JP4821562B2 - Originality management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, an apparatus, a program, and an image forming apparatus for managing the originality of a paper medium on which image data is printed.

  In recent years, it has become possible to quickly distribute a document regardless of the number and distance of distribution destinations by transmitting the document as image data instead of a paper medium. However, on the other hand, since it is now possible to easily create multiple identical documents, multiple documents may be created illegally, even for documents that should originally exist, such as receipts. Sex has arisen. Therefore, a system that can manage the originality that guarantees which paper medium is the original is desired for a document that should originally exist only one.

  In the past, it was possible to guarantee the originality of a paper medium to be verified using a technique such as digital watermarking.

  Certainly, it may be possible to guarantee the originality by using a technique such as digital watermarking. However, in the prior art, it is necessary to intentionally add information such as a digital watermark to a paper medium.

  An object of the present invention is to guarantee the originality of a paper medium without intentionally adding information for guaranteeing the originality to the paper medium.

An originality management system according to the present invention includes an originality management apparatus that manages the originality of a paper medium on which image data is printed, and an image forming apparatus that has a print function for image data, and the originality management apparatus Includes image data transmission means for transmitting image data and identification information of the image data to the image forming apparatus, identification information of the image data transmitted to the image forming apparatus by the image data transmission means, and the image data. Paper fingerprint information storage means for storing paper fingerprint image data of a printed paper medium in association with printing status information indicating a printing state of the image data, and paper on which image data is printed by the image forming apparatus the paper fingerprint image data of the medium, and the paper fingerprint image data receiving means for receiving from the image forming apparatus together with the identification information of the image data, the paper fingerprint image data receiving means If the paper fingerprint image data of the received paper medium is associated with the identification information of the image data printed on the paper medium and the paper fingerprint image data is not registered, it corresponds to the identification information of the image data And information management means for registering in the paper fingerprint information storage means, and the image forming apparatus receives image data transmitted from the originality management apparatus and identification information of the image data According to the image data receiving means and the print instruction, the image data received by the image data receiving means is printed, and after printing is executed, the printed image data is deleted, while the identification information of the image data is deleted. and printing means for saving without a paper fingerprint acquisition means for acquiring a paper fingerprint image data of the paper medium on which the image data has been printed, in accordance with an instruction from the printing unit, said paper Paper fingerprint for transmitting paper fingerprint image data of the paper medium on which the image data is printed by the printing means a paper fingerprint image data obtained by the fingerprint acquisition means together with the identification information of the image data to the original management device In response to a reissue instruction from the image data transmission means and the user, the identification information of the image data stored without being deleted is displayed in a list, and the image data selected by the user from the displayed list is identified. Reissue request processing means for receiving information and transmitting a reissue request including identification information of the received image data to the originality management apparatus; image processing means for performing image processing using a read image of a paper medium; Inquiry information including paper fingerprint image data of the paper medium acquired by the paper fingerprint acquisition means in response to an instruction from the image processing means is used as the originality management device. Possess the inquiry information sending means for sending to the location, wherein the information management means, when receiving the re-issuance request transmitted from the image forming apparatus, corresponding to the identification information of image data included in the reissue request In the printing status information, information indicating that the image data identified by the identification information of the image data included in the reissue request is invalid is set, the identification information of the image data is newly generated, and the image When the information management unit newly generates image data identification information in response to the reissue request, the data transmission unit displays the image data and the newly generated identification information of the image data. When the originality management device receives the inquiry information transmitted from the image forming device, the paper fingerprint image that matches the paper fingerprint image data included in the inquiry information is received. Even when the data is registered in the paper fingerprint information storage means, information indicating that the image data is invalid is set in the print status information corresponding to the registered paper fingerprint image data. If it has been done, the image forming apparatus is controlled to display information indicating that the paper medium used for image processing is invalid as an original .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to guarantee the originality of a paper medium in which only one sheet is recognized to exist simultaneously.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an originality management system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a management client 10, an image forming apparatus 20, and a firewall 12 connected to a network 14 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The management client 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 are connected to a firewall 12. Data communication with the billing system 50 can be performed via the Internet 16.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is a form of an image forming apparatus equipped with various functions. In the case of this embodiment, at least a printing function, a scanner function, a copying function, and the like are installed.

