JP2005031761A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Security for use permission / denial management is ensured and a print job is executed efficiently in private printing.
A PC 21 reads out user information of an enabler 31 connected to a USB interface and transmits the user information to the MFP 1, and the MFP 1 uses the received user information and is registered in advance in the HDD. Use permission / non-permission are managed by performing user authorization.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that is connected to a client personal computer via a network to form an image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a client personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and a printer or digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as an MFP) are connected to a network, and a printer system using the printer or MFP is configured. .
[0003]
In this case, an ID for determining use permission is registered in advance in the printer and MFP so that the user of the printer and MFP and the client PC can use the printer. Only users and client PCs that match this ID can use the printer and MFP. The ID registered in advance is normally recorded in a storage device of a printer or MFP.
[0004]
For example, by setting permission / non-permission of use of the printer for each PC connected to the network to a printer connected to the network, efficient management and operation of the printer connected to the network can be performed. A printer system is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
However, when setting permission / non-permission of use only on the printer side in this way, it is possible to access only by knowing IDs from all client PCs connected to the network, and access is also made from malicious clients. This is not possible in terms of security. Further, for example, when charging management or license management is performed for each department (A group, B group) connected to the network, the management cannot be performed separately for each group.
[0006]
Also, during private printing, you must search for your own print job from the printer or MFP's operation panel, and if other users' print jobs are accumulated, it takes time to search and output takes time. It was.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-288552 (first page)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when setting the permission / non-permission of use only on the printer side as described above, it is possible to access only by knowing the ID from all the client PCs connected to the network, which causes a security problem. there were. In addition, when printing privately, you have to search for your own print job from the operation panel, and if other users' print jobs are accumulated, it takes time to search and it takes time to output. .
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of ensuring security with respect to use permission / denial management and efficiently executing a print job in private printing.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that is connected to a plurality of personal computers via a communication line to form an image, and is read from a terminal device connected to a connection terminal of the personal computer that can be inserted and removed. When the received identification information is received via the communication line, a search means for searching for identification information registered in advance using the identification information, and the terminal device is connected according to the search result of the search means An authorization unit for authorizing use permission / denial of the device with respect to the personal computer, and a control unit for performing control to transmit the authorization result of the authorization unit to the personal computer via the communication line. .
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a network.
[0013]
A digital multifunction peripheral (Multi Functional Peripheral: hereinafter referred to as MFP) 1 and an MFP 2 are connected to a LAN 3.
[0014]
On the other hand, client personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 21, 22, and 23 are connected to the LAN 3.
[0015]
As will be described in detail later, a user of the PC 21 uses an enabler (dongle type hard key) 31, a user of the PC 22 uses an enabler 32, and a user of the PC 23 uses an enabler 33.
[0016]
The enablers 31, 32, and 33 are hardware keys (terminal devices) configured by a flash memory having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. In each flash memory of the enablers 31, 32, and 33, user information such as permission / non-permission of MFP use and a user ID is stored in advance. The USB interface can be inserted and removed. For example, in a state where the PC (21, 22, 23) is being used, even if an enabler (31, 32, 33) is inserted (connected) into the SUB interface, which will be described later, or unplugged, the operation of the PC is affected. It is something that does not give.
[0017]
In the present embodiment, it is composed of PC21, PC22, MFP1 belonging to group A, and PC23, MFP2 belonging to group B.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the MFP 1 and the MFP 2.
[0019]
That is, the CPU 10 that controls the entire MFP includes a memory 11 in which a function expansion program such as an option is stored in advance, and is connected to the PCI bus 12.
[0020]
The operation panel 14 on which operation input is performed is connected to the PCI bus 12 via the ASIC 13.
[0021]
A scanner 15 that reads an image of a document is connected to the image processing unit 16.
[0022]
The image processing unit 16 performs image processing on the image data from the scanner 15. The image processing unit 16 transmits print data subjected to image processing to the connected printer 17.
[0023]
The printer 17 prints out based on the print data.
[0024]
The net interface (I / F) 18 is connected to the PCI bus via the NIC 23 and is an interface for connecting the LAN 3 and the PCI bus 12.
[0025]
A hard disk device (HDD) 19 is connected to the PCI bus 12 via the IDE controller 22, and stores print data sent via the NIC 23 and the PCI bus 12.
[0026]
The USB interface (I / F) 20 is connected to the PCI bus 12 via the ASIC 21.
