JP2006334873A - Image forming apparatus, control program therefor, and security printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly reliable image forming apparatus which makes printing by securing the confidentiality of print data, while suppressing the capacity of a memory for the retention of the print data. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus comprises: a security printing request receiving part 120 which receives a security printing request from a PC 200; an authentication information input accepting part 136 for accepting authentication information in the reception of the security printing request; an authentication part 134 which collates the authentication information with preregistered authentication information so as to authenticate it; an enabling-signal transmitting part 114 which permits the PC200 to transmit the print data, when the authentication information is authenticated by the authentication part 134; a print-data receiving part 106 which receives the print data transmitted from the PC 200 in response to the permission of the transmission of the print data; and a printing processing part 110 which prints the received print data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of security printing, a control program thereof, and a security printing system.

As a conventional image forming apparatus, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The printer device described in this document temporarily holds print data received from the outside in order to protect the security of print data, and performs printing only when printing is permitted by authentication processing or the like. .
JP 7-81154 A

  However, the prior art described in the above literature has room for improvement in the following points.

  First, since print data is received from the outside and temporarily stored and then authentication processing is performed, a considerable amount of memory capacity is required to hold the print data. In particular, when a printer is shared with a plurality of personal computers via a network, a large memory capacity capable of holding a plurality of print data is required.

  Second, in the unlikely event that authentication fails, there is a possibility that print data may remain in the printer without being printed, and the print data may be unintentionally leaked outside.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable image forming apparatus capable of printing while ensuring the confidentiality of print data while suppressing the memory capacity for holding print data. Is to provide.

According to the present invention, a request receiving unit that receives a security print request from an external device;
When receiving the security print request, an authentication information receiving unit that prompts and accepts input of authentication information;
An authentication unit for verifying and authenticating the authentication information with pre-registered authentication information;
When authenticated by the authentication unit, a permission unit that permits transmission of print data to the external device;
A data receiving unit that receives the print data transmitted from the external device in response to the permission;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the print data received by the data receiving unit.

  Here, the authentication information can include, for example, bio-authentication information such as a fingerprint, a voiceprint, an iris, and a palm vein, or a password. The password can be accepted by inputting from an operation panel of the image forming apparatus or reading authentication information stored in an ID card, an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or the like. Secure printing is a confidential document that can be printed out only when the user who made the print request actually goes to the location of the image forming apparatus and authenticates the identity. Can be prevented from being left unattended.

  According to the present invention, since print data is transmitted from the external apparatus to the image forming apparatus after authenticating the personal identification, the capacity of the memory for storing the received print data in the image forming apparatus can be reduced, and authentication can be performed. If not, the print data is not transmitted to the image forming apparatus, so that it is possible to prevent the print data remaining in the memory of the image forming apparatus from being printed unintentionally and leaking outside. , Improve security.

  The image forming apparatus may include an authentication information storage unit that stores authentication information for each user identification information, and an identification information receiving unit that receives the user identification information from the external device. Accessing the authentication information storage unit and collating whether or not the authentication information corresponding to the user identification information received by the identification information receiving unit matches the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit. Can do.

  The image forming apparatus may include an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information from the external device, and the authentication unit receives the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit and the authentication information receiving unit. In addition, it can be verified whether the authentication information matches.

  According to this configuration, for example, a user inputs authentication information such as a password from an external device when a print request is made and transmits the authentication information to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus also performs user authentication by accepting the user's password input. Therefore, it is not necessary to store authentication information in the image forming apparatus in advance. In addition, authentication information such as a password can be changed as needed, and security is enhanced.

  The image forming apparatus may further include a display unit that displays to prompt the user to input the authentication information when the request receiving unit receives the security print request.

  In the image forming apparatus, a user information receiving unit that receives user identification information associated with the security print request from a plurality of users from at least one external device, and the plurality of users received by the user information receiving unit. A presentation unit that presents a list of the security print requests, and a selection reception unit that receives a selection of a security print request for performing printing from the list, and the authentication unit includes the selection reception unit It is possible to collate whether the authentication information of the user identification information corresponding to the security printing request received by the user matches the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit.

