WO2019013424A1 - Providing printing service through user authentication based on biometric information at user terminal - Google Patents

Providing printing service through user authentication based on biometric information at user terminal Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019013424A1
WO2019013424A1 PCT/KR2018/002866 KR2018002866W WO2019013424A1 WO 2019013424 A1 WO2019013424 A1 WO 2019013424A1 KR 2018002866 W KR2018002866 W KR 2018002866W WO 2019013424 A1 WO2019013424 A1 WO 2019013424A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
image forming
information
forming apparatus
user terminal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/KR2018/002866
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeong Ho Kim
Gi Won Seo
Yeon Jung Lim
Wu Seok Jang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HP Printing Korea Co Ltd
Original Assignee
HP Printing Korea Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HP Printing Korea Co Ltd filed Critical HP Printing Korea Co Ltd
Publication of WO2019013424A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019013424A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1238—Secure printing, e.g. user identification, user rights for device usage, unallowed content, blanking portions or fields of a page, releasing held jobs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/30—Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
    • G06F21/31—User authentication
    • G06F21/32—User authentication using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1222—Increasing security of the print job
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1253—Configuration of print job parameters, e.g. using UI at the client
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1259—Print job monitoring, e.g. job status
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/126—Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
    • G06F3/1288—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server in client-server-printer device configuration
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1292—Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
    • G06F3/1289—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server in server-client-printer device configuration, e.g. the server does not see the printer

