JP6538918B2 - Image output method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output method in which a user instructs execution of image output using an information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, information terminal devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals are rapidly spreading, and the demand for print processing of data such as photos or documents stored in the information terminal device is also rapidly increasing. The information terminal apparatus has a communication function for connecting to a network, and data printing can be easily performed by transmitting data to the multi-functional peripheral via the network.

  However, in order to transmit data to the multi-functional peripheral, specific information for specifying the multi-functional peripheral of the transmission destination is required. For example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to the multifunction peripheral can be used as the identification information for identifying the multifunction peripheral, but it is not easy to know such information. There is also a method of posting the IP address assigned to the multifunction device on the multifunction device, but there is a security problem with this method.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the specific information of each multifunction device is converted into a code pattern and displayed on each multifunction device, and the user captures and decodes the code pattern with the camera function of the information terminal device, There has been proposed a system capable of acquiring specific information of a multifunction machine. As a result, while maintaining security, it is possible to obtain specific information of the multifunction device that the user wants to use.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-274520

By the way, for MFPs used in the office etc., introduce an authentication system that authenticates users when using MFPs for the purpose of preventing information leakage from MFPs and monitoring usage information etc. Is becoming commonplace.
Also in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a configuration is disclosed in which mutual authentication is performed based on a PIN code shared between the communication destination terminal and the communication source terminal. However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a mechanism for securely transmitting and receiving data, and is not a mechanism for authenticating a user. Further, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to set the PIN code in advance in the multi-functional peripheral, when a plurality of multi-functional peripherals are installed, the PIN for each multi-functional peripheral is set. It is necessary to register and change the code appropriately, and there is a problem that such an operation requires labor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is that the user does not need to know in advance the specific information of the image output device, and the desired image output device can easily be obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output method that can be used.

  In the image output method according to the present invention, an image output apparatus encodes an image of a code pattern encoded as an image that can be acquired by the information processing apparatus from apparatus information for specifying the image output apparatus from the user via the operation panel Is displayed when instructed to display the code pattern, the information processing apparatus acquires an image of the code pattern, and specifies the image output apparatus based on the apparatus information acquired from the image; When the image output device is specified by the information processing device, it is possible to output an image based on the image data transmitted from the information processing device to the own device, and the image output device is able to output from the information processing device The image output instructed by the user identified based on the transmitted user information for specifying the user is executed, and the image output device executes The results of image output, and transmits the image data to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted to the own device.

  In the image output method according to the present invention, an image output apparatus encodes an image of a code pattern encoded as an image that can be acquired by the information processing apparatus from apparatus information for specifying the image output apparatus from the user via the operation panel When the display of the code pattern is instructed, and when the information processing apparatus that has acquired the image of the code pattern identifies the own apparatus based on the apparatus information acquired from the image, the information It is possible to output an image based on the image data transmitted from the processing device to the own device, and the image output instructed by the user authenticated based on the user information for specifying the user transmitted from the information processing device And the result of the executed image output is transmitted to the information processing apparatus which has transmitted the image data to the own apparatus.

  In the image output method according to the present invention, the code pattern is a bar code or a QR code (registered trademark).

  In the image output method according to the present invention, the device information is an IP address.

  In the present invention, in a system in which the user instructs execution of image output by the image output apparatus using the information processing apparatus, the user sets information for setting the image output apparatus as an output destination (destination information such as an IP address) There is no need to know in advance.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an image output system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configurations of a multifunction peripheral, an authentication server, and an information processing terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of an authentication server. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of multifunction device information DB and user information DB. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print processing by the image output system. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print processing by the image output system. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the configuration of a print request screen. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of code patterns of multifunction machine information. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print processing by the image output system of the second embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of a printing request screen.

  Hereinafter, an image output system and an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings showing the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the image output system according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configurations of a multifunction peripheral, an authentication server, and an information processing terminal. The image output system according to the first embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral (image output device) 1, an authentication server (authentication device) 2, and an information processing terminal (information processing device) 3, each of which is connected to a network N such as the Internet. It is connectable. In the following, although a system including one multifunction device 1, one authentication server 2 and one information processing terminal 3 will be described as an example, a plurality of multifunction devices 1, authentication server 2 and information processing terminal 3 may be used. You may have.