  The management client 10 is a client computer used by an administrator of the image forming apparatus 20, and in the case of the present embodiment, is realized by a personal computer equipped with at least a message exchange function such as e-mail.

  The accounting system 50 is a system that is constructed by one or more server computers and manages accounting according to the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus 20. The billing system 50 mainly performs electronic billing and receipt issuance processing. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the billing system 50 is formed by one server computer for the sake of convenience.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment. As described above, the image forming apparatus 20 is a multifunction machine having various functions such as a copy function and a scanner function, and is an apparatus having a built-in computer. In FIG. 2, the CPU 21 controls the operation of various mechanisms mounted on the apparatus such as the scanner 24 and the printer engine 26 according to a program stored in the ROM 29. The address data bus 22 is connected to various mechanisms to be controlled by the CPU 21 to perform data communication. The operation panel 23 receives instructions from the user and displays information. The scanner 24 reads a document set by a user and accumulates it as electronic data in the HDD 25 or the like. The HDD 25 stores an electronic document read using a scanner. The confidential box used in the present embodiment is provided in the HDD 25. The printer engine 26 prints an image on output paper in accordance with an instruction from a control program executed by the CPU 21. A network interface (I / F) 27 is connected to the network 14 for transmitting electronic data generated by the apparatus, receiving an e-mail transmitted to the apparatus, and accessing the apparatus via a browser. Used. A random access memory (RAM) 28 is used as a work memory at the time of program execution and a communication buffer at the time of electronic data transmission / reception. A read-only memory (ROM) 29 stores various programs relating to control of the apparatus, encryption of electronic data, and transmission / reception of electronic data. By executing various programs, each component described later exhibits a predetermined processing function. The external media interface (I / F) 30 is an interface with an external memory device such as a USB memory or a flash memory.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server computer forming the billing system 50 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the server computer forming the billing system 50 can be realized with a general-purpose hardware configuration that has existed in the past. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the computer is provided as a CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, HDD controller 55 connected with a hard disk drive (HDD) 54, a mouse 56 and keyboard 57 provided as input means, and a display device. An input / output controller 59 for connecting each display 58 and a network controller 60 provided as a communication means are connected to an internal bus 61.

  Although there may be a difference in performance, since the management client 10 is also a computer, its hardware configuration can be illustrated as in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 and the charging system 50 in the present embodiment.

  First, the billing system 50 includes an invoice generation processing unit 66, a receipt generation processing unit 67, an issue processing unit 68, a print result reception processing unit 69, a response processing unit 70, and an information management unit 71. The invoice generation processing unit 66 generates invoice image data according to the usage status of the image forming apparatus 20 for a predetermined period. The receipt generation processing unit 67 generates image data of a receipt when the payment of the amount specified on the invoice is confirmed by the user. The issuance processing unit 68 transmits the generated invoice and receipt to the corresponding image forming apparatus 20. The printing result reception processing unit 69 receives paper fingerprint image data of a paper medium on which a bill or a receipt sent from the image forming apparatus 20 is printed. The response processing unit 70 receives an inquiry or the like sent from the image forming apparatus 20 and returns information as necessary. The information management unit 71 generates identification information (invoice ID / receipt ID) of each document when an invoice or receipt is generated, and sets and registers it in the paper fingerprint information management table 72. Also, the paper fingerprint image data received by the print result reception processing unit 69 is registered in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 as necessary, and the set information is updated as necessary. The data structure of the information held in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 is as shown in FIG.

  In the paper fingerprint information management table 72, information related to each document of invoice and receipt handled in the present embodiment is set. The invoice information includes the paper fingerprint image data sent from the image forming apparatus 20 in correspondence with the invoice ID, the number of times the invoice is output, the invoice issuance date and time, and the invoice amount received by the accounting system administrator. Each item of the deposit status information indicating the presence or absence is included. On the other hand, the receipt information includes paper fingerprint image data and print state information sent from the image forming apparatus 20 in association with the receipt ID. The print status information is either “not yet” indicating that the receipt has not yet been printed, “done” indicating that the receipt has been printed, or “invalid” indicating that the receipt has become invalid. It is the information which shows the state of. Basically, a receipt is issued when the invoice amount specified in the invoice is received, so a receipt containing one receipt ID for invoice information containing one invoice ID. Information is registered in association with each other. However, the present embodiment has a function that can reissue a receipt in response to a request from the user. Therefore, when a receipt is reissued, receipt information including a plurality of receipt IDs may be registered in association with invoice information including one invoice ID. This reissue process will be described later.