Definitions

  • Biometric information of a user may be used to enhance security while providing a printing service.
  • a separate management server that stores and manages biometric information of a user, and a separate device for obtaining the biometric information of the user in a client device are required.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus, according to an example
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to a user terminal or a server, according to an example
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of a printing environment, according to an example
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that generates a user account through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, and performs a print job, according to an example;
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a database of a print server that generates a user account, according to an example
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that performs a print job through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, according to another example
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a database of a print server that stores a job list, according to an example
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that performs a print job through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, according to another example.
  • FIGS. 9 through 12 are flowcharts of a method of providing, by a printing system, a printing service, according to examples.
  • the component when a component is “connected” to another component, the component may be “directly connected” to the other component, or may be “connected” to the other component “via another component therebetween”. Also, when a component “includes” another component, the component may further include other components unless indicated otherwise.
  • an “image forming job” may denote any one of various jobs (for example, copying, printing, scanning, and faxing) related to an image, such as forming of an image or generating/storing/transmitting of an image file, and a “job” may denote not only an image forming job, but may also denote a series of processes required to perform the image forming job.
  • an “image forming apparatus” may denote any apparatus capable of performing an image forming job, such as a copier, a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), or a display device.
  • a copier a printer
  • a scanner a fax machine
  • MFP multi-function printer
  • print data may denote data converted to a format printable by a printer.
  • a “scan file” may denote a file generated by scanning an image by a scanner.
  • a “user” may denote a person who performs a manipulation related to an image forming job by using an image forming apparatus or a device connected to the image forming apparatus wirelessly or via wires.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • an image forming apparatus 100 may include a user interface device 110, a controller 120, a communication unit 130, a memory 140, and an image forming job unit 150. Also, although not illustrated, the image forming apparatus 100 may further include a power supply for supplying power to each component.
  • the user interface device 110 may include an input unit for receiving an input for performing an image forming job from a user, and an output unit for displaying information, such as a result of performing an image forming job or a state of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user interface device 110 may include an operation panel for receiving a user input and a display panel for displaying a screen.
  • the input unit may include a device for receiving various types of user inputs, such as a keyboard, a physical button, a touch screen, a camera, a microphone, and the like.
  • the output unit may include, for example, a display panel, a speaker, and the like.
  • the user interface device 110 is not limited thereto, and may include any device supporting various inputs and outputs.
  • the controller 120 may control operations of the image forming apparatus 100, and may include at least one processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU).
  • the controller 120 may control the components included in the image forming apparatus 100 to perform an operation corresponding to a user input received through the user interface device 110.
  • the controller 120 may include at least one specialized processor for each function or may be an integrated processor.
  • the controller 120 may execute a program stored in the memory 140, read data or a file stored in the memory 140, store a new file in the memory 140, and the like.
  • the communication unit 130 may communicate with another device or a network via wired or wireless communication.
  • the communication unit 130 may include a communication module supporting at least one of various wired/wireless communication methods.
  • the communication module may be in a form of a chipset, or may be a sticker/barcode (for example, a sticker including a near field communication (NFC) tag) containing information required for communication.
  • NFC near field communication
  • the wireless communication may include at least one of, for example, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, ultra wideband (UWB), NFC, and the like.
  • the wired communication may include at least one of, for example, a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), and the like.
  • the communication unit 130 may be connected to an external device located outside the image forming apparatus 100 so as to transmit or receive a signal or data. As will be described in more detail below, the image forming apparatus 100 may be connected to a user terminal through the communication unit 130.
  • the communication unit 130 may transmit a signal or data received from the user terminal to the controller 120, or transmit a signal or data generated by the controller 120 to the user terminal. For example, when the communication unit 130 receives a print command signal and print data from the user terminal, the controller 120 may output the received print data through a printer 151.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to a user terminal or a server, according to an example.
  • a user terminal 200 may include an input/output (I/O) unit 210, a controller 220, a communication unit 230, a memory 240, and a biometric information obtaining apparatus 250.
  • the controller 220 may include at least one processor, and control an image forming job by executing a program stored in the memory 240 or an application supporting a printing service and transmitting a signal or data generated as a result to the image forming apparatus 100 through the communication unit 230.
  • the controller 220 may perform user authentication based on biometric information of a user obtained from the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250.
  • the user terminal 200 may include, for example, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a PC, a home appliance, a medical device, a camera, a wearable device, and the like.
  • the communication unit 130 may be directly connected to a server 300 to transmit or receive a signal or data. Also, the communication unit 130 may be connected to the user terminal 200 through the server 300. In other words, the communication unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit or receive a signal or data to and from the communication unit 230 of the user terminal 200 through the server 300.
  • various types of data such as programs (for example, applications) and files, may be installed or stored in the memory 140.
  • the controller 120 may access and use the data stored in the memory 140 or store new data in the memory 140. Also, the controller 120 may execute a program stored in the memory 140. Also, the controller 120 may install an application received from an external source through the communication unit 130 in the memory 140.
  • the image forming job unit 150 may perform an image forming job, such as copying, printing, scanning, or faxing.
  • the image forming job unit 150 includes the printer 151, a scanner 152, and a facsimile machine 153, but the image forming job unit 150 may include only some of them or may further include a component for performing another type of image forming job according to needs.
  • the printer 151 may form an image on a recording medium via any one of various printing methods, such as an electro-photography method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermo-sensitive method, and the like.
  • the scanner 152 may irradiate light onto paper and read an image recorded on the paper by receiving light reflected from the paper.
  • a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a contact type image sensor (CIS) may be employed as an image sensor reading the image from the paper.
  • the scanner 152 may have a flatbed structure, a document feed structure, or a combination thereof, wherein, in the flatbed structure, the paper is located at a fixed location and the image is read while the image sensor moves, and in the document feed structure, the image sensor is located at a fixed location and the paper is fed.
  • a component for scanning an image may be shared with the scanner 152, and a component for printing a received file may be shared with the printer 151.
  • the facsimile machine 153 may transmit a scan file to a destination or receive a file from an external source.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of the above components, may not include some of the above components, or may further include an additional component.
  • the user interface device 110 of FIG. 1 may include an independent control system.
  • the user interface device 110 may include a control system (e.g., a controller and a memory) for controlling a user interface (UI) provided by the user interface device 110.
  • a control system e.g., a controller and a memory
  • UI user interface
  • OS operating system
  • UI and programs such as applications, for supporting various functions may be installed in the control system of the user interface device 110.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of a printing environment, according to an example.
  • the printing environment may include image forming apparatuses 100, 100-2, and 100-3, the user terminal 200, and print servers 400 and 400-2.
  • the printing environment may include at least one image forming apparatus, at least one user terminal, and at least one print server.
  • the print server 400 may include at least one processor (not shown), a storage unit (not shown), and a communication interface (not shown).
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may communicate with the user terminal 200 via a wired or wireless network, or may communicate with the user terminal 200 through an access point (AP).
  • the user terminal 200 may communicate with the print server 400 through the AP.
  • the user terminal 200 may communicate with the print server 400 through an external server (not shown).
