DE102009004111A1 - Method for processing print jobs using a portable data carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing print jobs using a portable data carrier (7), in particular a chip card, wherein the portable data carrier (7) is personalized for a user by depositing a predetermined user identity on the portable data carrier (7) and print jobs generated for the user associated with predetermined user identity. In the method according to the invention, by means of a mobile terminal (6) to which the portable data carrier (7) is connected, a printer identification of a printer (4) is read out without contact from a transponder (5) attached to the printer (4) the portable data carrier (7) stored. Subsequently, a print information comprising the read-out printer identification via a wireless communication connection of the mobile terminal (5) to a communication network (1) is transmitted to which the printer (4) is connected to the read-out printer identification. Finally, at least part of only those print jobs to which the predetermined user identity is assigned are output to the printer (4) with the read-out printer identification via the communication network (1).

Description

The The invention relates to a method for processing print jobs with the help of a portable data carrier, in particular a Chip card, as well as a corresponding communication system.

at It is often desirable to process print jobs that a document to be printed is printed on a specific printer, away from a user's workstation. To avoid confidential documents when outputting A printer should be stolen from unauthorized third parties should be ensured be that the user when printing the document on the printer located.

Out the prior art, various methods are known which the Print documents based on user authentication or by direct interaction of a user with a printer enable.

In the publication EP 1 465 071 B1 An information processing system is described in which a user, with the aid of a mobile terminal, causes a print-out of a document at a printer. In this case, a corresponding bar code is photographed or read on the printer via the terminal and then transmitted wirelessly to an information system. This system detects the identity of the printer based on the barcode and initiates the printing of the document on that printer. The document further describes that instead of barcodes, RF identifications of the printer can also be used to determine its identity. The method of this document has the disadvantage that no efficient mechanisms are provided which avoid or prevent the expression of a document by an unauthorized person.

In the publication JP 200807738 A In addition, when transferring print jobs to a printer, an email with a user identity is sent to the printer. Then the user has to present the email via his mobile phone to a reader of the printer. If the user identity associated with the print job matches the presented user identity, the print job is executed.

In the publication US 2006/0227371 A1 A printing method is described in which the presence of a user in the area of a printer is detected via an RF sensor carried by the user. The publication US 2008/0117452 A1 describes the authentication of a printing process by means of a chip card, which is read by a computer.

task The invention is a method and a communication system to process print jobs with which easy and reliable ensures that the printed Documents of a print job generated for a user also get to this user.

These Task is by the method according to claim 1 and the communication system according to claim 15 solved. Further developments of the invention are in the dependent Claims defined.

In the method according to the invention become print jobs processed by means of a portable data carrier, wherein the disk for a user by deposit a predetermined user identity on the data carrier is personalized and print jobs, which for the user is generated, assigned the predetermined user identity is.

In the inventive method is in a Step a) by means of a mobile terminal, with which the portable data carrier is connected, a printer identification a printer contactless from a mounted on the printer Transponder read out and on the portable data carrier saved. The connection of the portable data carrier with the mobile terminal takes place in particular by that the disk is inserted into the mobile device or plugged in. The mobile terminal is preferably a mobile station, for example a mobile phone, a laptop, a PDA and the like. The term "transponder" is far understand and includes every wireless communication device, with the contactlessly read the corresponding printer identification can be. However, the transponder is preferably an RFID tag that about the well-known in the art known NFC communication (NFC = Near Field Communication, also called near field communication) data is read.

In the method according to the invention, in a second step b) a print information comprising the read-out printer identification is transmitted via a wireless communication connection of the mobile terminal to a communication network to which the printer is connected with the read-out printer identification. Finally, in a step c), at least part of exclusively those print jobs to which the predetermined user identity is assigned are output to the printer with the read-out printer identification via the communications network. That is, by the transmission of the printer identification, the output of print jobs of the user is triggered with the predetermined Benut zeridentität, the user is not the output of ande can cause unrelated print jobs.

