JP2006268353A - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method capable of preventing leakage of electronic data to a device or the like without access authority in a system via a network and securely processing within a necessary range safely. provide.
A copier 1001 connected to a content management server 1009 via a LAN 1006 accesses the server and requests authentication as to whether or not the device has an authority to print content, and the authentication is successful. In such a case, the content print setting is performed within a certain processing range, and the set content print job is acquired from the server. The acquired print job is temporarily stored, printing is executed based on the job, and the stored print job is deleted.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method to which a plurality of functions including a network display function for obtaining and displaying information of a specified device on a network is displayed.

  In recent years, multi-function devices to which a large number of functions are added based on a digital copying machine have been put into practical use. Specifically, the multi-function device performs facsimile communication using a scanner and printer originally provided in a digital copying machine, or bitmaps code data sent from another computer using a printer. Data can be expanded and printed out, images read from the scanner can be sent to the network using a scanner, and images distributed from the network can be printed using a printer. Additional functions have been added.

On the other hand, the operation panel of the multi-function device is becoming larger, and the operation panel is used not only to set the operation of the function using the scanner and printer, but also to operate the remote device on the network and monitor the status. Display or web content display using an embedded browser is sufficiently possible (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-122279 A

  In printing from the built-in browser of the multifunction device as described above, it is possible to render and print data acquired from the URL. However, only specific multifunction devices on the network are allowed to print, so that the number of copies of the output can be completely managed, and electronic data that is to be printed is not left in the multifunction device after printing. I couldn't. Therefore, there was a problem from the viewpoint of electronic data security.

  Further, when special data is taken into the multi-function device and combined at the time of printing, it is not possible to perform combined printing in consideration of security that makes it impossible to flow out the special data to the outside.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and prevents leakage of electronic data to a device or the like that does not have access authority in a system via a network, and securely processes it within a necessary range. It is an object to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an information processing apparatus connected to a management apparatus that manages information via a network,
Requesting means for accessing the management device and requesting authentication as to whether or not the information processing device is authorized to process the information managed by the management device;
Setting means for performing processing setting of the information within the processing range of the information managed by the management device when authentication is successful by the management device;
Obtaining means for obtaining a processing job of the information set by the setting means from the management device;
Storage means for storing the processing job;
Processing means for processing the information based on the processing job;
Erasing means for erasing the processing job from the storage means.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is an information processing system in which a management device for managing information and at least one information processing device are connected via a network,
The management device is
Storage means for storing identification information of an information processing apparatus having authority to process the information;
Accepting means for accepting an authentication request from an information processing device that requests processing of the information;
Authentication means for authenticating whether or not the information processing apparatus has authority to process the information;
Transmission means for transmitting a processing job of the information to the information processing apparatus when the authentication is successful,
The information processing apparatus is
Request means for requesting authentication as to whether or not the management apparatus has authority to process the information;
Receiving means for receiving a processing job of the information from the management device when authentication is successful by the management device;
Storage means for storing the processing job;
Processing means for processing the information based on the processing job;
Erasing means for erasing the processing job from the storage means.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above problem, the present invention is an information processing method in an information processing apparatus connected to a management apparatus that manages information via a network,
A request step for accessing the management device and requesting authentication as to whether or not the information processing device is authorized to process the information managed by the management device;
A setting step of performing processing setting of the information within the processing range of the information managed by the management device when authentication is successful by the management device;
An acquisition step of acquiring a processing job of the information set by the setting step from the management device;
A storage step of storing the processing job in a storage means;
A processing step of processing the information based on the processing job;
And an erasing step of erasing the processing job from the storage means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent leakage of electronic data to a device or the like without access authority in a system via a network, and securely process within a necessary range.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a network system that accommodates the multifunction device will be described in detail.