The multifunction device 1 is a digital multifunction device or an analog multifunction device, and is installed in, for example, a convenience store. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 10, an operation panel 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a communication unit 14, and the like.
The operation panel 11 is a touch panel in which the input unit 11 a and the display unit 11 b are integrally configured. The input unit 11a includes various input keys necessary for the user to operate the multifunction device 1, receives information based on the input key operated by the user, and sends the received information to the control unit 10. The display unit 11 b is, for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL panel, or the like, and displays information to be notified to the user, information necessary for operation, and the like according to an instruction from the control unit 10. The input unit 11a and the display unit 11b may be separately provided without using a touch panel.

  The image reading unit 12 is, for example, a scanner provided with a CCD (Charged Coupled Device), and reads characters, images, and the like printed on a document as image data. In addition, the image reading unit 12 may have a document conveying function of sequentially conveying a plurality of sheets of documents placed on a predetermined document placing table to a reading position by a scanner.

  The image forming unit 13 is an image forming unit such as an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or a thermal transfer method, and image data read from a document by the image reading unit 12 or printing received from the outside via the network N by the communication unit 14. Print processing (image output) is performed based on the data for printing. The image forming unit 13 forms an image (character / photograph / graphic) on a recording sheet such as a recording sheet based on the image data or the printing data.

The communication unit 14 includes a network card or a modem, and can be connected to a communication network N such as a public network, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the Internet, and the authentication server 2 or an information processing terminal via the network N. It communicates with an external device such as 3rd grade. The communication unit 14 may be an interface for performing wired communication, or may be an interface for performing wireless communication. The communication unit 14 may be directly connected to the authentication server 2 via a physical cable.
The communication unit 14 also has an e-mail transmission and reception function, and can also transmit and receive e-mails via the network N.

The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), and the like, and controls the operation of each unit included in the multifunction device 1. Specifically, the CPU or MPU of the control unit 10 loads the control program stored in advance in the ROM (not shown) into the RAM (not shown) and executes the program to execute the multifunction device 1. It operates as an image output device of an image output system according to the invention.
The multifunction device 1 also includes a storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores various data (data for printing) received from the external device as a print processing target.

The authentication server 2 is a server computer, and cooperates with the multifunction device 1 to perform authentication processing of a user who uses the multifunction device 1. The authentication server 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, and the like.
The storage unit 21 is a storage device such as an HDD, and stores various control programs, various data, and the like necessary for the process executed by the authentication server 2. The storage unit 21 further includes an electronic data database (hereinafter referred to as an electronic data DB) 21a, a multifunction device information database (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction device information DB) 21b, and a user information database (hereinafter referred to as a user information DB) 21c (see FIG. 3). Reference) is stored.

The communication unit 22 has the same configuration as the communication unit 14 of the multifunction machine 1. Therefore, the communication unit 22 communicates with external devices such as the multifunction device 1 and the information processing terminal 3 via the network N. The communication unit 22 also has an e-mail transmission and reception function, and can also transmit and receive e-mails via the network N.
The control unit 20 includes a CPU, an MPU, and the like, and controls the operation of each unit included in the authentication server 2. Specifically, the CPU or MPU of the control unit 20 loads the control program stored in advance in the ROM (not shown) into the RAM (not shown) and executes the program to execute the authentication server 2. It operates as an authentication device of an image output system according to the invention.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the authentication server 2. The control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 causes the CPU or MPU to execute a control program stored in advance in the ROM so that the function control unit 23, the storage processing unit 24, the MFP management unit 25 and the user authentication unit 26 can be realized. Implement each function. The function control unit 23 controls the operations of the storage processing unit 24, the MFP management unit 25, and the user authentication unit 26.

The storage processing unit 24 stores, in the electronic data DB 21 a, print data (electronic file data to be subjected to print processing by the MFP 1) received by the communication unit 22 from the outside via the network N. The communication unit 22 receives print data not only from the information processing terminal 3 but also from a personal computer (not shown) or the like that can be connected to the network N. The print data is transmitted together with user information of the user who performs print processing in the multifunction machine 1 using the print service provided by the image output system. The user who wants to use the print service provided by the image output system needs to perform user registration in advance, and the user information transmitted together with the print data is the registered user ID at the time of user registration.
Therefore, when receiving the print data from the outside, the storage processing unit 24 stores the received print data in the electronic data DB 21 a in association with the user ID received together with the print data.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the MFP information DB 21 b and the user information DB 21 c.
In the multi-function device information DB 21b, a multi-function device ID for specifying each multi-function device 1, an IP address assigned to each multi-function device 1, and setting conditions usable in each multi-function device 1 are registered in association with one another. In the authentication server 2, when the communication unit 22 receives a change or addition of registration information of the MFP information database 21 b via the network N or the operation unit (not shown), the MFP management unit 25 The registration information of the multifunction device information DB 21b is updated. The MFP management unit 25 manages information of the MFP 1 to be managed by the authentication server 2 based on the registration information of the MFP information DB 21b. The information registered in the multifunction device information DB 21 b is not limited to the above-described information as long as the information can identify each of the plurality of multifunction devices 1.

