JP6361782B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  A technique is known in which image data designated by a user is stored in a print server apparatus, and the image data can be accessed from a plurality of image forming apparatuses. For example, in Patent Document 1, a print job transmitted from a user terminal is temporarily held in a print server, and when the user inputs authentication information such as a fingerprint to the printer and succeeds in authentication, the printer is input. A technique for acquiring a print job corresponding to authentication information from a print server and executing printing is described.

JP 2008-242851 A

  An object of the present invention is to form an image by acquiring image data from different storage locations for each user.

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a storage location that indicates a storage location in which first image data corresponding to identification information for identifying a user and second image data in another image forming device are stored. A storage unit for storing information and attribute information indicating information on the first image data are acquired, and the storage location information is used to correspond to identification information for identifying the user stored in the storage location An acquisition unit that acquires attribute information indicating information about the second image data, a display unit that displays the attribute information of the first image data and the attribute information of the second image data side by side, and the first And a print instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to print at least one of the image data and the second image data.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising: a receiving unit that receives an instruction to delete the second image data from the user; And a deletion request unit that requests the other image forming apparatus to delete the second image data.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, the identification information includes biological information of the user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, the attribute information is a file name of the first image data or the second image data. It is characterized by being.
An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a plurality of storage locations indicated by storage information corresponding to identification information for identifying a user. On the other hand, an inquiry unit that inquires whether or not image data corresponding to the identification information is stored, and the acquisition unit acquires the image data from at least one of the plurality of storage locations. And

  According to the invention according to claim 1-5, even if the first image data and the second image data are stored in different storage locations, it appears as if they are stored in the same location. There is an effect.

Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of an authentication server apparatus Diagram showing an example of authentication information The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the client device The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of an image forming apparatus The figure which shows the functional composition of the image formation system Sequence chart showing operation of image forming system The figure which shows an example of the list of the print data which concerns on embodiment Flowchart showing operation of image forming apparatus according to modification. The figure which shows an example of the list of the print data which concern on a modification

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 1 includes an authentication server device 10 (an example of a management device), a client device 20 (an example of a transmission device), and image forming devices 30A, 30B, and 30C. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the image forming apparatuses 30A, 30B, and 30C, the letters “A”, “B”, and “C” attached to the end of the reference numerals are omitted, and the “image forming apparatus 30” is omitted. " The authentication server device 10 has a function of authenticating a user. The client device 20 has a function of transmitting print data to the image forming device 30. The image forming apparatus 30 is, for example, an electrophotographic printer. The authentication server device 10 provides a service using so-called cloud computing. The authentication server device 10 is operated by, for example, a third party different from the users of the client device 20 and the image forming device 30. Users of the client device 20 and the image forming device 30 use the authentication server device 10 with the permission of the third party.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the authentication server device 10. The authentication server device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, a communication unit 13, a storage unit 14 (an example of a first storage unit), an operation unit 15, and a display unit 16. The CPU 11 controls each unit of the authentication server device 10 by executing a program stored in the memory 12. The communication unit 13 is a communication interface connected to the communication line 2. The CPU 11 communicates with the image forming apparatus 30 through the communication unit 13. The storage unit 14 is a storage device such as a hard disk. Authentication information 41 is stored in the storage unit 14. The operation unit 15 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit 15 is used to operate the authentication server device 10. The display unit 16 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authentication information 41. The authentication information 41 includes a user ID, a password, and spooler information. The user ID, password, and spooler information are stored in association with each other. The user ID is identification information for identifying a user. The password is information used to confirm that the user is the user. This password is set by the user. The spooler information is storage information indicating a storage location in which image data designated by the user (hereinafter referred to as “user image data”) is stored. The spooler information is, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address or an identification number assigned to the storage location. The spooler information includes primary spooler information and secondary spooler information. The primary spooler information is storage information indicating the storage location with the highest priority. The secondary spooler information is storage information indicating a storage location with the second highest priority. In the authentication information 41 shown in FIG. 3, the spooler information “spoolerA” indicates the storage location of the image forming apparatus 30A, “spoolerB” indicates the storage location of the image forming apparatus 30B, and “spoolerC” indicates the storage location of the image forming apparatus 30C. Indicates.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the client device 20. The client device 20 includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, a communication unit 23, a storage unit 24, an operation unit 25, and a display unit 26. The CPU 21 controls each unit of the client device 20 by executing a program stored in the memory 22. The communication unit 23 is a communication interface connected to the communication line 2. The CPU 21 communicates with the image forming apparatus 30 through the communication unit 23. The storage unit 24 is a storage device such as a hard disk. The storage unit 24 stores a printer driver 42. The printer driver 42 is a program having a function of controlling the image forming apparatus 30. The operation unit 25 includes a keyboard and a mouse, for example. The operation unit 25 is used to operate the client device 20. The display unit 26 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 26 displays an image corresponding to the image data.