  The information management unit 71 uses the paper fingerprint information management table 72 to manage each document of the invoice and the receipt and guarantee the originality of the receipt as will be described later.

  Each component 66 to 71 in the charging system 50 is realized by a cooperative operation of a computer that forms the charging system 50 and a program that operates on a CPU mounted on the computer. The paper fingerprint information management table 72 is realized by the HDD 54 or the RAM 53 mounted on the computer.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a data reception processing unit 36, a notification processing unit 37, an operation reception processing unit 38, a printing function processing unit 39, a copying function processing unit 40, an image reading function processing unit 41, and a paper fingerprint acquisition processing unit 42. A print result notification processing unit 43, an inquiry processing unit 44, a reissue request processing unit 45, and an overall processing control unit 46. The data reception processing unit 36 receives invoice data and receipt data sent from the charging system 50 and stores them in the confidential box 47. The notification processing unit 37 notifies the management client 10 that the billing system 50 has issued the invoice or receipt by receiving the invoice data or receipt data. The operation reception processing unit 38 receives an input instruction given by the user from the operation panel 23. The printing function processing unit 39, the copying function processing unit 40, and the image reading function processing unit 41 are means for exercising each function mounted on the image forming apparatus 20 while controlling the operation of the printer engine 26 and the scanner 24, respectively. is there. However, each function processing unit 39 to 41 performs a characteristic process in the present embodiment in addition to a conventional process by operating in cooperation with other components. The paper fingerprint acquisition processing unit 42 reads the paper fingerprint from the paper medium designated by each of the function processing units 39 to 41 and generates paper fingerprint image data. The print result notification processing unit 43 notifies the charging system 50 that each document has been printed by transmitting the paper fingerprint image data. The inquiry processing unit 44 inquires of the billing system 50 whether or not the paper medium to be processed is an original. The reissue request processing unit 45 requests the billing system 50 to reissue the receipt. The overall processing control unit 46 controls the operation of each of the components 36 to 45 described above, and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 by cooperating with the charging system 50 if necessary.

  Each component 36 to 46 in the image forming apparatus 20 is realized by a cooperative operation of a computer mounted on the image forming apparatus 20 and a program operating on the CPU 21 mounted on the computer. The confidential box 47 is realized by the HDD 25.

  In addition, the program for performing each processing function in the image forming apparatus 20 and the charging system 50 according to the present embodiment can be provided not only by a communication unit but also by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. It is.

  By the way, paper is made by intertwining fine fibers made from wood pulp. The entanglement of natural fibers is random, and it is considered very unlikely that paper with exactly the same paper fiber pattern exists. This paper fiber pattern is read by an optical camera, image processing is performed, and image data obtained by this image processing is compared to identify the paper. In the present embodiment, such individually different paper fiber patterns are referred to as “paper fingerprints”. Then, the originality of the read paper fingerprint image data can be verified by comparing and collating the read paper fingerprint with the original paper fingerprint image data stored in the database.

  Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described. First, processing when the billing system 50 issues a bill and the image forming apparatus 20 prints the bill will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  When the billing amount is determined in the billing system 50 according to the usage status of the image forming apparatus 20 within a predetermined period, the bill generation processing unit 66 generates electronic bill data for charging the billed amount. (Step 101). The information management unit 71 generates a new ID for the newly generated bill data (step 102), and newly sets and registers bill information related to the bill in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 (step 102). 103). At this time, the newly generated invoice ID is included in the invoice ID included in the invoice information, the initial value is “0” for the output count, and the current time and payment status information are generated as the time information for generating the invoice at the issue date and time. Sets the initial value “none” respectively. Since the paper fingerprint image data has not yet been acquired, it is left blank. Thereafter, the issuance processing unit 68 transmits the generated invoice data together with the invoice ID to the image forming apparatus 20 to perform invoice issuance processing (step 104).