  According to this configuration, when a security print request is received from a plurality of users, a job to be printed can be selected from the list and authentication can be performed for each user. The security print request may be in units of print jobs, or may be in units of users when the same user requests a plurality of print jobs at the same time.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system including an external device that transmits print data, and an image forming device that receives the print data from the external device and prints it.
The external device is
A request transmission unit for transmitting a security print request; and
A permission receiving unit that receives transmission permission of the print data from the image forming apparatus;
A data transmission unit that transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus when receiving the transmission permission;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A request receiving unit for receiving the security print request;
When receiving the security print request, an authentication information receiving unit that prompts and accepts input of authentication information;
An authentication unit for verifying and authenticating the authentication information with pre-registered authentication information;
When authenticated by the authentication unit, a permission transmission unit that transmits a transmission permission of print data to the external device;
A data receiving unit for receiving the print data transmitted from the external device in response to the transmission permission;
There is provided a security printing system including a printing unit that prints the print data received by the data receiving unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided a control program for controlling a computer that transmits print data for printing to an image forming apparatus,
Computer
Accepting means for accepting security print requests,
A request transmission means for transmitting the security printing request to the image forming apparatus when the request is received;
Permission receiving means for receiving permission to transmit the print data from the image forming apparatus;
After receiving the transmission permission, a control program is provided for causing the print data to function as a data transmission unit that transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a highly reliable image forming apparatus capable of printing while ensuring the confidentiality of print data while suppressing the memory capacity for holding print data.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment receives a request for security printing from an external device (personal computer 200) (a security printing request receiving unit 120 and an interface unit 102), and authentication information when receiving a security printing request. Authentication information receiving unit (authentication information input receiving unit 136), authenticating the authentication information against previously registered authentication information, and authenticating (authentication unit 134) and authenticating by the authentication unit A permission unit (permission signal transmission unit 114 and interface unit 102) that permits transmission of print data to the external device, and a data reception unit (print data reception) that receives print data transmitted from the external device in response to the permission. Unit 106 and interface unit 102) and the print data received by the data receiving unit. Comprising printing unit for printing the data (the print processing unit 110 and the printing unit 112), the.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a network printer or MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral) connected to at least one personal computer 200 (shown as “PC” in the figure) via a network 1 such as a LAN. Alternatively, it may be directly connected to an external device such as the personal computer 200 without going through the network 1. In FIG. 1, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted.

  Each component of the image forming apparatus 100 and the personal computer 200 includes a CPU, a memory, a program for realizing the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, It is realized by any combination of hardware and software, centering on the network connection interface. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. Each drawing described below shows a functional unit block, not a hardware unit configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an interface unit 102 (shown as “I / F” in the figure), a determination unit 104, a print data reception unit 106, a buffer 108, and a print processing unit 110. A print unit 112, a permission signal transmission unit 114, a security print request reception unit 120, a user name reception unit 122, a user information acquisition unit 124, a list display unit 126, an operation unit 128, and a user reception unit. 130, an authentication information storage unit 132 (shown as “authentication information” in the figure), an authentication unit 134, and an authentication information input receiving unit 136.

  The interface unit 102 is an interface that performs wired or wireless communication with the personal computer 200 via the network 1. The determination unit 104 determines whether the print request received from the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102 is a security print request or a normal print request. Here, the security printing means that printing can be performed only when the user who made the printing request actually goes to the location of the image forming apparatus and authenticates the identity, and is output without the user. It is possible to prevent a printed matter such as a confidential document from being left unattended. When the security print request is received from the personal computer 200, the determination unit 104 notifies the security print request reception unit 120 of receipt of the security print request. When the normal print request is received from the personal computer 200, the determination unit 104 instructs the permission signal transmission unit 114 to transmit a print permission signal.

