KR100610361B1 - Network printer having security document printing utility and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A network printer having a secure document printing function is disclosed. The network printer includes a communication interface for communicating with an external terminal device, a print data transmitted from a predetermined terminal device, password information, and a first memory for storing print data when at least one user ID information is received. And a printing unit for printing the print data, and a message of a print margin including the password information to another terminal device corresponding to the received user ID, and thereafter, if the password information and the print command are received again within a predetermined time, the print data. It includes a control unit for controlling the printing unit to further print. Accordingly, security and user convenience can be enhanced when printing a secured document.

Message of network printer, password, user ID, printing

Description

Network printer with security document printing function and method thereof {Network printer having security document printing utility and method}

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a network printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network printer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 to 6 are flowcharts illustrating a security document printing method in a network printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

100: network printer 110: communication interface unit

120: control unit 130: first memory unit

140: second memory unit 150: printing unit

160: timer 200: terminal device

210: communication unit 220: central processing unit

230: input unit 240: output unit

The present invention relates to a network printer having a security document printing function using a password and a method thereof, and more particularly, to notify other terminal devices other than the terminal device that has transmitted print data, the password information for printing the security document. The present invention relates to a network printer and a method for printing a secure document.

With the development of network technology, a network system that connects and uses a plurality of terminal devices in one network is spreading not only to general companies but also to private homes. In such a network system, multiple computer peripherals may be connected to a network for multiple users to share. Representative examples thereof include network printers.

On the other hand, the conventional network printer may have a secure document printing function. That is, if a user sets a password after creating a document and registers it as a secure document, the print data and the password are transmitted to the network printer when a print command is input. After printing a document according to the print data, the network printer stores the print data and the password in its own memory or an external memory (or server). In this case, password information is also stored. When the user wants to reprint the same document, he or she must input a password and a print command by operating an operation panel of the network printer. As a result, a third party who does not know the password cannot print the print data.

In such a conventional network printing system, in order for a user to use a security document that a user creates and sets a password, it is inconvenient to provide a separate telephone, mail, or direct password. In addition, due to eavesdropping, eavesdropping, etc. of third parties, there is a problem that the risk of leaking the password to the outside is great.

In addition, the other user who knows the password must go directly to the network printer and enter a print command and password. Therefore, there has been a problem of waiting at the network printer while printing is in progress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to transmit password information set at the time of a print job to another terminal device to inquire whether to print, and then receive password information and a print command from another terminal device. The present invention provides a network printer and a method of printing the same, by performing printing to maintain security and facilitate user's convenience.

Network printer according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a communication interface for performing communication with an external terminal device, print data transmitted from a predetermined terminal device, password information, and at least one When user ID information is received through the communication interface unit, a first memory unit for storing the print data, a print unit for printing the print data, and a message of a print margin including the password information correspond to the user ID. And a control unit which controls the printing unit to additionally print the print data when the password information and the print command are received again within a predetermined time after being transmitted to another terminal device.

Preferably, the apparatus may further include a second memory unit in which a pre-registered user ID list and terminal device connection information corresponding to each user ID on the user ID list are stored. In this case, the control unit may transmit the message of the print margin using the terminal device connection information corresponding to the user ID received from the terminal device. In addition, if the received user ID does not exist in the user ID list, the terminal apparatus may request retransmission of the user ID.

More preferably, it may further include a timer unit for counting the elapsed time after the message transmission of the print margin. In this case, when the time counted by the timer unit passes a predetermined time, the controller may cancel the print right granted to the user ID.

On the other hand, the security document printing method in a network printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, if the print data, password information, and at least one user ID information is received from a predetermined terminal device, the print data is stored after printing Generating a message of a print margin including the password information, transmitting a message of the print margin to another terminal device corresponding to the user ID, and receiving the password information and a print command within a predetermined time. And printing the print data.

Preferably, the method may further include counting a time that elapses after the message transmission of the print margin, and if the counted time exceeds a predetermined time, discarding the print data.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a network printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 1, the network printing system includes a network printer 100 and first to third terminal devices 200_1 to 200_3.

