JP7225360B2 - printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to printing systems.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been progress in the development of a printing technique that allows an image forming apparatus to directly print image data stored in a mobile terminal by issuing a print instruction from the mobile terminal to the image forming apparatus. In such printing technology, an authenticated printing technology is also being developed to improve information security by allowing the image forming apparatus to perform user authentication of the user using the mobile terminal at the same time that the mobile terminal issues a print instruction to the image forming apparatus. progressing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 discloses that when a mobile terminal issues a print instruction to an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus performs authentication based on the device identifier of the mobile terminal, and performs authenticated printing when the device identifier of the mobile terminal is authenticated. An authenticated printing technique is disclosed. In the authenticated printing technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a mobile terminal issues a print instruction to an image forming apparatus, a device identifier unique to the mobile terminal is added to image data and transmitted to a document management server. Next, the user carries the portable terminal and moves to the vicinity of the image forming apparatus, and operates the operation section of the image forming apparatus to issue a print instruction to the image forming apparatus. Upon receiving a print instruction from the operation unit, the image forming apparatus executes processing for detecting mobile terminals existing around the image forming apparatus via a detection device included in the image forming apparatus. When the detecting device detects the mobile terminal, the image forming device acquires a device identifier unique to the mobile terminal via the detecting device. Simultaneously with detection of the portable terminal, the image forming apparatus receives image data relating to the received print instruction from the document management server. Next, when the device identifier unique to the mobile terminal received via the detection device matches the device identifier unique to the mobile terminal added to the image data received from the text management server, the image forming device Execute the print process. The printing system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 implements authentication printing by executing the above processing.

Patent Document 2 discloses another authentication printing technique. In the authenticated printing technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, an image forming apparatus registers a device identifier unique to a mobile terminal in advance in a device registration table. When the device identifier of the mobile terminal acquired via the short-range communication processing unit is the same as the device identifier unique to the mobile terminal registered in the authentication server in advance, the image forming apparatus performs authentication necessary for user authentication. Send your login information to your mobile device. The mobile terminal attempts user authentication to the printing system using the received login information. When the portable terminal successfully logs in to the printing system, it causes the job management server to transmit the print job to the image forming apparatus. By executing the above processing, authenticated printing from the mobile terminal is realized.

JP 2012-138071 A JP 2012-178083 A

In the printing system according to Patent Document 1, when a plurality of users share one mobile terminal, authentication cannot be performed on a user-by-user basis. Also, the image forming apparatus executes the authentication printing process. When the image forming apparatus executes authentication printing processing for image data relating to other users, the image data of the other users, which have been accumulated in the image forming apparatus without being output, are collectively printed. Therefore, if the image data of another user is confidential information, there is a possibility that confidentiality cannot be maintained.

In the printing system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200020, it is necessary to register a device identifier unique to a mobile terminal in advance in a device registration table. Therefore, when a mobile terminal that can perform authenticated printing processing is newly registered or the registered contents are changed, the contents of the device registration table must be changed each time, and the operation management of the printing system is troublesome. There is a risk.

A printing system according to the present invention is a printing system comprising a mobile terminal, a printing device, and a server, wherein in the mobile terminal, means for holding user information corresponding to one user; In the mobile terminal, means for transmitting one print data linked with the user information to the server via wireless LAN communication; In the server, means for receiving and holding the one print data; and the server means for erasing the one print data based on a predetermined condition; and means for executing predetermined short-range wireless communication in the mobile terminal holding the user information as the mobile terminal comes closer to the printing device. and acquiring the user information of the one user through the predetermined short-range wireless communication executed by the executing means, and erasing the one print data held in the holding means in the printing apparatus . on the condition that at least communication using the acquired user information of the one user is performed with the server after the print data linked with the user information of the one user is and means for displaying on a display unit a communication result indicating that the communication result is not held in the server.

According to the present invention, even when printing is instructed from a mobile terminal shared by a plurality of users, it is possible to easily perform authentication on a user-by-user basis, and to realize authenticated printing with high security.

It is a figure which shows an example of a system configuration. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an authentication server; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a portable terminal. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a software module configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a software module configuration diagram of an authentication server; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a software module configuration diagram of a mobile terminal; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the touch screen display of the mobile terminal when instructing authentication printing; 3A is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of the screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of print data used for authenticated printing in this embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of authentication information used for authenticated printing; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print data list table managed by a print data management unit of an authentication server; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print data list table generated by an authentication information analysis unit of the authentication server; 4 is a diagram showing a requested print data table generated by the control unit of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the details of authentication printing processing according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the details of print data transmission processing of the portable terminal; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of print data reception processing of the authentication server; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the details of authentication print processing of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the details of authentication print data extraction processing of the authentication server; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the requested print data transmission processing of the authentication server; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the details of authentication printing processing according to the second embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[overview]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile terminals such as multifunctional mobile phones (hereinafter referred to as "smartphones") and tablet mobile terminals are rapidly becoming popular. With the popularization of mobile terminals, the number of use cases in which a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal is increasing. When multiple users share one mobile terminal, from the viewpoint of information security, granting access rights to image data stored in the mobile terminal, and permitting or disallowing functions such as viewing and editing can be set for each user. It is desired to switch to

The OS installed in the mobile terminal supports a multi-user mode on the assumption that it will be used by a plurality of users in recent years. In the multi-user mode, an account is issued for each user in order to identify the user, and the mobile terminal uses the account to grant access rights to image data stored in the mobile terminal and to permit or deny functions such as viewing and editing. managed each time. A smart phone uses a SIM card ID (IMSI: International Mobile Subscriber Identification Number) as information for identifying a user. Conventionally, various functions of a mobile terminal were activated only when a SIM card having a specific SIM card ID was installed. However, in recent years, this restriction has been lifted (SIM-free), and it has become possible to activate mobile terminals without depending on the type of SIM card. A SIM-free mobile terminal can be used as a mobile terminal that can be shared and used by a plurality of users by replacing the SIM card by the user.