  • the firewall may be removed by using a message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) protocol.
  • MQTT message queuing telemetry transport
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may be connected to the print server 400 via a network.
  • the print server 400 may register each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 100-2, and manage device information of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 100-2.
  • the print server 400-2 may register the image forming apparatus 100-3 and manage device information of the image forming apparatus 100-3.
  • the user terminal 200 may obtain information about the image forming apparatus 100 by communicating with the image forming apparatus 100.
  • a user may install, in the user terminal 200, and execute an application supporting a printing service, and obtain the information about the image forming apparatus 100 by NFC-tagging the image forming apparatus 100, scanning a quick response (QR) code of the image forming apparatus 100, communicating with the image forming apparatus 100 via Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and the like.
  • QR quick response
  • BLE Bluetooth low energy
  • the user terminal 200 may provide a security function using biometric information.
  • the biometric information may include user specific information such as fingerprint information, iris information, vein information, voice information, motion information, and the like. Also, a plurality of pieces of biometric information may be simultaneously used to provide a security function.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on the biometric information such that a printing service with enhanced security is provided. For example, when user authentication is required or information used in a print job needs to be secured while providing the printing service, the printing service may be provided through the user authentication based on the biometric information at the user terminal 200. In an example, a separate biometric reader is not required because the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 included in the user terminal 200 is used. Also, security may be enhanced because the biometric information obtained by the user terminal 200 is not externally transmitted or is not stored in an external server.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that generates a user account through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, and performs a print job, according to an example.
  • the user terminal 200 may execute an application supporting a printing service in operation S405.
  • the application supporting the printing service may be pre-installed in the user terminal 200.
  • the application supporting the printing service may provide a user interface optimized to the user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform a print job, and transmit a request for information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus, in operation S410.
  • the user terminal 200 may search for image forming apparatuses near the user terminal 200 via a discovery process, and a user may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform the print job from a list of found image forming apparatuses.
  • the user terminal 200 may request the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user for the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user may transmit the information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the user terminal 200, in operation S415.
  • the information about the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of information about whether a print job is to be performed through user authentication based on biometric information, print server information managing the image forming apparatus 100, device information of the image forming apparatus 100, status information of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user terminal 200 may drive the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 is to perform the print job through the user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user terminal 200 may request the user to input the biometric information in operation S420 by driving, in connection with the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 into which the biometric information is inputtable.
  • the user terminal 200 may obtain the biometric information through the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250, and perform user authentication by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to (e.g., is the same as) biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal 200, in operation S425.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit user information of an authenticated user and a user account request to the print server 400, in operation S430.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit the user information of the authenticated user and the user account request to the print server 400 when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user information denotes information for distinctively identifying a user, such as a mobile number, an email address, a name of the user, and the like.
  • the user account request may include the device information of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the print server 400 may generate a user account in operation S435 based on the user information of the authenticated user.
  • the print server 400 may determine whether to generate the user account by referring to the user information of the authenticated user from an Intranet database (DB) or its own internal DB.
  • the print server 400 may register the generated user account in the print server 400, in accordance with the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user account may be a token or an identification (ID)/password-based account.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a DB of a print server that generates a user account, according to an example.
  • the user information of the authenticated user, the generated user account 530, and the device information of the image forming apparatus 100 may be mapped to each other and stored in a DB 500 of the print server 400.
  • the print server 400 may register the generated user account 530 in the DB as shown in FIG. 5, by mapping the generated user account 530 to the user information and the device information.
  • the print server 400 may transmit the generated user account to the user terminal 200, in operation S440.
  • the user terminal 200 may store the received user account in operation S445.
  • the user terminal 200 may store the received user account in the user terminal 200 by mapping the user account with the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user account is an ID/password-based user account
  • the user may check the user account from the user terminal 200 and use the user account in another client device.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit the user account and the print job to the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S450, such that the image forming apparatus 100 performs the print job via a push-printing method according to transmission of the print job from the user terminal 200 in the printing system according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit the user account received from the user terminal 200 to the print server 400 in operation S455.
  • the print server 400 may check the user account received from the image forming apparatus 100 to determine whether the user account is valid in operation S460.
  • the print server 400 may transmit a result of checking the user account to the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S465.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may perform the print job received from the user terminal 200 based on the result of checking the user account, in operation S470.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that performs a print job through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, according to another example.
  • the user terminal 200 may execute an application supporting a printing service in operation S605.
  • the application supporting the printing service may be pre-installed in the user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform a print job, and transmit a request for information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S610.
  • the user terminal 200 may search for image forming apparatuses near the user terminal 200 via a discovery process, and a user may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform the print job from a list of found image forming apparatuses.
  • the user terminal 200 may request the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user for the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user may transmit the information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the user terminal 200, in operation S615.
  • the information about the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of information about whether a print job is to be performed through user authentication based on biometric information, print server information managing the image forming apparatus 100, device information of the image forming apparatus 100, status information of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform partial operations of the method of FIG. 4, in which a user account is generated through user authentication based on biometric information at the user terminal 200 described above.
  • the user terminal 200 When there is a user account with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 in the user terminal 200 or a certain condition according to one or more settings of the user is satisfied, the user terminal 200 follows a command of the user, which is input through the executed application.
  • the pull printing method is a method, in which the image forming apparatus 100 communicates with the print server 400 in which a print job is stored to receive the print job from the print server 400, and the received print job is performed.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user terminal 200 may drive the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 is to perform the print job through the user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user terminal 200 may request the user to input the biometric information in operation S625 by driving, in connection with the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 into which the biometric information is inputtable.
  • the user terminal 200 may obtain the biometric information through the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250, and perform user authentication in operation S630 by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit a user account of an authenticated user and a job list request to the print server 400, in operation S635.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit the user account and the job list request to the print server 400 when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the print server 400 may check a job list corresponding to the user account based on the user account of the authenticated user, in operation S640.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a DB of a print server that stores a job list, according to an example.
