JP6548090B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method, and more particularly to a technique for concealing confidential information.

  In recent years, improvement of the secrecy of confidential information on printed matter is required by protection of personal information and spread of My Number. From such a point of view, when the document file contains confidential information that should not be seen by others, the print job of the document file is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and then, according to the predetermined authentication operation in the image forming apparatus. A printing process (also referred to as private printing) to print out is proposed. For example, in order to simplify the authentication operation in the image forming apparatus, the patent document 1 performs the authentication operation only by pressing a specific key (for example, paper setting) registered by the user without inputting a password within a predetermined time. Proposes a technology to complete the On the other hand, for example, in Patent Document 2, in order to harmonize exclusive use of private printing and common use of other users in the technology of Patent Document 1, the execution of private printing is canceled after a predetermined time elapses, It proposes a technology that opens the forming apparatus to other users and reasserts time again to resume private printing.

JP, 2009-286024, A JP, 2009-286025, A

  However, private printing tends to be limited in general use, so the method of operation is not widely known. Therefore, when a print job for private printing is transmitted to the image forming apparatus by an operation not intended by the user, the user does not recognize that the authentication operation is necessary in the image forming apparatus, so There is also a problem that it will be sent again.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for realizing user-friendly operation in print processing requiring an authentication operation of an image forming apparatus.

  The present invention provides an imaging system comprising an imaging device and a terminal. The terminal includes a print job generation unit that includes authentication information and image data to be printed, and generates a print job of a specific type for which image forming processing is permitted according to an authentication operation using the authentication information. The image forming apparatus includes an operation display unit for receiving user's operation input, a private print managing unit for permitting the image forming process according to the authentication operation in the operation display unit, and the image according to the permission. An image forming unit for executing the image forming process based on data; and the private print managing unit is configured to receive the first print job of the specific type from the terminal, and then receive the second type of the specific type. When the image data included in the first print job and the image data included in the second print job are the same when the print job of It is the terminal, and displays the user interface screen indicating that the image forming processing in response to the authentication operation in the operation display unit is a print job to be permitted.

  The present invention provides an image forming method using an image forming apparatus and a terminal. The image forming method includes: authentication information and image data to be printed; and the printing by which the terminal generates a print job of a specific type for which image forming processing is permitted according to an authentication operation using the authentication information. Job generation process, operation display process for receiving user's operation input, private print management process for permitting the image forming process according to the authentication operation in the operation display unit, and based on the image data according to the permission The image forming process for executing the image forming process, and the private print managing process are configured to receive the second type print job of the specific type after receiving the first print job of the specific type from the terminal. When the image data included in the first print job and the image data included in the second print job are the same. , To the terminal, comprising the step of displaying a user interface screen indicative of a said print job by the image forming process is allowed according to the authentication operation in the operation display unit.

  According to the present invention, user-friendly operation can be realized in print processing requiring an authentication operation of an image forming apparatus.

It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of security printing system 10 concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of private print processing according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the estimation process which concerns on one Embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing the user interface screen concerning one embodiment.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a security printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The security printing system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 100 as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) and a plurality of personal computers 200. A plurality of personal computers 200 are connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a wired network N. The security printing system 10 is also referred to as an imaging system.

  Each of the plurality of personal computers 200 has a control unit 210 and an operation display unit 230. The control unit 210 includes a print job generation unit 211. The personal computer 200 is also simply called a terminal.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, an image forming unit 120, an operation display unit 130, a storage unit 140, and a communication interface unit 150. The control unit 110 includes a private print management unit 111. The communication interface unit 150 functions as a print job receiving unit. The function of the private print management unit 111 will be described later.

  The control units 110 and 210 each include a main storage unit such as a RAM and a ROM, and a control unit such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 110 also has a controller function related to interfaces such as various I / O, USB (Universal Serial Bus), bus, and other hardware. Control units 110 and 210 control the entire image forming apparatus 100 and personal computer 200, respectively.

  The image forming unit 120 reads an image from a document and generates an image data. The image processing unit 122 processes image data to be printed according to print settings. Printing is performed on a recording medium. And an image output unit 123.

  The operation display unit 130 includes a display 131 configured as a liquid crystal panel having a backlight, and an operation button 132. The operation display unit 130 receives a user's operation input from the display 131 functioning as a touch panel, various buttons and switches (not shown). The operation display unit 230 of the personal computer 200 also has the same configuration.

  The storage unit 140 is a storage device composed of a hard disk drive or a flash memory, which is a non-temporary recording medium, and stores control programs and data of processing executed by the control unit 110.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the private printing process according to an embodiment. The private printing process is executed by cooperation of the image forming apparatus 100 and the personal computer 200. The private printing process is a printing process (image forming process) that is permitted and output according to an authentication operation on the operation display unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100. Thus, it is possible to prevent in advance the removal of the printed matter on which the confidential information is displayed by a third party, and to improve the secrecy of the confidential information on the printed matter.