  The print data receiving unit 106 receives print data from the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102. Here, the print data is, for example, PDL (Page Description Language) data. The buffer 108 temporarily stores the print data received by the print data receiving unit 106. The print processing unit 110 performs a process for printing out the print data stored in the buffer 108. For example, image forming processing such as image development of PDL data is performed. The printing unit 112 prints out the image data generated by the print processing unit 110.

  The permission signal transmission unit 114 transmits a print permission signal to the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102 in response to a print permission signal transmission instruction from the determination unit 104. Alternatively, when a security printing request to be described later is requested, a security printing permission signal is transmitted to the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102. Further, the permission signal transmission unit 114 transmits a print permission signal to the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102 in response to an authentication notification from the authentication unit 134 described later.

  When the determination unit 104 determines that the security print request has been received, the security print request reception unit 120 receives the request and notifies the user information acquisition unit 124 of the request. The user name receiving unit 122 receives user identification information such as a user ID and a user name from the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102. The user identification information received here is identification information of the user of the personal computer 200 that has transmitted the security printing request received by the security printing request receiving unit 120.

  The user information acquisition unit 124 acquires fingerprint information corresponding to the user identification information received by the user reception unit 130 from the authentication information storage unit 132 and passes it to the authentication unit 134. The list display unit 126 displays a list of user identification information received by the user name receiving unit 122. Here, for example, when a security print request is received from a plurality of users, a list display is performed, and a user who performs identity verification can be selected from the list display. List display unit 126 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or LED display provided on an operation panel (not shown) of image forming apparatus 100. As will be described later, various information screens, operation menu screens, operations of the image forming apparatus 100, status screens, and the like can be displayed on the display of the operation panel.

  The operation unit 128 is an operation button, a switch, a lever, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like provided on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100, and receives various settings and instructions from the user. The user receiving unit 130 receives user identification information selected from the list displayed on the list display unit 126 by the user using the operation unit 128.

  The authentication information storage unit 132 stores authentication information for each user identification information. In the present embodiment, the authentication information is fingerprint information. The authentication information can include, for example, bio-authentication information such as a voiceprint, iris, palm vein, or a password.

  The authentication information input receiving unit 136 is connected to a fingerprint reading unit (not shown) or the like and receives user fingerprint information. Specifically, the authentication information input receiving unit 136 displays a message prompting the user to input fingerprint information on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100, and causes the user to read the fingerprint using the fingerprint reading unit. Receive fingerprint information. If the authentication information is a password or the like, it is read and accepted by a reading unit (not shown) that reads key information on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100 or reading authentication information stored in an ID card, RFID, USB memory, or the like. be able to. The authentication unit 134 collates whether or not the authentication information received from the user information acquisition unit 124 and the authentication information received by the authentication information input reception unit 136 match. If they match, the authentication unit 134 authenticates the user, and the permission signal transmission unit 114. Notify

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer 200 of this embodiment. The personal computer 200 includes an interface unit 202 (shown as “I / F” in the figure), a display unit 204, an operation unit 206, and a CPU and memory not shown. The interface unit 202 is an interface that performs wired or wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 100 and other personal computers 200 via the network 1.

  The display unit 204 is a CRT monitor, a liquid crystal display, or the like. The operation unit 206 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a tablet, or a trackball. The configuration shown in FIG. 2 is a functional block, and is realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory. Further, this program includes a driver that is a control program of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The control program according to the present embodiment is a control program for controlling a computer that transmits print data for printing to the image forming apparatus. The computer receives a request for receiving a security print request (print instruction receiving unit 216), and receives the request. When accepted, a request transmission unit (security print request transmission unit 220) that transmits a security print request to the image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus 100), and a permission reception unit (permission signal) that receives transmission permission of print data from the image forming apparatus. The receiving unit 224) is a control program for functioning as data transmitting means (print data transmitting unit 230) for transmitting print data to the image forming apparatus after receiving transmission permission.