  • the user information of the authenticated user, the user account 750, and device information of the image forming apparatus 100 may be mapped to each other and stored in a DB 700 of the print server 400. Also, a job list 740 may be stored in the DB 700 of the print server 400 in accordance with the user information mapped to the user account 750.
  • the print server 400 may register the job list in the DB 700 as shown in FIG. 7, by mapping the job list 740 to the user account 750 of the authenticated user, the user information, such as a mobile number, and the device information of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the print server 400 may transmit the job list to the user terminal 200, in operation S645.
  • the user terminal 200 may display the received job list, and the user may select at least one print job from the job list in operation S650.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit information about the at least one print job selected from the job list to the print server 400, in operation S655.
  • the print server 400 may transmit the at least one print job to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S660.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may perform the at least one print job received from the print server 400, in operation S665.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that performs a print job through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, according to another example.
  • the user terminal 200 may execute an application supporting a printing service in operation S805.
  • the application supporting the printing service may be pre-installed in the user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform a print job, and transmit a request for information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S810.
  • the user terminal 200 may search for image forming apparatuses near the user terminal 200 via a discovery process, and a user may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform the print job from a list of found image forming apparatuses.
  • the user terminal 200 may request the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user for the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user may transmit the information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the user terminal 200, in operation S815.
  • the information about the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of information about whether a print job is to be performed through user authentication based on biometric information, print server information managing the image forming apparatus 100, device information of the image forming apparatus 100, status information of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform partial operations of the method of FIG. 4, in which a user account is generated through user authentication based on biometric information at the user terminal 200 described above.
  • the user terminal 200 When there is a user account with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 in the user terminal 200 or a certain condition according to one or more settings of the user is satisfied, the user terminal 200 follows a command of the user, which is input through the executed application.
  • the pull printing method is a method in which the image forming apparatus 100 communicates with the print server 400, in which a print job is stored, to receive the print job from the print server 400, and the received print job is performed.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user terminal 200 may drive the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 is to perform the print job through the user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user terminal 200 may request the user to input the biometric information in operation S825 by driving, in connection with the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 into which the biometric information is inputtable.
  • the user terminal 200 may obtain the biometric information through the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250, and perform user authentication in operation S830 by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit user information of an authenticated user to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S835.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit the user information of the authenticated user to the image forming apparatus 100 when the user authentication succeeds, by using the device information of the image forming apparatus 100 included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit the user information of the authenticated user and a job list request to the print server 400, in operation S840.
  • the print server 400 may check a job list corresponding to the user information based on the user information of the authenticated user, in operation S845.
  • the print server 400 may transmit the job list to the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S850.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may display the received job list, and a user may select at least one print job from the job list, in operation S855.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit information about the at least one print job selected from the job list to the print server 400, in operation S860.
  • the print server 400 may transmit the at least one print job corresponding to the information about the at least one print job to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S865.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may perform the at least one print job received from the print server 400, in operation S870.
  • FIGS. 9 through 12 are flowcharts of a method of providing, by a printing system, a printing service, according to examples.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing a process of generating a user account through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, so as to provide a printing service by a printing system, according to an example.
  • the user terminal 200 may execute an application supporting a printing service, and select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform a print job in operation S910.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user terminal 200 may drive, in connection to the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 into which biometric information is inputtable, obtain the biometric information, and perform the user authentication by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 may drive the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 is to perform a print job through user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit user information of an authenticated user and a user account request to the print server 400.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit the user information of the authenticated user and the user account request to the print server 400 when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the print server 400 may generate a user account based on the user information, and transmit the generated user account to the user terminal 200.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing a process of performing a print job by using a push printing method according to transmission of the print job from a user terminal in a printing system, according to an example.
  • the user terminal 200 may transmit the user account and the print job to the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S1010.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit the user account received from the user terminal 200 to the print server 400, and perform the print job received from the user terminal 200 based on a result of checking the user account.
  • the print server 400 may transmit a print command to the image forming apparatus 100 when the received user account is a registered user account based on the result of checking the user account.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing a process of performing a print job by using a pull printing method according to a job list request of a user terminal in a printing system, according to an example.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform the user authentication based on the biometric information, and transmit the user account of the authenticated user and a job list request to the print server 400 when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S1110.
  • the print server 400 may check and transmit, to the user terminal 200, a job list corresponding to the user account, receive print job information selected from the job list from the user terminal 200, and transmit a print job corresponding to the print job information to the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may perform the print job.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing a process of performing a print job by using a pull printing method according to a job list request of an image forming apparatus in a printing system, according to an example.
  • the user terminal 200 may perform the user authentication based on the biometric information, and transmit the user information of the authenticated user to the image forming apparatus 100 when the user authentication succeeds, by using device information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S1210.
  • the print server 400 may check and transmit, to the image forming apparatus 100, a job list corresponding to the user information, receive print job information selected from the job list from the image forming apparatus 100, and transmit a print job corresponding to the print job information to the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may perform the print job.
  • the examples described above may be embodied as computer-executable commands and data on a computer-readable recording medium. At least one of the commands and data may be stored in a form of a program code, and, when executed by a processor, may generate a certain program module to perform a certain operation.
  • Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs, CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetic tape, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical data storage device, an optical data storage device, a hard disk, a solid-state disk (SSD), and any device capable of storing commands or software, related data, a data file, and data structures and providing the commands or software, the related data, the data file, and the data structures to a processor or a computer such that the processor or the computer may execute the commands.
  • the computer-readable recording medium may be the memory 140 of the image forming apparatus 100 or the memory of the user interface device 110.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Facsimiles In General (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

