JP4911017B2 - Printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including a host device and a printing apparatus connected via a network, and more particularly to a printing system that performs authentication printing using a portable recording medium or the like.

  Today, computer networks are widely used. For example, a printing system is used in which a printing apparatus is connected to a network such as a LAN (local area network) and print data is supplied from a host device such as a personal computer (PC) to perform printing processing. Has been. In such a system, the host device and the printing apparatus are often installed at a remote location, and when printing a confidential document, there is a concern that the printed material may be read by another person.

  Therefore, when creating conventional print data, for example, using an IC card, a user ID is embedded at the time of print data creation, and when performing print output, the user ID is tricked to authenticate the user ID.

For example, Patent Document 1 is an invention having the above-described configuration. A user ID is read by an IC card reader connected to a host device, the user ID is embedded in print data, and transmitted to a printer device. The user ID is read and the user ID is authenticated.
JP 2007-241578 A

  However, the conventional authentication printing requires a configuration in which the authentication information is also read and embedded in the print data on the host device side that generates the print data. That is, it is necessary to connect an authentication information reading device such as an IC card reader that reads authentication information to the host device side. For this reason, the cost of the apparatus is increased, and troublesome operations such as attaching an authentication information reading apparatus to the printer apparatus each time printing is required.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a printing system capable of authentication printing without the need to connect an authentication information reading device such as an IC card reader to the host device side.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the printing system in which the host device and the printing apparatus are connected via the network, the host device instructs the authentication information reading means to read the authentication information and the user name. Transmitting information to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus receiving the authentication information reading means, receiving means for receiving the instruction command and user name information, and the authentication based on the instruction command A storage unit that reads authentication information by an information reading device and stores the authentication information and the user name information, and in accordance with a request from the host device, stores the authentication information and the user name information stored in the storage unit. This can be achieved by providing a printing system having transmission means for transmitting to the device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus connected to a host device via a network, the printing apparatus being output from the host device and authentication information reading means for reading authentication information, An instruction command for instructing reading of authentication information from the information reading device and a receiving means for receiving information on the user name, and reading the authentication information by the authentication information reading device based on the instruction command, the authentication information and the user name According to a request from the host device, the authentication information and the user name information stored in the storage device are transmitted to the host device, and the authentication information and the user name are transmitted to the host device. This can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus having transmission means for storing the information.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the authentication information reading process by the authentication information reading device can be achieved by providing a printing device that is performed within a preset time.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the authentication information corresponding to the user name cannot be read from the storage unit, the transmission unit reads other authentication information stored in the storage unit, This can be achieved by providing a printing device that transmits to the host device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the storage means can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus capable of storing a plurality of authentication information for the same user name.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an authentication information acquisition method for use in a printing apparatus connected to a host device via a network and provided with an authentication information reading means for reading the authentication information, which is output from the host device. An instruction command for instructing reading of the authentication information from the authentication information reading device and a process of receiving the user name information, reading the authentication information by the authentication information reading device based on the instruction command, and the authentication information In accordance with a process for storing the user name information in a storage unit and a request from the host device, the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the user name information are transmitted to the host device, and the authentication is performed on the host device. This can be achieved by providing an authentication information acquisition method that performs processing for storing information and information on the user name.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a program that is used in a printing apparatus that is connected to a host device via a network and includes an authentication information reading unit that reads authentication information, and is output from the host device, An instruction command for instructing reading of authentication information from the authentication information reading device and a process for receiving information on the user name, and the authentication information reading device reads the authentication information based on the instruction command, and the authentication information and the user name In accordance with a request from the host device, the authentication information stored in the storage device and the user name information are transmitted to the host device, and the authentication information and the host device are transmitted to the host device. This can be achieved by providing a program for causing a computer to execute processing for storing user name information.

  According to the present invention, there is no need to connect an authentication information reading device such as an IC card reader to the host device side, and a printing system capable of authentication printing can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of authentication printing for explaining the present embodiment. In this figure, this system is composed of a host device 1 such as a personal computer (PC) and a printing device 2, and the host device 1 and the printing device 2 are a LAN (local area network) or a USB (universal serial bus). Connected by.

  The host device 1 includes an input unit such as a keyboard, a display unit, a printer driver, and the like, and outputs print data created according to an application program to the printing apparatus 2. The host device 1 is provided with a storage unit 3 composed of a nonvolatile memory, and the storage unit 3 stores information including authentication information to be described later.

