JP2003345568A - Image forming apparatus, stored document printing method, and stored document printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An image forming apparatus that can share an authentication function for stored documents and can print stored documents without wasting resources and without imposing a large load on a network, and stored document printing. It is an object to provide a method and a stored document printing system. An image forming apparatus includes a hardware resource, a program, and a document storage unit that stores a stored document.
A document management service 123 that receives a certification information acquisition request for a stored document from the network device 2, generates certification information 124 corresponding to the certification information acquisition request, and supplies the certification information 124 to the network device 2; The above problem is solved by having a print service 130 that receives a stored document print request using the certification information 124 and acquires and prints the stored document corresponding to the certification information 124.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a stored document printing method, and a stored document printing system, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus for printing a stored document in response to a request from an external network device, and a storing method. The present invention relates to a document printing method and a stored document printing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a multifunction machine) in which functions of respective apparatuses such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in one housing has been known. This fusion machine has a display unit in one housing,
A printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like are provided, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner are provided, and the software is switched to operate as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner.

[0003] Such a multifunction machine stores a document file as a stored document in, for example, a document management database (hereinafter, referred to as a document management DB). The multifunction device is connected to a network device or another multifunction device via a network, and uses a distribution function to distribute stored documents stored in, for example, a document management DB. Further, the multifunction peripheral prints stored documents stored in, for example, the document management DB using the printing function. Note that, in order to cope with security problems, the multifunction peripheral often sets a password for the stored document stored in the document management DB.

[0004] For example, when a stored document is downloaded from a multifunction peripheral, the network device transmits a document ID for identifying a desired stored document and a password proving the right to use the stored document to the multifunction peripheral. After performing the password authentication, the multifunction peripheral reads the stored document corresponding to the document ID from the document management DB, and supplies the stored document to the network device.

For example, when printing a document stored in a multifunction peripheral,
The network device transmits a document ID for identifying a desired stored document and a password proving the right to use the stored document to the multifunction peripheral. After performing password authentication, the multifunction peripheral stores the stored document corresponding to the document ID in the document management DB.
And prints the stored document.

Further, when printing a stored document of a multifunction machine,
The network device transmits a document ID for identifying a desired stored document and a password proving the right to use the stored document to the multifunction peripheral. After performing password authentication, the multifunction peripheral stores the stored document corresponding to the document ID in the document management DB.
And sends it to the network device. The network device prints the stored document of the MFP by transmitting the received stored document to the MFP.

As described above, the network device has issued a download request for a stored document or a print request for a stored document to the multifunction peripheral connected via the network.

[0008]

However, the conventional multifunction peripheral receives various processing requests related to the stored document from the network device and other multifunction peripherals in addition to the transfer request and the print request of the stored document. For this reason, the multifunction peripheral is provided with a user service process that responds to various processing requests for stored documents.

Therefore, when a password is set for a stored document, it is necessary to provide a password authentication function for each user service process according to various processing requests for the stored document, and there is a problem that the functions are duplicated. Was.

When the multifunction device handles the stored document read from the document management DB by a plurality of user service processes, the multifunction device transfers the read stored document as it is. Therefore, there is a problem that the resources of the multifunction machine are wasted.