Provided are a printing system including a user terminal, an image forming apparatus, and a print server and a method of providing a printing service by using the same. The printing service is provided through user authentication based on biometric information at the user terminal. The image forming apparatus transmits information about the image forming apparatus to the user terminal. The user terminal executes an application supporting a printing service, performs user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application according to the information about the image forming apparatus, and transmits user information of an authenticated user and a user account request to the print server. The print server generates a user account based on the user information of the authenticated user and transmits the generated user account to the user terminal.

Description

PROVIDING PRINTING SERVICE THROUGH USER AUTHENTICATION BASED ON BIOMETRIC INFORMATION AT USER TERMINAL
Biometric information of a user may be used to enhance security while providing a printing service. In this regard, a separate management server that stores and manages biometric information of a user, and a separate device for obtaining the biometric information of the user in a client device are required.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus, according to an example;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to a user terminal or a server, according to an example;
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a printing environment, according to an example;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that generates a user account through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, and performs a print job, according to an example;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a database of a print server that generates a user account, according to an example;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that performs a print job through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, according to another example;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a database of a print server that stores a job list, according to an example;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that performs a print job through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, according to another example; and
FIGS. 9 through 12 are flowcharts of a method of providing, by a printing system, a printing service, according to examples.
Hereinafter, various examples will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples described may be modified and have different forms. For clear description of features of the examples, detailed descriptions related to technologies well-known to one of ordinary skill in the art are omitted.
In the specification, when a component is “connected” to another component, the component may be “directly connected” to the other component, or may be “connected” to the other component “via another component therebetween”. Also, when a component “includes” another component, the component may further include other components unless indicated otherwise.
While such terms as “first”, “second”, etc., may be used to describe various components, such components must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.
Throughout the specification, an “image forming job” may denote any one of various jobs (for example, copying, printing, scanning, and faxing) related to an image, such as forming of an image or generating/storing/transmitting of an image file, and a “job” may denote not only an image forming job, but may also denote a series of processes required to perform the image forming job.
Also, an “image forming apparatus” may denote any apparatus capable of performing an image forming job, such as a copier, a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), or a display device.
Also, “print data” may denote data converted to a format printable by a printer.
Also, a “scan file” may denote a file generated by scanning an image by a scanner.
Also, a “user” may denote a person who performs a manipulation related to an image forming job by using an image forming apparatus or a device connected to the image forming apparatus wirelessly or via wires.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 may include a user interface device 110, a controller 120, a communication unit 130, a memory 140, and an image forming job unit 150. Also, although not illustrated, the image forming apparatus 100 may further include a power supply for supplying power to each component.
The user interface device 110 may include an input unit for receiving an input for performing an image forming job from a user, and an output unit for displaying information, such as a result of performing an image forming job or a state of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the user interface device 110 may include an operation panel for receiving a user input and a display panel for displaying a screen.
In more detail, the input unit may include a device for receiving various types of user inputs, such as a keyboard, a physical button, a touch screen, a camera, a microphone, and the like. Also, the output unit may include, for example, a display panel, a speaker, and the like. However, the user interface device 110 is not limited thereto, and may include any device supporting various inputs and outputs.
The controller 120 may control operations of the image forming apparatus 100, and may include at least one processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU). The controller 120 may control the components included in the image forming apparatus 100 to perform an operation corresponding to a user input received through the user interface device 110. The controller 120 may include at least one specialized processor for each function or may be an integrated processor.
For example, the controller 120 may execute a program stored in the memory 140, read data or a file stored in the memory 140, store a new file in the memory 140, and the like.
The communication unit 130 may communicate with another device or a network via wired or wireless communication. In this regard, the communication unit 130 may include a communication module supporting at least one of various wired/wireless communication methods. For example, the communication module may be in a form of a chipset, or may be a sticker/barcode (for example, a sticker including a near field communication (NFC) tag) containing information required for communication.
The wireless communication may include at least one of, for example, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, ultra wideband (UWB), NFC, and the like. The wired communication may include at least one of, for example, a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), and the like.
The communication unit 130 may be connected to an external device located outside the image forming apparatus 100 so as to transmit or receive a signal or data. As will be described in more detail below, the image forming apparatus 100 may be connected to a user terminal through the communication unit 130. The communication unit 130 may transmit a signal or data received from the user terminal to the controller 120, or transmit a signal or data generated by the controller 120 to the user terminal. For example, when the communication unit 130 receives a print command signal and print data from the user terminal, the controller 120 may output the received print data through a printer 151.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to a user terminal or a server, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 2, a user terminal 200 may include an input/output (I/O) unit 210, a controller 220, a communication unit 230, a memory 240, and a biometric information obtaining apparatus 250. The controller 220 may include at least one processor, and control an image forming job by executing a program stored in the memory 240 or an application supporting a printing service and transmitting a signal or data generated as a result to the image forming apparatus 100 through the communication unit 230. The controller 220 may perform user authentication based on biometric information of a user obtained from the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250. The user terminal 200 may include, for example, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a PC, a home appliance, a medical device, a camera, a wearable device, and the like.
In an example, the communication unit 130 may be directly connected to a server 300 to transmit or receive a signal or data. Also, the communication unit 130 may be connected to the user terminal 200 through the server 300. In other words, the communication unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit or receive a signal or data to and from the communication unit 230 of the user terminal 200 through the server 300.
Referring back to FIG. 1, various types of data, such as programs (for example, applications) and files, may be installed or stored in the memory 140. The controller 120 may access and use the data stored in the memory 140 or store new data in the memory 140. Also, the controller 120 may execute a program stored in the memory 140. Also, the controller 120 may install an application received from an external source through the communication unit 130 in the memory 140.
The image forming job unit 150 may perform an image forming job, such as copying, printing, scanning, or faxing.
Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming job unit 150 includes the printer 151, a scanner 152, and a facsimile machine 153, but the image forming job unit 150 may include only some of them or may further include a component for performing another type of image forming job according to needs.
The printer 151 may form an image on a recording medium via any one of various printing methods, such as an electro-photography method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermo-sensitive method, and the like.
The scanner 152 may irradiate light onto paper and read an image recorded on the paper by receiving light reflected from the paper. A charge-coupled device (CCD) or a contact type image sensor (CIS) may be employed as an image sensor reading the image from the paper. The scanner 152 may have a flatbed structure, a document feed structure, or a combination thereof, wherein, in the flatbed structure, the paper is located at a fixed location and the image is read while the image sensor moves, and in the document feed structure, the image sensor is located at a fixed location and the paper is fed.
In the facsimile machine 153, a component for scanning an image may be shared with the scanner 152, and a component for printing a received file may be shared with the printer 151. The facsimile machine 153 may transmit a scan file to a destination or receive a file from an external source.
Names of the components of the image forming apparatus 100 may be changed. Also, the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of the above components, may not include some of the above components, or may further include an additional component.
The user interface device 110 of FIG. 1 may include an independent control system. For example, in addition to the controller 120 of the image forming apparatus 100, the user interface device 110 may include a control system (e.g., a controller and a memory) for controlling a user interface (UI) provided by the user interface device 110. Also, an operating system (OS) for providing a UI and programs, such as applications, for supporting various functions may be installed in the control system of the user interface device 110.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a printing environment, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 3, the printing environment may include image forming apparatuses 100, 100-2, and 100-3, the user terminal 200, and print servers 400 and 400-2. The printing environment may include at least one image forming apparatus, at least one user terminal, and at least one print server. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the printing environment is described based on the image forming apparatus 100, the user terminal 200, and the print server 400. The print server 400 may include at least one processor (not shown), a storage unit (not shown), and a communication interface (not shown).