  When the invoice data is sent from the charging system 50 in the image forming apparatus 20 as described above, the data reception processing unit 36 receives the invoice data (step 201), and the confidential box together with the invoice ID. 47 (step 202). Here, the information is stored in the confidential box 47 that can be referred to by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 that uses the management client 10. When the notification processing unit 37 recognizes that the billing system 50 has issued the bill by receiving the bill data, the notification processing unit 37 transmits a message to that effect to the management client 10 to the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20. Notification is made (step 203). In this embodiment, an e-mail function is assumed as a means used for this notification, but other message functions may be used.

  Thereafter, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 designates the confidential box 47 in which the bill is stored by operating from the operation panel 23 in order to print the bill data, and issues a bill printing instruction. put out. When the operation acceptance processing unit 38 accepts this print instruction operation (step 211), the print function processing unit 39 takes out the invoice data from the confidential box 47 and forms invoice image data. Printing is executed by outputting the image data to a paper medium loaded in the image forming apparatus 20 (step 212). At this time, the paper fingerprint acquisition processing unit 42 acquires the image data of the paper fingerprint by reading the surface of the paper medium in accordance with an instruction from the overall processing control unit 46 or the print function processing unit 39 (step 213). Thereafter, the print result notification processing unit 43 notifies the fact that the invoice has been printed by transmitting the paper fingerprint image data and the invoice ID of the printed invoice to the charging system 50 (step 214). Since the invoice is a document that can be printed any number of times, that is, a document that does not necessarily guarantee the originality, the invoice data stored in the confidential box 47 is not deleted in this embodiment. I will leave it to you.

  In the accounting system 50, when the print result reception processing unit 69 receives the paper fingerprint image data and the bill ID sent from the image forming apparatus 20 (step 111), the information management unit 71 corresponds to the bill ID. The paper fingerprint image data is stored in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 (step 112). The information management unit 71 further counts up the number of outputs corresponding to the bill ID (step 113). In this explanation, it is “1” because it is the first output.

  Invoices issued as described above are managed. The information management unit 71 counts up the number of outputs each time paper fingerprint image data of a paper medium on which an invoice is printed is sent from the image forming apparatus 20, and uses the paper fingerprint image data to generate paper fingerprint information. The management table 72 is overwritten and saved. The reason why the overwriting is performed is that the invoice does not necessarily have to be guaranteed because it is a document that does not necessarily guarantee the originality, and the storage capacity of the HDD 54 is prevented from being wasted. Of course, all of the sent paper fingerprint image data may be stored.

  The manager who printed the invoice pays the invoice amount described in the invoice by a predetermined method by the designated date. When the person in charge of the billing system 50 confirms the payment by the manager, the person in charge of the billing system performs a predetermined input operation and inputs to the billing system 50 that the payment is confirmed together with the bill ID. Upon receiving the input from the person in charge, the information management unit 71 changes the deposit status information corresponding to the invoice ID included in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 to “present” indicating that the deposit has been made. As described above, the charging system 50 issues a receipt in response to the confirmation by the person in charge that payment has been confirmed. The charging system 50 issues a receipt, and the image forming apparatus 20 receives the receipt. The processing for printing a document will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  The process for issuing the receipt is the same as the process for issuing the invoice. That is, the receipt generation processing unit 67 generates receipt data that is digitized when the charged amount is received (step 121). The information management unit 71 generates a new ID for the newly generated receipt data (step 122) and associates the receipt information related to the receipt with the bill ID in the paper fingerprint information management table 72. A new setting is registered (step 123). At this time, a newly generated receipt ID is set in the receipt ID included in the receipt information, and an initial value “not yet” is set in the print status information. Since the paper fingerprint image data has not yet been acquired, it is left blank. Thereafter, the issuance processing unit 68 performs receipt issuance processing by transmitting the generated receipt data together with the receipt ID to the image forming apparatus 20 (step 124).

  When the receipt data is sent from the billing system 50 in the image forming apparatus 20 as described above, the data reception processing unit 36 receives the receipt data (step 221), and the confidential box together with the receipt ID. 47 (step 222). Here, the information is stored in the confidential box 47 that can be referred to by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 that uses the management client 10. When the notification processing unit 37 recognizes that the billing system 50 has issued a receipt by accepting the receipt data, the notification processing unit 37 transmits a message to that effect to the management client 10 to the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20. Notification is made (step 223). In this embodiment, an e-mail function is assumed as a means used for this notification, but other message functions may be used.