As information for identifying a user using a smart phone, there is a UUID generated within a specific application on the mobile terminal. UUIDs are limited to use within applications, but mobile terminals can generate UUIDs uniquely determined for each user and manage user information using UUIDs as user information. The mobile terminal switches granting of access rights to image data stored in the mobile terminal and permission/refusal of functions such as viewing and editing according to the UUID. As a result, information security can be ensured even when a plurality of users share and use one portable terminal.

In the present invention, the above-described multiple-user mode account information (for example, a user ID that is not highly confidential), SIM card ID information, UUID information, and the like are used as user information to execute authenticated printing. As a result, even when a plurality of users share one mobile terminal, it is possible to easily perform authentication for each user, and to realize authenticated printing with high security.

As described above, in the conventional technology, the document management server is configured to perform authenticated printing when only the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal is authenticated. In the present invention, assuming that a plurality of users share one mobile terminal, authentication printing is performed when user information is authenticated in addition to the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal.

Note that, in the embodiment of the present invention, account information in a multi-user mode, SIM card ID information, UUID information, and the like are exemplified as user information. These pieces of user information are not identification information that is uniquely determined all over the world, and there is a risk that each piece of information will be duplicated. Therefore, it is not desirable from the viewpoint of information security to implement authentication printing by authenticating only the user information instead of the terminal individual identifier.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an authenticated printing system 100 according to this embodiment. An authentication printing system 100 according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 200 , an authentication server 300 , and a mobile terminal 400 . connected to each other via

The network 101 can take the form of a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like, and can be configured wirelessly or by wire.

The image forming apparatus 200 can be a multifunction machine having various functions such as scanning, facsimile, printing, and copying. Alternatively, it may be a printer device having only a print function. When executing authentication printing, the image forming apparatus 200 acquires authentication information from the mobile terminal 400 via the short-range sensor 209 (FIG. 2).

Mobile terminal 400 may be a mobile phone, PDA, smart phone, tablet, or the like. In the present embodiment, a smartphone will be described as an example, but any form of smartphone may be used as long as it has a communication function capable of acquiring a terminal individual identifier and user information, generating print data, and transmitting the generated print data. can be anything. The mobile terminal 400 can convert image data viewed and edited on the mobile terminal 400 into print data. The mobile terminal 400 can transmit the converted print data to the authentication server 300 using the communication function of the mobile terminal 400 .

When the mobile terminal 400 generates print data, the mobile terminal 400 acquires the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal 400 and adds the acquired terminal individual identifier to the print data. Here, the terminal individual identifier can be a MAC address, IMEI (international mobile equipment identification number), or the like. to get as

Similar to the process of adding the terminal individual identifier to the print data, the mobile terminal 400 acquires user information using the mobile terminal 400 and also adds the acquired user information to the print data. If the OS running on the mobile terminal 400 supports the multi-user mode, the mobile terminal 400 can use account information (such as a user ID that is not highly confidential) as user information. If mobile terminal 400 is SIM-free mobile terminal 400, mobile terminal 400 can use SIM card ID information as user information. If the mobile terminal 400 can use a UUID generated by a specific application, the mobile terminal 400 can use the UUID information as user information.

In this embodiment, when mobile terminal 400 issues an authentication print instruction to image forming apparatus 200, short-range sensor 408 (FIG. 4) and short-range sensor 209 (FIG. 2) of image forming apparatus 200 are connected. The terminal individual identifier and the user information are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 via the terminal. At this time, the terminal individual identifier and the user information form authentication information.

The authentication server 300 in this embodiment holds a plurality of various print data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 200, and manages the individual terminal identifier and user information, which are authentication information, in association with these print data. It has the function to

Further, the authentication server 300 executes processing for analyzing the contents of the print data at the timing when the authentication server 300 receives the print data. As a result of the print data analysis process, the authentication server 300 extracts the terminal individual identifier, user information, and print setting information included in the print data, and updates the print data management table 330, which will be described later.

Next, when image forming apparatus 200 executes authentication printing processing, authentication server 300 receives authentication information from image forming apparatus 200 . Upon receiving the authentication information from the image forming apparatus 200 , the authentication server 300 extracts print data whose authentication information matches the print data group managed by the print data management unit 324 and stored in the storage device 304 . do. Details of processing by the authentication server 300 will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 according to this embodiment.

Although FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 alone, as described with reference to FIG. connected to A print job for executing print processing is transmitted from the mobile terminal 400 or the authentication server 300 to the image forming apparatus via an interface such as the network 101 or USB. In the authenticated printing process according to the embodiment of the present invention, the details of the authenticated printing process are explained in terms of the mode in which print data is transmitted from the authentication server 300 . In another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 200 may include the functions of the authentication server 300 . In this case, image forming apparatus 200 receives print data directly from portable terminal 400 .

The image forming apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a storage device 203, a RIP 204, a network I/F 205, a short distance sensor I/F 206, an operation unit I/F 207, and a device I/F 208. The image forming apparatus 200 further includes a short-range sensor 209 , an operation unit 210 and a printer engine 211 , and each component is connected via a bus 212 so as to be communicable. "I/F" means "interface" (same below).

A CPU 201 is composed of an arithmetic circuit and controls the image forming apparatus 200 in an integrated manner. A RAM 202 is a temporary storage area, and is used when the CPU 201 executes calculations. The storage device 203 functions as a storage area and stores various programs. The storage device 203 is composed of, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The CPU 201 reads programs stored in the storage device 203 to the RAM 202 and executes various processes.

The CPU 201 may adopt a multiprocessor system having a plurality of processors as hardware in order to realize parallel processing. Also, as a microprocessor, even if it is equipped with multiple processor cores. A technique such as hyper-threading that effectively utilizes idle time of registers and pipelines in the processor to operate one processor as if it were a plurality of processors may be used.

A RIP 204 (Raster Image Processor) is dedicated hardware that develops intermediate print data into a raster image. The RIP 204 is for processing the intermediate print data generated on the RAM 202 at high speed in parallel with the execution of the CPU 201 .