The image forming apparatus 100 may communicate with the user terminal 200 via a wired or wireless network, or may communicate with the user terminal 200 through an access point (AP). The user terminal 200 may communicate with the print server 400 through the AP. When it is not possible for the user terminal 200 to communicate with the print server 400 by using an internal wireless network, the user terminal 200 may communicate with the print server 400 through an external server (not shown). For example, when the user terminal 200 and the print server 400 are unable to communicate due to a firewall, the firewall may be removed by using a message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) protocol. The image forming apparatus 100 may be connected to the print server 400 via a network.
In an example, the print server 400 may register each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 100-2, and manage device information of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 100-2. Similarly, the print server 400-2 may register the image forming apparatus 100-3 and manage device information of the image forming apparatus 100-3.
The user terminal 200 may obtain information about the image forming apparatus 100 by communicating with the image forming apparatus 100. For example, a user may install, in the user terminal 200, and execute an application supporting a printing service, and obtain the information about the image forming apparatus 100 by NFC-tagging the image forming apparatus 100, scanning a quick response (QR) code of the image forming apparatus 100, communicating with the image forming apparatus 100 via Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and the like.
The user terminal 200 may provide a security function using biometric information. The biometric information may include user specific information such as fingerprint information, iris information, vein information, voice information, motion information, and the like. Also, a plurality of pieces of biometric information may be simultaneously used to provide a security function. The user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on the biometric information such that a printing service with enhanced security is provided. For example, when user authentication is required or information used in a print job needs to be secured while providing the printing service, the printing service may be provided through the user authentication based on the biometric information at the user terminal 200. In an example, a separate biometric reader is not required because the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 included in the user terminal 200 is used. Also, security may be enhanced because the biometric information obtained by the user terminal 200 is not externally transmitted or is not stored in an external server.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that generates a user account through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, and performs a print job, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 4, the user terminal 200 may execute an application supporting a printing service in operation S405. The application supporting the printing service may be pre-installed in the user terminal 200. The application supporting the printing service may provide a user interface optimized to the user terminal 200.
The user terminal 200 may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform a print job, and transmit a request for information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus, in operation S410. For example, the user terminal 200 may search for image forming apparatuses near the user terminal 200 via a discovery process, and a user may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform the print job from a list of found image forming apparatuses. The user terminal 200 may request the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user for the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user may transmit the information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the user terminal 200, in operation S415. The information about the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of information about whether a print job is to be performed through user authentication based on biometric information, print server information managing the image forming apparatus 100, device information of the image forming apparatus 100, status information of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.
The user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100. The user terminal 200 may drive the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 is to perform the print job through the user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 100. The user terminal 200 may request the user to input the biometric information in operation S420 by driving, in connection with the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 into which the biometric information is inputtable.
The user terminal 200 may obtain the biometric information through the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250, and perform user authentication by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to (e.g., is the same as) biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal 200, in operation S425.
The user terminal 200 may transmit user information of an authenticated user and a user account request to the print server 400, in operation S430. In an example, the user terminal 200 may transmit the user information of the authenticated user and the user account request to the print server 400 when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100. The user information denotes information for distinctively identifying a user, such as a mobile number, an email address, a name of the user, and the like. The user account request may include the device information of the image forming apparatus 100.
The print server 400 may generate a user account in operation S435 based on the user information of the authenticated user. The print server 400 may determine whether to generate the user account by referring to the user information of the authenticated user from an Intranet database (DB) or its own internal DB. The print server 400 may register the generated user account in the print server 400, in accordance with the image forming apparatus 100. The user account may be a token or an identification (ID)/password-based account.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a DB of a print server that generates a user account, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 5, when a user account 530 is generated in the print server 400, the user information of the authenticated user, the generated user account 530, and the device information of the image forming apparatus 100 may be mapped to each other and stored in a DB 500 of the print server 400. For example, when user information of a “first user” authenticated by the user terminal 200 is a “first mobile number” 510 and the image forming apparatus 100 by which the first user is to perform a print job is an “image forming apparatus A” 520, the print server 400 may register the generated user account 530 in the DB as shown in FIG. 5, by mapping the generated user account 530 to the user information and the device information.
Referring back to FIG. 4, the print server 400 may transmit the generated user account to the user terminal 200, in operation S440.
The user terminal 200 may store the received user account in operation S445. The user terminal 200 may store the received user account in the user terminal 200 by mapping the user account with the image forming apparatus 100. When the user account is an ID/password-based user account, the user may check the user account from the user terminal 200 and use the user account in another client device.
The user terminal 200 may transmit the user account and the print job to the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S450, such that the image forming apparatus 100 performs the print job via a push-printing method according to transmission of the print job from the user terminal 200 in the printing system according to an example.
The image forming apparatus 100 may transmit the user account received from the user terminal 200 to the print server 400 in operation S455.
The print server 400 may check the user account received from the image forming apparatus 100 to determine whether the user account is valid in operation S460.
The print server 400 may transmit a result of checking the user account to the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S465.
The image forming apparatus 100 may perform the print job received from the user terminal 200 based on the result of checking the user account, in operation S470.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that performs a print job through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, according to another example.
Referring to FIG. 6, the user terminal 200 may execute an application supporting a printing service in operation S605. The application supporting the printing service may be pre-installed in the user terminal 200.
The user terminal 200 may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform a print job, and transmit a request for information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S610. For example, the user terminal 200 may search for image forming apparatuses near the user terminal 200 via a discovery process, and a user may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform the print job from a list of found image forming apparatuses. The user terminal 200 may request the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user for the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user may transmit the information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the user terminal 200, in operation S615. The information about the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of information about whether a print job is to be performed through user authentication based on biometric information, print server information managing the image forming apparatus 100, device information of the image forming apparatus 100, status information of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.
When there is no user account with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 in the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 may perform partial operations of the method of FIG. 4, in which a user account is generated through user authentication based on biometric information at the user terminal 200 described above.
When there is a user account with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 in the user terminal 200 or a certain condition according to one or more settings of the user is satisfied, the user terminal 200 follows a command of the user, which is input through the executed application.
When the print job is to be performed via a pull printing method according to a job list request, the user may select a job list request menu from the executed application, in operation S620. The pull printing method is a method, in which the image forming apparatus 100 communicates with the print server 400 in which a print job is stored to receive the print job from the print server 400, and the received print job is performed.
When the job list request menu is selected from the executed application, the user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100. The user terminal 200 may drive the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 is to perform the print job through the user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 100. The user terminal 200 may request the user to input the biometric information in operation S625 by driving, in connection with the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 into which the biometric information is inputtable.
The user terminal 200 may obtain the biometric information through the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250, and perform user authentication in operation S630 by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal 200.
The user terminal 200 may transmit a user account of an authenticated user and a job list request to the print server 400, in operation S635. The user terminal 200 may transmit the user account and the job list request to the print server 400 when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
The print server 400 may check a job list corresponding to the user account based on the user account of the authenticated user, in operation S640.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a DB of a print server that stores a job list, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 7, when a user account 750 is registered in the print server 400, the user information of the authenticated user, the user account 750, and device information of the image forming apparatus 100 may be mapped to each other and stored in a DB 700 of the print server 400. Also, a job list 740 may be stored in the DB 700 of the print server 400 in accordance with the user information mapped to the user account 750.