  Thereafter, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 designates the confidential box 47 in which the receipt is stored by operating from the operation panel 23 in order to print the receipt data, and issues a receipt printing instruction. put out. When the operation reception processing unit 38 receives this print instruction operation (step 231), the printing function processing unit 39 takes out the receipt data from the confidential box 47 and forms the image data of the receipt. Printing is executed by outputting the image data to a paper medium loaded in the image forming apparatus 20 (step 232). After executing the printing, the printing function processing unit 39 deletes the receipt data stored in the confidential box 47 (step 233). This process is different from the case where an invoice is printed. This is to prevent the receipt data from being read out from the confidential box 47 and printing again because the receipt is a document whose originality should be guaranteed. The receipt ID may be deleted together with the image data. However, the receipt ID can be used as a reception history of the receipt, and information for specifying a receipt required when a receipt reissue request described later is requested. In this embodiment, it is left as it is. Subsequently, the paper fingerprint acquisition processing unit 42 acquires the image data of the paper fingerprint by reading the surface of the paper medium in accordance with an instruction from the overall processing control unit 46 or the printing function processing unit 39 (step 234). Thereafter, the print result notification processing unit 43 notifies the receipt printing by sending the paper fingerprint image data and the receipt ID of the printed receipt to the charging system 50 (step 235).

  In the accounting system 50, when the print result reception processing unit 69 receives the paper fingerprint image data and the receipt ID sent from the image forming apparatus 20 (step 131), the information management unit 71 corresponds to the receipt ID. The paper fingerprint image data is stored in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 (step 132). The information management unit 71 further changes the print status information corresponding to the receipt ID to “done” (step 133).

  Manage receipts issued as described above. Note that, as described above, when the receipt is printed in the image forming apparatus 20, the receipt data is deleted from the confidential box 47, so that basically, there is no plurality of receipts due to the printing process. However, since there may be multiple receipts due to fraudulent acts, the information management unit 71 confirms that the print status information is “not yet”, that is, the receipt has not been printed in the past. The print status information is preferably changed to “done”.

  Since the receipt is a document whose originality should be guaranteed as described above, if the receipt is printed as described above, it can be prevented from being printed again by deleting the receipt data from the confidential box 47. I did it. However, if processing such as copying is performed based on the printed receipt, there is a possibility that a receipt other than the one recognized as the original will be generated. Therefore, the processing when the printed receipt (original) is about to be copied will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  For example, it is assumed that the user performs a predetermined input operation from the operation panel 23 of the image forming apparatus 20 for copying. When the operation reception processing unit 38 receives this operation content (step 241), the paper fingerprint acquisition processing unit 42 sets it on the document table for copying in accordance with an instruction from the overall processing control unit 46 or the copy function processing unit 40. The image data of the paper fingerprint of the paper is acquired by reading the printed paper (step 242). Then, the inquiry processing unit 44 transmits the inquiry information including the acquired paper fingerprint image data and inquiry information as to whether or not the read image is the original of the receipt to the presence of the original of the receipt. An inquiry is made (step 243).

  In the accounting system 50, when the response processing unit 70 receives the inquiry by receiving the inquiry information sent from the image forming apparatus 20 (step 141), the information management unit 71 receives the sent paper fingerprint image data. The paper fingerprint image data stored in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 corresponding to the receipt ID is compared and collated (step 142). Then, the response processing unit 70 responds to the inquiry by transmitting the comparison result, that is, the presence or absence of registration of the paper fingerprint image data that matches the sent paper fingerprint image data (step 143).

  In the image forming apparatus 20, when the inquiry processing unit 44 receives the comparison result returned from the charging system 50 (step 244), the copying function processing unit 40 analyzes the comparison result. Here, when paper fingerprint image data that matches the transmitted paper fingerprint image data is registered in the billing system 50, it is possible to determine that the copy source paper set on the platen is the original receipt. Accordingly, when it is determined that the sheet to be copied is the original receipt (Y in step 245), copy prohibition processing is executed (step 247). As the copy prohibition process, for example, a copy prohibition mark indicating that the paper used for copying is a copy prohibition paper is printed together with the receipt, or only the copy prohibition mark is printed. In addition, a copy prohibition message may be displayed on the operation panel 23. In this way, the originality is maintained by preventing the receipt itself from being copied.