<Network configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a network system that accommodates a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a copier having a data transmission function will be described as an example of a multifunction device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the copier 1001 includes a copier 1002, a facsimile machine 1003, a database / mail server 1004, a client computer 1005, and a content management server 1009 having functions equivalent to those of the copier 1001, Ethernet (registration). Are accommodated in a network connected by a LAN 1006 such as a trademark. The copier 1001 is accommodated in the public line 1008 together with the facsimile machine 1007.

  The copying machine 1001 has a copy function and a facsimile function, and also has a data transmission function of reading a document image and transmitting the read image data to each device on the LAN 1006. The copier 1001 has a PDL function, and can receive and print a PDL image instructed from another computer (for example, a client computer 1005) connected to the LAN 1006. .

  The copier 1001 stores an image read by the copier 1001 and a PDL image instructed by another computer connected to the LAN 1006 in a designated box area of the hard disk in the copier 1001. Is possible. The copying machine 1001 can print an image stored in the box area of the hard disk.

  Further, the copying machine 1001 can receive data read by the copying machine 1002 via the LAN 1006, and can store the received data in a hard disk in the copying machine 1001 or print it out. Furthermore, the copier 1001 can receive an image managed by the database / mail server 1004 via the client computer 1005 and the LAN 1006, store it in the copier 1001, and print it out.

  On the other hand, the facsimile machine 1003 can receive data read by the copying machine 1001 via the LAN 1006 and can send the received data by facsimile.

  The database / mail server 1004 is a server device having a function of receiving data read by the copying machine 1001 via the LAN 1006, storing the data in the database, and transmitting it as an e-mail.

  Furthermore, the content management server 1009 is a web server, and can permit printing only from a web browser on a specific copying machine and manage the number of output sheets. This will be described later.

  The client computer 1005 is connected to the database / mail server 1004 via the LAN 1006, and can acquire desired data from the database / mail server 1004 and display it on a monitor. The client computer 1005 can receive data read by the copying machine 1001 via the LAN 1006, process the received data, and edit the received data.

  The facsimile machine 1007 can receive the data read by the copying machine 1001 via the public line 1008 and print out the received data.

<Main components of copier>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of a copier 1001 that is a multifunction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 1001 includes a scanner 2070 that reads an original to generate an image, a printer 2095 that prints and outputs an image, an operation unit 2012 that functions as an interface with a user, and a controller unit 2000 that controls them. Is provided.

  The controller unit 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device, and performs control for realizing a copy function for printing out image data read by the scanner 2070 by the printer 2095. The controller unit 2000 performs control for inputting and outputting image information and device information by connecting to the LAN 1006 and the public line (WAN) 1007.

  Specifically, the controller unit 2000 includes a CPU 2001. The CPU 2001 starts up an operating system (OS) by a boot program stored in the ROM 2003, and is stored in an HDD (hard disk drive) 2004 on the OS. Various processes are executed by executing the application program.

  A RAM 2002 is used as a work area of the CPU 2001. The RAM 2002 provides an image memory area for temporarily storing image data together with the work area of the CPU 2001. The HDD 2004 stores application programs and image data.

  An operation unit interface (I / F) 2006, a network interface (I / F) 2010, a modem 2050, and an image bus interface (I / F) 2005 are connected to the CPU 2001 through a system bus 2007 together with a ROM 2003 and a RAM 2002. ing.

  An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface with an operation unit 2012 having a touch panel, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Further, the operation unit I / F 2006 sends information input by the user through the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

  The network I / F 2010 is connected to the LAN 1006 and inputs / outputs information to / from each device on the LAN 1006 via the LAN 1006. Further, the modem 2050 is connected to the public line 1007 and inputs / outputs information via the public line 1007.

  An image bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 2008 includes a PCI bus or IEEE1394. On the image bus 2008, a raster image processor (RIP) 2060, a device I / F 2020, a scanner image processing unit 2080, a printer image processing unit 2090, an image rotation unit 2030, and an image compression unit 2040 are provided.