Further, when the stored document read from the document management DB is transferred between the multifunction machine and the network device to print the stored document, there is a problem that a heavy load is imposed on the network.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can share an authentication function for stored documents.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a stored document printing method, and a stored document printing system that can print stored documents without wasting resources and without imposing a large load on a network.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a hardware resource used in an image forming process, a program for performing a user service process related to the image forming, and a stored document. An image forming apparatus comprising: a document storage unit for storing a certificate information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device; and a certification information corresponding to the certification information acquisition request. A document management service that is generated and supplied to the external network device, and a stored document print request using the certification information is received from the external network device, and a stored document corresponding to the certification information is acquired and printed. And a printing service.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a hardware resource used in an image forming process, a program for performing a user service related to an image forming process, and a document storing means for storing a stored document. Receiving a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device, and responding to the certification information and the certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request. A document management service that generates session information and supplies the session information to the external network device, receives the session information from the external network device, specifies certification information corresponding to the received session information, A print service for acquiring and printing the stored document corresponding to the certification information.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a hardware resource used in an image forming process, a program for performing a user service process related to an image forming process, and a document storing unit for storing a stored document. Receiving a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device, and generating certification information according to the certification information acquisition request. Supplying the stored document print request using the certification information from the external network device, and acquiring and printing the stored document corresponding to the certification information. It is characterized by having.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a hardware resource used in an image forming process, a program for performing a user service process related to an image forming process, and a document storing means for storing a stored document. Receiving a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device, and acquiring certification information according to the certification information acquisition request. Generating session information corresponding to the certification information and supplying the session information to the external network device; receiving the session information from the external network device; and identifying the certification information corresponding to the received session information. Acquiring and printing the stored document corresponding to the certification information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: at least one external network device; and an image forming apparatus connected to the external network device via a network. A storage document printing system for printing stored documents stored in a document storage unit of an apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus receives a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device. Receiving a document management service that generates certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request and supplies the certification information to the external network device, and a stored document print request using the certification information from the external network device; A print service for acquiring and printing a stored document corresponding to the certification information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: at least one external network device; and an image forming apparatus connected to the external network device via a network. A storage document printing system for printing stored documents stored in a document storage unit of an apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus receives a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device. A document management service for generating certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request and session information corresponding to the certification information and supplying the session information to the external network device; and Receiving information,
A print service for identifying certification information corresponding to the received session information, acquiring a stored document corresponding to the certification information, and printing the document.

According to the present invention, after the document management service authenticates the stored document, it generates certification information in response to a certification information acquisition request from an external network device, and the external network device converts the certification information into a document. The authentication function for the stored document can be shared by acquiring from the management service and acquiring the certification information from the external network device by the print service.

Further, by transferring the certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request between the external network device, the document management service, and the print service, the stored document can be printed without wasting the accumulated document. Therefore,
The stored document can be printed without wasting the resources of the image forming apparatus and without imposing a large load on the network.

Further, by transferring the session information corresponding to the certification information between the external network device, the document management service, and the printing service, the certification information does not flow through the network, so that the security can be improved.

[0022]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a multifunction machine according to the present invention. The MFP 1 is a monochrome line printer (B &
W LP) 11 and a color line printer (Color)
LP) 12, hardware resources 13 such as a scanner and a facsimile, a software group 20, and a multifunction machine start unit 50. The software group 20 includes an application 30 and a platform 40.

The multifunction device starting unit 50 is first executed when the power of the multifunction device 1 is turned on, and starts the application 30 and the platform 40. For example, the multifunction peripheral starting unit 50 stores programs of the application 30 and the platform 40 in a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as an HD).
D), and each read program is transferred to a memory area and activated.

The application 30 performs processing specific to user services related to image forming processing such as printer, copy, facsimile, and scanner. The program that performs the user service processing related to image formation is, for example, the application 30.

The application 30 includes a printer application 31 which is a printer application having a page description language (PDL, PCL) and postscript (PS), a copy application 32 which is a copy application, and a facsimile application which is a facsimile application. Application 33, a scanner application 34 as a scanner application, a net file application 35 as a network file application, and a process inspection application 36 as a process inspection application.
And a web page application 37 which is a web page application, and a document management application 38 which is a document management application.

The platform 40 interprets a processing request from the application 30 to generate a hardware resource acquisition request, and manages one or more hardware resources to perform an acquisition request from the control service. And an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as an OS) 41 for arbitrating.

The control services include a system control service (hereinafter, referred to as SCS) 42, an engine control service (hereinafter, referred to as ECS) 44, and a memory control service (hereinafter, referred to as MCS) 4.
5, an operation panel control service (hereinafter referred to as OCS) 46, a fax control service (hereinafter referred to as FCS) 47, a network control service (hereinafter referred to as NCS) 48, and one or more service modules. .

The platform 40 is configured to have an application program interface (hereinafter, referred to as an API) that can receive a processing request from the application 30 by a predefined function. The OS 41 is, for example, Unix (registered trademark) and executes the software of the application 30 and the software of the platform 40 in parallel as processes.

The process of the SRM 43 controls the system and manages resources together with the SCS 42. For example, the process of the SRM 43 includes an engine such as a scanner unit and a printer unit, a memory, an HDD file, a host I / O (centro I / F, a network I / F, and an IE).
It performs arbitration in accordance with a request from an upper layer using hardware resources such as EE1394 I / F and RS232C I / F, and controls execution.