In the user information DB 21c, the user ID and password of the user who registered as a user in the print service, and setting conditions that can be used by the user in the multifunction device 1 are registered in association with each other. In the authentication server 2, when the communication unit 22 receives a change or an addition of registration information of the user information DB 21c via the network N, the control unit 20 updates the registration information of the user information DB 21c.
When the communication unit 22 receives the user authentication request together with the user ID and the password via the network N, the user authentication unit (authentication unit) 26 performs an authentication process based on the registered contents of the user information DB 21 c. Specifically, the user authentication unit 26 compares and collates the user ID and password received by the communication unit 22 with the registration information of the user information DB 21 c, and determines whether or not the user ID and password are registered in the user information DB 21 c.

It returns to the explanation of FIG. The information processing terminal 3 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a portable computer, a portable game machine, a mobile phone or a PDA. The information processing terminal 3 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, an operation panel 32, an imaging unit 33, a communication unit 34, and the like.
The storage unit 31 is a storage device such as an HDD or a flash memory, and stores various control programs necessary for processing executed by the information processing terminal 3, various data, image data obtained by imaging by the imaging unit 33, and the like. doing.

The operation panel 32 has the same configuration as the operation panel 11 of the multifunction machine 1, and includes an input unit 32a and a display unit 32b. The input unit 32 a receives information based on an input key operated by the user, and sends the received information to the control unit 30. The display unit 32 b displays information to be notified to the user, information necessary for operation, and the like in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 30.
The imaging unit 33 is a camera, and obtains image data by photoelectrically converting an optical signal input through a CCD.

The communication unit 34 has the same configuration as the communication unit 14 of the multifunction machine 1. Therefore, the communication unit 34 communicates with the external apparatus such as the multifunction machine 1 and the authentication server 2 via the network N. Since the information processing terminal 3 is a portable terminal device, the communication unit 34 may be configured to be capable of only wireless communication.
The control unit 30 includes a CPU or an MPU, and controls the operation of each unit included in the information processing terminal 3. Specifically, the CPU or MPU of the control unit 30 loads the control program stored in advance in the ROM (not shown) into the RAM (not shown) and executes the program, whereby the information processing terminal 3 is It operates as an information processing apparatus of an image output system according to the present invention.

  In the image output system having the above-described configuration, for example, a user who has been registered in advance creates print data such as a document at home using a personal computer. Then, the user transmits print data from the personal computer at home to the authentication server 2 and registers the print data in the authentication server 2. Further, when the user actually wants the multifunction device 1 to execute the printing process, the information processing terminal 3 is used to acquire multifunction device information (device information) for specifying the multifunction device 1, and the multifunction device information and the user The information is transmitted to the authentication server 2, and the user authentication and print execution are requested to the authentication server 2. The authentication server 2 authenticates the user requested by the information processing terminal 3, and when the user can be authenticated, transmits the print data held in association with the user to the MFP 1, and executes the printing process. To indicate. The process of registering print data in the authentication server 2 and the process of requesting user authentication and print execution in the authentication server 2 are performed, for example, via a web page provided with a print service by the image output system.

  The process performed by each device when the user (instructor) who uses the print service instructs the MFP 1 to execute the print process using the information processing terminal 3 will be described below. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the procedure of print processing by the image output system. It is assumed that the print data has already been registered in the electronic data DB 21 a of the authentication server 2. 5 and 6, the process on the left side indicates the process by the multifunction device 1, the center process indicates the process by the authentication server 2, and the process on the right side indicates the process by the information processing terminal 3.