  The RIP 2060 is a processor that develops a PDL code into a bitmap image. A device I / F 2020 is connected to a scanner 2070 and a printer 2095, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner image processing unit 2080 performs correction, processing, or editing processing on input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. Further, the image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. Furthermore, the image compression unit 2040 compresses the multivalued image data into JPEG data, compresses the binary image data into data such as JBIG, MMR, and MH, and performs the decompression process.

<Hardware Configuration of Copying Machine 1001>
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the hardware configuration of the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 of the copying machine 1001 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 are integrally configured as a scanner unit 200 and a printer unit 300. The scanner unit 200 (scanner 2070) includes a document feeding unit 250. The document feeding unit 250 feeds documents one by one from the top onto the platen glass 211 one by one. The scanner unit 200 discharges the document from the platen glass 211 to a discharge tray (not shown) every time reading operation of each document is completed.

  In the scanner unit 200, when the document is fed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on and the movement of the moving unit 213 is started. By the movement of the moving unit 213, the scanning on the document on the platen glass 211 is performed. During this scanning, the reflected light from the document is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 218 via each mirror 214, 215, 216 and lens 217, and an image on the document is displayed on the CCD 218. An image is formed on the imaging surface. The CCD 218 converts an image formed on the imaging surface into an electric signal, and the electric signal is input to the controller unit 2000 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  On the other hand, the printer unit 300 (printer 2095) has a laser driver 321, and the laser driver 321 drives the laser light emitting unit 322 based on image data input from the controller unit 2000. As a result, laser light corresponding to the image data is emitted from the laser light emitting unit 322, and this laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 323 while being scanned.

  An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 323 by the irradiated laser light, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the toner supplied from the developing device 324. In synchronization with the irradiation timing of the laser light, recording paper is fed from the cassettes 311 and 312 between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 via the conveyance path, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the transfer unit. By 325, the image is transferred onto the fed recording paper.

  The recording paper on which the toner image is transferred is sent to a fixing roller pair (heating roller and pressure roller) 326 via a conveyance belt. The fixing roller pair 326 heats the recording paper to fix the toner image on the recording paper on the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing roller pair 326 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 330 by the paper discharge roller pair 327.

  The paper discharge unit 330 includes a sheet processing apparatus capable of performing post-processing such as sorting and stapling. When the duplex recording mode is set, after the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 327, the rotation direction of the discharge roller pair 327 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 by the flapper 328. . The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 is fed again between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 at the timing described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the recording paper.

<Configuration of operation unit>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the operation unit 2012 of the copier 1001 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the LCD display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012 has a touch panel sheet pasted on the LCD, displays the operation screen of the present network system, and when the displayed key is pressed, its position is displayed. Information is transmitted to the CPU 2001 of the controller unit 2000.

  A start key 2014 of the operation unit 2012 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key 2014, there are two-color LEDs 2018 of green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key 2014 can be used. A stop key 2015 functions to stop an operation in progress. The ID key 2016 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2017 is used when initializing the setting state of the copying machine 1001 set from the operation unit 2012.

<Screen example of the operation unit 2012>
FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, touch keys displayed as tabs for a plurality of functions, such as a copy tab 501, a transmission / fax tab 502, a box tab 503, and a web browser tab 504, are displayed at the top of the operation screen. . A program for displaying a web browser is incorporated in the ROM 2003 of the controller unit 2000, and a web browser can be displayed by an instruction from the operation unit 2012.

  FIG. 5A shows an initial screen of the copy function when the touch key of the copy tab 501 is pressed. In the screen shown in FIG. 5A, the status displayed by the copy function is displayed in the area where “Ready to copy” is displayed from the upper side, and the magnification, the selected paper feed stage, and the set number are displayed below the area. There is an area. In addition, as a touch key for setting the operation mode of the copy function, the left arrow key corresponding to “thinning” for “same size, magnification, paper selection, sorter, double-sided, interrupt, character, density adjustment”, “darken” The right arrow key corresponding to ”and the automatic key that automatically adjusts the density are displayed. To specify the operation mode that cannot be displayed on the initial screen, press the application mode key to display the setting screen hierarchically in the screen. It has come to be.

