit 50, the control unit 28 attaches the preview data file to the mail and resends it to the user B (recipient) (S82).

When the user B (recipient) receives the mail by the mobile phone 2, the preview data attached to the mail is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone.
[When extending the retention period]
User B writes “save extension” in the operation field of the mail 60, overwrites the extension period date in the storage period field (does not edit other fields), and sends the edited mail as a reply mail 61. (S96).

  When the printer 8 receives the reply mail 61 (S76), the printer 8 transfers the reply mail 61 to the mail authentication section 51 via the communication control section 27. As described above, the mail authentication unit 51 authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S79).

When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the control unit 28 confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S80).
When “save extension” is specified in the operation column, the control unit 28 reads out the authentication print management information corresponding to the reply mail (that is, the sent mail) from the HDD 9, and displays the “save period” of the authentication print management information. ”Is replaced with the date specified in the reply mail 61, and the authentication print management information is updated and stored in the HDD 9 (S83). Thereafter, the print data (authentication print management data) is held until the “storage period”.

[When deleting print data]
User B writes “delete” in the operation field of the mail 60 (no change except for the operation field), and sends the edited mail as the reply mail 61 (S96).

  When the printer 8 receives the reply mail 61 (S76), the printer 8 transfers the reply mail 61 to the mail authentication section 51 via the communication control section 27. As described above, the mail authentication unit 51 authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S79).

When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the control unit 28 confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S80).
When “delete” is specified in the operation column, the control unit 28 deletes the authentication print management information corresponding to the reply mail (that is, the transmitted mail) from the HDD 9 (S78).

  In the present embodiment, the validity of the mail is confirmed by confirming that the destination mail address of the transmission mail 60 matches the mail address of the transmission mail 61 and that the reply mail 61 This is performed depending on whether or not the content matches the content of the outgoing mail stored in the HDD 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the mail creating unit 51 creates the mail 60, a random number or one-time password is described in the mail 60, and when the reply is received from the user B, the random number or the one-time password is included in the reply mail. It is also possible to confirm only the validity of the reply mail.

  As described above, the authentication printing system according to the present embodiment includes a PC, a mobile phone, and a printer. The mobile phone has mail reception, browsing, editing, and reply functions. The PC has means for registering an e-mail address, means for setting a storage period, and means for incorporating them into print data and transferring them to a printer.

  The printer associates the transferred print data, e-mail address, and retention period with each other, stores it in the HDD, transmits / receives e-mail to that e-mail address, and returns the address of the e-mail sent first. A means for confirming that it matches the address, a means for confirming that the contents specified in the sent mail and the received mail match, and a keyword (print, preview, save) described in the received mail Based on extension, deletion, etc.).

  According to this embodiment, the user B (recipient) can instruct the printer to perform processing such as printing, previewing, extending the storage period, and deleting using the mail function of the mobile phone.

  Further, when printing cannot be performed for a while due to circumstances, conventionally, the print data is automatically deleted after the storage period has passed, but in this embodiment, the storage period is determined by the operation of the user B (recipient). Can be extended.

  In the first embodiment, a contactless communication mechanism is required to acquire the mobile phone UID. However, in this embodiment, a contactless communication mechanism is required in order to perform authentication by sending and receiving mail. do not do.

(Third embodiment)
In this embodiment, a series of processing performed by the printer in the second embodiment is performed by a PC (or a fax machine on the transmission side), and further, an output destination (printer or fax apparatus) is designated by a mail returned by the receiver. An authentication printing system to which a function is added will be described.

Example 1
In the second embodiment, a mail is created by a printer, a reply mail is authenticated, or preview data is created. In this embodiment (Example 1), a mail is created on the PC side. The reply mail is authenticated and preview data is created, and only the printing process is performed on the printer side.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the network configuration of the authentication printing system in the present embodiment (Example 1). The authentication printing system 1 in FIG. 8 is the same as the authentication printing system 1 in FIG. 8, but the transmission and reception of mail is performed between the PC 6 and the mobile phone 2, and the printer 8 has an authentication function. It differs in that it can be a normal printer.