A network I/F 205 controls input/output of data between the network 101 and the image forming apparatus 200 under the control of the CPU 201 . Note that the connection between the network I/F 205 and the network 101 may be either a wired connection or a wireless connection.

The short-range sensor I/F 206 controls input/output of data with the short-range sensor 209 based on the control of the CPU 201 . Various communication standards can be adopted for the short-range sensor I/F 206 and the short-range sensor 209 on the condition that they are standards capable of transmitting and receiving authentication information in this embodiment. For example, as the short-range sensor I/F 206 and the short-range sensor 209, a short-range wireless communication interface conforming to standards such as infrared communication, NFC (Near Field Communication), and Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

The operation unit I/F 207 controls input/output of data with the operation unit 210 under the control of the CPU 201 . An operation unit I/F 207 outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 210 and transmits information input by the user via the operation unit 210 to the CPU 201 as input information. The operation unit 210 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel and a sound source as output devices, and a touch screen display, keyboard, microphone and the like as input devices.

The image forming apparatus 200 is connected to the printer engine 211 via the device I/F 208 . The device I/F 208 transmits image signals to the printer engine 211 , device operation instructions, and receives device information from the printer engine 211 under the control of the CPU 201 .

The printer engine 211 is an output device that outputs an image signal from the image forming apparatus 200 onto a medium such as recording paper, and may be of an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, or the like.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a disk drive capable of reading/writing portable disk recording media such as CDs and DVDs may be connected to the bus 212 . Similarly, a configuration in which a reader/writer or the like capable of reading/writing a portable nonvolatile recording medium such as a flash memory can be connected to the bus may be employed. A program describing the processing contents of the present embodiment may be stored in the storage device 203 via the various media described above and installed in the image forming apparatus 200 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the authentication server 300 in this embodiment.

The authentication server 300 in FIG. 3 includes a CPU 301 , a RAM 302 , a network I/F 303 and a storage device 304 . Furthermore, each component is communicably connected via a bus 305 .

A CPU 301 is composed of an arithmetic circuit and controls the authentication server 300 in an integrated manner. A RAM 302 is a temporary storage area, and is used when the CPU 301 executes calculations. A storage device 304 functions as a storage area and stores various programs. The storage device 304 is composed of, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The CPU 301 reads programs stored in the storage device 304 to the RAM 302 and executes various processes.

Network I/F 303 controls input/output of data between network 101 and authentication server 300 under the control of CPU 301 . Note that the connection between the network I/F 303 and the network 101 may be either a wired connection or a wireless connection.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a disk drive capable of reading/writing portable disk recording media such as CDs and DVDs may be connected to the bus 305 . Similarly, a configuration in which a reader/writer or the like capable of reading/writing a portable nonvolatile recording medium such as a flash memory can be connected to the bus 305 may be employed. A program describing the processing contents of the present embodiment may be stored in the storage device 304 via the various media described above and installed in the authentication server 300 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 400 according to this embodiment.

Portable terminal 400 in FIG. 4 includes CPU 401 , RAM 402 , storage device 403 , network I/F 404 , operation unit I/F 405 , short-range sensor I/F 406 , operation unit 407 , and short-range sensor 408 . Furthermore, each component is communicably connected via a bus 409 .

A CPU 401 is composed of an arithmetic circuit and controls the mobile terminal 400 in an integrated manner. A RAM 402 is a temporary storage area, and is used when the CPU 401 executes calculations. A storage device 403 functions as a storage area, and stores user data such as various programs and image data. The storage device 403 is composed of, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The CPU 401 reads programs stored in the storage device 403 to the RAM 402 and executes various processes.

Network I/F 404 controls input/output of data between network 101 and portable terminal 400 under the control of CPU 401 . Note that the connection between the network I/F 404 and the network 101 may be either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The mobile terminal 400 of this embodiment may access the content server via the network I/F 404 and the network 101 , download an application dedicated to the mobile terminal 400 , and install it in the storage device 403 .

The operation unit I/F 405 controls input/output of data with the operation unit 407 under the control of the CPU 401 . An operation unit I/F 405 outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 407 and transmits information input by the user via the operation unit 407 to the CPU 401 as input information. The operation unit 407 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel and a sound source as output devices, and a touch screen display, keyboard, microphone and the like as input devices.

A short-range sensor I/F 406 controls data input/output with a short-range sensor 408 under the control of the CPU 401 . Various communication standards can be adopted for the short-range sensor I/F 406 and the short-range sensor 408 on the condition that they are standards capable of transmitting and receiving authentication information in this embodiment. For example, as the short-range sensor I/F 406 and the short-range sensor 408, a short-range wireless communication interface conforming to standards such as infrared communication, NFC (Near Field Communication), and Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a disk drive capable of reading/writing portable disk recording media such as CDs and DVDs may be connected to the bus 409 . Similarly, a configuration in which a reader/writer or the like capable of reading/writing a portable nonvolatile recording medium such as a flash memory can be connected to the bus may be employed. A program describing the processing contents of the present embodiment may be stored in the storage device 403 via the various media described above and installed in the image forming apparatus 200 .

FIG. 5 is a software module configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 200 according to this embodiment. Each software module shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the storage device 203 as a program, loaded into the RAM 202 and executed by the CPU 201 .

The control unit 221 generally controls various types of processing such as authentication information generation processing, print data transmission/reception processing, data interpretation processing, and image rendering processing. The data interpretation unit reads the print data received by the transmission/reception unit via the control unit 221 and interprets the drawing information in the document. Drawing information extracted as a result of this data interpretation processing is transmitted to the renderer via the control unit 221 and used for rendering processing. The renderer uses RIP to generate a bitmap image from the drawing information sent from the data interpreter. The generated bitmap image is transmitted to the printer engine via the device I/F, and image forming processing is performed on printing paper.