  Specifically, the personal computer 200 includes an editing unit 210, a print data storage unit 212 (shown as “print data” in the figure), a print setting reception unit 214, a print instruction reception unit 216, and a determination unit 218. , A security print request transmission unit 220, a normal print request transmission unit 222, a permission signal reception unit 224, a user name reception unit 226, a user name transmission unit 228, and a print data transmission unit 230.

  The editing unit 210 is, for example, a document creation program, an image editing program, a text editor, and the like, and generates various files. Further, the editing unit 210 generates print data such as PDL data and stores the print data in the print data storage unit 212 when a print instruction reception unit 216 described later receives a print instruction. The print data storage unit 212 stores the print data generated by the editing unit 210. The print setting accepting unit 214 accepts selection of a file to be printed, paper and page settings, and designation of normal printing or security printing. The user can set and specify using the operation unit 206 according to a print setting screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 204. The print instruction reception unit 216 receives a print instruction and instructs the editing unit 210 to generate PDL data. The user can issue a print instruction by operating a print instruction menu (not shown) displayed on the display unit 204 using the operation unit 206.

  The determining unit 218 determines whether the print setting received by the print instruction receiving unit 216 is normal printing or security printing in response to the print instruction received by the print instruction receiving unit 216. In the case of normal printing, the normal print request transmission unit 222 is notified, and in the case of security printing, the security print request transmission unit 220 is notified.

  The security print request transmission unit 220 transmits a security print request to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202 in response to the notification from the determination unit 218. The normal print request transmission unit 222 transmits a normal print request to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202 in response to the notification from the determination unit 218.

  The permission signal receiving unit 224 receives a print permission signal or a security print permission signal from the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202. When the print permission signal is received, the permission signal reception unit 224 notifies the print data transmission unit 230 to that effect. The user name receiving unit 226 receives input of user identification information such as a user ID and a user name when the permission signal receiving unit 224 receives the security printing permission signal. The user can input a user name and password using the operation unit 206 in accordance with a user name input screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 204.

  The user name transmission unit 228 transmits the user identification information received by the user name reception unit 226 to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202. The print data transmission unit 230 receives a print permission signal reception notification from the permission signal reception unit 224, reads the print data from the print data storage unit 212, and transfers the print data to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202. To do.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 100 and the personal computer 200 configured as described above at the time of printing will be described below. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation when the printing function is executed by the personal computer 200 of this embodiment.

  First, the editing unit 210 edits a document file and the like, and a file is generated and stored in the memory of the personal computer 200 (S11). The print setting receiving unit 214 receives various print settings (S13). Here, whether normal printing or security printing is accepted. Subsequently, the print instruction receiving unit 216 receives a print execution instruction (S15). When a print execution instruction is received, the editing unit 210 converts it into PDL data and stores it in the print data storage unit 212 (S17).

  When the print execution instruction is received, the determination unit 218 determines whether it is security printing or normal printing (S19). In the case of security printing, the process proceeds to step S21. In the case of normal printing, the process proceeds to step S23, and print processing described later is performed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when performing normal printing in the present embodiment.

  First, it is assumed that the normal printing process in step S23 of FIG. When the normal printing process is started in the personal computer 200, the normal printing request transmission unit 222 transmits a normal printing request to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202 (S31). In the image forming apparatus 100, the determination unit 104 receives a normal print request via the interface unit 102 (S41). The determination unit 104 determines whether the received print request is a security print request or a normal print request, and since it is a normal print request here, it issues a print permission signal transmission instruction to the permission signal transmission unit 114. In response to the instruction from the determination unit 104, the permission signal transmission unit 114 transmits a print permission signal to the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102 (S43).

  In the personal computer 200, the permission signal receiving unit 224 receives the print permission signal via the interface unit 202 (S33). Upon receiving the notification of reception of the print permission signal from the permission signal reception unit 224, the print data transmission unit 230 reads the print data from the print data storage unit 212 and transfers it to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202 (S35). . In the image forming apparatus 100, the print data receiving unit 106 receives the print data via the interface unit 102 (S45). The received print data is temporarily stored in the buffer 108, converted into image data by the print processing unit 110, and output by the printing unit 112 (S47).

  Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when performing security printing in the present embodiment.

  First, it is assumed that the security printing process in step S21 in FIG. When the security printing process is started in the personal computer 200, the security printing request transmission unit 220 transmits a security printing request to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202 (S51). The determination unit 104 determines whether the received print request is a security print request or a normal print request. Since the request is a security print request, the determination unit 104 instructs the permission signal transmission unit 114 to transmit a security print permission signal. In response to the instruction from the determination unit 104, the permission signal transmission unit 114 transmits a security printing permission signal to the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102 (S73).

  In the personal computer 200, the permission signal receiving unit 224 receives the security printing permission signal via the interface unit 202 (S53). In response to the notification of reception of the security printing permission signal from the permission signal receiving unit 224, the user name receiving unit 226 receives input of user identification information such as a user name and a password via the operation unit 206 (S55). The user name transmission unit 228 transmits the user identification information received by the user name reception unit 226 to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202 (S57).

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the user name receiving unit 122 receives the user identification information via the interface unit 102 (S75). The user accepting unit 130 accepts a security print menu selection via the operation unit 128, and displays a list of user names of print jobs currently waiting for printing on the list display unit 126 (S79). Selection of a user name to be executed from the user name list displayed on the list display unit 126 is accepted (S81).

  The user information acquisition unit 124 accesses the authentication information storage unit 132, acquires fingerprint information corresponding to the user name received by the user reception unit 130, and passes the fingerprint information to the authentication unit 134 (S83). The authentication information input receiving unit 136 displays a message for prompting the user to input authentication information on the operation panel, receives the user's fingerprint information read from the fingerprint reading unit, and transfers it to the authentication unit 134 (S85). The authentication unit 134 collates whether the fingerprint information received from the user information acquisition unit 124 matches the fingerprint information received from the authentication information input reception unit 136 (S87).

  If the fingerprint information does not match (NO in S87), a message asking the user whether to cancel printing is displayed on the display unit (not shown), and if a cancel instruction is accepted (YES in S89), processing Exit. When printing is not canceled (NO in S89), the process returns to step S85, and the authentication information input receiving unit 136 receives authentication information again.

  On the other hand, when the fingerprint information matches (YES in S87), the permission signal transmission unit 114 transmits a print permission signal to the personal computer 200 via the interface unit 102 (S91). In the personal computer 200, the permission signal receiving unit 224 receives the printing permission signal via the interface unit 202 (S59). In response to the print permission signal, the print data transmission unit 230 reads the print data from the print data storage unit 212 and transfers the print data to the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface unit 202 (S61). In the image forming apparatus 100, the print data receiving unit 106 receives the print data via the interface unit 102 (S93). The received print data is temporarily stored in the buffer 108, converted into image data by the print processing unit 110, and output by the printing unit 112 (S95).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since print data is transferred from the personal computer 200 after the authentication of the identity is performed in the image forming apparatus 100, the received print data in the image forming apparatus 100 is stored. If the memory capacity of the buffer 108 can be reduced and authentication is not performed, the print data is not transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the print data remaining in the buffer 108 of the image forming apparatus 100 without being printed is intentionally stored. On the other hand, since it can be avoided that it leaks outside, security is improved.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, these are the illustrations of this invention, Various structures other than the above are also employable.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the security print request in step S51 and the transmission of the user identification information in step S57 are performed separately, but may be performed simultaneously.

  In the above embodiment, the conversion processing to PDL data is performed when the print instruction receiving unit 216 receives a print instruction, but may be performed after receiving a security print permission signal. Alternatively, the PDL data can be converted by the image forming apparatus 100 instead of the personal computer 200.