The network printer 100 refers to a printer having a network communication function. The network printer 100 may perform communication with various terminal devices according to a communication standard such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Meanwhile, in FIG. 1, the first to third terminal devices 200_1 to 200_3 are displayed as PCs or mobile phones. In addition, the first to third terminal devices 200_1 to 200_3 may be implemented as various types of devices such as notebook PCs and PDAs.

When the user of the first terminal device 200_1 executes a predetermined application program, creates a document, sets a password, and inputs a print command, the print data and the password information are transmitted to the network printer 100. In this case, the user of the first terminal device 200_1 may designate another user to share the document. That is, when a user ID of another user is input through the first terminal device 200_1, the user ID is also transmitted to the network printer 100 together with the print data and the password information.

The network printer 100 stores the received print data in an internal memory or an external memory (ie, a server). Then, the network printer 100 transmits a message of the print margin to notify the other terminal apparatuses 200_2 and 200_3 corresponding to the user ID designated by the first terminal apparatus 200_1 to notify the fact that the print data has been received.

Specifically, the network printer 100 stores a list of various user IDs and a database 10 in which terminal device connection information (for example, terminal device IP address, etc.) corresponding to each user ID is recorded. The user of each terminal device connected on the network may register his / her user ID in advance with the network printer to create the database 10. In this state, the network printer 100 searches whether the user ID designated by the first terminal device 200_1 exists on the pre-registered user ID list. As a result of the search, if the designated user ID exists, the corresponding terminal device connection information is read and the message of the printing portion is transmitted to the terminal device. The message of the print margin is a message for notifying that the print job is currently being received and the print job is in progress or is to be processed. The password information received from the first terminal device 200_1 is recorded in the message of the print margin.

On the other hand, if it does not exist on the user ID list, the first terminal device 200_1 transmits an error message. As a result, a new user ID can be specified.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, if the first terminal device 200_1 does not designate a user ID, the network printer 100 selects a user ID set as a default from a pre-stored user ID list and prints whether or not it is printed. You can also send an inquiry message. The default user ID may be arbitrarily set by the user using the network printer 100 or his terminal device 200_1.

On the other hand, the second and third terminal devices 200_2 and 200_3 receiving the message of the printing portion from the network printer 100 output the fact that the print data is received and the password as an audio signal or a visual signal to notify the user. That is, the display may be displayed through an LCD monitor, an LED screen, or may be output as a sound signal through a speaker. Accordingly, the user of the second and third terminal devices 200_2 and 200_3 notified of the fact that the print data has been received proves that the user has the right to print the document by re-entering the received password, and then print command. You can request to print by typing. In this case, a password and a print command may be input by using a terminal device other than the second and third terminal devices 200_2 and 200_3.

If it is determined that the same password and print command as the password set for the print data is input within a predetermined time, the network printer 100 prints the print data. In this case, even if the password and the print command are not received from the second and third terminal apparatuses 200_2 and 200_3, if the password is the same, the person recognizes that he or she has a political party right and performs a print job.

As a result, the second and third terminal devices 200_2 and 200_3 can print by transmitting a print command to the network printer 100 even when the memory for storing the print data is not secured. Meanwhile, according to another example of the present invention, even if the users of the second and third terminal devices 200_2 and 200_3 only input passwords, the network printer 100 considers that a print command is input and adds print data. You can also print.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 2, the network printer 100 includes a communication interface unit 110, a control unit 120, a first memory unit 130, a second memory unit 140, a printing unit 150, and a timer unit. 160.

The communication interface unit 110 serves to communicate with various types of terminal devices. Specifically, the communication interface 110 is implemented as a network interface card to communicate with terminal devices such as PCs, notebook PCs, mobile phones, PDAs, and the like using communication standards such as wired LAN and wireless LAN. Perform. Accordingly, the communication interface 110 may receive print data, a password, and at least one user ID information from a predetermined first terminal device.

The printing unit 150 prints the print data received from the first terminal device on a sheet under the control of the control unit 120. In the case of a laser printer, the printing unit 150 includes a charging unit, a laser scanning unit (LSU), a developing unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, and the like.

The first memory unit 130 stores the print data received through the communication interface 110. In FIG. 2, the first memory unit 130 is displayed as being embedded in the network printer 100. However, the first memory unit 130 may be located outside the network printer 100 and connected to the network printer 100.