Authentication information generation unit 224 generates authentication information for portable terminal 400 from the terminal individual identifier acquired from short-range sensor 209, user information, and the like. The transmission/reception unit 222 transmits or receives print data, the print data list table 340 , generated authentication information, the requested print data table 260 , and the like via the network I/F 205 .

FIG. 6 is a software module configuration diagram of the authentication server 300 in this embodiment. Each software module shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the storage device 304 as a program, loaded into the RAM 302 and executed by the CPU 301 .

The control unit 321 generally controls various processes such as print data transmission/reception processing, storage processing, and authentication processing. The transmission/reception unit 322 receives print data transmitted from the mobile terminal 400 and authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 via the network I/F 303 . Further, the transmission/reception unit 322 transmits the print data list table 340 and print data to the image forming apparatus 200 via the network I/F 303 .

The print data management unit 324 can manage a plurality of pieces of print data and store the print data to be managed by the print data management unit 324 in the storage device 304 . The print data to be managed by the print data management unit 324 is stored in a data table format in which authentication information including a terminal individual identifier constituting authentication information of the portable terminal 400, user information, and print settings are associated with each other. be done. The details of how the print data management unit 324 stores the data table will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 17. FIG.

The print data extraction unit 323 extracts print data to be subjected to print processing by the image forming apparatus 200 from the print data managed by the print data management unit 324 . The print data extraction unit 323 refers to the authentication information received by the control unit 321 and the print data group held in the storage device 304 by the print data management unit 324, and extracts print data with matching authentication information. Print data extraction unit 323 transmits the extracted extraction result to image forming apparatus 200 via control unit 321 and network I/F.

FIG. 7 is a software module configuration diagram of the mobile terminal 400 in this embodiment. Each software module shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the storage device 403 as a program, loaded into the RAM 402 and executed by the CPU 401 . The control unit 421 generally controls various processes such as print data generation processing, transmission/reception processing, and user information management processing. The transmission/reception unit 422 transmits print data to be authenticated and printed to the authentication server 300 via the network I/F 404 .

The print data generator 424 converts image data being viewed or edited on the mobile terminal 400 into print data. The print data generation unit 424 further executes a process of adding the user information managed by the user information management unit 423 and the unique terminal identifier of the portable terminal 400 to the print data.

The user information management unit 423 executes user information management processing for controlling access restrictions to document data and permission/denial of viewing/editing functions for each of a plurality of users using the mobile terminal 400 .

In the present invention, the user information management unit 423 can use account information, SIM card ID information, application UUID information, etc. as user information. Also, the user information management unit 423 can manage a plurality of pieces of user information on one mobile terminal 400 . More specifically, an OS (operating system) running on one mobile terminal 400 can manage a plurality of pieces of user information as account information.

The user information is not limited to the above. When a plurality of users share and use one mobile terminal 400, any user information that can identify users and manage user information can be used. User information such as

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 407 of the mobile terminal 400 when instructing authentication printing. A screen displayed on the operation unit 407 includes a preview 431 and a popup 432 . Preview 431 is displayed when the user browses or edits image data on the screen of portable terminal 400 . The pop-up 432 is displayed when image data being viewed or edited on the screen of the mobile terminal 400 is authenticated and printed.

When the user selects a No button 434 displayed in the popup 432, the authentication print instruction for the image data displayed as a preview is cancelled. On the other hand, when the user selects a Yes button 433 displayed in the popup, an authentication print instruction for image data displayed as a preview is started.

Note that in the present embodiment, data that can be viewed or edited by the user on the screen of the mobile terminal 400 is image data. Image data that can be viewed or edited by the user on the screen of mobile terminal 400 can include various contents such as sentences and images.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 200. FIG. A screen displayed on operation unit 210 includes print data list 231 , Cancel button 235 , and print button 234 . The print data list 231 shows print data to be authenticated and printed in a list format. Further, the print data list 231 is provided with check boxes 232 associated with each list for selecting print data for which authentication print instructions are accepted. Note that, in the present embodiment, the check box 232 functions as a selection acceptance unit that accepts an authentication print instruction.

When the user instructs authentication printing for a plurality of print data, the authentication printing instruction is accepted by selecting the corresponding check box 232 . If the user erroneously instructs authenticated printing, the check box 232 can be unchecked to exclude the print data in the print data list 231 corresponding to the check box 232 from being subject to authenticated printing.

When the user selects a Cancel button 235 displayed on operation unit 210, the instruction for authenticated printing can be canceled. When the user selects a print button 234 displayed on the operation unit, the print data selected by the check box 232 can be instructed to be authenticated and printed. When the print button 234 is selected, the print data selected by the check box 232 is received from the authentication server 300, and then the image forming apparatus 200 starts print processing.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 200. As shown in FIG. A screen displayed on the operation unit includes a pop-up 241 and an OK button 242 . The screen in FIG. 9B notifies the user that there is no print data to be authenticated. A pop-up 241 is displayed when authentication fails and there is no print data to be authenticated. When the user confirms that there is no print data to be authenticated and selects the OK button 242 displayed in the pop-up, the image forming apparatus 200 does not perform the print process and the authenticated print process ends.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of print data used for authenticated printing in this embodiment. In this embodiment, print data used for authenticated printing is generated by the print data generation unit 424 of the mobile terminal 400 . The print data shown in FIG. 10 includes a terminal individual identifier 441 , user information 442 , print settings 443 and content information 444 . Terminal individual identifier 441 , user information 442 and print setting 443 form a header portion and are added to content information 444 .

Terminal individual identifier 441 is information for uniquely identifying mobile terminal 400 as a transmission source. User information 442 is information for identifying a user, and is generated from multi-user mode account information, SIM card ID, UUID, etc. used in portable terminal 400 of the transmission source. The print settings 443 are setting information for printing document data, such as information for setting color/monochrome, aggregate layout, stapling position designation, and the like. The content information 444 is information that defines the rendering content of the image data included in the image data itself. The content information 444 can take a file format such as Microsoft Office (registered trademark) data format, but can also take a PDL format such as PostScript.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of authentication information used for authenticated printing in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the authentication information used for authentication printing is generated by the authentication information generation unit 224 of the image forming apparatus 200 . Authentication information generation unit 224 of image forming apparatus 200 generates authentication information from terminal individual identifier 251 of portable terminal 400 read via short-range sensor 209 and user information 252 .