Specifically, the SRM 43 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is used. Notify the upper layer that it is possible. Further, the SRM 43 performs scheduling for using hardware resources in response to a request from the upper layer, and directly executes the contents of the request (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory reservation, file generation, etc.). ing.

The processes of the SCS 42 include application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display,
Performs processing such as resource management and interrupt application control. The process of the ECS 44 controls engine units such as the black and white line printer 11, the color line printer 12, and the hardware resources 13.

The process of the MCS 45 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of an image memory, use of an HDD, and compression and expansion of image data. The process of the OCS 46 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control.

The process of the FCS 47 is executed by the PSTN or IS from each application layer of the system controller.
An API for performing facsimile transmission / reception using a DN network, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed in a backup memory, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception is provided.

The process of the NCS 48 is based on the network I
It provides services that can be used in common for applications that require / O, and distributes data received from the network by each protocol to each application, and transmits data from each application to the network. Mediate.

For example, the NCS 48 performs data communication with network equipment connected via a network.
pd (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon)
It is controlled by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

The multifunction device 1 can perform the processing required commonly for each application by the platform 40 in a unified manner. Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. The MFP 1 includes a controller 60, an operation panel 70, a fax control unit (hereinafter, referred to as FCU) 80, a US
B device 90 and IEEE 1394 device 100
And an engine unit 110.

The controller 60 includes a CPU 61
, MEM-P62, Northbridge (hereinafter, referred to as NB) 63, and Southbridge (hereinafter, referred to as SB) 6
4, ASIC 66, MEM-C 67, and HDD 68
And

The operation panel 70 is connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60. Also, FCU
The USB device 80, the USB device 90, the IEEE 1394 device 100, and the engine unit 110 are connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60 by a PCI bus.

The controller 60 sends the ME to the ASIC 66.
The MC 67 and the HDD 68 are connected, and the CP
U61 and ASIC66 are NB6 of CPU chipset
3 are connected. As described above, if the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63, the CPU
It is possible to cope with a case where the 61 interface is not disclosed.

The ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are PCI
Instead of being connected via a bus, AGP (Accele
rated Graphics Port) 65.
As described above, in order to control the execution of one or more processes forming the application 30 and the platform 40 of FIG. 1, the ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are connected not through the low-speed PCI bus but through the AGP 65 to prevent performance degradation. I have.

The CPU 61 controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 1. The CPU 61 stores the SCS 42 on the OS 41,
SRM43, ECS44, MCS45, OCS46, F
The CS 47 and the NCS 48 are each started and executed as a process, and the printer application 31, the copy application 32, the fax application 33, the scanner application 34, the net file application 35, the process inspection application 36, and the web page application 3 which form the application 30
7 and the document management application 38 are activated and executed.

The NB 63 includes a CPU 61 and a MEM-P6.
2, a bridge for connecting the SB 64 and the ASIC 66. The MEM-P62 is a system memory used as a drawing memory or the like of the MFP 1. SB64
Is a bridge for connecting the NB 63 to a ROM, a PCI bus, and peripheral devices.

The MEM-C 67 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.
The ASIC 66 is an IC for image processing use that has a hardware element for image processing. The HDD 68 stores image data, document data, programs,
This is a storage for storing font data and forms. The document storage means is, for example, an HD
D68. The operation panel 70 is an operation unit that receives input operations from the operator and performs display for the operator.

Hereinafter, a stored document printing method realized by the multifunction peripheral 1 will be sequentially described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction machine for explaining the stored document printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 3 omits functional configurations that are not necessary for explanation.

As shown in FIG. 3, according to the stored document printing method of the present invention, the network device 2 connected to the multifunction device 1 via the network 3 such as the Internet (Hereinafter, referred to as a stored document) for the MFP 1 to print.

The network device 2 and the document management service 123 and print service 130 of the multifunction device 1 are in XML
(EXtensible Markup Language) format. Also, SOA is used as a data access protocol.
A communication protocol standard called P (Simple Object Access Protocol) is used.

First, it is assumed that the network device 2 has obtained the list of stored documents and the document ID stored in the multifunction device 1 from the multifunction device 1. A user who operates the network device 2 selects a stored document to be printed from a list of stored documents displayed on the screen, and inputs a password if printing of the stored document requires a password.