  In the printer driver 42, a user ID of the user and spooler information are set in advance. In the printer driver 42, a user ID “user001”, primary spooler information “spoolerA”, and secondary spooler information “spoolerC” are set. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the user ID and spooler information set in the printer driver 42 are registered in the authentication information 41 described above.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a storage unit 33, a UI (User Interface) unit 34, an image forming unit 35, and a card reading unit 36. The control unit 31 includes a CPU 37 and a memory 38 (an example of a second storage unit). The CPU 37 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 30 by executing a program stored in the memory 38. The communication unit 32 is a communication interface connected to the communication line 2. The control unit 31 communicates with the authentication server device 10, the client device 20, or another image forming device 30 through the communication unit 32. The storage unit 33 is a storage device such as a hard disk. The storage unit 33 stores print data transmitted from the client device 20. The UI unit 34 includes, for example, a touch screen and keys. The UI unit 34 is used to operate the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming unit 35 forms an image corresponding to the image data on a sheet. The card reader 36 reads information stored in an IC (integrated circuit) card in a non-contact manner. The IC card is handed over to the user in advance in order to authenticate the user. This IC card stores the user ID “user001” and password “1234” of the user included in the authentication information 41 described above.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming system 1. The specifying unit 101, the acquiring unit 102, and the storage control unit 103 are realized by the CPU 37 executing a program. The storage location 104 is provided in the storage unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 30. When the user ID is input by the user, the specifying unit 101 specifies the storage location 104 indicated by the spooler information associated with the user ID in the authentication information 41 stored in the storage unit 14. The acquiring unit 102 acquires image data corresponding to the input user ID from the storage location 104 specified by the specifying unit 101. The image forming unit 35 forms an image according to the image data acquired by the acquiring unit 102. The storage control unit 103 acquires the authentication information 41 from the storage unit 14 and stores it in the memory 38. When the authentication information 41 is stored in the memory 38, the specifying unit 101 specifies the storage location 104 using the authentication information 41 stored in the memory 38.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the image forming system 1. The user uses the operation unit 25 of the client device 20 to specify image data and instruct image formation. The CPU 21 executes the printer driver 42 and generates print data including image data designated by the user. Here, it is assumed that the image data D1 is designated by the user. In this case, the print data includes image data D1. Further, the CPU 21 adds attribute information to the print data. This attribute information includes the user ID set in the printer driver 42 and the file name of the image data. As described above, the user ID “user001” of the user is set in the printer driver 42. In this case, the attribute information includes the user ID “user001” and the file name of the image data D1.

When print data is generated, the CPU 21 specifies a storage location for the generated print data based on spooler information preset in the printer driver 42. When the storage location of the print data is specified, the CPU 21 transmits the generated print data to the specified storage location via the communication unit 23 (step S11). As described above, the primary spooler information “spoolerA” and the secondary spooler information “spoolerC” are set in the printer driver 42. In this case, the CPU 21 first transmits a test message to the image forming apparatus 30A indicated by the primary spooler information “spoolerA”. When there is a response from the image forming apparatus 30A, the CPU 21 determines that communication with the image forming apparatus 30A can be performed normally. In this case, the CPU 21 transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 30A. On the other hand, if there is no response from the image forming apparatus 30A within the predetermined time, the CPU 21 determines that communication with the image forming apparatus 30A cannot be performed normally. For example, when a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus 30A or a failure has occurred in the communication line 2 between the client apparatus 20 and the image forming apparatus 30A, a response is obtained from the image forming apparatus 30A. Absent. In this case, the CPU 21 transmits a test message to the image forming apparatus 30C indicated by the secondary spooler information “spoolerC”. Send print data to. That is, the CPU 21 transmits print data to a storage location that is available and has the highest priority among the plurality of storage locations set in the printer driver 42. This availability means that the print data can be stored in the storage location. Here, it is considered that the server apparatus 10 can be used because it can communicate normally with the server apparatus 10. Here, it is assumed that print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30A.

  When the print data is received from the client device 20, the control unit 31A of the image forming apparatus 30A stores the print data in the storage unit 33A (step S12). As described above, the print data sent from the client device 20 includes the image data D1. Also, attribute information including the user ID “user001” and the file name of the image data D1 is added to the print data. In this case, print data including the image data D1 is stored together with the attribute information in the storage unit 33A.