  A display area 505 in FIG. 5A is an area for displaying the status of the copying machine 1001. In the display area 505, for example, an alarm message for a failure such as a jam or a status message indicating that PDL printing is being performed when PDL printing is being performed is displayed.

  Furthermore, when the system status / cancel touch key 506 in the operation screen shown in FIG. 5A is pressed, a screen displaying device information of the copier 1001 and a screen displaying the print job status are displayed. It is possible to cancel the job.

  When the transmission / fax tab 502 is pressed, an image read by the copying machine 1001 is transmitted to a device on the LAN 1006 by e-mail transmission or FTP transmission, or for transmission using a public line 1007 by FAX. The setting screen is displayed.

  Further, when the box tab 502 is pressed, an image read on the copying machine 1001 is stored in the box area in the hard disk 2004, the image data stored in the box area is designated and printed, or the LAN 1006 is displayed. A setting screen for sending to other devices is displayed.

  Furthermore, when the web browser tab 504 on the operation screen in FIG. 5A is pressed, the browser activation screen shown in FIG. 5B is opened. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a browser activation screen that is activated when the web browser tab 504 in the operation screen of FIG. 5A is pressed.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 5B, the URL input unit 507 inputs the URL in this field when the URL is specified and the page is opened. It should be noted that it may be set with the administrator's authority so that the soft keyboard is displayed when the user presses the field, and the user can specify the URL using the soft keyboard.

  Further, in the screen shown in FIG. 5B, the favorite key 508 can register, organize, and display URLs. Further, the display area 509 is a content display area. Furthermore, the return key 510 is a key for returning the page to the previous one, and the advance key 511 is a key for advancing the page by one.

  Furthermore, the update key 512 is a key for reloading and displaying the currently displayed page. Furthermore, the cancel key 513 is a key for canceling page reading. The home key 514 is a key for moving the displayed page to a preset home page.

  Furthermore, the print key 515 is a key for printing the currently displayed page. When the print key 515 is pressed, a print setting dialog is displayed. The print settings dialog shows a screen for setting how to print the frame and settings related to printing (number of copies, double-sided, sorting, etc.), and printing starts by pressing the print start button in this screen Is done.

  Furthermore, the menu key 516 is a key for displaying a screen for changing the display magnification of the screen, changing the character size, changing the character code, and the like.

<Operation contents of browser>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the web browser in response to a user instruction by the operation unit 2012 of the copying machine 1001. First, the copier 1001 determines whether there is a web browser activation instruction (step S601). If there is a web browser activation instruction (Yes), the web browser is activated (step S602). Next, it connects to the URL (home URL) that is connected when the web browser is activated (step S603). Then, it is determined whether or not connection to the home URL has been established (step S604).

  If the home URL cannot be connected (No), an error message is displayed (step S605), and the process proceeds to step S615. On the other hand, if the connection to the home URL has been established (Yes), it is determined whether the acquired data is web content data (step S606). As a result, when it is determined that the data is not web content data (No), it is determined whether or not the data can be expanded in the copying machine 1001 (step S607). If it is determined that the data is not expandable (No), the process proceeds to step S605, an error message is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S614.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S607 that the data can be developed (Yes), it is determined whether there is an instruction to print the data or to perform a print preview (step S608). As a result, if there is a print preview instruction, a print preview display is performed (step S609), and it is determined whether or not the next instruction is a print instruction (step S610). As a result, if the next instruction is a print instruction (Yes), printing is started (step S611). On the other hand, if it is not a print instruction (No), the process proceeds to step S614.

  Also, when a print instruction is given in step S608, the process proceeds to step S611 to start printing. Note that after printing is started in step S611, the process proceeds to step S614.

  Next, the case where it is determined in step S606 that the acquired data is web content data (Yes) will be described. At this time, the web browser displays the acquired data in the content display area (step S612). Then, as the next instruction, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction for either printing or print preview (step S613). If it is determined that there is a print or print preview instruction (Yse), the process proceeds to step S608. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no instruction (No), the process proceeds to step S614.