For example, when user information of a “second user” authenticated by the user terminal 200 is a “second mobile number” 710 and the image forming apparatuses 100 corresponding to a user account of the second user are an “image forming apparatus A” 720 and an “image forming apparatus B” 730, the print server 400 may register the job list in the DB 700 as shown in FIG. 7, by mapping the job list 740 to the user account 750 of the authenticated user, the user information, such as a mobile number, and the device information of the image forming apparatus 100.
Referring back to FIG. 6, the print server 400 may transmit the job list to the user terminal 200, in operation S645.
The user terminal 200 may display the received job list, and the user may select at least one print job from the job list in operation S650.
The user terminal 200 may transmit information about the at least one print job selected from the job list to the print server 400, in operation S655.
Upon receiving the information about the selected at least one print job from the user terminal 200, the print server 400 may transmit the at least one print job to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S660.
The image forming apparatus 100 may perform the at least one print job received from the print server 400, in operation S665.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing operations of a printing system that performs a print job through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, according to another example.
Referring to FIG. 8, the user terminal 200 may execute an application supporting a printing service in operation S805. The application supporting the printing service may be pre-installed in the user terminal 200.
The user terminal 200 may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform a print job, and transmit a request for information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S810. For example, the user terminal 200 may search for image forming apparatuses near the user terminal 200 via a discovery process, and a user may select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform the print job from a list of found image forming apparatuses. The user terminal 200 may request the image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user for the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 selected by the user may transmit the information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the user terminal 200, in operation S815. The information about the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of information about whether a print job is to be performed through user authentication based on biometric information, print server information managing the image forming apparatus 100, device information of the image forming apparatus 100, status information of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.
When there is no user account with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 in the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 may perform partial operations of the method of FIG. 4, in which a user account is generated through user authentication based on biometric information at the user terminal 200 described above.
When there is a user account with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 in the user terminal 200 or a certain condition according to one or more settings of the user is satisfied, the user terminal 200 follows a command of the user, which is input through the executed application.
When the print job is to be performed via a pull printing method according to a job list request, the user may select a job list request menu from the executed application, in operation S820. The pull printing method is a method in which the image forming apparatus 100 communicates with the print server 400, in which a print job is stored, to receive the print job from the print server 400, and the received print job is performed.
When the job list request menu is selected from the executed application, the user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100. The user terminal 200 may drive the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 is to perform the print job through the user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 100. The user terminal 200 may request the user to input the biometric information in operation S825 by driving, in connection with the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 into which the biometric information is inputtable.
The user terminal 200 may obtain the biometric information through the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250, and perform user authentication in operation S830 by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal 200.
The user terminal 200 may transmit user information of an authenticated user to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S835. When it is pre-determined that the image forming apparatus 100 performs a print job after the user authentication at the user terminal 200 is completed, the user terminal 200 may transmit the user information of the authenticated user to the image forming apparatus 100 when the user authentication succeeds, by using the device information of the image forming apparatus 100 included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 may transmit the user information of the authenticated user and a job list request to the print server 400, in operation S840.
The print server 400 may check a job list corresponding to the user information based on the user information of the authenticated user, in operation S845.
The print server 400 may transmit the job list to the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S850.
The image forming apparatus 100 may display the received job list, and a user may select at least one print job from the job list, in operation S855.
The image forming apparatus 100 may transmit information about the at least one print job selected from the job list to the print server 400, in operation S860.
Upon receiving the information about the selected at least one print job from the image forming apparatus 100, the print server 400 may transmit the at least one print job corresponding to the information about the at least one print job to the image forming apparatus 100, in operation S865.
The image forming apparatus 100 may perform the at least one print job received from the print server 400, in operation S870.
FIGS. 9 through 12 are flowcharts of a method of providing, by a printing system, a printing service, according to examples.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing a process of generating a user account through user authentication based on biometric information at a user terminal, so as to provide a printing service by a printing system, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 9, the user terminal 200 may execute an application supporting a printing service, and select the image forming apparatus 100 that is to perform a print job in operation S910.
In operation S920, the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the user terminal 200.
In operation S930, the user terminal 200 may perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the image forming apparatus 100. The user terminal 200 may drive, in connection to the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 into which biometric information is inputtable, obtain the biometric information, and perform the user authentication by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 may drive the biometric information obtaining apparatus 250 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 is to perform a print job through user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 100.
In operation S940, the user terminal 200 may transmit user information of an authenticated user and a user account request to the print server 400. The user terminal 200 may transmit the user information of the authenticated user and the user account request to the print server 400 when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100.
In operation S950, the print server 400 may generate a user account based on the user information, and transmit the generated user account to the user terminal 200.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing a process of performing a print job by using a push printing method according to transmission of the print job from a user terminal in a printing system, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 10, the user terminal 200 may transmit the user account and the print job to the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S1010.
In operation S1020, the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit the user account received from the user terminal 200 to the print server 400, and perform the print job received from the user terminal 200 based on a result of checking the user account. The print server 400 may transmit a print command to the image forming apparatus 100 when the received user account is a registered user account based on the result of checking the user account.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing a process of performing a print job by using a pull printing method according to a job list request of a user terminal in a printing system, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 11, when a job list request menu is selected from the executed application, the user terminal 200 may perform the user authentication based on the biometric information, and transmit the user account of the authenticated user and a job list request to the print server 400 when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S1110.
In operation S1120, the print server 400 may check and transmit, to the user terminal 200, a job list corresponding to the user account, receive print job information selected from the job list from the user terminal 200, and transmit a print job corresponding to the print job information to the image forming apparatus 100. Upon receiving the print job, the image forming apparatus 100 may perform the print job.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing a process of performing a print job by using a pull printing method according to a job list request of an image forming apparatus in a printing system, according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 12, when a job list request menu is selected from the executed application, the user terminal 200 may perform the user authentication based on the biometric information, and transmit the user information of the authenticated user to the image forming apparatus 100 when the user authentication succeeds, by using device information included in the information about the image forming apparatus 100 received from the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S1210.
In operation S1220, the print server 400 may check and transmit, to the image forming apparatus 100, a job list corresponding to the user information, receive print job information selected from the job list from the image forming apparatus 100, and transmit a print job corresponding to the print job information to the image forming apparatus 100. Upon receiving the print job, the image forming apparatus 100 may perform the print job.
The examples described above may be embodied as computer-executable commands and data on a computer-readable recording medium. At least one of the commands and data may be stored in a form of a program code, and, when executed by a processor, may generate a certain program module to perform a certain operation. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs, CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetic tape, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical data storage device, an optical data storage device, a hard disk, a solid-state disk (SSD), and any device capable of storing commands or software, related data, a data file, and data structures and providing the commands or software, the related data, the data file, and the data structures to a processor or a computer such that the processor or the computer may execute the commands. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be the memory 140 of the image forming apparatus 100 or the memory of the user interface device 110.
While one or more examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.