The inventive method is characterized made that a portable personalized disk is used to authenticate a print job. It will only if the user identity matches on the data carrier with the user identity, for which a print job is generated, an output the print job to a user selected Printer causes. With the method according to the invention a high level of security is achieved so that the user, the execution of a print job on one of them desired printer triggers, even with that User who initiates the generation of the print job has, for example, by pressing the print symbol with a mouse in a word processor on a computer.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention Method is the mobile terminal in a mobile network operated mobile device, wherein in step b) the pressure information under Intermediate circuit of the mobile network transmitted to the communication network becomes.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention In the process, print jobs are made using a portable Disk in the form of a subscriber identification card the mobile network processed in which the mobile station is operated. If appropriate, the corresponding subscriber identification the subscriber identification card is used as a user identity become. As subscriber identification cards preferably come SIM and / or USIM cards of a GSM or UMTS mobile network in Consideration.

In a further embodiment of the invention Method, the printing information comprises the predetermined, on the portable data stored user identity, wherein the printing information is generated in particular such that the Printer identification with the predetermined user identity is signed. This is a particularly simple way over the user identity generates authenticated print information.

In a further embodiment of the invention Procedure are the print jobs on a management computer in the communication network, in particular a server, in a (virtual) Queue, whereby each print job has a respective User identity of the user is assigned for the print job was generated. This will become an administration reaches the print jobs within the communication network, to which the printer is connected.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the invention In step c) of the method, the user identities the respective print jobs, which are in the administration computer are deposited, with the predetermined user identity compared in the print information, in case of a match the respective print job is executed. This will created an efficient mechanism that ensures is that only such print jobs are printed at which the original user for whom the Print job has been generated that matches the user, the output of the print job over the wireless transmission a printer identification on the printer causes.

In a further embodiment of the invention Procedure is based on a deposit of print jobs at least partially waived in a management computer. This This is achieved by having one or more print jobs be stored on the portable data carrier and in Step b) as pressure information at least one of the portable Disk stored print jobs together transmitted with the printer identification to the communication network becomes. The assignment of the predetermined user identity to the print job thus takes place in that the print job on a portable, with the predetermined user identity saved on personalized media. The print job itself becomes first in this embodiment not deposited in the communication network, but only after the selection of the for the output to be used printer to the communication network.

In a preferred variant of the above embodiment the one or more stored on the portable data carrier Print jobs with and / or without the interposition of the mobile Terminal from a corresponding computer, where the Print job was generated on the portable disk saved. For example, the print jobs directly through a corresponding card reader and writer transferred on the computer to the portable data carrier become. Likewise, for example, a wireless Bluetooth or infrared connection between the mobile terminal with inserted therein data carrier and the computer for transmitting the print jobs be used on the disk.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, before the transmission of the print information to the communication network, the portable data carrier provides the or the stored print jobs with additional information, in particular with a digital watermark. On in this way, a personalized printout of the document of the corresponding print job at the printer is achieved.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the Invention can affect a user, which of his print jobs on a selected printer. This will be done achieves that before issuing a print job in step c) the user via a user interface on the mobile Terminal a selection function is provided via which the user can choose which of the predetermined user identity associated with print jobs to be printed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the Number of printouts of the same print job. This is achieved by having on the portable data carrier is detected how many times a predetermined print job to the Printer is issued, whereby upon reaching a predetermined Maximum number of issued print jobs no further the predetermined print jobs for at least one given more time to the printer.

In a further embodiment of the invention Method, a transponder is used, which is so on the Printer is attached that the transponder at least at one Unauthorized removal of the printer is destroyed. In this way, abuse is avoided in that one unauthorized third party the transponder of another printer on the attached by the user selected printer. The user is then at the printout not on the printer where the document to be printed. The unauthorized third party can, however, position himself at the printer, on which the document is issued, and thus unauthorized to acquire the printed document.

In a further embodiment of the invention Method, the abusive practice outlined above is thereby avoided that the mobile terminal for each printer identification a printer location is provided, wherein the mobile terminal determines its location (for example, via GPS) and subsequently by the mobile terminal and / or the portable data carrier is checked, whether the location determined is the printer location of the printer matches the read printer ID. This is in the case of a lack of agreement Error issued, which causes the document first not printed. The information about the location the printer can z. B. be read from the transponder or over another source the mobile terminal or the portable Be provided.