  On the other hand, if the paper fingerprint image data that matches the transmitted paper fingerprint image data is not registered in the charging system 50, it can be determined that the copy source paper set on the platen is not the original receipt. (N in Step 245), the copy function processing unit 40 performs normal copy processing (Step 246).

  According to the present embodiment, since the copy of the receipt can be prevented as described above, the originality of the receipt can be guaranteed.

  In addition to the copy of the receipt (original) described above, it is possible to create a copy of the receipt by saving it in the confidential box 47 using the scanner function, but the receipt (original) will be read. Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  For example, it is assumed that the user performs a predetermined input operation from the operation panel 23 of the image forming apparatus 20 in order to read a document using the scanner function and store it in the confidential box 47. When the operation reception processing unit 38 receives this operation content (step 251), the paper fingerprint acquisition processing unit 42 puts it on the document table for copying in accordance with an instruction from the overall processing control unit 46 or the image reading function processing unit 41. By reading the set paper, paper fingerprint image data of the paper is acquired (step 252). Then, the inquiry processing unit 44 transmits the inquiry information including the acquired paper fingerprint image data and inquiry information as to whether or not the read image is the original of the receipt to the presence of the original of the receipt. An inquiry is made (step 253).

  In the accounting system 50, when the response processing unit 70 receives the inquiry by receiving the inquiry information sent from the image forming apparatus 20 (step 151), the information management unit 71 receives the sent paper fingerprint image data. The paper fingerprint image data stored in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 corresponding to the receipt ID is compared and verified (step 152). Then, the response processing unit 70 responds to the inquiry by transmitting the comparison result, that is, the presence / absence of registration of the paper fingerprint image data that matches the sent paper fingerprint image data (step 153). As is clear from the comparison with FIG. 10, the contents of the processing executed in response to the inquiry are the same as the processing at the time of copying.

  In the image forming apparatus 20, when the inquiry processing unit 44 receives the comparison result returned from the billing system 50 (step 254), the image reading function processing unit 41 analyzes the comparison result. Here, when paper fingerprint image data that matches the transmitted paper fingerprint image data is registered in the billing system 50, it is determined that the paper that is set on the platen by the user and is about to be read is the original receipt. it can. Accordingly, when it is determined that the sheet is the original receipt (Y in Step 255), a reading prohibition process is executed (Step 258). As the reading prohibiting process, for example, the scanner 24 is not operated to prevent image reading. Further, the reading operation may not be performed and a message indicating that the reading has been stopped may be displayed on the operation panel 23. In this way, the originality is maintained by preventing the image data of the receipt itself from being stored in the confidential box 47.

  On the other hand, if the paper fingerprint image data that matches the transmitted paper fingerprint image data is not registered in the charging system 50, it can be determined that the copy source paper set on the platen is not the original receipt. (N in Step 255), the image reading function processing unit 41 operates the scanner 24 to perform normal image reading processing (Step 256), and stores the read image data in the confidential box (Step 257).

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, the storage of the receipt image data in the confidential box 47 can be prohibited, so that the originality of the receipt can be guaranteed.

  As described above, the originality of the receipt can be guaranteed by preventing the generation of the image data of the receipt (original). Further, since the paper fingerprint image data of the receipt (original) can be collectively managed by the charging system 50, it is possible to easily verify whether or not the receipt is the original by making an inquiry to the charging system 50.

  By the way, there is a possibility that the administrator loses a receipt that is only allowed to exist. However, since the electronic data of the receipt does not remain in the image forming apparatus 20, the receipt cannot be output again. Therefore, in this embodiment, the receipt can be reissued. The receipt reissue process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  It is assumed that the administrator has lost the receipt for some reason and wants to request reissuance to the charging system 50 side, and performs a predetermined input operation from the operation panel 23 of the image forming apparatus 20. At this time, the ID of the receipt for which reissue is requested is designated. The receipt ID may be manually input by the administrator, or the receipt IDs that are left in the confidential box 47 without being deleted may be displayed in a list on the operation panel 23 so that the receipt ID can be selected. . When the operation reception processing unit 38 receives this operation content (step 261), the reissue request processing unit 45 requests reissue of the receipt by transmitting reissue request information including the receipt ID to the charging system 50. (Step 262).