  In step S10, the print job generation unit 211 of the personal computer 200 executes print job generation processing. In the print job generation process, the print job generation unit 211 generates a private print job according to a print instruction from the user of the personal computer 200.

  The private print job includes image data for representing an image represented by a document file, ID information for specifying a user as a person who executes print processing by the private print job, and private print job type is private printing. Job type information representing that, authentication information for outputting private print, hash value of image data, and source identification information for identifying the personal computer 200 that is the source of the private print job. .

  The private print job is generated on the premise that the setting for executing private printing is made. However, private printing tends to be limited in general use, so the method of operation is not widely known. Therefore, it is also assumed that a private print job is generated by an operation unintended by the user. In this example, it is assumed that private printing is generated contrary to the user's intention, and the personal computer 200 transmits a private print job to the image forming apparatus 100.

  In step S20, the image forming apparatus 100 receives a private print job. In response to the reception of the private print job, control unit 110 of image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the type of print job is private printing based on the job type information.

  In step S30, based on the determination, control unit 110 proceeds the process to step S40 if private printing, and proceeds to step S90 (print execution) if not private printing.

  In step S40, the control unit 110 activates the private printing management unit 111, and causes the private printing management unit 111 to execute estimation processing. The estimation process is a process of estimating whether an instruction of private printing conforms to the user's intention.

  In step S41, the private print management unit 111 receives another private print job (specific type) received from the same personal computer 200 when the private print job (also referred to as a specific type of second print job) is received. It is determined whether or not the first print job remains.

  Based on this determination, when another private print job remains, the process proceeds to step S42, and the other private print job received from the same personal computer 200 remains. If not, the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S42, the private print management unit 111 determines whether a private print job has been received within a predetermined time interval from the reception of another private print job. Based on this determination, the private print management unit 111 advances the process to step S46 if within the fixed time interval, and advances the process to step S43 if not within the fixed time interval.

  When a plurality of private print jobs are received within a fixed time interval (for example, within one minute), the private print management unit 111 re-sends the private print job as intended by the user in order to increase the number of print copies. Estimate that On the other hand, when a private print job is received after a predetermined time (a fixed time interval) has been set in advance, the private print management unit 111 can not receive a printed material by the user at the image forming apparatus 100. Suppose that there is a possibility that the private print job has been re-sent from the personal computer 200.

  In step S43, the private print management unit 111 executes data comparison processing. In the data comparison process, the private print management unit 111 determines (determines) whether the image data included in the private print job transmitted for two times is the same. In the present embodiment, the determination of the identity of the image data is made by comparing the hash value of the image data included in the remaining private print job with the hash value of the image data included in the current private print job. It can be easily realized.

  In step S44, the private print management unit 111 advances the process to step S45 if the image data is the same based on this determination, and advances the process to step S46 if the image data is not the same. If the image data is not the same, it can be understood that it is not a retransmission of the private print job.

  In step S45, the private print management unit 111 estimates that it is an unexpected private print. That is, the user unintentionally executed private printing in personal computer 200 and tried to receive a printed matter in image forming apparatus 100, but since no printed matter was output, it is estimated that private printing was repeated unintentionally again. ing. On the other hand, in step S46, the private printing management unit 111 determines that it is unclear whether it is unexpected private printing.

  In step S50, if it is estimated that the private printing management portion 111 is unexpected private printing based on this determination, the process proceeds to step S60, and if it is not estimated that it is unexpected private printing. The process then proceeds to step S80.

  In step S60, the private print management unit 111 causes the display 231 of the operation display unit 230 of the personal computer 200 to display a pop-up window 232. The personal computer 200 is a sender of the private print job specified based on the sender identification information included in the private printing.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a user interface screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a pop-up window 232 as a user interface screen. The pop-up window 232 can inform the user that private printing is being performed, with a guidance such as “Do you want to cancel private printing?”. The pop-up window 232 has "Yes" and "No" icons 233 and 234 as user interface screens.

  In step S70, the private print management unit 111 receives a user input in the pop-up window 232. In response to the click operation on the “Yes” icon 233, the private printing management unit 111 transmits, to the image forming apparatus 100, an authentication notification, which is a notification that authentication of the private printing job should be pseudo completed. The process then proceeds to step S90. That is, the private print management unit 111 changes the private print job (print job of a specific type) to another type of print job for executing the image forming process without the authentication operation.

  On the other hand, the private print management unit 111 advances the process to step S80 in response to the click operation on the "No" icon 234. As a result, the private print management unit 111 can continue the execution of the private print job (a specific type of print job).

  In step S80, the private printing management unit 111 may provide a display screen for displaying authentication information for outputting private printing in a pop-up window (not shown). The authentication information includes, for example, a password and a specific key (for example, paper setting) registered by the user. The display screen on which the authentication information is displayed may be displayed, for example, in response to an input of a login password to the personal computer 200 from the viewpoint of security.