• a) mittels des mobilen Endgeräts, mit dem der tragbare Datenträger verbunden ist, eine Drucker-Identifikation eines Druckers kontaktlos aus dem an dem Drucker angebrachten Transponder ausgelesen wird und auf dem tragbaren Datenträger gespeichert wird;
• b) eine Druckinformation umfassend die ausgelesene Drucker-Identifikation über eine drahtlose Kommunikationsverbindung des mobilen Endgeräts an das Kommunikationsnetz übermittelt wird, an dem der Drucker mit der ausgelesenen Drucker-Identifikation angeschlossen ist;
• c) zumindest ein Teil von ausschließlich solchen Druckaufträgen, denen die vorbestimmte Benutzeridentität zugeordnet ist, an den Drucker mit der ausgelesenen Drucker-Identifikation ausgegeben wird.

In addition to the method described above, the invention further relates to a communication system for processing print jobs, comprising a communication network with one or more connected printers, to each of which a transponder is attached, a mobile terminal and a portable data carrier, for a user by depositing a predetermined user identity is personalized on the portable data carrier, wherein print jobs, which are generated for the user, the predetermined user identity is assigned. During operation of the communication system, a method is carried out in which:

• a) by means of the mobile terminal to which the portable data carrier is connected, a printer identification of a printer is read out without contact from the attached to the printer transponder and is stored on the portable data carrier;
• b) a print information comprising the read-out printer identification is transmitted via a wireless communication link of the mobile terminal to the communication network to which the printer is connected to the read-out printer identification;
• c) at least a part of only those print jobs to which the predetermined user identity is assigned is output to the printer with the read-out printer identification.

With the communication system according to the invention can Preferably, each variant of the invention described above Procedure be performed.

embodiments The invention will be described below with reference to the attached Figures detailed.

It demonstrate:

1 a schematic representation of a communication system with which a first embodiment of the method according to the invention is feasible;

2 a flow diagram illustrating the steps of the first embodiment of the method according to the invention;

3 a schematic representation of a communication system in which a second embodiment of the method according to the invention is feasible; and

4 a flow diagram illustrating the steps of the second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

1 shows a schematic representation of a communication network 1 , which is indicated by corresponding connecting lines between components of the communication network. With the communication network are a personal computer 2 , a server 3 , as well as a printer 4 with attached RFID tag 5 connected by a user to the computer 2 generated print jobs from the printer 4 to be printed. All print jobs in the communication network are in a virtual queue on the server 3 deposited. There is also stored for each print job a user identity that specifies by which user the print job was generated. First, when generating the print jobs on the computer 2 not yet determined on which printer the respective documents are to be printed. The choice of which printer to use is done by means of a mobile phone 6 on his SIM card 7 contains a corresponding user identity corresponding to the user identity with which the user is at the computer 2 which has generated print jobs. If appropriate, the user identity can be chosen such that it corresponds to the subscriber identity stored on the SIM card.

To print now on the server 3 existing print jobs on the printer 4 To effect, the user reads the data of the mounted on the printer RFID tags by means of the mobile phone via a corresponding NFC interface 6 out. The data of the RFID tag 6 contain an identification of this printer in the form of an address with which the printer in the communication network 1 can be addressed. In an expedient embodiment, the printer identification contains its own signature, that of the SIM card 7 is checked to determine the authenticity of the printer identification. The read-out and authenticated if necessary printer identification is then on the SIM card 7 of the mobile phone 6 stored and processed so that the printer identification with that on the SIM card 7 stored user identity is signed. The signed printer identification is over the mobile network 8th in which the mobile device 6 is operated, to the communication network 1 transferred and sent to the server 3 then checks to see if it contains in its queue print jobs generated by the user with the user identity with which the received printer identification is signed. If this is the case, the server sends the print job to the printer based on the read printer ID 4 ,

2 shows the flow of the in the communication system of 1 performed procedure. At the beginning of the process in step S1, a user orders the print job to print a document to a personal computer 2 generated. The print job is assigned a corresponding user identity of the user. In step S2, the personal computer sends 2 first the document to be printed to a virtual queue in the server 3 , In step S3, the user goes to the printer 4 at which he wishes the printout of the corresponding document. The user then reads the RFID tag in step S4 5 of the printer 4 on his mobile phone 6 and then, in step S5, a signature for the read-out RFID information of the printer 4 with the help of the SIM card 7 generated. In step S6, the SIM card of the mobile phone transmits 6 then the singed message over the mobile network 8th to the server 3 , Finally, the server determines 3 in that a corresponding document is present in its queue which corresponds to the signature of the received message, whereupon the server sends the document to the printer in step S7 4 then prints this document in step S8.