The user who uses the print service accesses the authentication server 2 that provides the print service using the information processing terminal 3. The authentication server 2 also has a function as a web server. The information processing terminal 3 acquires a predetermined web page from the authentication server 2 and causes the display unit 32b to display a print request screen based on the acquired web page (S1).
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of the print request screen. In the print request screen shown in FIG. 7, an input field for inputting a user ID and a password of a user who wants to use the print service, a photographing button, and a print button are displayed. Further, in the vicinity of the shooting button, as a method for the information processing terminal 3 to acquire MFP information of the MFP 1 in the service, the imaging unit 33 of the information processing terminal 3 images the pattern displayed on the MFP 1 Explanation of the effect is displayed.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of code patterns of multifunction machine information. The code pattern of the MFP information is obtained by encoding MFP information (apparatus information) necessary to specify the MFP 1, and is a bar code, a QR code (registered trademark), or the like. The MFP information includes the network identification information such as the host name, IP address and MAC address assigned to the MFP 1, the MFP ID (serial number), the name given to the MFP 1, and the MFP 1 Any information can be used as long as it is information that can specify the multi-function device 1 such as information on the installation place (convenience store), and any or a plurality of such information can be used. The code pattern may be displayed on the operation panel 11 (display unit 11 b) of the multifunction device 1, or may be printed on a sheet of paper or the like and attached to an appropriate position of the multifunction device 1.

  The user operates the operation panel 32 of the information processing terminal 3 to input its own user ID and password, and the control unit (designator information acquisition unit) 30 receives the user via the operation panel 32 (input unit 32a). Acquire the ID and password (director information for specifying the instructor). Next, the user operates the shooting button, and the control unit (device information acquisition unit) 30 switches to an imaging mode by the imaging unit 33, captures a code pattern as shown in FIG. 8, and obtains code pattern information (image data Get). After capturing the code pattern, the user operates the print button to request the authentication server 2 to execute printing by the desired multifunction device 1. The control unit 30 of the information processing terminal 3 transmits the information of the acquired code pattern, the user ID and the password (hereinafter collectively referred to as authentication information) to the authentication server 2 via the communication unit (sending unit) 34 ( S2).

The control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 acquires code pattern information and authentication information via the communication unit 22, and the user authentication unit (authentication unit) 26 performs an authentication process based on the acquired authentication information (S3). The user authentication unit 26 determines (authenticates) whether or not the user is an appropriate user who has already been registered based on whether the acquired authentication information is registered in the user information DB 21c (S4). If the user is not authenticated (S4: NO), that is, if the user is not an appropriate user, the control unit 20 notifies the information processing terminal 3 of an authentication error indicating that authentication has failed via the communication unit 22. To do (S5). In this case, the control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 discards the information on the code pattern acquired from the information processing terminal 3 and the authentication information.
In the information processing terminal 3 notified of the authentication error, the control unit 30 displays, for example, an authentication error on the operation panel 32 (S6), and ends the processing.

When the user is authenticated (S4: YES), that is, when the user is an appropriate user, the control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 decodes the information of the code pattern acquired from the information processing terminal 3 (S7), and the compound Get machine information. Then, based on the MFP information obtained by decryption and the registration information of the MFP information DB 21b, the MFP management unit (identification unit) 25 specifies the MFP 1 (S8). The control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 determines whether the multifunction device management unit 25 has specified the multifunction device 1 (S9). If the MFP 1 can not be identified (S9: NO), that is, if the acquired MFP information is not registered in the MFP information DB 21b, or if the code pattern can not be decoded, the control unit 20 A specific error indicating that the specification of the MFP 1 has failed is notified to the information processing terminal 3 via the communication unit 22 (S10). In this case, the control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 discards the information on the code pattern acquired from the information processing terminal 3 and the authentication information.
In the information processing terminal 3 notified of the specific error, the control unit 30 displays, for example, the specific error on the operation panel 32 (S11), and ends the process.

If the multifunction device 1 can be specified (S9: YES), the control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 associates the print data stored in the electronic data DB 21a with the user (user ID) authenticated in step S3. It is read by the storage processing unit 24. Then, the control unit 20 transmits the printing data read from the electronic data DB 21a to the multifunction device 1 specified in step S8 (S12), and instructs the multifunction device 1 to execute the printing process. As a result, it becomes possible to execute the printing process instructed by the user using the information processing terminal 3.
The destination of the MFP 1 is, for example, the authentication server 2 when the code pattern (MFP information) captured by the image processing unit 33 by the information processing terminal 3 includes destination information (IP address) of the MFP 1. Can be obtained from the code pattern. If the code pattern does not include an IP address, the authentication server 2 acquires the IP address corresponding to the MFP information (for example, MFP ID) obtained from the code pattern from the MFP information DB 21b. The destination of machine 1 can be obtained.