  In step S614, it is determined whether or not the next URL instruction has been issued. As a result, when there is a next URL instruction (Yes), the process proceeds to step S604, and it is determined whether or not connection to the next URL is possible. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S614 that there is no next URL instruction (No), it is determined whether or not an end instruction has been issued (step S615). As a result, when the termination instruction is given (Yes), the browser is terminated.

<Print processing from a web browser>
Next, the printing process from the web browser will be described in detail. The user displays a page to be printed using a web browser on the screen shown in FIG. 5B and presses the print key 515. Thereby, the print setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen displayed on the operation unit 2012 of the copier 1001 in order to perform print processing from the web browser.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 7, A4 size paper is currently set by the paper size setting unit 701. To change this, the button on the right side of the screen is pressed and set. The reprint setting unit 702 is currently set to permit reprinting. When this is set to prohibit reprinting, the setting change key 703 is pressed to change the setting to prohibition. When the print setting is completed, the user presses the OK key 704 to shift to the print screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print screen displayed on the operation unit 2012 of the copier 1001 in order to perform print processing from the web browser. In FIG. 8, 801 indicates a title display, 802 indicates a URL display, and 803 indicates a set copy number display. When the user wants to change the print setting, the user presses the print setting key 804 to return to the print setting screen shown in FIG. Then, after confirming the print settings, the print start key 805 is pressed to start printing.

<Registration processing of copying machine 1001 to content management server 1009>
Next, a case where an image or the like is printed by accessing the content management server 1009 from the web browser of the copier 1001 will be described. First, a processing procedure for registering the copying machine 1001 in the content management server 1009 will be described.

  A content management server 1009 is a web server such as Apache for displaying content on a web browser, a database for managing a copier, the number of copies, and the like, a document such as a PDF file, and a background of variable printing (fixed). And a file server for storing master data as data.

  In order to use the content management server 1009, a user account of the server is required. In order to register the copying machine 1001 that permits printing in the content management server 1009, the administrator first logs in to the copying machine 1001 and accesses the content management server 1009 using a web browser. Here, when accessing the content management server 1009 from the web browser on the copier 1001 with administrator authority, a registration screen of the copier 1009 is displayed. Therefore, the user account and password of the content management server 1009 are input and the content management server 1009 is logged in.

  When the user account and password are entered and logged in, buttons for copying machine registration / deletion and copying machine settings are displayed. When the copy machine registration button is pressed, registration of the copy machine 1001 is executed. At this time, the machine ID, which is identification information unique to the apparatus, is transmitted from the copying machine 1001 to the content management server 1009 and registered. The machine ID is an ID number for identifying the model of the copying machine 1001 and other copying machines, and is written in the hardware in the controller unit 2000. Further, the series of operations described above are performed through an encrypted communication path.

<Registration Process of Print Content to Content Management Server 1009>
Hereinafter, a method for registering print content in the content management server 1009 will be described. The content management server 1009 is basically a web server, and content such as an HTML file may be uploaded to the web server using the user name and password when the copier 1001 is registered. For example, uploading from the client computer 1005 is possible.

  It is also possible to set access rights to content for each registered copier. In this case, a user who can access by creating a “.haccess file” in the directory with the uploaded file, Define possible users. Furthermore, when registering content, it is possible to set the number of printings permitted for a copying machine that permits printing for each page. Furthermore, it is possible to set the output limit number for a plurality of copying machines.

<Web browser printing based on permission from content management server 1009>
Next, web browser printing from the content management server 1009 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining details of web browser printing based on permission from the content management server 1009.

  First, the content management server 1009 is accessed from the built-in browser of the copier 1001 to request authentication (step S901). Since authentication is performed on the copying machine itself, the user at this time does not necessarily need to be an administrator of the copying machine 1001. When the content management server 1009 is accessed, authentication is performed to determine whether the copier 1009 is an apparatus having the authority authorized to process (print, etc.) the content managed by the content management server 1009. (Step S902).