3 shows an embodiment of a communication system in which a second variant of the method according to the invention is feasible. In 3 components shown, the components of 1 are identical with the same reference numerals as in 1 designated. Unlike the first embodiment, a print job in the form of a document to be printed does not become directly over the communication network 1 sent to a server, but on the SIM card 7 of the mobile phone 6 saved. For this purpose, the SIM card is removed from the mobile phone and contacted via a corresponding card reader contact with the personal computer 2 connected to where the print job was created. Optionally, the transmission of the print job also with the interposition of the mobile phone 6 with inserted SIM card 7 take place, for example via a corresponding wireless interface of the mobile phone, such as Bluetooth or infrared. On the SIM card 7 is a user identity deposited, which may also be the subscriber identification of the SIM card in the mobile network. By storing the print job on the SIM card 7 Thus, an assignment of the print job to the user identity of the SIM card.

The SIM card 7 will then be in the mobile phone 6 used and a user who is in 3 is indicated by reference B, then goes to the mobile phone 6 near the printer 4 , By analogy with the method of the first embodiment, the RFID information of the RFID tag is then transmitted via the mobile phone 5 of the printer 4 read. This information is transmitted over the mobile network 8th to the communication network 1 then send the print job to the printer 4 is output and the corresponding document is printed.

In 4 is again the expiration of in the communication system of 3 procedure clarified. First, a user creates a print job on the computer in step S101 2 whereupon the document to be printed of the print job is printed on the SIM card in step S102 7 is stored. Then, in step S103, the user inserts the SIM card into the mobile phone 6 and goes to the mobile phone in step S104 6 to the printer 4 where you want to print the document. In step S105 then the RFID information of the RFID tag of the printer 4 over the mobile phone 6 read. This information is from the SIM card 7 whereupon, at step S106, the SIM card sends the document to be printed together with the RFID information of the printer 4 over the mobile network 8th to the communication network 1 sends. In step S107, the received document is sent to the printer according to the read-out RFID information 4 output. Finally, in step S108, the printout of the document is made at the printer 4 ,

The In the foregoing, embodiments of the inventive method are characterized from that one printing process with the interposition of a SIM card always personalized. This will increase the security of printing of a document increases to a user's identity associated print job only with the help of this user identity be printed on a printer desired by the user can. The information on which printer should be printed is based on the sufficiently from the state of Technique known NFC communication read from an RFID tag. To print a document on different printers enable is preferred for the print job uses an interoperable output format (eg Postscript).

In In a preferred embodiment, the user further has the ability to choose from a list of documents to print to select one or more documents, which will then be printed should be. The selection function is in a preferred embodiment realized by a smart card web server application on the SIM card. The application generates on the browser of the mobile phone a corresponding selection display, via which the user can select the document to be printed.

The in the foregoing variants of the invention Procedure can be very easy in an existing infrastructure be integrated, because existing printers can be easily retrofit with appropriate RFID tags. It is thus no special printer hardware required. Mobile phones of the newer ones Generation are also usually with a corresponding NFC interface equipped to read the data of the RFID tags.

In the above-described second embodiment of the invention The method may further include a personalized printout of the SIM card saved print job can be achieved by the SIM card the print job before being sent to the communications network Adds individual information. For example, can the print job will be provided with a digital watermark. In addition, it can be provided that the frequency the output of a print job is limited and the SIM card contains an application corresponding to one Count down counter that counts the output designated. Should be a maximum number of outputs of a predetermined Print job can be achieved, for example a predetermined period another expression can be prevented. On This will ensure that the printer does not last too long occupied by the print job of a single user.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - EP 1465071 B1 [0004]
• - JP 200807738 A [0005]
• US 2006/0227371 A1 [0006]
• US 2008/0117452 A1 [0006]

Claims (16)