  FIG. 14 shows an authentication printing flow on the PC side, the printer side, and the receiver side in the present embodiment (Example 1). First, the user A (sender) registers the mail address 3 of the mobile phone of the user B (recipient) in the PC 6 (S101).

  User A causes the print processing to be executed on data created with predetermined application software on the PC 6 (S102). At this time, the printer driver installed in the PC 6 displays a message as to whether or not to perform authentication printing on the display. Based on this display, the user A selects whether or not to perform authentication printing.

  The PC 6 determines whether or not the printing process selected by the user A is authentication printing (S103). If it is determined that the authentication printing is to be performed (the process proceeds to “Yes” in S103), the printer driver installed in the PC 6 displays a message that prompts the user to set the print data storage period.

  User A sets a storage period for the print data on the PC 6 (S104). The PC 6 associates the print data with the e-mail address registered in S101 and information (basic information) such as the retention period set in S104 (hereinafter referred to as “authenticated print management information”), and a built-in storage device ( (HDD).

  Then, based on the authentication print management information, the PC 6 creates a mail 60 that notifies the user B that there is print data as shown in FIG. 10 with the mail address registered in S101 as the destination. The mail may be created using mail software installed on the PC 6.

When creating the mail 60, the PC 6 notifies the user B (recipient) of the mobile phone 2 of the mail 60 (S104).
User B (recipient) receives the mail 60 (S121) and confirms the mail 60. User B determines the necessity of confirming the contents of the print data from the contents of the mail 60 (see FIG. 10), and returns if necessary (S122).

  When a reply is necessary, the user B selects whether to execute printing, display a preview on the display screen of the mobile phone 2, extend the storage period of the print data, or delete the print data (S123). ).

[When printing]
When printing is performed (the process proceeds to “Yes” in S123), the user B moves in front of an arbitrary printer (S124). Then, the user B writes the name of the destination printer in the printer name field described in the mail 60 (S125), and further describes “print” in the operation field (except for the operation field and the printer name field). The mail after editing is transmitted as the reply mail 61 (S126).

  When receiving the reply mail 61 (S106), the PC 6 confirms the validity of the mail (S109). The confirmation of the validity of the mail is the same as the process performed by the mail authentication unit 51.

When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the PC 6 confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S110).
When “print” is specified in the operation field, the PC 6 takes out the print data corresponding to the reply mail 61 (that is, the transmitted mail 60) from the HDD in the PC 6, and the printer name field of the reply mail 61 The print data 47 is transferred to the printer described in (1). The printer 8 receives the print data and executes print processing (S131).

After issuing the print instruction, the PC 6 deletes the print data 47 and the authentication print management information corresponding to the print data 47 from the HDD of the PC 6.
If the reply mail 61 is not received in S106 (goes to “No” in S106), or if the legitimacy of the reply mail 61 is not authenticated in S109 (goes to “illegal” in S109), the PC 6 prints stored in the HDD. It is determined whether or not the data has passed a preset storage period (S107). If the storage period has elapsed, the PC 6 deletes the print data from the HDD (S108), and if not, the process returns to S106. Note that the UID authentication by the mobile phone may be performed at the time of output by using the mechanism of the first embodiment together.

[When viewing the preview screen]
User B writes “Preview” in the operation field of the mail 60 (the contents other than the operation field are not changed), and transmits the edited mail as a reply mail 61 (S127).

  When receiving the reply mail 61 (S106), the PC 6 authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S109). When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the PC 6 confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S110).

  When “preview” is specified in the operation column, the PC 6 extracts print data corresponding to the reply mail 61 (that is, the transmission mail 60) from the HDD, and generates preview data. The method for creating preview data is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

When the PC 6 generates the print data preview data, the PC 6 attaches the preview data file to the mail and resends it to the mobile phone 2 of the user B (recipient) (S122).
When the user B (recipient) receives the mail by the mobile phone 2, the preview data attached to the mail is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone.