The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 acquires print data via the communication unit 14, and the image forming unit 13 outputs an image based on the acquired print data (S13). As a result, the authenticated user can use the multifunction device 1, and the printing process instructed by the authenticated user to the multifunction device 1 is executed.
After the end of the image output, the control unit 10 of the multifunction device 1 notifies the processing result from the communication unit 14 to the authentication server 2 (S14). The control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 notified of the processing result notifies the processing result by the MFP 1 from the communication unit 22 to the information processing terminal 3 (S15). The control unit 30 of the information processing terminal 3 causes the operation panel 32 to display the notified processing result, for example (S16), and notifies the user of the information processing terminal 3. As a result, the user who has instructed the execution of the printing process (image output) by the MFP 1 using the information processing terminal 3 can know whether the printing process has been properly completed.

  As described above, in the image output system according to the first embodiment, when the user requests the authentication server 2 to use the multifunction device 1 using the information processing terminal 3 (the user authentication), the multifunction device 1 is used. There is no need to know in advance the destination information of Also, the user can easily acquire MFP information of the MFP 1 by photographing the code pattern displayed (or affixed) on the MFP 1 by the imaging unit 33 of the information processing terminal 3, so that the MFP can be easily combined. Machine 1 can be used. Further, since the MFP information is displayed (or pasted) in the form of a code pattern, inadvertent leakage of network identification information such as the IP address of the MFP 1, for example, is suppressed, and security can be maintained.

Second Embodiment
The image output system according to the second embodiment will be described below. The image output system of the second embodiment is realized by the same configuration as the image output system of the first embodiment described above, so the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration and the detailed description will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print processing by the image output system of the second embodiment. Also in FIG. 9, the process on the left side indicates the process by the multifunction device 1, the process on the center indicates the process by the authentication server 2, and the process on the right side indicates the process by the information processing terminal 3.
In the image output system of the second embodiment, the authentication server 2 and the information processing terminal 3 perform the same processes as steps S1 to S11 in the flowchart shown in FIG. When the MFP management unit 25 of the authentication server 2 can identify the MFP 1 based on the MFP information in step S9 (S9: YES), the control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 decrypts in step S7. It is determined whether the MFP information obtained by the above process includes encryption information (S21).

  The encryption information is information of an encryption key corresponding to the decryption key used for decryption processing that can be executed by the multifunction device 1, and is included in the multifunction device information in advance. For example, in the image output system, when data is transmitted without being encrypted between the authentication server 2 and the multifunction machine 1, or when the security level of communication between the authentication server 2 and the multifunction machine 1 is low. The encryption information is included in the MFP information.

  If the control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 determines that the encryption information is not included (S21: NO), the control unit 20 performs the same process as step S12 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Further, after that, the multifunction device 1, the authentication server 2, and the information processing terminal 3 perform the same processes as steps S13 to S16 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the encryption information is included (S21: YES), the control unit 20 of the authentication server 2 is stored in the electronic data DB 21a in association with the user (user ID) authenticated in step S3. The print data is read by the storage processing unit 24. Then, the control unit 20 encrypts the read print data using the encryption information included in the MFP information (S22), and transmits the encrypted data to the MFP 1 specified in step S8 ( S23). As a result, print data is securely transferred from the authentication server 2 to the multifunction device 1.

  The control unit 10 of the multifunction machine 1 acquires encrypted data via the communication unit 14 and decrypts the acquired encrypted data using decryption information (decryption key) held in advance by itself (S24). The image forming unit 13 outputs an image based on the print data that has been output (S13). After that, the multifunction device 1, the authentication server 2, and the information processing terminal 3 perform the same processes as steps S14 to S16 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the image output system of the second embodiment, since the print data transmitted from the authentication server 2 to the multi-function device 1 is encrypted, the information is transmitted even if the data being transmitted leaks. It becomes possible to prevent leakage. Further, since the encryption information corresponding to the MFP 1 is included in the MFP information in advance, the user captures the code pattern of the MFP information with the imaging unit 33 of the information processing terminal 3 to obtain the encryption information. You can get it.

In the image output system according to the first and second embodiments, the user registers printing data in advance in the authentication server 2. Therefore, the user actually issues an authentication request (print instruction) to the authentication server 2 using the information processing terminal 3 In this case, only the code pattern information of the MFP information and the authentication information may be transmitted to the authentication server 2. Therefore, in the first and second embodiments, there is no need to store print data in the information processing terminal 3, and the data amount of data transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 to the authentication server 2 can be reduced.
In addition to such a configuration, when the user issues an authentication request (print instruction) to the authentication server 2 using the information processing terminal 3, the print data is transmitted to the authentication server 2 together with the code pattern information and the authentication information. You may do it. In this case, since the authentication server 2 does not have to manage print data for each user, the processing load of the authentication server 2 can be reduced.