  As a result, smooth private printing can be realized even when the user forgets the authentication information. In response to the authentication operation, that is, the input of the password or the depression of the specific key registered by the user, the private print management unit 111 advances the process to step S90.

  In step S90, the private print management unit 111 outputs the printed matter in response to the reception of the authentication notification (pseudo authentication) or the authentication operation in the operation display unit 130. As a result, the user can obtain printed matter smoothly even when he / she is not informed about private printing, and can obtain knowledge about private printing.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the private print management unit 111 may close the pop-up window 232 and newly display the pop-up window 232a. The pop-up window 232a is a text guidance of "Do you want to cancel the second private printing?" To notify the user of the existence of the unnecessary second private printing job and to delete the private printing job. User interface screen can be provided. The second private print job may be automatically deleted without newly displaying the pop-up window 232a.

  The user can delete the second private print job in response to the click operation on the icon 233a (Yes), and maintain the second private print job in response to the click operation on the icon 234a (No).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the security printing system 10 can realize user-friendly operation in print processing that requires an authentication operation of the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention can be implemented not only in the above embodiment but also in the following modifications.

  Variation 1: In the above embodiment, the security printing system 10 provides a user interface screen for deleting the second private print job. However, the present invention is not limited to such a method, and even if the security printing system 10 provides a pop-up window (not shown) which can select and delete one of the first and second private print jobs. Good.

  Variation 2: In the above embodiment, the security printing system 10 provides a user interface screen for canceling private printing. However, the present invention is not limited to such a method, and the security printing system 10 may be configured to restrict cancellation of private printing with administrator authority from the viewpoint of security and to enable setting such that only notification is given. Good. Furthermore, the security printing system 10 may be configured to limit each user to cancel private printing only once. This is because the user can gain knowledge of private printing when canceling private printing.

  Modified Example 3 In the above embodiment, when the private print job is received again after a predetermined time set in advance, the security printing system 10 can allow the user to receive the printed matter at the image forming apparatus 100. Instead, it is assumed that the personal print job may have been sent from the personal computer 200 again. However, the present invention is not limited to such a method, and it may be presumed that private printing is repeated unintentionally regardless of the presence or absence of a predetermined time.

10 Security Printing System 100 Image Forming Device 110, 210 Control Unit 111 Private Print Management Unit 120 Image Forming Unit 121 Image Reading Unit 122 Image Processing Unit 123 Image Output Unit 130, 230 Operation Display Unit 131 Display 132 Operation Processing Unit 140 Storage Unit 150 Communication interface unit 200 Personal computer 211 Print job generation unit

Claims (7)

An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a terminal, wherein
The terminal includes a print job generation unit that includes authentication information and image data to be printed, and generates a print job of a specific type for which image forming processing is permitted according to an authentication operation using the authentication information. And
The image forming apparatus is
An operation display unit that receives user operation input;
A private print management unit that permits the image forming process according to the authentication operation in the operation display unit;
An image forming unit that executes the image forming process based on the image data according to the permission;
Have
The private print managing unit receives the first print job of the specific type from the terminal and then receives the second print job of the specific type from the terminal. When the image data included in the second print job is identical to the image data included in the second print job, the print job is permitted to the terminal in accordance with the authentication operation performed by the operation display unit. An imaging system that displays a user interface screen that indicates that. The image forming system according to claim 1,
The private print management unit compares a hash value of image data included in the first print job with a hash value of image data included in the second print job, and the two hash values are the same. An imaging system that determines when the image data are identical. An image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The private print managing unit, when a predetermined time set in advance from reception of the first print job of the specific type to reception of the second print job of the specific type has elapsed, An image forming system for displaying the user interface screen. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The user interface screen receives a user input for changing the particular type of print job to another type of print job for performing the image forming process without the authentication operation.
The image forming system, wherein the private print managing unit changes the print job of the specific type into the print job of the other type in response to the user input. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The user interface screen receives user input to continue execution of the particular type of print job.
The image forming system, wherein the private print management unit displays a display screen for displaying the authentication information in response to the user input. An image forming apparatus usable for the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a print job receiving unit that includes authentication information and image data to be printed, and receives a specific type of print job for which image forming processing is permitted according to an authentication operation using the authentication information. An image forming method using an image forming apparatus and a terminal, comprising:
A print job generation process in which the terminal generates a print job of a specific type that includes authentication information and image data to be printed, and in which image forming processing is permitted according to an authentication operation using the authentication information;
An operation display process for receiving user operation input;
A private print management step of permitting the image forming process in accordance with the authentication operation in the image forming apparatus;
An image forming step of executing the image forming process based on the image data according to the permission;
The private print management process is configured to receive the first print job when the second print job of the specific type is received from the terminal after the first print job of the specific type is received from the terminal. When the image data included in the second print job is the same as the image data included in the second print job, the print job is permitted to the terminal in accordance with the authentication operation in the image forming apparatus. A method of forming an image including displaying a user interface screen indicating