[When extending the retention period]
User B writes “save extension” in the operation field of the mail 60, overwrites the extension period date in the storage period field (does not edit other fields), and sends the edited mail as a reply mail 61. (S127).

When receiving the reply mail 61 (S106), the PC 6 authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S109).
When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the PC 6 confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S110).

  When “save extension” is specified in the operation column, the PC 6 reads the authentication print management information corresponding to the reply mail 60 (that is, the send mail 61) from the HDD, and displays the “save period” of the authentication print management information. ”Is replaced with the date specified in the reply mail 61, and the authentication print management information is updated and stored in the HDD (S113). Thereafter, the print data (authentication print management information) is held until the “storage period”.

[When deleting print data]
User B writes “delete” in the operation field of the mail 60 (no change except for the operation field), and sends the edited mail as the reply mail 61 (S127).

When receiving the reply mail 61 (S106), the PC 6 authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S109).
When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the PC 6 confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S110).

If “delete” is specified in the operation column, the PC 6 deletes the authentication print management information corresponding to the reply mail 61 (that is, the transmitted mail 61) from the HDD (S108).
As described above, the authentication printing system according to the present embodiment (Example 1) includes a PC, a mobile phone, and a printer. The PC registers means for registering the e-mail address of the mobile phone, means for setting the retention period, means for associating the print data, e-mail address, and retention period in the HDD, and sending / receiving e-mail to the e-mail address Means for confirming that the address of the reply source is the same as the address sent first, means for confirming that the contents specified in the sent mail and the received mail match, and receiving Based on the keywords (printing, dereviewing, storage extension, deletion, etc.) described in the mail, there is means for executing the corresponding processing.

The mobile phone has mail reception, browsing, editing, and reply functions. The printer has only a normal printing function.
According to the second embodiment, since data is sent to the printer selected by the PC operator, the user B (recipient) needs to go to the printer, but this embodiment (Example 1). ), The user (recipient) can designate an arbitrary printer, so that the nearest printer can be selected or a congested printer can be avoided.

(Example 2)
The present embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The functions performed by the PC in the first embodiment are all performed by the FAX apparatus in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the network configuration of the authentication printing system in the present embodiment (Example 2). In the authentication printing system 1 of FIG. 8, the PC 6 of the authentication printing system 1 of FIG. 13 is replaced with a FAX apparatus A (70), the printer 8 is replaced with a FAX apparatus 71 (FAX apparatuses B, C, and D), and the network 11 is public. The line 72 is replaced.

  The FAX apparatus A (70) has at least a CPU, memory (ROM, RAM), and HDD in addition to a normal FAX function. The FAX apparatus 71 (FAX apparatuses B, C, and D) is a normal FAX apparatus.

  FIG. 16 shows an authentication printing flow on the FAX apparatus A side, FAX apparatus B side, and receiver side in the present embodiment (Example 2). First, the user A (sender) registers the mobile phone mail address 3 of the user B (recipient) in the FAX apparatus A (70) (S141).

  The user A causes the fax machine A to read a sheet to be faxed (S142). At this time, the FAX apparatus A (70) displays a message as to whether or not to perform authentication printing on the display unit of the FAX apparatus A (70). Based on this display, the user A selects whether or not to perform authentication printing. The data read in S142 is referred to as FAX data 73.

  The FAX apparatus A (70) determines whether or not the printing process selected by the user A is authentication printing (S143). If it is determined that the authentication printing is to be performed (the process proceeds to “Yes” in S143), the FAX apparatus A (70) displays a message that prompts the user to set a FAX data storage period.

  User A sets the retention period of the FAX data on the operation panel of FAX apparatus A (70) (S144). The FAX apparatus A (70) associates the FAX data 73 with the mail address 3 registered in S 141 and information (basic information) such as the storage period set in S 144 (hereinafter referred to as “authentication FAX management information”). Stored in a built-in storage device (HDD).