  After instructing the client device 20 to form an image, the user moves to a location where one of the image forming devices 30A, 30B, and 30C is located. For example, the user may move to the place where the image forming apparatus 30 he / she normally uses is located, or when the image forming apparatus 30 he / she normally uses is being used by another user, A nearby image forming apparatus 30 may be moved to a place. Further, the user may move to a place where the image forming apparatus 30 closest to the place where the user is present is located. That is, the user moves to a place where the image forming apparatus is located in order to use any one of the image forming apparatuses 30A, 30B, or 30C. Here, it is assumed that the user has moved to the image forming apparatus 30B.

  An authentication screen is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the image forming apparatus 30, and an operation of the image forming apparatus 30 is not accepted unless authentication is performed. When the user moves to the image forming apparatus 30B, the user performs authentication by holding his or her IC card over the card reading unit 36B. When the IC card is brought closer, the card reading unit 36B reads the user ID and password stored in the IC card (step S13). When reading the information from the IC card, the card reading unit 36B inputs the read information to the control unit 31B. As described above, the user ID “user001” and the password “1234” are stored in the IC card. In this case, the user ID “user001” and the password “1234” are input to the control unit 31B.

  When the user ID and password are input, the control unit 31B determines whether the authentication information 41 is stored in the memory 38B (step S14). In the memory 38B, when the authentication information 41 is stored, information indicating that the authentication information 41 is stored is stored. The control unit 31B makes this determination based on whether or not this information is stored in the memory 38B. For example, when the image forming apparatus 30B has never issued an authentication request to the authentication server apparatus 10, the authentication information 41 is not stored in the memory 38B (step S14: NO). In this case, the control unit 31B transmits the input user ID and password to the authentication server device 10 through the communication unit 32B, and requests user authentication (step S15).

  When the user ID and password are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30 </ b> B, the CPU 11 of the authentication server apparatus 10 receives the user ID and password through the communication unit 13. When the user ID and password are received, the CPU 11 compares the user ID and password with the user ID and password included in the authentication information 41 stored in the storage unit 14, and the user of the image forming apparatus 30B is authorized. It is determined whether or not the user is an active user (step S16). When the user ID and password received from the image forming apparatus 30B are not included in the authentication information 41, the CPU 11 determines that the user of the image forming apparatus 30B is not a valid user (step S16: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 transmits information indicating that the authentication has failed through the communication unit 13 to the image forming apparatus 30B (step S17). On the other hand, in this example, the user ID “user001” and the password “1234” are sent from the image forming apparatus 30B. Further, the authentication information 41 shown in FIG. 3 includes the user ID “user001” and the password “1234”. In this case, the CPU 11 determines that the user of the image forming apparatus 30B is a valid user (step S16: YES).

  When the user of the image forming apparatus 30B is a valid user, the CPU 11 extracts spooler information corresponding to the user ID received from the image forming apparatus 30B from the authentication information 41 stored in the storage unit 14 (step S1). S18). In the authentication information 41 illustrated in FIG. 3, the user ID “user001”, the primary spooler information “spoolerA”, and the secondary spooler information “spoolerC” are associated with each other. In this case, the CPU 11 extracts the primary spooler information “spoolerA” and the secondary spooler information “spoolerC” from the authentication information 41. When the spooler information is extracted, the CPU 11 transmits information indicating that the authentication is successful, the extracted spooler information, and the authentication information 41 stored in the storage unit 14 to the image forming apparatus 30B by the communication unit 13 ( Step S19).

  When information indicating that the authentication is successful, spooler information, and authentication information 41 are transmitted from the authentication server device 10, the control unit 31B receives these pieces of information through the communication unit 32B, and receives the received authentication information 41. The data is stored in the memory 38B (step S20). Further, the control unit 31B stores information indicating that the authentication information 41 is stored in the memory 38B. Next, based on the spooler information received from the authentication server device 10, the control unit 31B specifies the storage location where the user's print data is stored (step S21). In this example, primary spooler information “spoolerA” and secondary spooler information “spoolerC” are sent from the authentication server device 10. In this case, the control unit 31B specifies the storage location of the image forming apparatus 30A indicated by the primary spooler information “spoolerA” as the storage location with the highest priority. In addition, the control unit 31B specifies the storage location of the image forming apparatus 30C indicated by the secondary spooler information “spoolerC” as the storage location with the second highest priority.

