JP5679151B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

  In Patent Literature 1, temporary authentication information is issued to a user, and either predetermined formal authentication information or issued temporary authentication information is accepted from the user, and the user is authenticated based on the received authentication information. If the user is authenticated based on the temporary authentication information, the user requests based on the process execution authority that is restricted from the process execution authority when the user is authenticated based on the formal authentication information. An information processing system for determining whether or not to execute a process is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an IC having a biometrics data collation function used for collation of the owner of an IC card for the purpose of preventing unauthorized use by an owner other than the owner due to loss or theft of the IC card. There is disclosed an IC card that has a function of setting a condition for continuous use of an IC card after it is in a usable state by a plurality of parameters.

JP 2009-87271 A JP 2004-178141 A

  An object of the present invention is to perform output processing without changing print data already stored in an image forming apparatus even when an authentication medium such as an IC card necessary for authentication at the time of print data output processing is not at hand. An image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a program are provided.

[Image forming apparatus]
The present invention according to claim 1 comprises storage means for storing received print data;
Reading means for reading the authentication information of the authentication medium;
Conversion means for converting the first authentication information read by the reading means into second authentication information stored in association with each other;
When the process of converting the first authentication information to the second authentication information in said converting means is performed, if the type of type of print data to be output is determined in advance, first after conversion Authentication processing means for changing the authentication result of the authentication processing based on the authentication information of 2 from valid to invalid ;
Output means for outputting an image based on the instructed print data;
When the authentication result in the authentication processing means is valid, image output by the output means based on the print data stored in the storage means is permitted, and when the authentication result is invalid, the output means based on the print data Control means for performing control not to permit image output by
An image forming apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the authentication information read by the reading means when the conversion means is set to convert the first authentication information into the second authentication information after a predetermined time has elapsed. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first authentication information is not converted into the second authentication information. 3.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the expiration date specified when the conversion unit is set to convert the first authentication information into the second authentication information, the reading unit reads the first authentication information. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein even when the authentication information is the first authentication information, conversion to the second authentication information is not performed.

The present invention according to claim 4 is read by the reading unit when the authentication processing unit is set to convert the first authentication information into the second authentication information in the conversion unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the authentication process based on the second authentication information is invalidated when the authentication information matches the second authentication information. 5.

[Image forming system]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, storage means for storing received print data, reading means for reading authentication information of an authentication medium, and first authentication information read by the reading means are stored in association with each other. converting means for converting the second authentication information, when the processing for converting the first authentication information to the second authentication information in said converting means is performed, the type of print data to be output in advance was In the case of the predetermined type, an authentication processing unit that changes the authentication result of the authentication processing based on the converted second authentication information from valid to invalid, and an output unit that outputs an image based on the instructed print data when the authentication processing unit authentication result in effective, to allow the image output by the output section based on the print data stored in the storage unit, the case where the authentication result is invalid, the print data And an image forming apparatus and control means for controlling not to allow the image output by the output means based on,
Authentication management comprising setting means for setting the conversion means so that the first authentication information of the alternative authentication medium issued as a substitute for the authentication medium storing the second authentication information is read as the second authentication information Equipment,
An image forming system.

[program]
The present invention according to claim 6 reads the authentication information of the authentication medium;
Converting the read first authentication information into second authentication information stored in association with each other;
Wherein when the first process of converting the authentication information to the second authentication information is performed, when the type classification of the print data to be output is determined in advance, the second authentication information after conversion Changing the authentication result of the authentication process based on from valid to invalid ,
A step of permitting the computer to output an image based on stored print data if the authentication result of the authentication process is valid , and to not permit an image output based on the print data if the authentication result is invalid. This is a program to be executed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing output processing without changing the print data already stored in the image forming apparatus even when the authentication medium is not at hand. it can.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the first aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus capable of invalidating the issued alternative authentication medium after a lapse of a predetermined time is provided. Can do.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of invalidating the issued alternative authentication medium after the expiration date. it can.

  According to the present invention of claim 4, in addition to the effects obtained by the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, when an alternative authentication medium is issued, unauthorized use of the original authentication medium is prevented. An image forming apparatus capable of doing so can be provided.