  As a result, when authentication is not performed, that is, when access is made from a copying machine that is not registered in the content management server 1009 (No), a message that access is not possible is displayed (step S903), and the process returns to step S901. On the other hand, if the authentication is successful (Yes), a page (for example, a home URL page) is displayed (step S904). Then, it is confirmed whether or not to print the displayed page (step S905).

  As a result, when the displayed page is not printed (No), the page cache is cleared when the display of the page is terminated (step S906), and the process returns to step S901. On the other hand, when the displayed page is printed (Yes), print settings are made via the screens shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as in the case of printing from a normal browser (step S907). Then, the print start button 805 shown in FIG. 8 is pressed to start printing (step S908).

  When the print start button is pressed and printing starts, the copier 1001 communicates with the content management server 1009 and checks the processing limit range such as the output limit number for the page to determine whether printing is possible ( Step S909). As a result, when printing cannot be performed (No), the hard disk and the page cache on the memory are cleared (step S915), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S909 that printing is possible (Yes), rendering is performed and printing is performed on the print medium (paper) (step S910).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a failure such as a paper jam or a paper out error has occurred immediately before or during printing (step S911). If it is determined that a failure has occurred (Yes), the process proceeds to step S912. The same determination may be performed when acquiring the print job, and the print job itself may not be received if the above-described failure has already occurred. In step S912, the page cache or print job on the hard disk or memory is deleted, and the process returns to step S901. After that, the user performs recovery processing and starts printing again, but unlike ordinary browser printing, it is necessary to access the content management server 1009 again.

  On the other hand, if no paper jam or no paper error occurs immediately before or during printing (No), the printed paper is output (step S913), and the print counter in the copier 1001 is counted up. Count the number of copies to print. Further, the copier 1001 communicates with the content management server 1009, transmits the printout result, and updates the output limit number (step S914). If the output notification is not notified to the content management server 1009 within a predetermined time, it may be temporarily excluded from the accessible list of the content management server 1009 so that it cannot be accessed thereafter. Then, the page cache of the print page and the print job are deleted, and the printing is finished (step S915).

  In the printing from the content management server 1009, not only the printing of web content, but also the direct printing in which a PDF file stored in the content management server 1009 is downloaded via a web browser and printed directly from the copier 1009. Is also possible. Also in this printing method, since printing can be performed from the client computer 1005 without using a driver, an effect of suppressing the outflow of electronic document data can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where printing is performed from the web browser on the copier 1001 has been described. However, special data is taken into the copier from the content management server 1009 via the browser on the copier 1001, and the data is printed at the time of printing. It is also possible to print using data. Further, although the data to be printed has been described as an image, web content, etc., page description language data or the like may be used. In this embodiment, the printing process in the copying machine 1001 is described. However, the same applies to other processes as well as the printing process.

<Importing variable data>
Next, a method for downloading variable data printing master data (background data) from the content management server 1009 to the copying machine 1001 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for downloading the master data (background data) for variable data printing from the content management server 1009 to the copying machine 1001.

  First, the content management server 1009 is accessed from the built-in browser of the copier 1001 (step S1001). At this time, the user does not need to be an administrator of the copier 1001. When the content management server 1009 is accessed, the copying machine is authenticated (step S1002).

  As a result, when accessing from a copier that is not registered in the content management server 1009, authentication is not performed (No), an inaccessible message is displayed (step S1003), and the process returns to step S1001. On the other hand, if the authentication is successful in step S1002 (Yes), a page is displayed (step S1004). Further, it is confirmed whether or not to download the displayed page (step S1005).