  When the storage location is specified, the control unit 31B accesses the storage location and acquires attribute information of the user's print data (step S22). In step S21, the storage location of the image forming apparatus 30A is specified as the storage location with the highest priority, and the storage location of the image forming apparatus 30C is specified as the storage location with the second highest priority. In this case, the control unit 31B first notifies the user ID “user001” to the image forming apparatus 30A through the communication unit 32B, and requests attribute information including the user ID. Upon receiving this request, the control unit 31A reads all attribute information including the user ID “user001” notified from the image forming apparatus 30B from the storage unit 33A, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 30B through the communication unit 32A. On the other hand, when the attribute information including the user ID “user001” is not stored in the storage unit 33A, the attribute information is not transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30A. In this case, the control unit 31B notifies the user ID “user001” to the image forming apparatus 30C specified as the second highest priority storage location by the communication unit 32B, and requests attribute information including the user ID. . In step S12 described above, attribute information including the user ID “user001” and the file name of the image data D1 is stored in the storage unit 33A. In this case, the attribute information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30A to the image forming apparatus 30B. The control unit 31B receives this attribute information through the communication unit 32B.

  When acquiring the attribute information of the print data, the control unit 31B displays a list of print data on the UI unit 34B based on the attribute information (step S23). FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of print data displayed on the UI unit 34B. In the list of print data, the attribute information acquired in step S22 is displayed. In the list of print data shown in FIG. 8, the user ID “user001” and the file name of the image data D1 included in the attribute information acquired from the image forming apparatus 30A are displayed. The user selects print data from the list of print data using the UI unit 34 </ b> B and presses a “print” button 51. When the “print” button 51 is pressed, the control unit 31B acquires the print data from the image forming apparatus 30 in which the selected print data is stored (step S24). For example, when the area where the user ID “user001” and the file name of the image data D1 are displayed in the print data list shown in FIG. 8 and the “print” button 51 is pressed, the control unit 31B 32B requests the image forming apparatus 30A for the print data to which the attribute information including the user ID and the file name is added. Upon receiving this request, the control unit 31A reads the requested print data from the storage unit 33A and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 30B through the communication unit 32A. When print data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30A, the control unit 31B receives the print data through the communication unit 32B. When the print data is received, the control unit 31B extracts the image data D1 from the print data, and causes the image forming unit 35B to form an image corresponding to the image data D1. (Step S25). The image forming unit 35B forms and outputs an image corresponding to the image data D1 on a sheet.

  Further, after the authentication information 41 is stored in the memory 38B in step S20 described above, the image forming apparatus 30B authenticates the user using the authentication information 41 stored in the memory 38B when used next time. Do. In this case, the control unit 31B determines that the authentication information 41 is stored in the memory 38B in step S14 (step S14: YES), and proceeds to step S26. Next, the control unit 31B collates the user ID and password input from the card reading unit 36B with the user ID and password included in the authentication information 41 stored in the memory 38B, and uses the image forming apparatus 30B. It is determined whether the person is a legitimate user (step S26). When the input user ID and password are included in the authentication information 41, the control unit 31B determines that the user of the image forming apparatus 30B is a valid user (step S26: YES). In this case, the control unit 31B proceeds to step S21 described above.