  In addition, when the user has registered a plurality of print data in advance in the authentication server 2, an authentication request is made to the authentication server 2 using the information processing terminal 3, and when the user is authenticated, desired print data May be selected. Specifically, when the user who uses the print service accesses the authentication server 2 using the information processing terminal 3 and acquires a predetermined web page, the print request screen shown in the upper side of FIG. It is displayed on the display unit 32 b of the processing terminal 3. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a modification of the print request screen. Similar to the print request screen shown in FIG. 7, the print request screen shown at the top of FIG. 10 displays an input field for inputting a user ID and a password, and a login button.

  The user operates the operation panel 32 of the information processing terminal 3, inputs his own user ID and password, and operates the login button. The information processing terminal 3 transmits the user ID and password (authentication information) acquired through the print request screen to the authentication server 2, and the authentication server 2 authenticates the acquired authentication information based on the registered contents of the user information DB 21c. Do. If the authentication is successful, the authentication server 2 transmits a web page for displaying a print request screen shown on the lower side of FIG. 10 to the information processing terminal 3, and the information processing terminal 3 based on the acquired web page A print request screen as shown on the lower side of FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 32b.

  The print request screen shown in the lower part of FIG. 10 is a check for selecting a file name, a registration date, and a print target for each of a plurality of print data registered in advance in the authentication server 2 by the logged-in user. The box is displayed in association with it. The check box may be configured to allow selection of a plurality of print data. In the print request screen shown in the lower side of FIG. 10, a description to capture an image of the pattern displayed on the multifunction device 1 by the imaging unit 33 of the information processing terminal 3, a shooting button, and a print button are displayed. .

  The user operates the operation panel 32 of the information processing terminal 3 to check a check box of print data to be printed, and operates a shooting button to shoot a code pattern displayed by the multifunction device 1. After capturing the code pattern, the user operates the print button to request the authentication server 2 to execute printing by the desired multifunction device 1. Thereby, the user can transmit the information indicating the print data to be printed to the authentication server 2 together with the code pattern information. In such a configuration, the data to be printed can be selected from the plurality of print data registered in the authentication server 2 by using the information processing terminal 3, so that the operability is improved.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the user issues an authentication request (print instruction) to the authentication server 2 using the information processing terminal 3, the code pattern information and the authentication information are simultaneously transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 to the authentication server 2. It was a configuration to be sent. In addition to such a configuration, for example, when only the authentication information is first transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 to the authentication server 2 and the user can be authenticated as a result of the authentication processing by the authentication server 2, authentication from the information processing terminal 3 The information of the code pattern may be transmitted to the server 2. Also, in a configuration in which print data is sent to the authentication server 2 together with the code pattern information and the authentication information when the user makes an authentication request, the code pattern information is first sent to the authentication server 2, and the authentication server When the MFP 1 can specify the MFP 1, the data for printing may be transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 to the authentication server 2.

  The information processing terminal 3 according to the first and second embodiments acquires multifunction device information by capturing a code pattern by the imaging unit 33, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, when the code pattern of the MFP information is a bar code, the information processing terminal 3 includes a code reader such as a barcode reader instead of the imaging unit 33, and acquires the MFP information by the code reader. You may When the information processing terminal 3 includes an IC card reader, the IC card storing the MFP information is attached to the MFP 1 and the IC card reader of the information processing terminal 3 uses the IC card to input MFP information from the IC card. It may be acquired. Furthermore, when the MFP 1 and the information processing terminal 3 can perform infrared communication using infrared rays, the information processing terminal 3 may acquire MFP information from the MFP 1 by infrared communication. .

  In the image output system according to the first and second embodiments, since the multifunction machine 1 notifies the authentication server 2 of the processing result, the authentication server 2 can grasp the processing result of the multifunction machine 1. Therefore, when notified of the completion of the printing process, the authentication server 2 can, for example, delete the print data held by the authentication server 2 and grasp the use situation of the multifunction device 1 of each user. In addition, when the processing result includes the specific usage status of each user, for example, the output sheet size, the number of output sheets, and the print processing content such as execution of black and white printing or color printing, based on such information. It is possible to charge each user.