In step S21, the network device 2
Stores the document ID and password of the stored document selected by the user in the network 3 and the NCS 48 ht.
Document management service 12 of MFP 1 via tpd 121
By transmitting the request to the third party, a request to acquire the ticket 124 is made.
The ticket acquisition request is made using SOAP and XML.

The document management service 123 is included in the document management application 38. Note that the document management service 123
It may be provided as a control service. Step S
In step S22 following step S21, the document management service 123 transmits the document ID and the password of the stored document received from the network device 2 to the MCS 45, and makes a password authentication request. The password authentication request is, for example, a password authentication request function “int mcsCheckPassword (unsigned
Int DocId, string password) ”.

The MCS 45 performs password authentication of the password received from the document management service 123. Proceeding to step S23 following step S22, the MCS 45 transmits the result of the password authentication to the document management service 123. The result of the password authentication is transmitted from the MCS 45 to the document management service 123 as a return value of the password authentication request function, for example.

When the password is authenticated, the document management service 123 generates a ticket as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a ticket.
FIG. 4A shows a structure of a ticket 124 transferred between the network device 2 and the document management service 123, for example. The ticket 124 stores a ticket ID and a data size of the ticket.

FIG. 4B is a table 126 for collating the ticket 124. The table 126 is held by the document management service 123. Table 126 includes ticket content information and ticket management information. Ticket content information includes ticket ID, ticket expiration date, number of files,
The information includes an array of a structure in which a file ID as a document ID and a password are paired. The ticket management information has a current ticket number and the number of issued tickets as information. Note that the ticket 124 and the table 126 are associated by a ticket ID.

In step S24, the document management service 1
23 sends the generated ticket 124 to the NCS 48 http
The packet is transmitted to the network device 2 via the pd121 and the network 3. The transmission of the ticket 124 from the document management service 123 to the network device 2 is performed using SOAP and XML.

In step S25, the network device 2
Transmits the ticket 124 received in step S24 to the print service 130 of the multifunction peripheral 1, and makes a print request for the stored document. Print requests for stored documents are sent in SOAP and XML.
It is performed using.

The print service 130 is included in the printer application 31, for example. Note that the print service 130 may be provided as a control service. Step S2
In step S26 following step S5, the print service 130
Transmits the ticket 124 received in step S25 to the document management service 123, and makes a request to acquire a document ID corresponding to the ticket. The document ID acquisition request is, for example, a document ID acquisition function “arrayOfA
nyURI getDocumentIdsByThicket (base64Binaryticke
t) ”.

At step S27 following step S26, the document management service 123 checks the received ticket 12
From the table 126 according to the ticket ID included in the document I
D is acquired, and the document ID is transmitted to the print service 130. The document ID is transmitted from the document management service 123 to the print service 130, for example, as a return value of the document ID acquisition function.

In step S28 following step S27, the print service 130 sends the document ID received in step S27 to the ECS 44, and prints the stored document corresponding to the document ID. Here, printing service 1
The stored document printing process performed by the ECS 30 and the ECS 44 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is an event flow chart showing an example of the stored document printing process performed by the print service and the ECS. In step S100, the print service 130 requests the ECS 44 to open a job using a function. Step S
In step S101 following step 100, the ECS 44 transmits the job ID to the print service 130 as the return value of the function.

Following step S101, step S10
The print service 130 proceeds to ECS4 using the function.
4 is requested to set the job operation mode. Step S1
In step S103 following step S02, the ECS 44 transmits to the print service 130 the success or failure of the setting of the job operation mode as the return value of the function.

Following step S103, step S10
Proceeding to 4, the ECS 44 sends an execution availability notification to the print service 130 in an event. In step S105 following step S104, the print service 130 requests a job entry from the ECS 44 using a function. Proceeding to step S106 following step S105, the ECS4
4 transmits the success or failure of the job entry to the print service 130 as the return value of the function.

Following step S106, step S10
Then, the ECS 44 transmits an execution permission / prohibition notification to the print service 130 in an event (Step 7). In step S108 following step S107, the print service 130 requests the ECS 44 to start a job using a function.

Following step S108, step S10
In step 9, the ECS 44 transmits a job end notification as an event and the job ID of the ended job to the print service 130. Following step S109, step S110
The print service 130 uses the function to execute the ECS 44
Request to close the job.