  In the above embodiment, the authentication information is stored in advance in the authentication information storage unit 132 for each user identification information. For example, the user identification information input each time by the personal computer 200 when a security print request is made. Here, the authentication unit 134 transmits the user ID and authentication information such as a password to the image forming apparatus 100, and the authentication unit 134 determines whether or not the received password matches the password input by the user on the image forming apparatus 100 side. You may collate.

  According to this configuration, for example, a user inputs authentication information such as a password from an external device when a print request is made and transmits the authentication information to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus also performs user authentication by accepting the user's password input. Therefore, it is not necessary to store authentication information in the image forming apparatus in advance. In addition, authentication information such as a password can be changed as needed, and security is enhanced.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the personal computer of embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when a printing function of the personal computer in FIG. 2 is executed. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when normal printing is performed in the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when performing security printing in the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 100 Image forming apparatus 102 Interface part 104 Judgment part 106 Print data reception part 108 Buffer 110 Print processing part 112 Printing part 114 Permit signal transmission part 120 Security print request reception part 122 User name reception part 124 User information acquisition part 126 List display Unit 128 operation unit 130 user reception unit 132 authentication information storage unit 134 authentication unit 136 authentication information input reception unit 200 personal computer 202 interface unit 204 display unit 206 operation unit 210 editing unit 212 print data storage unit 214 print setting reception unit 216 print instruction Reception unit 218 Determination unit 220 Security print request transmission unit 222 Normal print request transmission unit 224 Permission signal reception unit 226 User name reception unit 228 User name transmission unit 230 Data transmission unit

Claims (7)

A request receiver for receiving a security print request from an external device;
When receiving the security print request, an authentication information receiving unit that prompts and accepts input of authentication information;
An authentication unit for verifying and authenticating the authentication information with pre-registered authentication information;
When authenticated by the authentication unit, a permission unit that permits transmission of print data to the external device;
A data receiving unit that receives the print data transmitted from the external device in response to the permission;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the print data received by the data receiving unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An authentication information storage unit for storing authentication information for each user identification information;
An identification information receiving unit for receiving the user identification information from the external device;
Including
The authentication unit accesses the authentication information storage unit, and whether the authentication information corresponding to the user identification information received by the identification information receiving unit matches the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit An image forming apparatus characterized by collating these. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Including an authentication information receiving unit for receiving authentication information from the external device;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication unit collates whether or not the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit matches the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit configured to display a message prompting a user to input the authentication information when the request receiving unit receives the security print request. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A user information receiving unit that receives user identification information associated with the security print requests from a plurality of users from at least one external device;
A presenting unit that presents a list of the security print requests of the plurality of users received by the user information receiving unit;
A selection receiving unit that receives a selection of a secure print request for executing printing from the list;
Including
The authentication unit checks whether or not the authentication information of the user identification information corresponding to the security print request received by the selection receiving unit matches the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit. An image forming apparatus. An external apparatus that transmits print data; and an image forming apparatus that receives and prints the print data from the external apparatus,
The external device is
A request transmission unit for transmitting a security print request; and
A permission receiving unit that receives transmission permission of the print data from the image forming apparatus;
A data transmission unit that transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus when receiving the transmission permission;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A request receiving unit for receiving the security print request;
When receiving the security print request, an authentication information receiving unit that prompts and accepts input of authentication information;
An authentication unit for verifying and authenticating the authentication information with pre-registered authentication information;
When authenticated by the authentication unit, a permission transmission unit that transmits a transmission permission of print data to the external device;
A data receiving unit for receiving the print data transmitted from the external device in response to the transmission permission;
A security printing system, comprising: a printing unit that prints the print data received by the data receiving unit. A control program for controlling a computer that transmits print data for printing to an image forming apparatus,
The computer,
Accepting means for accepting security print requests,
A request transmission means for transmitting the security printing request to the image forming apparatus when the request is received;
Permission receiving means for receiving permission to transmit the print data from the image forming apparatus;
A control program for functioning as a data transmission unit that transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus after receiving the transmission permission.

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