According to the present invention of claim 5 , it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of performing output processing without changing the print data already stored in the image forming apparatus even when the authentication medium is not at hand. it can.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a program capable of performing output processing without changing print data already stored in the image forming apparatus even when the authentication medium is not at hand.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of print jobs to which an authentication request instruction stored in a print job storage unit 52 is added. FIG. This is an example in which only a print job in which card information “ZX12345” is set as authentication information is displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the alternative card information set in the authentication information conversion part 56, and replacement card information. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the authentication information conversion process of step S102 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the replacement table which enabled it to set an expiration date. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a print job attribute and a usable IC card when a setting is made to change an authentication result according to the attribute of the print job to be output. It is a figure which shows an example of the replacement table which enabled it to set a job owner attribute. 5 is a flowchart for explaining authentication information conversion processing in the image forming apparatus 20 when realizing processing for changing an authentication result in accordance with an attribute of a print job to be output. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming system configured to execute authentication processing in an authentication server 70. FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing processing performed between the image forming apparatus 20 and the authentication server in the case where the authentication server 70 is configured to execute authentication processing.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal device 10, image forming devices 20 and 21, a print server 40, a business computer 50, and authentication management that are connected to each other via a network 30. The device 60 is configured. The business computer 50 generates basic business print data and transmits it to the image forming apparatuses 20 and 21 via the print server 40. The terminal device 10 is used in general office work or the like, generates print data, and transmits the print data generated via the network 30 to the image forming apparatuses 20 and 21. The image forming apparatuses 20 and 21 receive print data transmitted from the print server 40 or the terminal apparatus 10 and output an image corresponding to the print data on a sheet. The authentication management device 60 manages the authentication function in the image forming apparatuses 20 and 21.

  The image forming system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a security print function that can set whether authentication processing is required when print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatuses 20 and 21. In the image forming apparatuses 20 and 21, when performing print processing based on print data set to require authentication processing, printing is performed only when the user is authenticated and it is confirmed that the user is permitted to output. Execute the process.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 in the image forming system of the present embodiment. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus 21 is the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus 20, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits and receives data to and from an external apparatus or the like via a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and a network 30. It has a communication interface (IF) 14, a user interface (UI) device 15 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, an IC card reader 16, and a print engine 17. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

  The CPU 11 executes a predetermined process based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13 and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 20.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 has been described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, but the program is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and stored in the CPU 11. It is also possible to provide.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 realized by executing the control program.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a print job receiving unit 51, a print job storage unit 52, a control unit 53, an authentication processing unit 54, an image output unit 55, and an authentication. An information conversion unit 56 and an IC card reader 16 are provided.

  The print job receiving unit 51 receives a print job (print data) transmitted from the terminal device 10 or the print server 40. The print job storage unit 52 stores the print job received by the print job reception unit 51.

  The image output unit 55 outputs an image based on the print job received by the print job receiving unit 51 and stored in the print job storage unit 52 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 53. The control unit 53 controls image output processing in the output unit 55.

  An administrator who manages the image forming system of the present embodiment replaces the regular IC card based on an application that the user does not hold the IC card at hand due to being lost or forgotten at home. A substitute IC card (temporarily issued IC card, temporary card) is issued. Then, the administrator registers the information that issued the substitute card in the authentication management device 60. Then, in the case where the card information read by the IC card reader 16 is the card information (first authentication information) of the alternative IC card issued, the authentication management device 60 uses the card information (first authentication information) of the alternative IC card. ) To the authentication information conversion unit 56 so as to be read as the card information (second authentication information) of the legitimate IC card for which application for loss or the like has been made.

  The IC card reader 16 reads card information (authentication information) stored in the IC card (authentication medium).

  If the card information read by the IC card reader 16 is the card information (first authentication information) of the alternative IC card based on the setting from the authentication management device 60, the authentication information conversion unit 56 The card information (first authentication information) is converted into the card information (second authentication information) of the regular IC card stored in association with the card information. Then, the authentication processing unit 54 performs an authentication process based on the authentication information converted by the authentication information conversion unit 56.

  If the card information read by the IC card reader 16 is not the card information (first authentication information) of the alternative IC card, the authentication information conversion unit 56 uses the card information read by the IC card reader 16 as it is. Transfer to the authentication processing unit 54.

  When an authentication request instruction is added to a print job to be subjected to image output processing, the authentication processing unit 54 executes authentication processing before executing the print job in the image output unit 55.

  When the authentication information conversion unit 56 is set to convert the card information of the alternative IC card into the card information of the regular IC card, the authentication processing unit 54 is based on the card information of the original regular IC card. Disable the authentication process.

  The control unit 53 controls the image output unit 55 to output an image based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 52 based on the authentication result in the authentication processing unit 54.

  For example, FIG. 4 shows an example of a list of print jobs to which an authentication request instruction is added among print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 52. When an IC card whose card information is “ZX12345” is read by the IC card reader 16 in a state where such a print job is stored, an authentication process based on the card information “ZX12345” is performed by the authentication processing unit 54. As shown in FIG. 5, only the print job in which the card information “ZX12345” is set as the authentication information is displayed to the authenticated user.