  In the accounting system 50, when the response processing unit 70 receives the reissue request by receiving the reissue request information sent from the image forming apparatus 20 (step 161), the information management unit 71 receives the received receipt. The printing status information corresponding to the document ID is changed to “invalid” (step 162). Then, the information management unit 71 generates a new ID for the receipt data stored in the storage means (not shown) (step 163), and associates the receipt information related to the receipt with the invoice ID. Then, a new setting is registered in the paper fingerprint information management table 72 (step 164). At this time, a newly generated receipt ID is set in the receipt ID included in the receipt information, and an initial value “not yet” is set in the print status information. Since the paper fingerprint image data has not yet been acquired, it is left blank. With this information registration process, two or more pieces of receipt information are associated with the invoice ID, but “invalid” is included in the print status information included in the receipt information other than the newly registered information. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine which receipt information is the latest and valid information. Thereafter, the issue processing unit 68 performs receipt reissue processing by transmitting the receipt data together with the receipt ID to the image forming apparatus 20 (step 165).

  In the image forming apparatus 20, when the receipt data is sent from the charging system 50, the data reception processing unit 36 receives the receipt data (step 263) and stores it in the confidential box 47 together with the receipt ID (step 263). Step 264). When the notification processing unit 37 recognizes that the receipt has been reissued, the notification processing unit 37 transmits a message to that effect to the management client 10 to notify the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 (step 265).

  Although the receipt is reissued as described above, the printing process for the reissued receipt is the same as the process described with reference to FIG.

  By the way, when a lost receipt is found after re-issuing the receipt, the print status information in the receipt is set to “invalid” in the paper fingerprint information management table 72. Will be treated as. However, even though it is invalid as the original, it is a receipt on the form printed on the paper medium, so it is considered inconvenient if it is illegally copied. Accordingly, as described above, in the process at the time of copying (FIG. 10) and the image reading process (FIG. 11), even if “invalid” is set in the print status information, it is handled as a comparison / collation target. Of course, other measures such as copying an invalid receipt or reading an image may be displayed on the operation panel 23 or copying may be permitted.

  In the present embodiment, a reissue request is made from the image forming apparatus 20, but the management client 10 can make a reissue request to the charging system 50 using a message exchange function such as e-mail transmission. May be.

  As described above, the present embodiment has described the case where the configuration for guaranteeing the originality by applying only one receipt at the same time is applied to the charging system. An additional service can be provided. That is, by setting information such as the issuance date and time of the invoice in the paper fingerprint information management table 72, the billing system 50 controls the overall processing of the image forming apparatus 20 when there is no payment within a predetermined period after the invoice is issued. An instruction is given to the unit 46 to lock the operation panel 23. Thereby, the use of the image forming apparatus 20 to be charged can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, a notification processing unit 37 is provided in the image forming apparatus 20 so that when the invoice or receipt is sent, the image forming apparatus 20 notifies the management client 10 to that effect. Configured. That is, the administrator is notified via the image forming apparatus 20. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the billing system 50 may directly notify the management client 10 when the billing system 50 issues a bill or a receipt to the image forming apparatus 20. Alternatively, the notification processing unit 37 may be displayed on the operation panel 23 without providing the notification to the management client 10. Therefore, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 prints a bill or the like after receiving a notification from the charging system 50 or viewing the display on the operation panel 23.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 13 is an overall configuration diagram showing the originality management system in the present embodiment. The present embodiment is a system configuration in the case where there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 to be charged and each image forming apparatus 20 does not have document data storage means but is shared. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a server 80 is installed to hold a shared confidential box 81 requested by each image forming apparatus 20. Further, the server 80 includes a data reception processing unit 82 and a notification processing unit 83 in place of each image forming apparatus 20, and receives each document data of invoices and receipts issued by the charging system 50 to share shared confidential information. The management client 10 is notified that the invoice or receipt has been issued while being stored in the box 81.

  As shown in FIG. 13, there are many cases where a company or a department of the company has a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 to be charged. If the document data of the receipt and the receipt are configured to be collectively managed, even if the administrator or the like attempts to process the invoice or the receipt using any of the image forming apparatuses 20 in the department, Similar effects can be obtained. Note that the operation in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an accounting system has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to other systems.