Method for processing print jobs by means of a portable data carrier ( 7 ), in particular a chip card, wherein the portable data carrier ( 7 ) for a user by depositing a predetermined user identity on the portable data carrier ( 7 ) and that print jobs generated for the user are associated with the predetermined user identity, wherein: a) by means of a mobile terminal ( 6 ), with which the portable data medium ( 7 ), a printer identification of a printer ( 4 ) contactlessly from one to the printer ( 4 ) attached transponder ( 5 ) and on the portable data carrier ( 7 ) is stored; b) a print information comprising the read-out printer identification via a wireless communication connection of the mobile terminal ( 6 ) to a communications network ( 1 ) is sent to the printer ( 4 ) is connected to the read-out printer identification; c) at least a part of exclusively those print jobs to which the predetermined user identity is assigned to the printer ( 4 ) with the read-out printer identification via the communication network ( 1 ) is output. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in step a) the printer identification from a transponder ( 5 ) in the form of an RFID tag via NFC communication. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mobile terminal ( 6 ) in a mobile network ( 8th ) Operated mobile terminal, wherein in step b) the pressure information under inter mediate circuit of the mobile network ( 8th ) to the communications network ( 1 ) is transmitted. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that print jobs using a portable data carrier ( 7 ) in the form of a subscriber identification card of the mobile radio network ( 8th ), in particular with the aid of a SIM and / or USIM card of a GSM and / or UMTS mobile radio network. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing information is the predetermined one User identity, wherein the printing information in particular such is generated that the printer identification with the predetermined User identity is signed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print jobs on a management computer ( 3 ) in the communication network ( 1 ), in particular a server, are stored in a queue, wherein each print job is assigned a respective user identity of the user for whom the print job was generated. A method according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that in step c) the user identities of the respective print jobs, in the management computer ( 3 ) are compared, are compared with the predetermined user identity in the print information, wherein in the case of a match the respective print job is executed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more print jobs on the portable data carrier ( 7 ), wherein in step b) as printing information at least one of the on the portable data carrier ( 7 ) stored print jobs together with the printer identification to the communication network ( 1 ) is transmitted. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the one or more on the portable data carrier ( 7 ) stored with and / or without the interposition of the mobile terminal ( 6 ) from a computer ( 2 ) on which the print job was generated on the portable data medium ( 7 ) get saved. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the portable data carrier ( 7 ) before transmitting the print information to the communications network ( 1 ) provides the or the stored print jobs with additional information, in particular with a digital watermark. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before the output of a print job in step c) the user via a user interface on the mobile terminal ( 6 ) a selection function is provided via which the user selects which of the print jobs assigned to the predetermined user identity are to be printed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the portable data carrier ( 7 ), how many times a predetermined print job is sent to the printer ( 4 ) is output, wherein upon reaching a predetermined maximum number of issued print jobs no further of the predetermined print jobs at least for a predetermined period of time to the printer ( 4 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the method a transponder ( 5 ) is used, wel so on the printer ( 4 ) that the transponder ( 5 ) at least at an unauthorized removal from the printer ( 4 ) gets destroyed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile terminal ( 6 ) is provided for each printer identification a printer location, wherein the mobile terminal ( 6 ) determined his location and then by the mobile terminal ( 6 ) and / or the portable data carrier ( 7 ) checks whether the determined location matches the printer location of the printer ( 4 ) matches the read-out printer identification, in the case of a mismatch an error is issued. Communication system for processing print jobs, comprising a communications network ( 1 ) with one or more connected printers ( 4 ), on each of which a transponder ( 5 ), a mobile terminal ( 6 ) and a portable data carrier ( 7 ) for a user by depositing a predetermined user identity on the portable data carrier ( 7 ), wherein print jobs generated for the user are associated with the predetermined user identity, wherein in the operation of the communication system, a method is feasible in which: a) by means of the mobile terminal ( 6 ), with which the portable data medium ( 7 ), a printer identification of a printer ( 4 ) contactlessly from the on the printer ( 4 ) attached transponder ( 5 ) and on the portable data carrier ( 7 ) is stored; b) a print information comprising the read-out printer identification via a wireless communication connection of the mobile terminal ( 6 ) to the communications network ( 1 ) is sent to the printer ( 4 ) is connected to the read-out printer identification; c) at least a part of exclusively those print jobs to which the predetermined user identity is assigned to the printer ( 4 ) with the read-out printer identification via the communication network ( 1 ) is output. Communication system according to claim 15, which is such is designed that a method according to one of the claims 2 to 14 in the communication system is feasible.