Terminal individual identifier 251 is information for uniquely identifying portable terminal 400 read via short-range sensor 209 . User information 252 is information for identifying a user, and is generated from multi-user mode account information, SIM card ID, UUID, etc. used in portable terminal 400 read via short-range sensor 209 .

FIG. 12 shows the print data management table 330 managed by the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 in this embodiment. The authentication server 300 can temporarily hold a plurality of print data transmitted from various mobile terminals 400, and the print data management unit 324 uses the print data management table 330 to store the plurality of print data. to manage. Note that the print data management table 330 is stored as data in the storage device 304 of the authentication server 300 . When the print data held by the authentication server 300 is printed, or when the print data has passed a certain period of time, the print data is erased and excluded from the print data management table 330 as well.

The print data management table 330 stores print data IDs, terminal individual identifiers, user information, print settings, and content information in respective fields. The print data ID is information for uniquely identifying print data to be printed, and is assigned by the print data management unit 324 . The individual terminal identifier is information for identifying a user, such as multi-user mode account information used in mobile terminal 400 that is the transmission source of print data. The print settings are setting information for printing image data. The content information is information that defines the rendering content of the image data included in the image data itself, and specifically, the file name of the image data is used.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a print data list table 340 generated by the print data extractor 323 of the authentication server 300 in this embodiment. The print data extraction unit 323 of the authentication server 300 compares the authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 with a plurality of pieces of print data held by the authentication server 300, and compares the authentication information with the information included in the print data. matches, the print data is extracted. The print data extraction unit 323 manages the extracted print data in a print data list table 340. FIG. Note that the print data list table 340 is stored as data in the storage device 304 of the authentication server 300 .

The authentication server 300 transmits the print data list table 340 to the image forming apparatus 200, and the image forming apparatus 200 displays the print data list on the screen of the operation unit based on the received print data list table 340 (FIG. 9). (a)).

The print data list table 340 stores file numbers and content information in respective fields. The print data extraction unit 323 assigns a file number to each piece of print data extracted when the authentication data matches the information included in the print data. The file number is information for uniquely identifying the extracted print data. The content information is information that defines the rendering content of the image data included in the image data itself, and specifically, the file name of the image data is used.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the requested print data table 260 generated by the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 in this embodiment. The control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 extracts the print data in the print data list 231 for which the check box 232 is entered in the print data list 231 shown in FIG. 9A. The control unit 221 manages the extracted print data in the requested print data table 260. FIG. Note that the requested print data table 260 is stored as data in the storage device 203 of the image forming apparatus 200 .

Control unit 221 of image forming apparatus 200 transmits requested print data table 260 to authentication server 300 . The print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 compares the information of the requested print data table 260 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 with the print data held by the authentication server 300, and selects the print data to be printed. specify.

The requested print data table 260 stores the file number and content information in each field. Since each information is the same as that of the print data list table 340, the following description is omitted.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the details of authentication printing processing in this embodiment. In the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 15, authentication printing processing in the present embodiment will be described using the tables described in FIGS. 12 to 14 and various information stored in each table as examples.

First, the control unit 421 of the mobile terminal 400 transmits print data to the authentication server 300 . For example, assume that the terminal individual identifier is "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D", the user information is "00000241", the print setting is "Xxxxxxx", and the content information is "AAAAA.doc" (FIG. 10). At this time, the control unit 421 of the mobile terminal 400 transmits print data including a terminal individual identifier, user information, print settings, and content information to the authentication server 300 (A. print data transmission process). .

The control unit 321 of the authentication server 300 receives print data consisting of the terminal individual identifier "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D", user information "00000241", print setting "Xxxxxxx", and content information "AAAAA.doc". The print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 stores the print data in the print data management table 330 (FIG. 12).

Next, control unit 221 of image forming apparatus 200 transmits the authentication information received from portable terminal 400 to authentication server 300 . For example, assume that the terminal individual identifier is "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D" and the user information is "00000241" (FIG. 11). At this time, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 transmits authentication data including a terminal individual identifier and user information to the authentication server 300 as authentication information (B. authentication printing process).

The print data extraction unit 323 of the authentication server 300 extracts from the print data management table 330 print data that matches the terminal individual identifier and the user information of the authentication information. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the print data that matches the terminal individual identifier "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D" of the authentication information and the user information "00000241" is stored in the print data management table 330 (FIG. 12). . The print data extraction unit 323 extracts the matching print data, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 200 as a print data list table 340 (FIG. 13) consisting of the file number "000001" and the content information "AAAAA.doc" (C. authentication print data extraction process).

The control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the print data list table 340 received from the authentication server 300 and displays the print data list screen (FIG. 9A) on the operation unit. Then, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 executes print processing on paper or the like for the print data selected by the check box 232 (S316). For example, suppose that the check box 232 corresponding to the file number "000001" and the file name "AAAAA.doc" is selected on the print data list screen shown in FIG. 9A. In this case, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 200 targets the print data corresponding to the file name “AAAAA.doc” for which the check box 232 is selected, on the condition that the print button 234 is selected. Print processing is executed (S316).

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the details of print data transmission processing of portable terminal 400 at the time of authenticated printing. Processing details of print data transmission processing from the portable terminal 400 to the image forming apparatus 200 at the time of authentication printing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 . When the Yes button 433 (FIG. 8) displayed on the operation unit 407 of the mobile terminal 400 is selected, the processing of this flowchart is started.