[0027]
The PCI bus 12 connects the CPU 10, the operation panel 14, the image processing unit 16, the network I / F 18, the HDD 19, and the USB I / F 20 as described above.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the PCs 21, 22, and 23.
[0029]
The CPU 50 that controls the entire system includes a ROM 51 that stores programs and the like, a RAM 52 that temporarily stores data, a display 53 such as a liquid crystal that performs various displays, a keyboard 54 that performs input, a mouse 55, and a network interface connected to the LAN 3 An (I / F) 56 and a USB interface (I / F) 60 are connected.
[0030]
Next, the operation of permitting / not permitting use of the MFP in such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, a case where the user of the PC 21 prints print data with the MFP 1 will be described as an example.
[0031]
First, when the user of the PC 21 instructs to start printing of print data using the mouse 55 (ST1), the CPU 50 of the PC 21 checks whether the enabler 31 is connected to the USB I / F 60 (ST2).
[0032]
If the CPU 50 is not connected, the CPU 53 displays a notification that printing is not possible to the user on the display 53 (ST3).
[0033]
When printing is stopped, the CPU 50 deletes the print job from the RAM 52 (ST4), and ends without printing.
[0034]
When the CPU 50 continues as it is, the CPU 50 displays a message prompting the user to connect the enabler 31 on the display 53 (ST5).
[0035]
When the connection of the enabler 31 is confirmed in step ST2, the CPU 50 transmits a print request signal to the MFP 1 and reads and transmits user information such as a user ID from the enabler 31 (ST6).
[0036]
The CPU 10 of the MFP 1 receives the print request signal and uses the received user information to search for user information permitted to be used in advance registered in the HDD 19 and authorize use permission / disapproval ( ST7).
[0037]
The CPU 10 of the MFP 1 performs user authorization for permitting use when the user information is permitted to be used in advance, and transmits a response (permit signal) to the print request to the PC 21 (ST8).
[0038]
Further, for example, when the user information of the enabler 33 is transmitted from the PC 23 of the group B, the CPU 10 of the MFP 1 determines that use is not permitted. By using the enabler (hardware key) in this way, it becomes possible to perform billing management or license management of the A group and B group connected to the network.
[0039]
When the CPU 50 of the PC 21 receives a response (permission signal) from the MFP 1 from the response waiting state (ST9), it transmits all print data to the MFP 1 (ST10).
[0040]
The CPU 10 of the MFP 1 receives the print data transmitted from the PC 21, processes the print data, and prints it out (ST11).
[0041]
When CPU 50 of PC 21 transmits all the print data, it transmits a print end request signal to MFP 1 and ends (ST12).
[0042]
The CPU 10 of the MFP 1 receives the print end request signal from the PC 21 and normally ends one print job (ST13).
[0043]
Next, in addition to the printing process described above, private printing will be described.
[0044]
Private printing is used when, for example, other users who use the same MFP do not want to see the output (printed) contents.
[0045]
In this private printing, the print data is first stored in the hard disk device of the MFP, and then the PC user himself / herself goes to the MFP and reads the print data from the hard disk device by key operation on the operation panel and prints it. .
[0046]
Normally, the password is protected so that other users cannot output, and the MFP does not output unless a predetermined password code is input.
[0047]
However, before outputting, the user must first search for his or her print job by operating the operation panel of the MFP.
[0048]
If there are few print jobs stored in the hard disk device of the MFP, it will not be a lot of trouble, but if other users' print jobs are accumulated, it will take time to search and take time to output was there.
[0049]
In order to solve this problem, the above-described enabler is used to shorten the time until output.
[0050]
Next, the private printing operation using the enabler will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, a case where the user of the PC 21 performs private printing with the MFP 1 using the enabler 31 will be described as an example.
[0051]
First, the user of the PC 21 connects (inserts) the enabler 31 to the USB I / F 60 of the PC 21 (ST21). Subsequently, the user of the PC 21 transmits the private print instruction and user information (user ID) stored in the enabler 31 to the MFP 1 together with the print data (ST22).
[0052]
In response to the received private print instruction, the CPU 10 of the MFP 1 adds print job information and user information to the received print data and stores them in the HDD 19 (ST23).
[0053]
Subsequently, the user removes the enabler 31 that has been connected (inserted) to the USB I / F 60 of the PC 21, takes it to the MFP 1, and connects (inserts) the enabler 31 to the USB I / F 20 of the MFP 1 (ST24).