  The printing apparatus 2 is provided with a USB memory 4 and a USB / card connection unit 6 to which an IC card reader 5 is connected, and information to be described later is displayed on the operation panel 7.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a connection configuration of the USB memory 4 and the IC card reader / writer 5 connected to the printing apparatus 2. The USB / card connection unit 6 has two ports, and the USB memory 4 is inserted into the USB / card connection unit 6a. On the other hand, the IC card reader / writer 5 is connected to the USB / card connection unit 6b via the USB cable 5a.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the printing apparatus 2. The printing apparatus 2 includes the operation panel 7, USB / card connection unit 6 (6 a, 6 b), ROM (flash memory) 8, RAM 9, internal connection bus 10, general-purpose control port 11, printer control LSI 12, engine unit 13, A USB / LAN interface 14 and an external storage device 15 are connected to the CPU 16.

  The CPU 16 performs system control of the printing apparatus 2 in accordance with an external storage device 15 such as a hard disk (HD) or a program and data stored in the ROM 8, and performs processing described later using the RAM 9 as a work area. The ROM 8 stores information including authentication information described later.

  Further, print data is supplied from the above-described host device 1 via the USB / LAN interface 14 and temporarily stored in the reception buffer (RAM 9) according to the control of the CPU 16, and then the command included in the print data is analyzed, and the engine Is transferred to the unit 13. The printer control LSI 12 controls each unit of the printing apparatus 2 including the engine unit 13.

The processing operation of this embodiment will be described below.
4 to 9 are flowcharts for explaining the processing of this example. First, in FIG. 4, the printing apparatus 2 starts the initial process after turning on the power (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1), initializes the data in the RAM 9, and starts from the external storage device 15 such as a hard disk (HD). The program and necessary data are supplied to the RAM 9, and the printing apparatus 2 is set in a waiting state for receiving an IC card read command under the control of the CPU 16 (S2).

  The data transmitted from the host device 1 to the printing apparatus 2 includes data having the data format shown in FIG. 10 in addition to the print data described above. This data is composed of data parts 1 to 4, user name information is recorded in the data part 1, and an IC card read command (IC-READ) for instructing reading of the IC card is recorded in the data part 2. In the data portion 3, information on a display character string to be displayed on the operation panel 14 of the printing apparatus 2 is recorded. In the data portion 4, information on time-up time is recorded. For example, in this example, a character string of “XXX IC card reading” is recorded as display character information, and information of “200 seconds” is recorded as time-up time information.

  This time-up time setting is an expected time when the user operating the host device 1 heads for the installation location of the printing apparatus 2 and can read the user ID by looking at an IC card to be described later. And the input process of the display character string are set by the user operating the keyboard of the host device 1, for example.

  Thereafter, the printing apparatus 2 waits for reception of data from the host device 1 (S2). When data is input from the host device 1, the printer 2 analyzes the command. If it is not the above-described IC card read command (IC-READ), the printing apparatus 2 responds. Command processing is performed (S2 is NO, S3). On the other hand, if the supplied data includes an IC card read command (IC-READ) (YES in S2), it is next determined whether or not the IC card reader 5 is connected (S4). That is, when the data has the data format shown in FIG. 10, it is determined that the instruction is for reading data from the IC card, and it is determined whether the IC card reader 5 is connected.

As described above, the IC card reader 5 is connected to the printing apparatus 2 of this example (S4 is YES), and the CPU 16 is connected to an unillustrated display control unit that controls display data to the operation panel 7. Is instructed to read the data (S5). Further, the time-up time and display character string information included in the data format are acquired (S5).
Next, it is determined whether or not the display control unit has received the information (S6). When the display control unit receives the information (S6 is YES), it is subsequently determined that there is a time-up time (S7), and the time-up time is reached. UT1 (for example, “200 seconds”) is set (S8), the presence of a display character string is determined (S9), and the display character string “XX IC card read” is displayed (S10). Further, information on the current time (T1) is acquired from a clock circuit (not shown) (S11), card information acquisition determination (S12), and cancel key acquisition determination (S13) are performed.

  During this time, the current time (T2) acquisition process is performed again (S14), and a comparison with the previous time is performed (S15). That is, during the above processing, the comparison judgment of (T2-T1> UT1) is performed at regular intervals.

  Thereafter, when the user approaches the printing apparatus 2 and puts the IC card into the IC card reader 5, the information of the user ID in the IC card is read (S12 is YES), and the CPU 16 follows the flowchart shown in FIG. Is determined to be completed (S16).

  During this time, the display control unit performs control so that the next command processing is not started even when a new command is input to the printing apparatus 2. If the user operates the cancel key (YES in S13), the IC card reading process is canceled and the command process is terminated (S17). Further, when the comparison determination of (T2-T1> UT1) is YES, that is, when the time-up time is reached (S15 is YES), the command processing is ended (S17).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the above processing. For example, when the user name is “Yamada”, the above “Yamada IC card reading” is displayed on the operation panel 7 and the card information is read. “Yamada IC card reading” is displayed (a shown in FIG. 11), and when the cancel button is pressed or the time-up time elapses, “Yamada IC card reading” is displayed (b shown in FIG. 11). Thereafter, “Insatsu Kimono □□□” is displayed on the operation panel 7 (c shown in FIG. 11).