In S101, the control unit 421 of the mobile terminal 400 converts image data being viewed and edited on the mobile terminal 400 into print data. The control unit 421 converts the image data into a print data format such as PostScript so that the image forming apparatus 200 can execute drawing processing. In this embodiment, the control unit 421 converts the image data into the print data format in S101, but in another embodiment, the process proceeds to the next step without converting the data format used in Microsoft Office applications. good too. In this case, the image forming apparatus 200 interprets the data format and converts the image data received from the mobile terminal 400 into print data. Also, in S<b>101 , the user can perform print settings such as color/monochrome, combined layout, and stapling position designation by operating the operation unit 407 of the mobile terminal 400 . The set various print settings are added to the header portion of the print data.

In S<b>102 , the control unit 421 acquires the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal 400 . The acquired terminal individual identifier is added as authentication information to the header of the print data.

In S<b>103 , the control unit 421 acquires user information of the mobile terminal 400 . The acquired user information is added as authentication information to the header of the print data.

In S<b>104 , the control unit 421 transmits the generated print data to the authentication server 300 via the transmission/reception unit 422 .

With the above processing, print data transmission processing from the portable terminal 400 to the image forming apparatus 200 is executed at the time of authentication printing.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the details of print data reception processing of the authentication server 300 . The contents of print data reception processing of the authentication server 300 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. When the print data is transmitted from the mobile terminal 400 to the authentication server 300, the processing of this flowchart is started.

In S<b>201 , the control unit 321 of the authentication server 300 receives print data transmitted from the mobile terminal 400 .

In S202, the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 stores the received print data in the storage device. In S202, the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal 400 that is the transmission source, the user information, and the print settings, which are added to the header of the print data, are associated with the print data ID that identifies the print data. Stored in the print data management table 330 .

With the above processing, the print data reception processing of the authentication server 300 is executed.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the details of the authentication printing process of the image forming apparatus 200. As shown in FIG. The details of the authentication printing process of the image forming apparatus 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18 . When short-range sensor 408 of mobile terminal 400 approaches short-range sensor 209 of image forming apparatus 200 and communication between mobile terminal 400 and image forming apparatus 200 is started, the processing of this flowchart is started. .

In S<b>301 , the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 acquires the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal 400 via the short-range sensor 209 .

In S<b>302 , the control unit 221 acquires user information of the mobile terminal 400 via the short-range sensor 209 .

In S303, the authentication information generation unit 224 of the image forming apparatus 200 generates authentication information from the terminal individual identifier of the mobile terminal 400 and the user information acquired in S301 and S302. In S301 and S302, the short-range sensor 209 that receives the terminal individual identifier and user information constitutes authentication information receiving means of the present invention.

In S<b>304 , the control unit 221 transmits the authentication information generated in S<b>303 to the authentication server 300 via the transmission/reception unit 322 . In the steps after S305, the authentication server 300 extracts the print data, and the image forming apparatus 200 waits until the extraction result is received. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the extraction result from the authentication server 300, the image forming apparatus 200 restarts the processes from S305.

In S<b>305 , when the image forming apparatus 200 receives the extraction result, the control unit 221 refers to the extraction result and determines whether print data corresponding to the authentication information acquired from the mobile terminal 400 exists. If the corresponding print data does not exist (S305: No), the process proceeds to S306. If the corresponding print data exists (S305: Yes), the process proceeds to S307.

In S<b>306 , the control unit 221 executes processing for displaying on the operation unit 201 a screen ( FIG. 9B ) notifying that authentication print data does not exist. In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 200 transmits authentication information to the authentication server 300 and the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 does not find print data associated with the authentication information, the process proceeds to S306. It is decided to migrate. At this time, the authenticated printing system 100 cannot continue the authenticated printing process. When the user selects the OK button 242 via the operation unit 210 while the screen (FIG. 9B) notifying that the authentication print data does not exist is displayed, the processing of this flowchart ends.

In S<b>307 , the control unit 221 receives the print data list table 340 ( FIG. 13 ) from the authentication server 300 . The print data list table 340 is generated in the authentication print data extraction process (S408) and transmitted from the authentication server 300. FIG.

In S308, the control unit 221 refers to the print data list table 340 received in S307, and displays the print data list screen (FIG. 9A) including the print data list and the like on the operation unit.

In S<b>309 , the control unit 221 determines whether the Cancel button 235 ( FIG. 9A ) has been selected while the print data list screen is displayed on the operation unit 210 . If it is determined that the Cancel button 235 has been selected (S309: Yes), the user transmits an instruction to cancel the authentication printing process to the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 via the operation unit 210. FIG. Therefore, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 ends the authentication printing process. If it is determined that the Cancel button 235 has not been selected (S309: No), the process proceeds to S310.

In S<b>310 , the control unit 221 determines whether one or more check boxes 232 ( FIG. 9A ) are selected when the print data list screen is displayed on the operation unit 210 . When one or more check boxes 232 are selected through the user's operation on the operation unit 210 (S310: Yes), the process proceeds to S311. If no check box 232 is selected (S310: No), the process returns to S308 and repeats the processes after S308. Also, at this time, the control unit 221 makes it possible to accept selection of the print button 234 (FIG. 9A) in response to determining that one or more check boxes 232 have been selected (S310: Yes). , the process of activating the print button 234 is executed.

In S<b>311 , the control unit 221 determines whether the print button 234 ( FIG. 9A ) is selected when the print data list screen is displayed on the operation unit 210 . If it is determined that the print button 234 has been selected through the operation of the operation unit 210 by the user (S311: Yes), the process proceeds to S312. If it is determined that the print button 234 has not been selected (S311: No), the process returns to S308, and the processes after S308 are repeated again.

In S312, the control unit 221 generates the requested print data table 260 (FIG. 14) for the print data for which the check box 232 was selected in S310.

In S<b>313 , the control unit 221 transmits the requested print data table 260 generated in S<b>312 to the authentication server 300 via the transmission/reception unit 222 . In this embodiment, the information of the print data corresponding to the check box 232 selected in S310 is transmitted to the authentication server 300 as data in table format. As a result, it is possible to selectively send a print request to the authentication server 300 for the print data that the user desires to print.