  On the other hand, when determining that the user of the image forming apparatus 30B is not a valid user (step S26: NO), the control unit 31B displays, for example, a message indicating that the authentication has failed on the UI unit 34B, This process ends. Similarly, when the information indicating that the authentication has failed is transmitted from the authentication server device 10 in step S17 described above, the control unit 31B also sends a message indicating that the authentication has failed, for example, to the UI unit 34B. This is displayed and the process is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, image data is acquired from storage locations that are different for each user, and an image is formed. In this embodiment, the print data storage location is provided in the image forming apparatus 30 and no print server is used. Therefore, for example, the cost of constructing the image forming system 1 is reduced and the burden on the administrator who manages the image forming system 1 is reduced as compared with a case where a print server is installed and a storage location is provided in the print server. Is done. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, only the authentication information 41 is stored in the authentication server device 10, and print data is not stored in the authentication server device 10. Since the print data may include confidential information or personal information, for example, when the print data is stored in the authentication server device 10 managed by a third party, there is a concern that the information security level may be lowered. . In the present embodiment, print data is stored in the image forming apparatus 30. In this case, a mechanism for storing print data in an image forming apparatus 30 and forming an image according to the print data using another image forming apparatus 30 is realized using cloud computing. In this case, a high information security level is ensured.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified as follows. Further, the following modifications may be combined with each other.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the print data is stored only in one of the storage location indicated by the primary spooler information and the storage location indicated by the secondary spooler information. However, the user print data may be stored in both of these storage locations. For example, the client device 20 may transmit print data to both of these storage locations. For example, when the storage location of the image forming apparatus 30A is the storage location with the highest priority and the storage location of the image forming device 30C is the storage location with the second highest priority, the client device 20 uses the image forming apparatus 30A. When the print data is transmitted to the printer, the print data is also transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30C. As described above, if the print data is also transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30C, the user's print data cannot be acquired from the image forming apparatus 30A, for example, when the power of the image forming apparatus 30A is turned off. Even if it exists, this print data is acquired from the image forming apparatus 30C.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 30 that has received the print data from the client device 20 may copy the print data and transmit the copied print data to another storage location. For example, when the image forming apparatus 30A (an example of a storage device) receives print data from the client apparatus 20, the control unit 31A extracts a user ID from the received print data. Next, the control unit 31 </ b> A acquires spooler information corresponding to the extracted user ID from the client device 20 or the authentication server device 10. For example, when acquiring the spooler information from the client device 20, the control unit 31 </ b> A acquires the spooler information set in the printer driver 42. Further, when acquiring the spooler information from the authentication server device 10, the control unit 31 </ b> A acquires the spooler information corresponding to the extracted user ID in the authentication information 41 stored in the storage unit 14.

  Upon acquiring the spooler information, the control unit 31A (an example of a transmission unit) duplicates the received print data, and copies the print data copied to a storage location other than the storage unit 33A among the storage locations indicated by the acquired spooler information. Send. For example, when the primary spooler information “spoolerA” and the secondary spooler information “spoolerC” are acquired from the client device 20 or the authentication server device 10, the control unit 31A copies the image information to the image forming apparatus 30C indicated by the secondary spooler information “spoolerC”. Sent print data. As described above, if the copied print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30C, the user's print data cannot be acquired from the image forming apparatus 30A, for example, when the power of the image forming apparatus 30A is turned off. Even so, the print data is acquired from the image forming apparatus 30C.

  In addition, when the print data is acquired by the image forming apparatus 30B in step S24, the control unit 31A may transmit information instructing deletion of the print data to the image forming apparatus 30C. Upon receiving this information, the control unit 31C deletes the instructed print data.

(Modification 2)
The authentication information 41 stored in the authentication server device 10 may be changed. Therefore, in order to synchronize the authentication information 41 stored in the authentication server device 10 and the authentication information 41 stored in the memory 38, the authentication information 41 stored in the memory 38 may be periodically updated. In this case, the control unit 31 accesses the authentication server device 10 when it is time to update the authentication information 41. Then, the image forming apparatus 30 acquires the latest authentication information 41 from the authentication server apparatus 10 and stores it in the memory 38.
Further, the image forming apparatus 30 displays a button for instructing to update the authentication information 41 on the UI unit 34, and updates the authentication information 41 stored in the memory 38 when the user presses this button. Also good.

(Modification 3)
In order to increase security, the authentication information 41 stored in the memory 38 may be deleted from the memory 38 at a predetermined timing such as once a month. When the authentication information 41 is deleted from the memory 38, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S15 when the image forming apparatus 30 is next used, and requests the authentication server apparatus 10 to authenticate the user. Thereby, the control part 31 acquires the newest authentication information 41 from the authentication server apparatus 10 in step S19.
In addition, the image forming apparatus 30 displays a button for instructing deletion of the authentication information 41 on the UI unit 34, and deletes the authentication information 41 stored in the memory 38 when the user presses this button. Also good.

(Modification 4)
The image forming apparatus 30 does not necessarily have to store the authentication information 41 in the memory 38. In this case, the control unit 31 makes an authentication request to the authentication server device 10 every time. In addition, the control unit 31 does not perform the processes of steps S20 and S26 described above. In this case, it is not necessary to provide step S14 described above.
Further, for each image forming apparatus 30, it may be set whether or not the authentication information 41 is stored in the memory 38. For example, the authentication information 41 may be stored in the memory 38 for the image forming apparatuses 30A and 30B, but the authentication information 41 may not be stored in the memory 38 for the image forming apparatus 30C.