  The information processing terminal 3 according to the first and second embodiments transmits information (image data) obtained by photographing the code pattern by the imaging unit 33 to the authentication server 2, and the authentication server 2 decodes the code pattern and the MFP It was the composition to acquire information. In addition to such a configuration, the information processing terminal 3 has a decryption function, decrypts information obtained by capturing a code pattern, acquires MFP information, and acquires the acquired MFP information as the authentication server 2. It may be configured to transmit to. In this case, the processing load on the authentication server 2 can be reduced.

  In the information processing terminal 3 according to the first and second embodiments, the user operates the operation panel 32 on the print request screen to input authentication information (user ID and password). In addition to such a configuration, for example, when the information processing terminal 3 has an IC card reader, the configuration is such that the user ID and the password are stored in advance in the IC card and the authentication information is read from the IC card Good.

  The image output system according to the first and second embodiments is configured to include one authentication server 2, and the user accesses the predetermined authentication server 2 to acquire a web page for providing print service. That is, there is one authentication server 2 at the access destination. In addition to such a configuration, a plurality of multifunction devices 1 and a plurality of authentication servers 2 are respectively provided, and each authentication server 2 manages a plurality of multifunction devices 1 allocated in advance. It may be configured to access the authentication server 2 that manages the web page, and acquire a web page providing the print service from the authentication server 2.

  In this case, for example, the MFP information of the MFP 1 includes server information (authentication apparatus information) for specifying the authentication server 2 that manages the MFP 1, and the information processing terminal 3 acquires the MFP information acquired Access the appropriate authentication server 2. Specifically, for example, the MFP information of the MFP 1 includes a URL for accessing the authentication server 2 (web page) that manages the MFP 1 that the user wants to use. Then, the information processing terminal 3 that has acquired the MFP information accesses the appropriate authentication server 2 by accessing the URL included in the MFP information, and acquires an appropriate web page (print request screen). That is, the control unit (authentication device identification unit) 30 of the information processing terminal 3 can identify the authentication server 2 to be accessed based on the URL included in the MFP information. Therefore, the load of the authentication process can be dispersed by the plurality of authentication servers 2, and each user can obtain information on the appropriate authentication server 2 only by photographing the code pattern of the MFP information with the imaging unit 33 of the information processing terminal 3 ( Destination information can be acquired.

  The image output system according to the first and second embodiments is configured such that the authentication server 2 transmits print data to the multifunction device 1 via the network N. Furthermore, as a method for the authentication server 2 to transmit print data to the multifunction device 1, any one of a plurality of communication methods such as FTP communication, HTTP communication, and electronic mail transmission may be appropriately switched and used. Specifically, the multifunction machine information of the multifunction machine 1 includes a communication method that can be used by the multifunction machine 1, and the authentication server 2 determines the multifunction machine based on the multifunction machine information acquired from the information processing terminal 3. When 1 identifies a usable communication method, and transmits printing data to the multifunction device 1, the specified method is used. For example, when print data can not be transmitted to the multifunction device 1 by FTP communication, the authentication server 2 may transmit the print data to the multifunction device 1 by electronic mail. The e-mail address of the multifunction device 1 may be included in the multifunction device information of the multifunction device 1 or may be registered in advance in the multifunction device information DB 21 b of the authentication server 2. As a result, the authentication server 2 can reliably transmit print data to the multi-function device 1 by an optimal method.

  The configuration described above is particularly effective when the authentication server 2 is connected to the global network, and the multifunction device 1 is assigned only a private address in a network environment in an enterprise. That is, in such a situation, although the authentication server 2 can not directly communicate with the multifunction device 1, if the electronic mail address of the multifunction device 1 can be acquired, data is transmitted to the multifunction device 1 using the electronic mail address. it can. Also, for example, if the communication method at the time of the authentication server 2 transmitting print data to the multifunction device 1 is fixed (for example, only FTP communication), the method can not be used by the multifunction device 1 of the transmission destination. , Data can not be transmitted from the authentication server 2 to the multifunction device 1. However, as described above, if it is possible to use any of the plurality of communication methods, it is possible to transmit data using the optimum communication method in the environment where the image output system is constructed.