In S<b>313 , the control unit 221 transmits the requested print data table 260 generated in S<b>312 to the authentication server 300 . In the steps after S314, the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 transmits target print data to be printed to the image forming apparatus 200, and the image forming apparatus 200 is in a standby state until it receives the target print data. Become. When receiving the target print data from the authentication server 300, the image forming apparatus 200 restarts the processes from S314.

In S314, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 receives target print data to be printed in S313 from the authentication server 300 via the transmission/reception unit. Next, in S<b>315 , the control unit 221 determines whether all of the target print data has been received from the authentication server 300 .

When the control unit 221 has received all the target print data (S315: Yes), it executes print processing for the target print data (S316). On the other hand, if the control unit 221 has not received all the target print data (S315: No), the process returns to the process of receiving the target print data from the authentication server 300 again in S314. In this embodiment, in S315, it is determined whether or not all target print data has been received, and then execution of print processing is started. A mode of starting a process for executing printing at any time may be employed.

With the above processing, the authentication printing processing by the image forming apparatus 200 is executed.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the details of the authentication print data extraction process of the authentication server 300 . The details of the authentication print data extraction process of the authentication server 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In S304 (FIG. 18), when authentication information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 to the authentication server 300, the processing of this flowchart is started.

In S<b>401 , the transmission/reception unit 322 of the authentication server 300 receives authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 .

In S402, the print data extraction unit 323 refers to the print data management table 330 (FIG. 12) and identifies the terminal individual identifier from the authentication information received in S401.

In S403, the print data extraction unit 323 extracts the print data group that matches the terminal individual identifier identified in S402 from the print data management table 330 referred to in S402.

In S404, the print data extraction unit 323 identifies user information from the authentication information received in S401.

In S405, the print data extraction unit 323 extracts print data that matches the user information specified in S404 from the print data group extracted in S403. In the present embodiment, by extracting print data that matches the user information from the print data group as a result of the extraction in S403, print data that matches the combination of the terminal individual identifier and the user information is extracted. By executing the above process for extracting print data, even when printing is instructed from a mobile terminal shared by a plurality of users, it is possible to perform authentication on a user-by-user basis, realizing highly secure authenticated printing. be able to.

In S<b>406 , the print data extraction unit 323 transmits the extraction result in S<b>405 to the image forming apparatus 200 via the transmission/reception unit 322 . In this embodiment, if the number of pieces of print data extracted in S406 is one or more, an extraction result indicating that "applicable data exists" is transmitted. If the number of extracted print data is 0, an extraction result of "no applicable data" is transmitted.

In S407, the control unit 321 determines whether the print data extracted in S405 exists. If the print data extracted in S405 exists (S407: Yes), the process proceeds to S408. If the extracted print data does not exist (S407: No), there is no print data to be printed, and the image forming apparatus 200 cannot continue the authenticated print processing. Therefore, the authenticated print data extraction processing ends. do.

In S408, the control unit 321 generates the print data list table 340 (FIG. 13) from the print data extracted in S405.

In S<b>409 , the control unit 321 transmits the print data list table 340 generated in S<b>408 to the image forming apparatus 200 . In this embodiment, the print data extracted in S405 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 as data in a table format as the print data list table 340 .

With the above processing, the authentication print data extraction processing of the authentication server 300 is executed.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the processing details of the processing in which the authentication server 300 calls the target print data to be printed, which is specified by the requested print data table 260, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 200. FIG. A process of calling target print data to be printed and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 . In S313 (FIG. 18), when the requested print data table 260 is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 to the authentication server 300, the processing of this flowchart is started.

In S<b>501 , the control unit 321 of the authentication server 300 receives the requested print data table 260 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200 via the transmission/reception unit 322 .

In S502, the print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 calls the print data to be printed included in the requested print data table 260 received in S501 from the storage device 304, and transfers the called print data to the image forming apparatus. 200.

In S<b>503 , the control unit 321 determines whether all the print data included in the requested print data table 260 received in S<b>501 have been transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 . If all the target print data contained in the requested print data table 260 have been transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 (S503: Yes), the processing of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if transmission of all the target print data contained in the requested print data table 260 has not been completed (S503: No), the process returns to S502, and the target print data transmission process is repeated again.

Through the above process, the process of calling the target print data to be printed and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus 200 is performed.

[Embodiment 2]
In the authenticated printing system 100 according to the first embodiment, in order for the image forming apparatus 200 to perform the printing process, the terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400 and the user information are used to perform the authenticated printing process.

In the prior art, a printing system is known in which the image forming apparatus 200 or the authentication server 300 manages in advance a plurality of pieces of user information used in the authentication system. In such a printing system, user information is received from a terminal in the printing system (hereinafter referred to as a "print instruction terminal"), and when the received user information matches one of the plurality of pieces of user information, the image forming apparatus 200 performs the printing process.

In the authenticated printing system 100 according to the second embodiment, the technical concept of the present invention is applied by linking an existing printing system that manages a plurality of user information in advance with the authentication information that is a characteristic configuration of the present invention. A mode of executing the authentication printing process will be described.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the details of authentication printing processing in this embodiment. First, the control unit of the print instruction terminal 500 transmits print data to the authentication server 300 . For example, assume that the terminal individual identifier is "EE-FFFFFF-GGGGGG-D", the user information is "00000241", the print setting is "Xxxxxxx", and the content information is "AAAAA.doc". At this time, the control unit of the print instruction terminal 500 transmits print data composed of a terminal individual identifier, user information, print settings, and content information to the authentication server 300 (A. print data transmission processing). . The print instruction terminal 500 is a terminal different from the portable terminal 400 described later, and corresponds to the "first print instruction terminal" in the scope of claims.

The control unit 321 of the authentication server 300 receives print data consisting of the terminal individual identifier "EE-FFFFFF-GGGGGG-D", user information "00000241", print setting "Xxxxx", and content information "AAAAA.doc". The print data management unit 324 of the authentication server 300 stores the print data in the print data management table 330 (FIG. 12).