The second memory unit 140 stores a pre-registered user ID list and terminal device connection information corresponding to each user ID.

The controller 120 determines whether the user ID information received through the communication interface unit 110 exists on the user ID list stored in the second memory unit 140. Accordingly, if the user ID exists, the corresponding terminal device connection information is read. Then, after connecting the communication link with the corresponding terminal device by using the read terminal device connection information, and transmits the message of the print margin. The message of the print margin includes the password information transmitted from the first terminal device. On the other hand, when there are a plurality of user IDs specified by the first terminal device, the message of the print margin is transmitted to a plurality of other terminal devices corresponding to each user ID.

Accordingly, when the password information and the print command are transmitted from another terminal device that receives the message of the print margin, the control unit 120 controls the print unit 150 to further print the print data.

On the other hand, in order to ensure the memory capacity available in the first memory unit 130, it is preferable to automatically discard the print data stored for a predetermined time. To this end, the controller 120 may control the timer 160 to count the elapsed time. That is, the timer unit 160 notifies the controller 120 by counting the time that has elapsed since the message transmission of the print margin. If it is determined that the counted time exceeds a predetermined threshold time, the controller 120 releases the specified state for the corresponding user ID. As a result, the printing right granted to the user ID is revoked.

If a plurality of user IDs are designated and a message of a print margin is transmitted, the threshold time may be set differently for each user ID (or each terminal device). As a result, the designated state can be canceled only for the user ID whose elapse of the threshold time without destroying the print data itself. As a result, even if the message designated by the first terminal device 200_1 receives the message of the print margin, a user who inputs a password and a print command after a preset threshold time cannot print a document.

Alternatively, when the controller 120 determines that the counted time exceeds the threshold time, the controller 120 may discard the print data stored in the first memory 130. Accordingly, even if a print command and a password are transmitted from another terminal device after the threshold time, no further print job is performed.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal device 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. According to FIG. 3, the terminal device 200 includes a communication unit 210, a central processing unit 220, an input unit 230, and an output unit 240.

The communication unit 210 serves to communicate with each terminal device on the network.

The central processing unit 220 executes various kinds of programs to perform a predetermined task.

The input unit 230 recognizes various selection commands input from the user and notifies the central processing unit 220.

The output unit 240 serves to output various kinds of messages to the outside through a screen or a speaker under the control of the central processing unit 220.

Meanwhile, the terminal device 200 may operate as the first terminal device 200_1 for creating print data in the network printing system of FIG. 1, or the second or third terminal device for receiving a message of a print margin. It may also operate as (200_2, 200_3).

Accordingly, a specific operation of each component will be described, taking the case of operating as the first terminal device 200_1 as an example.

The central processing unit 220 executes a predetermined application program according to a user's command. Accordingly, when a print command is input after a document is created, the central processing unit 220 executes a preinstalled printer driver program to convert the document into a printer language that can be recognized by the network printer 100, thereby converting the print data. Write.

Meanwhile, the central processing unit 220 generates a password input window for inquiring whether to set a password for the created document. The generated password input window is displayed on the screen by the output unit 240. The user may input a password through the input unit 230. That is, the user may input a password by operating a button provided in the main body of the terminal device 200 or the remote controller. The input unit 230 recognizes the selected button and transmits corresponding password information to the central processing unit 220.

In addition, the central processing unit 220 may generate a user ID input window for designating another user to share the document. The generated user ID input window is displayed on the screen by the output unit 240. The user may enter the user ID manually or by selecting from a list of user IDs displayed on the screen. In this case, two or more user IDs may be input.

As a result, the password information and the user ID information input by the user are transmitted to the network printer 100 together with the print data. As described above, the network printer 100 stores the print data, and transmits a message of the print portion including the password information to another terminal device corresponding to the designated user ID and inquires whether to print the print data.

Next, a detailed operation of each component will be described, taking the case where the terminal device 200 receives a message of a printing margin as an example.

The central processing unit 220 controls the output unit 240 to output the message of the printing portion including the password to the outside. The output unit 240 outputs the password and print data reception fact to the outside through a screen or a speaker, so that the user can recognize it.