Claims (15)

  1. A user terminal comprising:
    a communication unit; and
    a controller to:
    control the communication unit to receive information about an image forming apparatus,
    execute an application supporting a printing service,
    perform user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application according to the information about the image forming apparatus,
    control the communication unit to transmit user information of an authenticated user and a user account request to a print server, and
    control the communication unit to receive a generated user account from the print server.
  2. The user terminal of claim 1, further comprising a biometric information obtaining apparatus, wherein the controller:
    obtains the biometric information by driving, in connection with the executed application, the biometric information obtaining apparatus into which the biometric information is inputtable, and
    performs the user authentication by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal.
  3. The user terminal of claim 2, wherein the controller drives the biometric information obtaining apparatus when it is determined that the image forming apparatus is to perform a print job through user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus.
  4. The user terminal of claim 1, wherein the information about the image forming apparatus comprises at least one of information about whether a print job is to be performed through user authentication based on the biometric information, print server information managing the image forming apparatus, or device information of the image forming apparatus.
  5. The user terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the communication unit to transmit the user information of the authenticated user and the user account request to the print server when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus.
  6. The user terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the communication unit to transmit the user account and a print job to the image forming apparatus.
  7. The user terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller:
    performs the user authentication based on the biometric information when a job list request menu is selected from the executed application, and
    controls the communication unit to transmit the user account of the authenticated user and a job list request to the print server when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus.
  8. The user terminal of claim 7, wherein the controller controls the communication unit to:
    receive, from the print server, a job list corresponding to the user account, and
    transmit, to the print server, print job information selected from the job list.
  9. The user terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller:
    performs the user authentication based on the biometric information when a job list request menu is selected from the executed application, and
    controls the communication unit to transmit the user information of the authenticated user to the image forming apparatus when the user authentication succeeds, by using device information of the image forming apparatus included in the information about the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus.
  10. A method of controlling a printing service by a user terminal, the method comprising:
    executing an application supporting the printing service;
    selecting an image forming apparatus to perform a print job;
    receiving, from the selected image forming apparatus, information about the selected image forming apparatus;
    performing user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application, according to the information about the selected image forming apparatus;
    transmitting, to a print server, user information of an authenticated user and a user account request; and
    receiving, from the print server, a generated user account.
  11. The method of claim 10, wherein the performing of the user authentication comprises:
    driving, in connection with the executed application, a biometric information obtaining apparatus into which the biometric information is inputtable;
    obtaining the biometric information; and
    performing the user authentication by determining whether the obtained biometric information corresponds to biometric information pre-registered in the user terminal.
  12. The method of claim 11, wherein the driving of the biometric information obtaining apparatus comprises driving the biometric information obtaining apparatus when it is determined that the image forming apparatus is to perform a print job through user authentication based on the biometric information, based on the information about the image forming apparatus.
  13. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitting of the user information and the user account request comprises transmitting the user information and the user account request to the print server when the user authentication succeeds, by using print server information included in the information about the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus.
  14. A printing system comprising:
    an image forming apparatus;
    a user terminal; and
    a print server,
    wherein the image forming apparatus transmits information about the image forming apparatus to the user terminal;
    wherein the user terminal:
    executes an application supporting a printing service,
    performs user authentication based on biometric information through the executed application according to the information about the image forming apparatus, and
    transmits user information of an authenticated user and a user account request to a print server, and
    wherein the print server:
    generates a user account based on the user information of the authenticated user, and
    transmits the generated user account to the user terminal.
  15. The printing system of claim 14, wherein the print server:
    registers the generated user account in the print server in accordance with the image forming apparatus,
    checks and transmits, to the image forming apparatus, a job list corresponding to the user information,
    receives, from the image forming apparatus, print job information selected from the job list, and
    transmits a print job corresponding to the selected print job information to the image forming apparatus.
PCT/KR2018/002866 2017-07-14 2018-03-12 Providing printing service through user authentication based on biometric information at user terminal Ceased WO2019013424A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2017-0089670 2017-07-14
KR1020170089670A KR20190007958A (en) 2017-07-14 2017-07-14 Printing system and method for providing printing service through user authentification based on biometric information at user terminal

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019013424A1 true WO2019013424A1 (en) 2019-01-17

Family

ID=65001904

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/KR2018/002866 Ceased WO2019013424A1 (en) 2017-07-14 2018-03-12 Providing printing service through user authentication based on biometric information at user terminal

Country Status (2)

Country Link
KR (1) KR20190007958A (en)
WO (1) WO2019013424A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102276815B1 (en) * 2019-06-05 2021-07-14 주식회사 바이오로그디바이스 the safety controlling method of device using biometrics

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100027046A1 (en) * 2008-07-29 2010-02-04 Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Authentication apparatus, authentication system, authentication method, and recording medium having authentication program recorded thereon
US20150234621A1 (en) * 2009-01-06 2015-08-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Print system, print server, control method thereof, and program
US20150339561A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium
US20160154956A1 (en) * 2007-09-24 2016-06-02 Apple Inc. Embedded authentication systems in an electronic device
KR101709415B1 (en) * 2015-12-17 2017-02-23 순천향대학교 산학협력단 User Authentication Printing System based on Biometrics

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160154956A1 (en) * 2007-09-24 2016-06-02 Apple Inc. Embedded authentication systems in an electronic device
US20100027046A1 (en) * 2008-07-29 2010-02-04 Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Authentication apparatus, authentication system, authentication method, and recording medium having authentication program recorded thereon
US20150234621A1 (en) * 2009-01-06 2015-08-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Print system, print server, control method thereof, and program
US20150339561A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium
KR101709415B1 (en) * 2015-12-17 2017-02-23 순천향대학교 산학협력단 User Authentication Printing System based on Biometrics

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20190007958A (en) 2019-01-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2018236136A1 (en) METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PULL PRINTING USING A CLOUD SERVER
WO2019013422A1 (en) Pull printing via additional security processes
WO2019013481A1 (en) METHOD AND PRINTING SYSTEM USING CLOUD
WO2020040366A1 (en) Performing print job according to format of print job acquired based on metadata
WO2018004245A1 (en) Method for verifying forgery and falsification of executable file in image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus using same
WO2015119326A1 (en) Display device and method for controlling the same
WO2019098486A1 (en) Data backup using cloud
WO2019078439A1 (en) Network access printing system
WO2019066169A1 (en) Transmitting fax document by using cloud server
WO2019013424A1 (en) Providing printing service through user authentication based on biometric information at user terminal
WO2018097442A1 (en) Method for establishing wireless connection of image forming device by using mobile terminal, and image forming device for performing same
WO2018128217A1 (en) Server for providing e-mail printing service and method for operating same server
WO2019198879A1 (en) Electronic apparatus for providing user interface of image forming apparatus
WO2019112135A1 (en) User authentication using one-time authentication information
WO2018131958A1 (en) Outputting plurality of images having different sizes
WO2018004198A1 (en) Method and system for registering plurality of devices
WO2018110782A1 (en) Fax function diagnosis method, and apparatus for performing the method
WO2020040362A1 (en) Performing payment process according to use of image forming apparatus in electronic device
WO2020036265A1 (en) Method for protecting personal information in image forming apparatus
WO2019231055A1 (en) Converting voice command into text code blocks that support printing services
WO2020036264A1 (en) Image forming apparatus to print traceable printout
WO2019103269A1 (en) Response delay time determination to maintain long polling connection
JP2005100187A (en) Image processing device
WO2018131761A1 (en) Image forming device for executing screen saver, and method for controlling image forming device for executing screen saver
WO2017188710A1 (en) Method for transmitting and receiving fax by using application, and vedeo image forming apparatus for performing same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 18831301

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 18831301

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1