  The user who has displayed the job list as shown in FIG. 5 can obtain a desired output result by selecting a print job to be output and giving an output instruction.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the authentication information conversion unit 56 is set as shown in FIG. Specifically, it is assumed that “TMP00001” is set as alternative card information of the alternative IC card, and “ZX12345” is set as replacement card information for replacing the alternative card information “TMP00001”.

  First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the IC card reader 16 of the image forming apparatus 20 reads, for example, an alternative IC card in which card information “TMP00001” is registered (step S101), the authentication information conversion unit 56 stores the alternative card information “TMP00001”. It is converted into card information “ZX12345” (step S102). Details of the authentication information conversion processing in step S102 will be described later.

  Then, the authentication processing unit 54 performs authentication processing based on the card information transferred from the authentication information conversion unit 56 (step S103). If the authentication is successful in this authentication process (Yes in step S104), the control unit 53 displays the authenticated user's job list in the form shown in FIG. 5, for example (step S105).

  When receiving an output instruction for a print job in the displayed job list (step S106), the control unit 53 controls the image output unit 55 to output the print job instructed to be output (step S107).

  If the authentication fails in step S104 (No in step S104), the control unit 53 notifies the user that the authentication has failed.

Next, the authentication information conversion process in step S102 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Upon receiving the card information from the IC card reader 16 (step S201), the authentication information conversion unit 56 refers to the replacement table shown in FIG. 6 (step S202), and the input card information matches any of the alternative card information. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S203).

  If the input card information matches the substitute card information in step S203, the authentication information conversion unit 56 converts the input card information into corresponding replacement card information (step S204). For example, when the input card information is “TMP00001”, the authentication information conversion unit 56 converts the input card information to “ZX12345”. Then, the authentication information conversion unit 56 transfers the card information after the change to the replacement card information to the authentication processing unit 54 (step S205).

  If the input card information does not match the substitute card information in step S203, the authentication information conversion unit 56 determines whether the input card information does not match any of the replacement card information (step S206).

If it is determined in step S206 that the input card information does not match the replacement card information, the authentication information conversion unit 56 transfers the card information (input card information) read by the IC card reader 16 to the authentication processing unit 54 as it is. (Step S207).
If it is determined in step S206 that the input card information matches the replacement card information, the use of the IC card is rejected (step S208). For example, when the input card information is “ZX12345”, since this input card information is set as replacement card information, the use of this IC card is rejected and the authentication process is also invalidated.

  Note that the authentication information conversion unit 56 receives the card information read by the IC card reader 16 after a certain period of time has elapsed since the card information of the issued alternative IC card is converted into the card information of the regular IC card. Even in the case of card information of an alternative IC card, conversion to card information of a regular IC card may not be performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the authentication information conversion unit 56 sets the card information of the alternative IC card to the valid IC card by setting the expiration date for replacement in the replacement table, that is, the expiration date of the replacement card. When the expiration date designated when setting to convert to card information elapses, even if the card information read by the IC card reader 16 is the card information of the alternative IC card, the card information of the legitimate IC card Conversion to may not be performed.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 20 of the present embodiment described above, after the card information of the issued alternative IC card is replaced, the same output processing as when the original regular IC card is used is possible. Met. However, in the authentication processing unit 54, when the authentication information conversion unit 56 performs processing for converting the substitute card information into the replacement card information, the authentication result is changed according to the attribute of the print job to be output. Also good. For example, when a substitute IC card is issued, it is only possible to perform output processing of a basic job print job using this substitute IC card, and substitute for office work print data that is expected to be less urgent Prevent output processing using an IC card.

  FIG. 10 shows the relationship between print job attributes and usable IC cards when such settings are made. Referring to FIG. 10, when an alternative IC card is not issued, output processing of both a basic job print job and an office job print job can be performed with a regular IC card. When the IC card is issued, the regular IC card can no longer be used, and it can be understood that only the output processing of the print job of the basic business using the alternative IC card is possible.

  When realizing such processing, in the replacement table, as shown in FIG. 11, in addition to alternative card information and replacement card information, a job owner attribute is set.

  The authentication information conversion unit 56 transmits the job owner attribute information to the authentication processing unit 54 when the alternative card information is converted into the replacement card information. In the authentication processing unit 54, when the job owner attribute is the basic job, only the print job having the job type of the basic job is validated and displayed.

  An authentication information conversion process in the image forming apparatus 20 of the present embodiment when realizing such a process will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is different only in that the process of step S205 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is replaced with the process of step S205a. In the authentication information conversion process shown in FIG. 12, when the authentication information conversion unit 56 performs the process of converting the input card information into the replacement card information, the authentication processing unit 54 displays not only the replacement card information but also the job owner attribute information. (Step S205a).

