Image forming system, information management server, and image forming method

Abstract

The invention discloses an image forming system, an information management server and an image forming method. The image forming system includes an information management unit, a judging unit, and at least one image forming unit. The information management unit stores and manages printing information. The judging unit judges whether to allow execution of printing processing related to the printing information. Each image forming unit prints and outputs print information obtained from the information management unit via a communication unit on a recording medium according to a determination result of the determination unit. The judging unit includes a first authentication unit and a second authentication unit. The first authenticating unit performs authentication on printing processing related to the printing information to judge whether to allow execution of printing and outputting the printing information on a recording medium using one of the at least one image forming unit. previous processing. The second authentication unit executes authentication for printing processing related to the print information to judge whether printing and output on the recording medium using the image forming unit is permitted after the authentication performed by the first authentication unit is completed. The print information.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an information management server, and an image forming method. Background technique [0002] Recently, secure printing systems (or authentication printing systems) used with image forming apparatuses such as printers have become more and more popular. In a secure printing system, in order to avoid unnecessary mistakes, such as information leakage due to leftover printed documents or loss of printed documents due to confusion, etc., user identity authentication can be performed on the printer using an integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. And only authenticated users can perform printing. [0003] In general two types of secure printing systems are available: "push" and "pull". [0004] A push-type printing system is a system in which a printer stores print data and outputs print data according to authentication on the printer (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication N...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The print data may not have been converted or changed to a format suitable for the output device until the printer has performed authentication

[0008] Also, since the print data resides in the server, it may take time to transfer the print data to the printer

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