  Next, when the information of the IC card is normally read, the CPU 16 searches the ROM 8 and determines whether there is a registered user name (S18). When the user performs user ID registration processing for the first time, since the user name has not yet been registered (NO in S18), the maximum value (MAX) of the registration table is determined (S19), and the registration table is not yet registered. If there is a vacancy (YES in S19), user information is registered at the end of the registration table (S20).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the registration table, which includes a user data storage area 20a, a user name storage area 20b, and an IC card information storage area 20c. For example, in the above example, the user name is Yamada, “user data n” is registered as a code number in the user data storage area 20a, information “Yamada” is registered in the user name storage area 20b, and the IC card. The user ID read by the IC card reader 5 is registered in the information storage area 20c.

  If there is no space in the registration table (NO in S19), for example, the information of “user data 1” stored at the top of the registration table is deleted, and new user information is added to the end of the registration table ( S21). On the other hand, when the user name corresponding to the registration table 20 already exists (S18 is YES), the user ID already registered in the registration table 20 is read, and the match of the user ID is determined (S22).

  If the user IDs do not match (S22 is NO), for example, it is determined that the same user registers a plurality of user IDs, and new user IDs are registered in the registration table 20 (S19 to S21). If the user IDs match (YES in S22), the same user ID is registered in the registration table 20, so that, for example, it is determined that the registration is incorrect, and the process is terminated (YES in S22).

  After the data corresponding to the user name and the user ID are registered in the registration table 20 of the printing apparatus 2 as described above, processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

  First, the user operates the keyboard of the host device 1 to log in to the host device 1 (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). At this time, for example, a user name or password is entered to log in to the host device 1. In this case, the host device 1 acquires information on the user name (for example, Yamada) by logging in to the PC (ST2). If the user name is not used for logging in to the host device 1 (ST1 is NO), a unique name such as a guest name is input (ST3).

  Next, the user operates the keyboard of the host device 1 to issue a user name association command (ST4). This command is a command for confirming whether or not the above-described registration table 20 in which the user ID corresponding to the user name is registered exists in the printing apparatus 2, and when the registration table is acquired in the printing apparatus 2 (ST5 is YES), an acquisition command and user name information are transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 (ST6).

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 explains the processing on the printing apparatus 2 side where the acquisition command and the user name information are input. When the CPU 16 of the printing apparatus 2 acquires the user name information (YES in ST7), FIG. The registration table 20 is searched, and it is determined whether the information of the designated user name is included in the registration table 20 (ST8). For example, when the user name is the aforementioned Yamada, there is information specified in the registration table 20 (S8 is YES), and the corresponding user ID is acquired from the IC card information storage area 20c and transmitted to the host device 1 ( ST9).

  When the host device 1 receives the user ID information (YES in ST10), it stores it together with the user name information in the corresponding area of the storage unit 3 (ST11). If the user name designated in the registration table 20 is not registered (NO in ST8), information indicating no registered data is returned to the host device 1 (ST12).

  In addition, when the printing apparatus 2 receives the acquisition command but does not receive the user name information (NO in ST7), when other registration data is accumulated in the registration table 20 (YES in ST13), all data An arbitrary user ID is selected from and transmitted to the host device 1 (ST14). This process is performed by a system administrator, for example. If the user ID cannot be acquired, only the acquisition command is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 to temporarily use the other user IDs already registered. The subsequent print processing for the print file is enabled.

  By performing the processing as described above, the information of the user ID corresponding to the user name is accumulated in the storage unit 3 of the host device 1, and for example, a registration table having the same configuration as in FIG. 12 can be constructed. Accordingly, when the user subsequently performs print processing of the print file, after logging in to the host device 1 with the user name and creating print data according to the application program, when the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2, the user is automatically selected. A user ID corresponding to the name can be embedded. That is, by acquiring a user ID corresponding to the user name from the storage unit 3 and recording the user ID in the print data head unit, the user ID can be easily transmitted to the printing apparatus 2.

  With this configuration, authentication printing can be performed without connecting an authentication information reader such as an IC card reader to the host device 1 side. In addition, since it is not necessary to connect the authentication information reading device to the host device 1, the system can be easily constructed and the cost of the device can be reduced.

  In the determination of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 (ST5), if the registration table is not acquired on the printing apparatus 2 side, it is determined whether the USB memory is installed (ST15), and the USB memory is installed. If (ST15 is YES), a USB memory storage command may be issued (ST16), and processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 may be performed.

  That is, when the printer 2 receives the USB memory storage command, the printer 2 determines registration of data in the USB memory 4 (ST17). When registering data in the USB memory 4 (YES in ST17), the USB memory 4 is attached to the USB / card connection unit 6a (ST18).