  Then, in the authentication processing unit 54 that has received the job owner attribute information from the authentication conversion unit 56, if the job owner attribute information is a basic job, the authentication is valid only for a print job whose job type is the basic job. Authentication is disabled for print jobs whose job type is office work.

  In the above description, the case where authentication processing is executed in the image forming apparatuses 20 and 21 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 13, an authentication server 70 is provided outside the image forming apparatuses 20 and 21, and this authentication server is provided. In 70, an authentication process may be executed. In the case of such a system configuration, the authentication information conversion process and the authentication process are performed centrally in the authentication server 70.

  Processing performed between the image forming apparatus 20 and the authentication server 70 in the case of such a system configuration will be described with reference to a sequence chart of FIG.

  When the card information of the IC card is read by the image forming apparatus 20 (step S301), the card information is transmitted to the authentication server 70 via the network 30 (step S302). Then, authentication information conversion processing (step S303) and authentication processing (step S304) are performed in the authentication server 70, and the authentication result is returned to the image forming apparatus 20 together with the card information (step S305).

  Then, the image forming apparatus 20 performs an output process for the print job based on the returned authentication result and card information (step S306).

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the case where the authentication process is performed using the card information stored in the IC card as the authentication information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication process is performed using other information. Even in this case, the present invention can be similarly applied. For example, when performing authentication processing by combining card information and password information, the card information and password information become authentication information.

10 Terminal device 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage Device 14 Communication Interface (IF)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 User interface (UI) apparatus 16 IC card reader 17 Print engine 18 Control bus 20, 21 Image forming apparatus 30 Network 40 Print server 50 Business computer 51 Print job receiving part 52 Print job storage part 53 Control part 54 Authentication process part 55 Image output unit 56 Authentication information conversion unit 60 Authentication management device 70 Authentication server

Claims (6)

Storage means for storing the received print data;
Reading means for reading the authentication information of the authentication medium;
Conversion means for converting the first authentication information read by the reading means into second authentication information stored in association with each other;
When the process of converting the first authentication information to the second authentication information in said converting means is performed, if the type of type of print data to be output is determined in advance, first after conversion Authentication processing means for changing the authentication result of the authentication processing based on the authentication information of 2 from valid to invalid ;
Output means for outputting an image based on the instructed print data;
When the authentication result in the authentication processing means is valid, image output by the output means based on the print data stored in the storage means is permitted, and when the authentication result is invalid, the output means based on the print data Control means for performing control not to permit image output by
An image forming apparatus.   When the predetermined time has elapsed after the setting of converting the first authentication information into the second authentication information, the conversion means is the case where the authentication information read by the reading means is the first authentication information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is not converted into the second authentication information.   When the expiration date specified when the setting is made to convert the first authentication information into the second authentication information, the conversion means converts the authentication information read by the reading means into the first authentication information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein even in the case of authentication information, conversion to the second authentication information is not performed.   When the authentication processing unit is set to convert the first authentication information into the second authentication information with respect to the conversion unit, the authentication information read by the reading unit is converted into the second authentication information. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the authentication processing based on the second authentication information is invalidated when the information matches the information. Storage means for storing the received print data, reading means for reading the authentication information of the authentication medium, and the first authentication information read by the reading means is converted into second authentication information stored in association with each other. conversion means, when the processing for converting the first authentication information to the second authentication information in said converting means is performed, if the type of type of print data to be output is predetermined, it is converted and authentication processing means for disabling changes authentication authentication result from effective based on the second authentication information after, and output means for outputting an image based on designated print data, the authentication result of the authentication processing means If enabled, it permits an image output by said output means based on the print data stored in the storage unit, the case where the authentication result is invalid, to the output unit based on the print data And an image forming apparatus and control means for controlling not to allow the image output,
Authentication management comprising setting means for setting the conversion means so that the first authentication information of the alternative authentication medium issued as a substitute for the authentication medium storing the second authentication information is read as the second authentication information Equipment,
An image forming system. Reading the authentication information of the authentication medium;
Converting the read first authentication information into second authentication information stored in association with each other;
Wherein when the first process of converting the authentication information to the second authentication information is performed, when the type classification of the print data to be output is determined in advance, the second authentication information after conversion Changing the authentication result of the authentication process based on from valid to invalid ,
A step of permitting the computer to output an image based on stored print data if the authentication result of the authentication process is valid , and to not permit an image output based on the print data if the authentication result is invalid. A program to be executed.

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