(Modification 5)
The image forming apparatus 30 may not store the authentication information 41 in the memory 38 for the specific user authentication information 41. For example, the image forming apparatus 30 does not store the authentication information 41 of the user in the memory 38 when the authority level of the user is lower than the threshold value. This authority level is information indicating the authority to use the image forming apparatus 30. In this case, the authority level of the user is stored in the IC card in addition to the above-described user ID and spooler information. When the user ID, the spooler information, and the authority level are input from the card reading unit 36, the control unit 31 determines whether the input authority level is equal to or higher than a threshold value. If the input authority level is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S14 described above. On the other hand, when the input authority level is lower than the threshold value, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S15 without performing the process of step S14 described above. Further, when receiving the authentication information 41 from the authentication server device 10 in step S20 described above, the control unit 31 deletes the input user ID and password from the authentication information 41. Thereby, for example, when the employee of the company is a short-term contract employee such as a part-time worker, if the authority level of the employee is set low, the authentication information 41 of the employee is not stored in the memory 38.

(Modification 6)
The storage location of the print data is not limited to the storage unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 30. For example, when a storage server device is provided in the image forming system 1, print data may be stored in this storage server device. The print data may be stored in the client device 20. When a plurality of client devices 20 are provided in the image forming system 1, the print data may be stored in a client device 20 different from the client device 20 that transmitted the print data.

(Modification 7)
In the above-described embodiment, when the authentication information 41 is not stored in the memory 38, the authentication server device 10 authenticates the user. However, the user may be authenticated in the image forming apparatus 30 without using the authentication server device 10 at all. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the authentication server device 10. The storage unit 33 stores authentication information 41 in advance. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 according to this modification. After performing the process of step S13 described above, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S31. The control unit 31 uses the authentication information 41 stored in the storage unit 33 to determine whether or not the user of the image forming apparatus 30 is a valid user as in step S26 described above (step S31). ). When the user of the image forming apparatus 30 is not a valid user (step S31: NO), the control unit 31 ends this process. On the other hand, when the user of the image forming apparatus 30 is a valid user (step S31: YES), the control unit 31 uses the spooler corresponding to the input user ID from the authentication information 41 stored in the storage unit 33. Information is extracted (step S32). When the spooler information is extracted, the control unit 31 specifies the storage location where the user image data is stored, based on the extracted spooler information (step S33), as in step S21 described above. When the process of step S33 ends, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S22 described above.

(Modification 8)
The IC card may store user spooler information. In this case, the authentication information 41 may not include spooler information. In step S <b> 13, the card reading unit 36 reads the user ID, password, and spooler information from the IC card, and inputs these information to the control unit 31. In step S21, the control unit 31 specifies the storage location of the user's image data based on the spooler information input from the card reading unit 36.
Further, when the user's spooler information is stored in the IC card, the client device 20 may acquire the spooler information from the IC card. In this case, the client device 20 is also provided with the card reading unit 36 described above. The client device 20 uses the card reading unit 36 to acquire spooler information stored in the IC card. When the spooler information is acquired, the client device 20 transmits print data to the storage location indicated by the spooler information. In this case, spooler information need not be set in the printer driver 42.

(Modification 9)
The authentication information 41 may be registered from the client device 20 by each user. When at least a part of the authentication information 41 is stored in the higher system, the authentication server device 10 may read at least a part of the authentication information 41 from the higher system.

(Modification 10)
In the above-described embodiment, the print data corresponding to the user ID “user001” is stored only in the image forming apparatus 30A. However, for example, the first print data corresponding to the user ID “user001” is stored in the storage unit 33A of the image forming apparatus 30A, and the second print data corresponding to the user ID “user001” is stored in the image forming apparatus 30C. There may be a case where the storage unit 33C stores the information. In this case, in step S22, the control unit 31B obtains the attribute information added to the first print data from the image forming apparatus 30A, and the attribute information added to the second print data from the image forming apparatus 30C. get. In step S23, the control unit 31B displays a list of print data corresponding to the attribute information of the first print data and the attribute information of the second print data acquired in step S22.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a list of print data according to this modification. In the list of print data, the user ID “user001” and the file name of the image data D1 are displayed as the attribute information of the first print data, and the user ID “user001” is displayed as the attribute information of the second print data. ”And the file name of the image data D2. The first print data and the second print data are stored in different storage locations. However, in this print data list, the attribute information of the first print data and the attribute information of the second print data are displayed side by side. As a result, it appears that the first print data and the second print data are stored in the same storage location. Even if the image forming apparatus 30B stores the second print data, the attribute information of the first print data and the attribute information of the second print data are displayed side by side as shown in FIG. The

(Modification 11)
The user identification information is not limited to the user ID. For example, a card ID may be used. As described above, the IC card is delivered to each user. Therefore, it can be said that this card ID is also identification information for identifying the user. In this case, the image forming apparatus 30 or the authentication server apparatus 10 stores a conversion table in which a card ID and a user ID are associated in advance. The image forming apparatus 30 or the authentication server apparatus 10 performs processing for converting the card ID into the user ID using the conversion table. The user identification information may be a value obtained by converting the user ID according to a predetermined rule such as a hash function.