[0054]
When the enabler 31 is connected to the USB I / F 20, the CPU 10 of the MFP 1 reads the user information of the enabler 31 (ST 25), and searches for a print job stored in the HDD 19 using the read user information (ST 26).
[0055]
If there is one retrieved print job (ST27), the CPU 10 reads the print data of the print job from the HDD 19 and prints it out by the printer 17 (ST28).
[0056]
If there are a plurality of searched print jobs, the CPU 10 displays these print jobs on the operation panel 14 (ST29).
[0057]
When a print job is selected from the operation panel 14, the CPU 10 reads the print data of the print job from the HDD 19 and prints it out with the printer 17 (ST30).
[0058]
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by confirming the connection of the enabler (hardware key) on the PC side and further receiving and authenticating the user information read from the enabler on the MFB side, Security for use permission / denial management can be ensured.
[0059]
Further, by using an enabler (hardware key), it is possible to perform billing management or license management for each department such as A group and B group connected to the network.
[0060]
In private printing, the enabler (hardware key) that was connected to the client PC at the time of printing is connected to the MFP, eliminating the need to select a print job from the operation panel and enter the password. Can be printed. Thereby, the convenience for the user can be improved.
[0061]
The present invention can be applied not only to the MFP but also to a printer.
[0062]
The present invention is not limited to the above (respective) embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem (at least one of them) described in the column of problems to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the column of the effect of the invention When at least one of the effects described in (1) is obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of ensuring the security with respect to use permission / denial management and efficiently executing a print job in private printing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a network.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining operation of permitting / not permitting use of the digital multi-function peripheral.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of private printing using an enabler.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 ... Digital multifunction peripheral (MFP), 3 ... LAN (communication line) 10, 50 ... CPU (control means, recognition means, search means, reading means), 14 ... Operation panel (display means), 18, 56 ... Net interface, 19 ... Hard disk device (storage means), 20, 60 ... USB interface (connection terminal), 21, 22, 23 ... Personal computer, 31, 32, 33 ... Enabler (terminal equipment).

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of personal computers via a communication line to form an image,
When the identification information read from the terminal device connected to the connection terminal that can be inserted and removed in the stopcock of the personal computer is received via the communication line, the identification information registered in advance is searched using the identification information. Search means to
In accordance with the search result of the search means, an authorization means for authorizing use permission and non-approval of the device for the personal computer to which the terminal device is connected,
Control means for performing control to transmit the authorization result of the authorization means to the personal computer via the communication line;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of personal computers via a communication line to form an image,
When the identification information read from the terminal device connected to the connection terminal that can be inserted and removed in the stopcock of the personal computer is received via the communication line, the identification information registered in advance is searched using the identification information. Search means to
In accordance with the search result of the search means, an authorization means for authorizing use permission and non-approval of the device for the personal computer to which the terminal device is connected,
A transmission means for transmitting the result of the authorization by the authorization means to the personal computer via the communication line;
Control means for controlling charging management or license management based on the authorization result transmitted as the use permission transmitted by the transmission means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of personal computers via a communication line to form an image,
Receiving means for receiving, via the communication line, image data provided with identification information read from a terminal device connected to a connection terminal capable of inserting and removing the stopcock of the personal computer;
Storage means for storing image data to which identification information received by the receiving means is attached;
A connection terminal in which the terminal device can be inserted and removed;
Read means for reading identification information from the terminal device when the terminal device is connected to the connection terminal;
Search means for searching for identification information stored in the storage means using the identification information read by the reading means;
Control means for performing control to read out the image data to which the identification information searched by the search means is added and form an image;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of personal computers via a communication line to form an image,
Receiving means for receiving, via the communication line, image data provided with identification information read from a terminal device connected to a connection terminal capable of inserting and removing the stopcock of the personal computer;
Storage means for storing image data to which identification information received by the receiving means is attached;
A connection terminal in which the terminal device can be inserted and removed;
Read means for reading identification information from the terminal device when the terminal device is connected to the connection terminal;
Search means for searching for identification information stored in the storage means using the identification information read by the reading means;
Display means for displaying selection information of the image data to which the identification information searched by the search means is given;
When image data is selected from the selection information displayed by the display means, control means for performing control to read the image data and form an image;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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