  Then, the FAX apparatus A (70) sends a mail 60 for notifying the user B that there is FAX data as shown in FIG. 10 with the mail address 3 registered in S141 as the destination based on the authentication FAX management information. create. At this time, the “printer name” column in FIG. 10 is a “FAX number” column (for example, “FAX number: 03-XXXX-XXX”).

When the FAX apparatus A (70) creates the mail 60, the FAX apparatus A (70) notifies the user 60 (recipient) of the mail 60 (S145).
User B (recipient) receives the mail 60 (S161) and confirms the mail 60. User B determines the necessity of confirming the contents of the FAX data from the contents of the mail 60 (see FIG. 10), and returns it to the FAX apparatus A (70) if necessary (S162).

  When a reply is necessary, User B selects whether to execute printing of FAX data, display a preview on the display screen of the mobile phone 2, extend the retention period of FAX data, or delete FAX data. (S163).

[When printing]
When printing is performed (going to “Yes” in S163), the user B searches for a nearby FAX apparatus (FAX apparatus B) (S164). User B enters the fax number of the nearest fax machine (FAX machine B (71)) in the "FAX number" field described in the mail 60, and further describes "Print" in the operation field ( No change is made except for the operation column and FAX number column), and the edited mail is transmitted as a reply mail 61 (S165).

  Upon receiving the reply mail 61 (S146), the FAX apparatus A (70) confirms the validity of the reply mail 61 (S149). Confirmation of the validity of the reply mail is the same as the process performed by the mail authentication unit 51.

When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the FAX apparatus A (70) confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S150).
When “print” is specified in the operation column, the FAX apparatus A (70) sends transmission data corresponding to the reply mail 61 (that is, the transmission mail 60) from the HDD in the FAX apparatus A (70). Then, the FAX data 73 is transferred to the FAX apparatus (FAX apparatus B (71)) of the FAX number of the reply mail 61 (S151). The FAX apparatus B (71) receives the FAX data 73 and executes print processing (S171).

  Note that after issuing the print instruction, the FAX apparatus A (70) deletes the FAX data 73 and the authentication FAX management information corresponding to the FAX data 73 from the HDD of the FAX apparatus A (70).

  If the reply mail 61 is not received in S146 (proceed to “No” in S146), or if the validity of the reply mail 61 is not authenticated in S149 (proceed to “invalid” in S149), the FAX apparatus A (70) is It is determined whether the FAX data stored in the HDD has passed a preset retention period (S147). If the storage period has elapsed, the FAX apparatus A (70) deletes the FAX data from the HDD (S148), and if it has not elapsed, the process returns to S146. Note that the UID authentication by the mobile phone may be performed at the time of output by using the mechanism of the first embodiment together.

[When viewing the preview screen]
User B writes “Preview” in the operation field of the mail 60 (no change except for the operation field), and sends the edited mail as the reply mail 61 (S166).

  Upon receiving the reply mail 61 (S146), the FAX apparatus A (70) authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S149). When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the FAX apparatus A (70) confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S150).

  When “preview” is specified in the operation column, the FAX apparatus A (70) extracts FAX data corresponding to the reply mail 61 (that is, the transmission mail 60) from the HDD, and generates preview data. . The method for creating preview data is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

  When the FAX apparatus A (70) generates preview data of FAX data, the FAX apparatus A (70) attaches the preview data file to the mail and resends it to the mobile phone 2 of the user B (recipient) (S152).

When the user B (recipient) receives the mail by the mobile phone 2, the preview data attached to the mail is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone.
[When extending the retention period]
User B writes “save extension” in the operation field of the mail 60, overwrites the extension period date in the storage period field (does not edit other fields), and sends the edited mail as a reply mail 61. (S166).

Upon receiving the reply mail 61 (S146), the FAX apparatus A (70) authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S149).
When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the FAX apparatus A (70) confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S150).

  When “Save extension” is specified in the operation column, the FAX apparatus A (70) reads out the authentication print management information corresponding to the reply mail 60 (that is, the transmission mail 61) from the HDD, and performs authentication print management. The date of the “storage period” of the information is replaced with the date specified by the reply mail 61, and the authentication print management information is updated and stored in the HDD (S153). Thereafter, the FAX data (authentication FAX management information) is held until the “storage period”.