Next, control unit 221 of image forming apparatus 200 transmits the authentication information received from portable terminal 400 to authentication server 300 . For example, assume that the terminal individual identifier is "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D" and the user information is "00000241". At this time, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 transmits authentication data including a terminal individual identifier and user information to the authentication server 300 as authentication information (B. authentication printing process). The portable terminal 400 is a terminal different from the print instruction terminal 500 described above, and corresponds to a "second print instruction terminal" in the scope of claims.

The print data extraction unit 323 of the authentication server 300 extracts print data that matches the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information from the print data management table 330 . In the example shown in FIG. 21, the terminal individual identifier of the authentication information is "AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D", while the terminal individual identifier of the print data management table 330 is "EE-FFFFFF-GGGGGG-D". Therefore, the print data extraction unit 323 cannot extract the print data (S403).

In the authenticated printing process according to the present embodiment, even if print data that matches the terminal individual identifier cannot be extracted, the process of extracting print data that matches the user information is executed (S405). In the example shown in FIG. 21, the user information of the authentication information is "00000241", and the user information of the print data management table 330 is also "00000241". In this case, the print data extraction unit 323 further determines whether the user information “00000241” of the authentication information matches one of the multiple pieces of user information managed by the image forming apparatus 200 or the print server. Note that the process of matching the user information in the print data management table 330 using the user information of the authentication information described above and the process of matching a plurality of pieces of user information managed by the image forming apparatus 200 or the print server are executed in step S405 of FIG. is executed in

When determining that the user information “00000241” of the authentication information matches, the print data extracting unit 323 extracts print data matching the user information of the authentication information from the print data management table 330 . In the example shown in FIG. 21, the print data that matches the user information “00000241” of the authentication information is stored in the print data management table 330 . The print data extraction unit 323 extracts the matching print data, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 200 as a print data list table 340 (FIG. 13) consisting of the file number "000001" and the content information "AAAAA.doc" (C. authentication print data extraction process).

The control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the print data list table 340 received from the authentication server 300 and displays the print data list screen (FIG. 9A) on the operation unit. Then, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 executes print processing on paper or the like for the print data selected by the check box 232 (S316). For example, assume that the check box 232 corresponding to the file number "000001" and the file name "AAAAA.doc" is selected on the print data list screen shown in FIG. 9A. In this case, the control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 200 prints the print data corresponding to the file name “AAAAA.doc” selected in the check box 232 to paper or the like on the condition that the print button 234 is selected. is executed (S316).

In the second embodiment of the present invention, even if the terminal individual identifier of the print instruction terminal 500 and the terminal individual identifier of the portable terminal 400 are different, authenticated printing processing can be performed. Specifically, by linking a plurality of pieces of user information managed by the image forming apparatus 200 or the authentication server 300 and the user information of the authentication information, authentication print processing is enabled. Therefore, even if the print instruction terminal 500 that transmits print data is different from the portable terminal 400 that transmits authentication information via the short-range sensor 209 near the image forming apparatus 200, authenticated printing to which the present invention is applied can be performed. can be executed.

As described above, according to the present invention described above, even when printing is instructed from a mobile terminal shared by a plurality of users, it is possible to easily perform authentication for each user, and to realize authenticated printing with high security. can.

[Other Examples]
Embodiments 1 and 2 have described aspects in which the authentication server 300 executes the print data extraction process, but the embodiments are not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 200 may have the function of the authentication server 300 and execute the print data extraction process.
[Other Examples]
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, the software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

In addition, the program code for realizing the functions of the present embodiment may be executed by one computer (CPU, MPU), or may be executed by cooperation of a plurality of computers. good too. Furthermore, the program code may be executed by a computer, or hardware such as a circuit may be provided to realize the function of the program code. Alternatively, part of the program code may be implemented by hardware and the remaining part may be executed by a computer.

Claims (18)

A printing system comprising a mobile terminal, a printing device and a server,
means for holding user information corresponding to one user in the mobile terminal;
means for transmitting, in the mobile terminal holding the user information, one piece of print data linked with the user information to the server via wireless LAN communication;
means for receiving and holding the one print data in the server;
means for erasing the one print data based on a predetermined condition in the server;
means for executing predetermined short-range wireless communication as the mobile terminal holding the user information comes closer to the printing device;
In the printing apparatus, the user information of the one user is acquired via the predetermined short-range wireless communication executed by the executing means, and the one print data held in the holding means is deleted. print data associated with the user information of the one user is sent to the server, at least on the condition that communication using the acquired user information of the one user is performed with the server after the and means for displaying on a display unit a communication result indicating that the communication result is not held in the printing system. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein said mobile terminal further comprises generating means for generating said one print data as print data including user information of said one user. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein said one piece of print data includes terminal identification information of said mobile terminal. 4. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one print data includes content information and print settings. 5. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the user information is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the printing device in the predetermined short-range wireless communication. 5. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein terminal identification information of said mobile terminal is transmitted from said mobile terminal to said printing apparatus in said predetermined short-range wireless communication. 7. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the user information of the one user is information used by one application running on the mobile terminal. 7. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the user information of said one user is information of one of a plurality of accounts registered in said mobile terminal. 7. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the user information of said one user is a user ID of said one user. 10. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined short-range wireless communication is NFC (Near Field Communication) wireless communication. 10. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the predetermined short-range wireless communication is Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication. 12. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a message indicating that there is no corresponding print data is displayed on the display unit as the communication result. 13. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a selection object for instructing printing is not displayed on the screen displaying the communication result. 14. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein list information of print data is not displayed on the screen displaying the communication result. 3. The predetermined condition is any one of execution of printing based on the one print data, holding of the one print data for a certain period of time, and user's instruction to cancel the one print data. 15. The printing system according to any one of 1 to 14. 16. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the screen displaying the communication result does not display a check box indicating a specified state of the print data. 17. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the print data held in said holding means is print data for authenticated printing. 18. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the mobile terminal has a display section capable of previewing the print data.

Images