According to the event flow as shown in FIG. 5, the print service 130 can print the stored document corresponding to the document ID received in step S27. Proceeding to step S29 following step S28, the print service 130 sends the print processing result to the NCS 48 httpd.
121 and the network device 2 via the network 3. The transmission of the print processing result from the print service 130 to the network device 2 is performed by using SOAP and XM
L is performed.

Then, the network device 2 displays the result of the printing process from the multifunction device 1 on the screen of the network device 2. Therefore, the user can easily print the stored document stored in the multifunction device 1 by operating the network device 2. In the case of the multifunction machine 1, the ticket 124
By using this, it is possible to print an authenticated stored document without notifying the print service 130 of the password.

Further, in the multifunction device 1, the use of the ticket 124 prevents the data itself of the stored document from being transferred unnecessarily, thereby preventing waste of resources and a large load on the network. The multifunction device 1 uses the ticket 124 so that the print service 130
It is possible to print an authenticated stored document without informing the user of the password.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine for explaining a stored document printing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The functional configuration diagram of FIG. 6 omits functional configurations that are not necessary for explanation. Steps S31 to S31 in FIG.
The processing in S33 is the same as steps S21 to S23 in FIG.

In step S34, the document management service 1
23 stores the generated ticket 124 in the session object 132 in association with the session ID. Proceeding to step S35 following step S34, the document management service 123 stores the session ID 134 associated with the session object 132 in the NCS 48 httpd.
121 and the network device 2 via the network 3. The transmission of the session ID 134 from the document management service 123 to the network device 2 is based on SOAP.
And XML.

In step S36, the network device 2
Transmits the session ID 134 received in step S35 to the print service 130 of the multifunction peripheral 1, and makes a print request for the stored document. The print request for the stored document is made using SOAP and XML.

In step S37, the print service 130
Refers to the session object 132 and acquires the ticket 124 from the session object 132 corresponding to the session ID received in step S36. Here, the print service 130 communicates with the network device 2 that has received the session ID in step S35, and
In step S6, it is possible to confirm that the same network device 2 has transmitted the session ID 124, and to prohibit print requests for stored documents from different network devices 2.

Steps S38 to S41 after obtaining the ticket 124 from the session object 132
Is similar to the processing of steps S26 to S29 in FIG.

As described above, the ticket 124 is not transmitted / received on the network 3 between the multifunction device 1 and the network device 2, and the session ID 134 associated with the session object 132 storing the ticket 124 is transmitted / received, so that security is improved. Can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, after the document management service authenticates a stored document, certifying information is generated in response to a certifying information acquisition request from an external network device. When the device acquires the certification information from the document management service and the print service acquires the certification information from the external network device, the authentication function for the stored document can be shared.

Further, by transferring the certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request between the external network device, the document management service, and the print service, the stored document can be printed without being transferred wastefully. Therefore,
The stored document can be printed without wasting the resources of the image forming apparatus and without imposing a large load on the network.

Further, by transferring the session information corresponding to the certification information between the external network device, the document management service, and the printing service, the certification information does not flow through the network, so that the security can be improved.

[0078]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a fusion machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction peripheral for explaining a stored document printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing a ticket.

FIG. 5 is an event flow diagram illustrating an example of a stored document print process performed by a print service and an ECS.

FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral for explaining a stored document printing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 MFP 2 Network Equipment 3 Network 11 Black and White Line Printer 12 Color Line Printer 13 Hardware Resources 20 Software Group 30 Application 31 Printer Application 32 Copy Application 33 Fax Application 34 Scanner Application 35 Net File Application 36 Process Inspection Application 37 Web Page Application 38 Document management application 40 Platform 41 Operating system (OS) 42 System control service (SCS) 43 System resource manager (SRM) 44 Engine control service (ECS) 45 Memory control service (MCS) 46 Operation panel control service (OCS) 47 Fax control Service (FCS) 48 Network Control Service (NCS) 50 MFP starter 60 Controller 61 CPU 62 System memory (MEM-P) 63 Northbridge (NB) 64 Southbridge (SB) 65 AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 66 ASIC 67 Local memory (MEM-C) ) 68 Hard disk drive (HDD) 70 Operation panel 80 Fax control unit (FCU) 90 USB device 100 IEEE 1394 device 110 Engine unit 121 httpd (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
Daemon) 123 Document management service 124 Ticket 126 Table 130 Print service 132 Session object 134 Session ID