[When deleting print data]
User B writes “delete” in the operation field of the mail 60 (no change except for the operation field), and sends the edited mail as the reply mail 61 (S166).

Upon receiving the reply mail 61 (S146), the FAX apparatus A (70) authenticates the validity of the reply mail 61 (S149).
When the validity of the reply mail 61 is authenticated, the FAX apparatus A (70) confirms the operation content specified in the operation column of the reply mail 61 (S150).

  When “Delete” is specified in the operation column, the FAX apparatus A (70) deletes the authentication FAX management information corresponding to the reply mail 61 (that is, the transmitted mail 61) from the HDD (S148).

  As described above, the authentication printing system according to the present embodiment (Example 2) includes the FAX apparatuses A and B and the mobile phone. The FAX machine A has a means for registering a mail address of a mobile phone, a means for setting a retention period, a means for storing print data, a mail address and a retention period in association with each other in the HDD, and a mail addressed to the mail address. Means for sending and receiving, means for confirming that the address of the reply source matches the address originally transmitted, means for confirming that the contents specified in the sent mail and the received mail match. And means for executing the corresponding processing based on the keywords (printing, dereviewing, storage extension, deletion, etc.) described in the received mail.

The mobile phone has mail reception, browsing, editing, and reply functions. The FAX apparatus B has only a normal FAX transmission / reception function.
According to this embodiment (Example 2), the FAX sender (User A) can perform the FAX transmission process without being aware of the current location of the receiver (User B). The receiver (user B) can specify a nearby FAX apparatus and obtain data immediately even if he / she is away from home.

1 illustrates an example of a network configuration of an authentication printing system according to a first embodiment. 1 shows an example of an external configuration of a printer 8 according to a first embodiment. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of a printer 8 according to a first embodiment. An outline of the operation of the printer 8 in the first embodiment will be described. 5 shows an authentication printing flow on the PC side in the first embodiment. 5 shows an authentication printing flow on the printer side and the receiver side in the first embodiment. An example of the mail produced | generated by the mail preparation part 30 in 1st Embodiment is shown. An example of the network configuration of the authentication printing system in 2nd Embodiment is shown. The outline | summary of operation | movement of the printer 8 in 2nd Embodiment is shown. An example of the mail created by the mail creating unit 30 in the second embodiment is shown. 10 shows an authentication printing flow on the PC side in the second embodiment. 10 shows an authentication printing flow on the printer side and the receiver side in the second embodiment. An example of the network configuration of the authentication printing system in a 3rd embodiment (Example 1) is shown. 10 shows an authentication printing flow on the PC side, the printer side, and the receiver side in the third mode (Example 1). An example of the network configuration of the authentication printing system in the third mode (Example 2) is shown. 10 shows an authentication printing flow on the FAX apparatus A (transmission) side, FAX apparatus B (reception side) side and receiver side in the third embodiment (Example 2). An example of a conventional authentication printing (confidential printing) system using an IC card UID (unique ID) is shown. A conventional UID authentication flow on the PC side is shown. A conventional UID authentication flow on the printer side is shown.

Explanation of symbols

1 Authentication printing system 2 Mobile phone 3 E-mail address 4 UID
5 UID reader A
6 PC
7 Data with UID / address 8 Printer 9 Internal HDD
10 UID reading device B
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Network 12 Operation panel 13 Display part 14 LED part 15 Key part 16 Paper feed cassette 17 Paper discharge tray 20 Scanner part 21 Reading mechanism part 23 Main part 24 Reading mechanism control part 25 Display operation control part 26 UID reading apparatus control part 27 Communication Control unit 28 Control unit 29 LAN communication control unit 30 Mail creation unit 31 Storage device control unit 33 Printer unit 34 Paper feed device 35 Printing mechanism unit 36 Print control unit 37 Print result 38 Mail server 39 Network 50 Preview data generation unit 51 Mail authentication Part 70 FAX machine A
71 FAX machine B, C, D
72 Public line