(Modification 12)
In the embodiment described above, spooler information indicating two storage locations is set in the printer driver 42, but the number of storage locations is not limited to two. For example, only spooler information indicating one storage location may be set in the printer driver 42. The printer driver 42 may be set with spooler information indicating three or more storage locations. When a plurality of storage locations are set, the control unit 31 may sequentially access the plurality of storage locations in step S22 or may access the plurality of storage locations all at once.

(Modification 13)
User authentication may be performed without using an IC card. For example, the user may input his / her user ID and password using the UI unit 34 of the image forming apparatus 30. Also, biometric information such as a fingerprint may be used instead of the user ID and password. In this case, the image forming apparatus 30 is provided with a device that reads this biological information.

(Modification 14)
The image forming apparatus 30 may be a printer that forms an image by a method other than the electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 30 may form a black and white image or may form a color image. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 30 may have a copy function and a scan function.

(Modification 15)
The program executed by the CPU 11, 21 or 37 is provided in a state where it is recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a memory, and the authentication server device 10, the client device 20, or an image. It may be installed in the forming apparatus 30. Further, this program may be downloaded to the authentication server device 10, the client device 20, or the image forming device 30 via a communication line such as the Internet.

(Modification 16)
The authentication server device 10 is not limited to providing a service using cloud computing. For example, the authentication server device 10, the client device 20, and the image forming device 30 may be connected via a LAN (Local Area Network), and the authentication server device 10 may provide a service via this LAN. Further, the authentication server device 10 may be operated by the same person as the client device 20 and the image forming device 30.

(Modification 17)
In the embodiment described above, the authentication information 41 transmitted from the authentication server device 10 is stored in the memory 38 of the image forming apparatus 30. However, the storage destination of the authentication information 41 is not limited to the memory 38. For example, the authentication information 41 may be stored in the storage unit 33.

(Modification 18)
Only the user ID of the user may be stored in the IC card. In this case, only this user ID is input to the image forming apparatus 30. Further, user authentication is performed by collating only the input user ID with the user ID included in the authentication information 41.

(Modification 19)
In the embodiment described above, after specifying the storage location in step S21, a list of print data is displayed, and the print data selected by the user is acquired. However, the image forming apparatus 30 may acquire print data without displaying a list of print data. In this case, when the storage location is specified in step S21, the image forming apparatus 30 acquires print data from the specified storage location. When the print data is acquired, the image forming apparatus 30 forms an image according to the print data. In this case, the process of acquiring the attribute information in step S22 and the process of displaying the list of print data in step S23 are not performed. Further, the user does not need to select print data.

(Modification 20)
The image forming apparatus 30B may accept an operation for deleting print data when the list of print data is displayed in step S23 described above. In this case, a “delete” button for instructing deletion of print data is displayed on the UI unit 34B. The user selects print data to be deleted from the list of print data using the UI unit 34B, and presses a “delete” button. When the “delete” button is pressed, the image forming apparatus 30B requests the image forming apparatus 30A in which the selected print data is stored to delete the print data. Upon receiving this request, the image forming apparatus 30A deletes the corresponding print data from the storage unit 33A.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming system, 2 ... Communication line, 10 ... Authentication server apparatus, 20 ... Client apparatus, 30 ... Image forming apparatus, 31 ... Control part, 32 ... Communication part, 33 ... Memory | storage part, 34 ... UI part, 35 ... Image forming unit 36 ... card reading unit 101 101 specifying unit 102 acquisition unit 103 storage control unit 104 storage location

Claims (14)