Accordingly, when the user controls the input unit 230 to input the password and the print command, the central processing unit 220 transmits the password and the print command to the network printer 100 through the communication unit 210. As a result, other users can print secure documents.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method for print data created in a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 4, after the print data is created (S410), if a print command is input (S420), a password input window is displayed on the screen (S430).

If a password is input, it is inquired whether to designate another terminal device to share the present print data (S440). If the other terminal device is selected, the user ID input window is displayed on the screen (S450). Accordingly, when the predetermined user ID is selected, the print data, the password, and the user ID information are transmitted to the network printer (S460).

On the other hand, if no other terminal apparatus is specified, only print data and password information are transmitted to the network printer (S470). In this case, the network printer can automatically select a user ID set by default.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method of a network printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 5, when print data and password information are received (S510), the network printer stores the received print data (S520).

Next, another terminal device to notify the fact of printing is selected (S530). In this case, when a user ID is received from the terminal apparatus which has transmitted print data, another terminal apparatus corresponding to the received user ID is selected. That is, the network printer stores a pre-registered user ID list and terminal device connection information corresponding to each user ID. Accordingly, when the user ID is received from the terminal device, it is checked whether the user ID exists on the user ID list. If the check result exists, the terminal device is connected to the other terminal device using the terminal device connection information corresponding to the user ID. On the other hand, if it does not exist, the terminal device is requested to reassign the user ID. Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, when a user ID is not received, another terminal device corresponding to a user ID set as a default among the registered user IDs may be selected.

As a result, when the other terminal device is selected, a message of the print margin is transmitted to the selected device (S540). Messages in the printout section contain password information. As a result, a print right to additionally print is granted to the selected device.

Then, it is determined whether a password and a print command are received for a predetermined time (S550). Accordingly, when the password and the print command are received, the print data is additionally printed (S560).

On the other hand, the elapsed time from the time when the message of the print margin is transmitted is counted. Accordingly, if it is determined that the counted time exceeds the preset threshold time (S570), the specified state for the user ID exceeding the threshold time is released, and the printing authority granted to the user ID is canceled (S580). In this case, the printing data itself may be discarded if the printing of the terminal device on which the printing data was first created is completed.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing process when a terminal device receives a message of a print margin according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 6, when a message of a print margin is received (S610), a password and a print data reception fact included in the received message are output as an audio signal or a visual signal (S620).

Accordingly, when the user inputs a password and a print command (S630), it transmits it to the network printer (S640). In this case, the user may input a password and a print command using another terminal device in addition to the terminal device receiving the message of the print margin (S640). That is, when the user is notified of the password information through his or her mobile phone, the user may connect to the network printer through his PC, and then input a password and a print command to request additional printing.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a password is set for the print data, the password is notified to another user who will share the print data, so that the other user can utilize the print data in a secure state. . As a result, there is no need to provide a password to another user by phone or e-mail separately, thereby enhancing user convenience and security.

 In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims (5)

Communication interface unit for performing communication with the external terminal device; A first memory unit which stores the print data when print data, password information, and at least one user ID information transmitted from a predetermined terminal device are received through the communication interface unit; A printing unit for printing the print data; And, A control unit which transmits a message of a print margin including the password information to another terminal device corresponding to the user ID, and controls the printing unit to print the print data when the password information and the print command are received again within a predetermined time; Network printer comprising a. The method of claim 1, And a second memory unit in which a pre-registered user ID list and terminal device connection information corresponding to each user ID on the user ID list are stored. The control unit is a network printer, characterized in that for transmitting the message of the printing margin using the terminal device connection information corresponding to the user ID received from the terminal device. The method of claim 2, A timer unit for counting the time that elapses after the message transmission of the print margin portion further; And the control unit cancels the printing right granted to the user ID when a time counted by the timer unit passes a predetermined threshold time. If print data, password information, and at least one user ID information are received from a predetermined terminal device, storing and printing the print data; Generating a message of a print margin including the password information; Transmitting the message of the print margin to another terminal device corresponding to the user ID; And, And printing the print data when the password information and the print command are received within a predetermined time. The method of claim 4, wherein Counting time elapsed after message transmission of the print margin; And, If the counted time exceeds a predetermined time, canceling a printing right granted to the user ID.

Images