Claims (7)

A mobile phone equipped with a non-contact IC chip storing unique identification information and having an e-mail transmission / reception function, a computer that executes print instructions and outputs print data, and a printing apparatus that prints the print data An authentication printing system comprising:
The computer
First reading means for reading the identification information of the mobile phone in a contactless manner;
Input means for inputting an e-mail address of the mobile phone;
First storage means for storing basic information that is information relating the identification number and the mail address;
Authentication printing instruction means for instructing authentication printing;
First transmission means for transmitting print data to be printed based on the authentication print instruction means and the basic information;
The printing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the transmitted print data and the basic information;
Second storage means for storing authentication printing related information, which is information associating the received print data with the basic information;
Mail creating means for creating an email based on the authentication printing related information;
Second transmission means for transmitting the email created by the email creation means to the mobile phone;
Second reading means for reading the identification information of the mobile phone in a contactless manner;
Collating means for collating the identification information read by the second reading means with the identification information included in the authentication printing related information;
An authentication printing system comprising: a printing unit that prints print data corresponding to the identification information if there is a matching identification information as a result of the collation by the collating unit. The computer further includes:
Storage period setting means for setting storage period information for storing the print data in the printing apparatus;
The retention period information is transmitted to the printing apparatus as one of the components of the basic information,
The printing apparatus further includes:
The authentication printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: an authentication printing related information deleting unit that deletes the authentication printing related information from the second storage unit based on the storage period information. An authentication printing system comprising a mobile phone having an e-mail transmission / reception function, a computer that executes print instructions and outputs print data, and a printing apparatus that prints the print data,
The computer
Registration means for registering the e-mail address of the mobile phone as basic information;
Authentication printing instruction means for instructing authentication printing;
First transmission means for transmitting print data to be printed based on the authentication print instruction means and the basic information;
The printing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the transmitted print data and the basic information;
Storage means for storing authentication printing related information, which is information associating the received print data with the basic information;
Mail creating means for creating an email based on the authentication printing related information;
A mail transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving the electronic mail to / from the mobile phone;
Mail authentication means for performing authentication based on the content of a reply mail to the e-mail transmitted by the e-mail transmission / reception means;
An authentication printing system comprising: a reply mail instruction executing means for executing processing corresponding to an instruction by the reply mail when the reply mail is authenticated by the mail authentication means. The reply mail instruction execution includes printing processing of print data corresponding to the reply mail, generation processing of preview data from the print data corresponding to the reply mail, authentication printing related information based on the content of the reply mail. The authentication according to claim 3, wherein one of a resetting process of a storage period stored in the storage unit and an erasing process for erasing the authentication printing related information is executed. Printing system. An authentication printing system comprising a mobile phone having an e-mail transmission / reception function, a computer that executes print instructions and outputs print data, and a printing apparatus that prints the print data,
The computer
Registration means for registering the e-mail address of the mobile phone as basic information;
Authentication printing instruction means for instructing authentication printing;
Mail creating means for creating an email based on the print data to be printed based on the authentication print instruction means and the basic information;
A mail transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving the electronic mail to / from the mobile phone;
Mail authentication means for performing authentication based on the content of a reply mail to the e-mail transmitted by the e-mail transmission / reception means;
A reply mail instruction executing means for executing a process corresponding to the instruction by the reply mail when the reply mail is authenticated by the mail authentication means;
The printing apparatus includes:
An authentication printing system comprising: printing means for executing printing when the print data is transferred by a reply mail instruction execution means. The reply mail instruction execution includes a process of transferring print data corresponding to the reply mail to the printing device based on the content of the reply mail, a process of generating preview data from the print data corresponding to the reply mail, 6. The authentication printing system according to claim 5, wherein any one of a retention period resetting process for storing print data and an erasing process for erasing the print data is executed. The authentication printing system according to claim 5, wherein the computer has a FAX transmission / reception function, and the printing apparatus is a FAX apparatus.