  As a result, when the displayed page is not downloaded (No), the page cache is cleared when the display of the page is terminated (step S1006), and the process returns to step S1001. On the other hand, when the displayed page is downloaded (Yes), download setting is performed (step S1007). Then, a download start button (not shown) is pressed to perform download, and the master data is stored in a designated location (step S1008).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a download setting screen during variable printing. In the screen shown in FIG. 11, the paper size setting unit 1101 is set as the paper size of the master data. A variable print setting unit 1102 sets whether to download to the copier 1001 as master data for variable data printing. The box number setting unit 1103 sets a box number for storing master data.

  Here, the box is an area in the hard disk of the copying machine 1001 where user data can be stored, which can be assigned to each user or each department of the company, and each box can be given a box name and a password. it can. By specifying a box, the user can input a PDL job and a scan job in each box. By inputting a password, the user can actually see the box, change settings, and perform print output.

  In FIG. 11, a data number setting unit 1104 sets a number used when setting master data from the printer driver. Further, a button 1105 is a button for shifting to the sub screen when changing each setting item of the data number setting unit 1104 from the paper size setting unit 1101 described above. Furthermore, the OK button is a button for confirming the setting.

<Variable printing>
Next, a method for performing variable printing using master data registered in the copier 1001 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print details setting screen of the printer driver. In the screen shown in FIG. 12, reference numeral 1201 denotes a variable print setting unit. When variable printing is performed, “ON” is set in a box 1205. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a box number designating part in which master data to be used is stored, and a box number is entered in a box 1206. For example, a value from 1 to 99 can be used as the box number.

  Reference numeral 1203 denotes a data number designating unit for designating the data number of the master data in the box, and selects the data number of the master data to be used from the pull-down menu 1207. Reference numeral 1204 denotes a finishing setting unit for setting finishing. Further, reference numeral 1208 denotes an OK button for confirming the detailed print settings, and reference numeral 1209 denotes a cancel button for canceling the settings. The user can perform variable printing on the copier 1001 in which master data is registered by setting a printer driver from the client computer 1005.

  The print data transmitted from the client computer 1005 is combined with the master data designated by the printer driver in the box area provided in the HDD 2004 by the controller unit 2000 in the copying machine 1001 and output.

  Application examples for registering and using variable printing master data using the content management server 1009 include not only allowing general users to freely use master data, but also preventing counterfeiting by mounting data such as tickets and copying as master data The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data can be registered in the copying machine from the content management server and used. In this case, master data is stored in a special box area that is not open to the user and cannot be accessed by general users. Also, setting from the printer driver is not possible, and the administrator sets variable printing from the operation unit 2012 of the copier 1001. In this setting, a user who can perform printing using specific master data from the browser is limited, or a setting for forcibly using the master data for printing is performed.

  As described above, in the network system according to the present embodiment, print data is registered in the content management server 1009, printed from the browser of the copier 1001, and loaded into the copier 1001, thereby leaking electronic data. It is possible to prevent and securely print only the necessary number of copies. For example, by using the background data or tint block data of a ticket as master data, it becomes possible to prevent forgery of the ticket or the like and track the output.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium (recording medium). The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a single device or an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the network system which accommodates the multifunctional apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a copier 1001 that is a multifunction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating hardware configurations of a scanner 2070 and a printer 2095 of the copying machine 1001 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an operation unit 2012 of the copier 1001 according to the present embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on an LCD display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the browser starting screen started when the web browser tab 504 in the operation screen of FIG. 5A is pressed. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a web browser in response to a user instruction by an operation unit 2012 of the copying machine 1001. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen displayed on the operation unit 2012 of the copier 1001 in order to perform print processing from a web browser. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print screen displayed on the operation unit 2012 of the copier 1001 in order to perform print processing from a web browser. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining details of web browser printing based on permission from the content management server 1009. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for downloading variable data printing master data (background data) from the content management server 1009 to the copier 1001. It is a figure which shows an example of the download setting screen at the time of variable printing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print details setting screen of a printer driver.