  If the USB memory 4 is attached to the USB / card connection unit 6a (YES in ST18), it is further determined whether there is registration data (S19). If there is registration data (YES in ST19), all Data is stored in the USB memory 4 (ST20).

  With this configuration, the user ID can be acquired thereafter using the USB memory 4. For example, when a printer server is connected to the network, the user ID is acquired from the USB memory 4 by attaching the USB memory 4 to the printer server and specifying the user name in the same manner as the registration table 20 described above. And a more convenient printing system. The USB memory 4 may be directly attached to the host device 1 for use.

  Further, according to this example, even when the user forgets the IC card, the user name can be input, and new user IDs (multiple user IDs) can be easily registered in the host device 1. A convenient printing system can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in this example, when the authentication information is read, a time-up time is set and the occupation time of the printing apparatus 2 is limited, so that the printing apparatus 2 can be used efficiently.

  In the description of the present embodiment, an example of an IC card in which a user ID is recorded as an authentication information reading device has been described. However, another portable recording medium is placed on or attached to the authentication information reading device to obtain a user ID. It is good also as a structure which reads.

  Further, the authentication information is not limited to the user ID, but may be other unique information such as biometric information.

It is a system configuration diagram of authentication printing for explaining the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining in detail the connection structure of the USB memory and IC card reader connected to a printing apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process of this example, and is a flowchart explaining the process by the side of a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the process of this example, and is a flowchart explaining the process by the side of a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the process of this example, and is a flowchart explaining the process by the side of a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the process of this example, and is a flowchart explaining the process by the side of a host apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the process of this example, and is a flowchart explaining the process of a host apparatus and a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the process of this example, and is a flowchart explaining the storing process of the data to a USB memory. It is a figure explaining the data format of the data transmitted from a host apparatus. It is a schematic diagram explaining the process by the side of a printing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the structure of a registration table.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host apparatus 2 ... Printing apparatus 3 ... Memory | storage part 4 ... USB memory 5 ... IC card reader 5a ... USB cable 6, 6a, 6b ... USB / card connection part 7- ..Operation panel 8 ROM
9 ... RAM
10 .. Internal connection bus 11. General-purpose control port 12. Printer control LSI
13. Engine unit 14. USB / LAN interface 15. External storage device 16. CPU
20 ··· Registration table 20a · · User data storage area 20b · · User name storage area 20c · · IC card information storage area

Claims (7)

In a printing system in which a host device and a printing device are connected via a network,
The host device is
An instruction command for instructing reading of authentication information from an authentication information reading means provided in the printing apparatus, and a transmission means for transmitting information of a user name to the printing apparatus;
The printing apparatus includes:
The authentication information reading means;
Receiving means for receiving the instruction command and user name information;
Storage means for reading authentication information by the authentication information reading device based on the instruction command, and storing the authentication information and the user name information;
In accordance with a request from the host device, a transmission unit that transmits the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the user name information to the host device;
A printing system comprising: A printing device connected to a host device via a network,
The printing apparatus includes:
Authentication information reading means for reading the authentication information;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction command and user name information output from the host device and instructing reading of authentication information from the authentication information reader;
Storage means for reading authentication information by the authentication information reading device based on the instruction command, and storing the authentication information and the user name information;
In accordance with a request from the host device, the authentication information and the user name information stored in the storage unit are transmitted to the host device, and the host device stores the authentication information and the user name information;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the authentication information reading process by the authentication information reading apparatus is performed within a preset time.   The said transmission means reads the other authentication information memorize | stored in the said memory | storage means, and transmits to the said host apparatus, when the authentication information corresponding to the said user name cannot be read from the said memory | storage means. The printing apparatus according to 2 or 3.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit can store a plurality of pieces of authentication information for the same user name. An authentication information acquisition method used in a printing apparatus connected to a host device via a network and provided with an authentication information reading unit that reads authentication information,
A process of receiving an instruction command and user name information output from the host device and instructing reading of authentication information from the authentication information reader;
A process of reading authentication information by the authentication information reading device based on the instruction command, and storing the authentication information and the user name information in a storage means;
In accordance with a request from the host device, the authentication information and the user name information stored in the storage means are transmitted to the host device, and the host device stores the authentication information and the user name information;
The authentication information acquisition method characterized by performing. A program used in a printing apparatus connected to a host device via a network and provided with authentication information reading means for reading authentication information,
A process of receiving an instruction command and user name information output from the host device and instructing reading of authentication information from the authentication information reader;
A process of reading authentication information by the authentication information reading device based on the instruction command, and storing the authentication information and the user name information in a storage means;
In accordance with a request from the host device, the authentication information and the user name information stored in the storage means are transmitted to the host device, and the host device stores the authentication information and the user name information;
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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