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 HJ08                 2C187 AD03 AD04 AD14 AE07 BF55                       BG03 GD02                 2H027 EE08 EE10 EJ08 EJ15 FD08                       ZA07 ZA09                 5B021 AA01 BB00 NN18                 5C062 AA05 AA14 AA35 AB22 AB38                       AC41 AC42 AC43 AF00 BA04                       BC03

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a hardware resource used in an image forming process; a program for performing a user service process relating to image forming; and a document storage unit for storing a stored document. A document management service for receiving a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from a network device, generating certification information corresponding to the certification information acquisition request, and supplying the generated certification information to the external network device; An image forming apparatus comprising: a print service that receives a stored document print request using the certification information from an external network device, and acquires and prints the stored document corresponding to the certification information. 2. The document management service generates proof information in response to the proof information acquisition request and transmits the proof information to the external network device, while receiving the proof information from the print service, and 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information of the stored document is transmitted to a print service. 3. The print service receives a stored document print request using the certification information from the external network device, and acquires identification information of the stored document according to the certification information from a document management service. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stored document corresponding to the identification information is obtained from a document storage unit and printed. 4. The print service obtains a stored document corresponding to the certification information from a document storage unit and prints the same, and supplies print processing information corresponding to the print processing to the external network device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The document management service generates contents and identification information of certification information according to the certification information acquisition request, and transmits the identification information of the certification information to the external network device as certification information. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content of the certification information is held. 6. The document management service specifies the contents of the proof information using the identification information of the proof information transmitted from the print service, and also identifies the identification information of the stored document according to the contents of the proof information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image is transmitted to the print service. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document management service acquires certification information corresponding to the certification information acquisition request using a predetermined function. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print service acquires a stored document according to the certification information using a predetermined function. 9. The print service causes a memory control service to acquire a stored document corresponding to the certification information from a document storage unit using a predetermined function, and to supply the stored document according to the certification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print service prints the stored document according to the certification information using a predetermined function. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print service causes an engine control service to print a stored document corresponding to the certification information using a predetermined function. 12. The image according to claim 1, wherein the certification information acquisition request includes at least identification information for identifying the stored document and password information for proving the right to use the stored document. Forming equipment. 13. The document management service and printing service and the external network device are simple and simple.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein communication is performed using an object access protocol. 14. An image forming apparatus comprising: a hardware resource used in an image forming process; a program for performing a user service process relating to image forming; and a document storage unit for storing a stored document. Receiving a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from a network device, generating certification information corresponding to the certification information acquisition request and session information corresponding to the certification information, and generating the external network device; A document management service that supplies the session information to the external network device, receives the session information, identifies certification information corresponding to the received session information, and acquires a stored document corresponding to the certification information. An image forming apparatus comprising: a print service for performing printing. 15. A stored document printing method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a hardware resource used in an image forming process; a program for performing a user service process related to image forming; and a document storing unit for storing a stored document. Receiving a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device, generating certification information corresponding to the certification information acquisition request, and supplying the certification information to the external network device Receiving a stored document print request using the certification information from the external network device, and acquiring and printing the stored document according to the certification information. 16. A stored document printing method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a hardware resource used in an image forming process; a program for performing a user service process related to image forming; and a document storing unit for storing a stored document. Receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device, and generating certification information corresponding to the certification information acquisition request and session information corresponding to the certification information; Supplying the session information to the external network device; receiving the session information from the external network device; identifying certification information corresponding to the received session information; and storing a document corresponding to the certification information. And printing the stored document. 17. A stored document stored in a document storage unit of the image forming apparatus using one or more external network devices and an image forming apparatus connected to the external network device via a network. Wherein the image forming apparatus receives a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device, and performs certification according to the certification information acquisition request. A document management service for generating and supplying information to the external network device, receiving a stored document print request using the certification information from the external network device, and acquiring a stored document according to the certification information A stored document printing system, comprising: a printing service for printing. 18. A stored document stored in a document storage unit of the image forming apparatus, using one or more external network devices and an image forming apparatus connected to the external network device via a network. Wherein the image forming apparatus receives a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device, and performs certification according to the certification information acquisition request. A document management service for generating information and session information corresponding to the proof information and supplying the session information to the external network device; and receiving the session information from the external network device and responding to the received session information. The print server that specifies the certification information to be acquired and acquires and prints the stored document corresponding to the certification information Accumulated documents printing system characterized by having a screw.