A storage unit for storing storage location information indicating a storage location in which the first image data corresponding to the identification information for identifying the user and the second image data in another image forming apparatus are stored;
Shows information on the first image data, the first attribute information including the identification information, and the previous SL shows information about a second image data, and acquires the second attribute information including the identification information An acquisition unit;
A display unit that a portion is displayed side by side in a portion between the second attribute information of the first attribute information,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a print instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data. Storage location information indicating the first storage location where the first image data corresponding to the identification information for identifying the user is stored and the second storage location where the second image data is stored in another image forming apparatus A storage unit for storing
Sequentially from the first and the predetermined high priority storage location to the second storage location, the first attribute information and the information about the second image data indicating information on said first image data An acquisition unit for acquiring second attribute information to be shown;
A display unit in which the attribute information of the first image data and the attribute information of the second image data are displayed side by side;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a print instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data. Storage location information indicating the first storage location where the first image data corresponding to the identification information for identifying the user is stored and the second storage location where the second image data is stored in another image forming apparatus A storage unit for storing
An acquisition unit for acquiring first attribute information indicating information regarding the first image data and second attribute information indicating information regarding the second image data;
A display unit in which the attribute information of the first image data and the attribute information of the second image data are displayed side by side;
A print instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data ;
Control for controlling the image data to be stored in order from the storage location having a predetermined priority with respect to the first and second storage locations when the user instructs image formation of the image data. And an image forming apparatus. A receiving unit that receives an instruction to delete the second image data from the user;
Based on the deletion instruction according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a deletion request unit for requesting the deletion of the second image data to the other image forming apparatus Image forming apparatus. The identification information image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a biological information of the user. Said first attribute information and the second attribute information, respectively, any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that it comprises a file name of the first image data and the second image data The image forming apparatus described in 1. Further, with respect to a plurality of storage locations indicated by the storage information corresponding to the identification information includes a query unit for querying whether the image data corresponding to the identification information is stored,
The acquisition unit, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that obtaining the image data from at least one of said plurality of storage locations. The control means controls to store the image data in the storage location of the next priority when the image data cannot be stored in the storage location of the highest priority among the priorities.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. A storage unit for storing storage location information indicating a storage location in which the first image data corresponding to the identification information for identifying the user and the second image data in another image forming apparatus are stored;
An acquisition unit that indicates information on the first image data, indicates first attribute information that includes the identification information, and information on the second image data, and acquires second attribute information that includes the identification information; ,
A display unit in which a part of the first attribute information and a part of the second attribute information are displayed side by side;
A print instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data;
An image forming system. Storage location information indicating the first storage location where the first image data corresponding to the identification information for identifying the user is stored and the second storage location where the second image data is stored in another image forming apparatus A storage unit for storing
The first attribute information indicating the information related to the first image data and the information related to the second image data in order from the storage location having a predetermined high priority with respect to the first and second storage locations. An acquisition unit for acquiring second attribute information to be shown;
A display unit in which the attribute information of the first image data and the attribute information of the second image data are displayed side by side;
A print instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data;
An image forming system. Storage location information indicating the first storage location where the first image data corresponding to the identification information for identifying the user is stored and the second storage location where the second image data is stored in another image forming apparatus A storage unit for storing
An acquisition unit for acquiring first attribute information indicating information regarding the first image data and second attribute information indicating information regarding the second image data;
A display unit in which the attribute information of the first image data and the attribute information of the second image data are displayed side by side;
A print instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data;
Control for controlling the image data to be stored in order from a storage location having a predetermined high priority with respect to the first and second storage locations when the user gives an instruction to form an image of the image data. Means and
An image forming system. On the computer,
Storing storage location information indicating a storage location where first image data corresponding to identification information for identifying a user and second image data in another image forming apparatus is stored in a storage unit;
Indicating information about the first image data, indicating first attribute information including the identification information, and information regarding the second image data, and obtaining second attribute information including the identification information;
Displaying a part of the first attribute information and a part of the second attribute information side by side on a display unit;
Receiving an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data;
A program for running On the computer,
Storage location information indicating the first storage location where the first image data corresponding to the identification information for identifying the user is stored and the second storage location where the second image data is stored in another image forming apparatus Storing in the storage unit;
The first attribute information indicating the information related to the first image data and the information related to the second image data in order from the storage location having a predetermined high priority with respect to the first and second storage locations. Obtaining second attribute information to indicate,
Displaying the attribute information of the first image data and the attribute information of the second image data side by side on a display unit;
Receiving an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data;
A program for running On the computer,
Storage location information indicating the first storage location where the first image data corresponding to the identification information for identifying the user is stored and the second storage location where the second image data is stored in another image forming apparatus Storing in the storage unit;
Obtaining first attribute information indicating information related to the first image data and second attribute information indicating information related to the second image data;
Displaying the attribute information of the first image data and the attribute information of the second image data side by side on a display unit;
Receiving an instruction to print at least one of the first image data and the second image data;
When the user instructs to form an image of image data, a step of controlling to store the image data in order from a storage location having a predetermined high priority with respect to the first and second storage locations. When
A program for running

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