It is the whole block diagram which showed Embodiment 1 of the originality management system which concerns on this invention. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server computer forming the charging system in the first embodiment. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus and a charging system in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of information set in a paper fingerprint information management table in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of invoicing in the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a bill printing process in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a receipt issuance process in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a receipt printing process in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of copying in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating image reading processing in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a receipt reissue process in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram showing an originality management system in a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Management client, 12 Firewall, 14 Network, 16 Internet, 20 Image forming device, 21, 51 CPU, 22 Address data bus, 23 Operation panel, 24 Scanner, 25, 54 Hard disk drive (HDD), 26 Printer engine, 27 Network interface (I / F), 28, 53 RAM, 29, 52 ROM, 30 External media interface (I / F), 36, 82 Data reception processing unit, 37, 83 Notification processing unit, 38 Operation reception processing unit, 39 40 printing function processing unit, 40 copying function processing unit, 41 image reading function processing unit, 42 paper fingerprint acquisition processing unit, 43 printing result notification processing unit, 44 inquiry processing unit, 45 reissue request processing unit, 46 overall processing control unit, 47 Mailbox, 50 billing system 55, HDD controller, 56 Mouse, 57 Keyboard, 58 Display, 59 Input / output controller, 60 Network controller, 61 Internal bus, 66 Invoice generation processing section, 67 Receipt generation processing section, 68 Issuance processing section, 69 Printing results Reception processing unit, 70 response processing unit, 71 information management unit, 72 paper fingerprint information management table, 80 server, 81 shared confidential box.

Claims (1)

An originality management device for managing the originality of a paper medium on which image data is printed;
An image forming apparatus having a printing function of image data;
Have
The originality management device includes:
Image data transmitting means for transmitting image data and identification information of the image data to the image forming apparatus;
Correspondence between identification information of image data transmitted to the image forming apparatus by the image data transmission means , paper fingerprint image data of a paper medium on which the image data is printed, and printing status information indicating a printing state of the image data A paper fingerprint information storage means for storing information;
Paper fingerprint image data receiving means for receiving, from the image forming apparatus , paper fingerprint image data of a paper medium on which image data is printed by the image forming apparatus, together with identification information of the image data;
When the paper fingerprint image data of the paper medium received by the paper fingerprint image data receiving means is associated with the identification information of the image data printed on the paper medium and the paper fingerprint image data is not registered, Information management means for registering in the paper fingerprint information storage means in association with the identification information of the image data;
Have
The image forming apparatus includes:
Image data receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the originality management device and identification information of the image data;
A printing process for printing the image data received by the image data receiving means in accordance with a print instruction, and deleting the printed image data after executing the printing, while saving the identification information of the image data without deleting it Means,
Paper fingerprint acquisition means for acquiring paper fingerprint image data of a paper medium on which image data is printed;
In response to an instruction from the print processing unit, the paper fingerprint image data acquired by the paper fingerprint acquisition unit, and the paper fingerprint image data of the paper medium on which the image data is printed by the print processing unit , Paper fingerprint image data transmission means for transmitting to the originality management device together with identification information ;
In response to a reissue instruction from the user, the identification information of the image data stored without being deleted is displayed in a list, and the identification information of the image data selected by the user from the displayed list is received and received. Reissue request processing means for transmitting a reissue request including identification information of the image data to the originality management device;
Image processing means for performing image processing using a read image of a paper medium;
Inquiry information transmission means for transmitting inquiry information including paper fingerprint image data of the paper medium acquired by the paper fingerprint acquisition means in response to an instruction from the image processing means to the originality management device;
I have a,
When the information management unit receives the reissue request transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the information management unit includes, in the print status information corresponding to the identification information of the image data included in the reissue request, the image data included in the reissue request. Setting information indicating that the image data identified by the identification information is invalid, and newly generating identification information of the image data,
The image data transmission means, when new identification information of the image data is generated by the information management means in response to the reissue request, the image data and the newly generated identification information of the image data To the forming device,
When the originality management apparatus receives the inquiry information transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the paper fingerprint image data that matches the paper fingerprint image data included in the inquiry information has been registered in the paper fingerprint information storage unit Even when the information indicating that the image data is invalid is set in the print status information corresponding to the registered paper fingerprint image data, the paper medium used for image processing is used as the original. Control to display on the image forming apparatus information indicating that it is invalid.
Originality management system comprising a call.

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