The image output system of the first and second embodiments is configured such that the authentication server 2 transmits print data to the multifunction device 1 when the user is authenticated and the multifunction device 1 can be identified. In addition to such a configuration, when there is a transmission request from the multifunction device 1, the authentication server 2 may send corresponding print data to the multifunction device 1. For example, the MFP 1 periodically confirms the print request with respect to the authentication server 2, and the control unit (request receiving unit) 20 of the authentication server 2 confirms the print request from the MFP 1. If there is a print request for the multifunction device 1, the corresponding print data may be sent to the multifunction device 1. In this case, even in an environment where data can not be transmitted from the authentication server 2 to the multifunction device 1, if the multifunction device 1 can access the authentication server 2, the authentication server 2 responds to the request from the multifunction device 1. Accordingly, it is possible to transmit print data.
Further, even if the authentication server 2 fails to transmit the print data to the multifunction device 1, the print data can be resent according to the access from the multifunction device 1, so there is no need to interrupt the print processing. . In the first and second embodiments, when the authentication server 2 fails to transmit print data to the MFP 1, the print data may be resent after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Furthermore, the MFP information of the MFP 1 may include setting information on print functions or communication functions that can be executed by the MFP 1. As a result, the user can make settings regarding print processing by the multifunction device 1 only by photographing the code pattern of the multifunction device information with the imaging unit 33 of the information processing terminal 3.

  The image output system according to the first and second embodiments has a configuration in which the code pattern of the MFP information is displayed or attached to the MFP 1 in advance. In addition to such a configuration, the authentication server 2 may be configured to generate a code pattern of the multifunction device information based on the registration information of the multifunction device information DB 21b. Specifically, since the authentication server 2 manages the multifunction device information DB 21 b, the control unit 20 generates a code pattern using a part of registration information of the multifunction device information DB 21 b. The control unit 10 of the multifunction device 1 acquires the code pattern generated by the authentication server 2 by the communication unit 14, displays the acquired code pattern on the display unit 11b, and notifies (presents) the user. In this case, since the authentication server 2 manages information such as the IP address of the multifunction machine 1, there is no need to include network identification information such as the IP address in the multifunction machine information. Therefore, even when the information of the code pattern transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 to the authentication server 2 leaks, leakage of confidential information such as network identification information can be prevented.

  Further, the user may instruct the execution of the process of generating the code pattern by the authentication server 2 through the operation panel 11 of the multifunction device 1. In this case, the control unit 10 of the multifunction device 1 requests the authentication server 2 to generate a code pattern each time the user instructs to generate a code pattern, and acquires the generated code pattern. Since the authentication server 2 can collectively manage the code pattern of each multifunction device 1 by the authentication server 2 by generating the code pattern, the multifunction device 1 does not need to have a code pattern generation function. In addition, when a code pattern is generated using information (MFP information) that may be changed as appropriate, the user can request execution of print processing by the MFP 1 using the latest code pattern.

  In the image output system of the present invention, in addition to the multifunction device 1, a printer having only a printer function, a display device for displaying an image, or the like can be used.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described concretely, each structure, operation | movement, etc. can be changed suitably, Comprising: It is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

1 MFP (image output device)
2 Authentication server (Authentication device)
3 Information processing terminal (information processing device)
14 communication unit 20 control unit (request reception unit)
21 storage unit 22 communication unit 25 multifunction device management unit (specification unit)
26 User Authentication Unit (Authentication Unit)
30 Control Unit (Device Information Acquisition Unit, Instructor Information Acquisition Unit, Authentication Device Identification Unit)
33 imaging unit 34 communication unit (sending unit)
11b display unit 21a electronic data DB

Claims (4)

The image output device is instructed by the user via the operation panel to display the image of the code pattern obtained by encoding the device information for specifying the image output device as an image that can be acquired by the information processing device. Display when
The information processing apparatus acquires an image of the code pattern, and identifies the image output apparatus based on the apparatus information acquired from the image;
When the image output device is specified by the information processing device, it is possible to output an image based on the image data transmitted from the information processing device to the own device,
The image output apparatus executes an image output instructed by the user authenticated based on user information for identifying the user transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
An image output method, wherein the image output apparatus transmits the result of the executed image output to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the image data to the own apparatus. The image output device
Displaying an image of a code pattern obtained by encoding device information for specifying the image output device as an image that can be acquired by the information processing device when the user is instructed to display the code pattern from the user via the operation panel ,
When the information processing apparatus that has acquired the image of the code pattern identifies the own apparatus based on the apparatus information acquired from the image, an image based on the image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the own apparatus Output is possible,
Executing an image output instructed by the user authenticated based on user information for specifying the user transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
And transmitting the result of the executed image output to the information processing apparatus which has transmitted the image data to the apparatus itself.   The image output method according to claim 1, wherein the code pattern is a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).   The image output method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device information is an IP address.