Explanation of symbols

1001, 1002 Copier 1003, 1007 Facsimile device 1004 Database / mail server 1005 Client computer 1006 LAN
1008 Public line 1009 Content management server

Claims (17)

An information processing apparatus connected via a network to a management apparatus that manages information,
Requesting means for accessing the management device and requesting authentication as to whether or not the information processing device is authorized to process the information managed by the management device;
Setting means for performing processing setting of the information within the processing range of the information managed by the management device when authentication is successful by the management device;
Obtaining means for obtaining a processing job of the information set by the setting means from the management device;
Storage means for storing the processing job;
Processing means for processing the information based on the processing job;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an erasing unit that erases the processing job from the storage unit. The request means requests authentication by transmitting identification information unique to the information processing device to the management device;
Issued by the management device when the authentication of the information processing device is successful in the management device based on the identification information and the identification information of the device having authority to process the image managed in the management device A receiving means for receiving the authentication success information;
The setting means, when the receiving means receives the authentication success information, setting means for performing processing setting of the information within the processing range of the information managed by the management device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is an image, web content, or page description language data.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration unit that registers predetermined information with the management apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit prints the information on a print medium and outputs the information. Further comprising a counting means for counting the number of copies of the print medium printed out by the processing means,
The output means prints the information on the print medium on condition that the number of copies of the print medium counted by the counting means is within the processing range of the information managed by the management device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus outputs the information. Further comprising detection means for detecting whether or not a failure has occurred that hinders processing of the information by the processing means;
The erasing unit erases the processing job stored in the storage unit before processing by the processing unit when the detection unit detects that a failure that hinders processing of the information has occurred. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Detecting means for detecting whether or not a failure that hinders processing of the information has occurred during acquisition of the processing job by the acquiring means;
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a prohibiting unit that prohibits acquisition of the processing job by the acquisition unit when the detection unit detects that a failure that prevents the processing of the information has occurred. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit downloads the information and stores the information in a predetermined storage unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information is master data serving as background data during variable printing.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the master data is copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data for preventing forgery. An information processing system in which a management device that manages information and at least one information processing device are connected via a network,
The management device is
Storage means for storing identification information of an information processing apparatus having authority to process the information;
Accepting means for accepting an authentication request from an information processing device that requests processing of the information;
Authentication means for authenticating whether or not the information processing apparatus has authority to process the information;
Transmission means for transmitting a processing job of the information to the information processing apparatus when the authentication is successful,
The information processing apparatus is
Request means for requesting authentication as to whether or not the management apparatus has authority to process the information;
Receiving means for receiving a processing job of the information from the management device when authentication is successful by the management device;
Storage means for storing the processing job;
Processing means for processing the information based on the processing job;
An information processing system comprising: an erasing unit that erases the processing job from the storage unit.   The information processing system according to claim 12, further comprising an information processing apparatus including a registration unit that registers predetermined information with the management apparatus.   The information processing system according to claim 13, further comprising: an information processing apparatus that permits the management apparatus to process the information; and a setting unit that sets a processing range of the information. . An information processing method in an information processing apparatus connected via a network to a management apparatus that manages information,
A request step for accessing the management device and requesting authentication as to whether or not the information processing device is authorized to process the information managed by the management device;
A setting step of performing processing setting of the information within the processing range of the information managed by the management device when authentication is successful by the management device;
An acquisition step of acquiring a processing job of the information set by the setting step from the management device;
A storage step of storing the processing job in a storage means;
A processing step of processing the information based on the processing job;
An erasing step of erasing the processing job from the storage means. To an information processing apparatus connected via a network to a management apparatus that manages information,
A request procedure for accessing the management apparatus and requesting authentication as to whether or not the information processing apparatus is an apparatus having authority to process the information managed by the management apparatus;
A setting procedure for performing processing setting of the information within the processing range of the information managed by the management device when authentication is successful by the management device;
An acquisition procedure for acquiring a processing job of the information set by the setting procedure from the management device;
A storage procedure for storing the processing job in a storage means;
A processing procedure for processing the information based on the processing job;
An erasing procedure for erasing the processing job from the storage means.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 16.

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