Image formation device, printing system, and control program of image formation device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device that improves usability while maintaining security.SOLUTION: An image formation device according to an embodiment includes a communication interface, a user interface, and a control part. The communication interface receives printing data and PIN information from a server. The user interface receives a PIN input from a user. When the PIN information and the PIN input satisfy a first partial matching condition within a first period from reception of the PIN information, the control part allows printing of the printing data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a printing system, and a control program for the image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A service providing system is known that can change the number of digits in the temporary code to be issued. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-156609 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a printing system, and a control program for an image forming apparatus that improves usability while maintaining security. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a communication interface, a user interface, and a control unit. The communication interface receives print data and PIN information from a server. The user interface accepts PIN input from a user. The control unit permits printing of the print data if the PIN information and the PIN input satisfy a first partial match condition within a first period after receiving the PIN information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the printing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals. The embodiments shown below are merely examples of technical ideas. The embodiments do not specify the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of the components. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments.

[0008] First Embodiment <Configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. The printing system 1 is a system in which a print job registered on a terminal device can be printed by entering a PIN (Personal Identification Number) on an image forming device. The printing system 1 includes a server 2, a terminal device 3, and an image forming device 4. A network 5 to which the server 2, terminal device 3, and image forming device 4 are connected is not included in the printing system 1.

[0009] The server 2 is connected to a network 5 and communicates with the terminal device 3 and the image forming device 4 via the network 5. The server 2 receives information from the terminal device 3 and transmits information to the image forming device 4.

[0010] The terminal device 3 is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone. The terminal device 3 is connected to a network 5 and communicates with the server 2 via the network 5. The terminal device 3 registers a print job in the printing system 1 based on a user operation.

[0011] The image forming device 4 is a device with a printing function, such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a copier, or a printer. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the image forming device 4 is an MFP. The image forming device 4 is connected to a network 5 and communicates with the server 2 via the network 5. The image forming device 4 accepts input of a PIN from a user.

[0012] The network 5 is a communication path configured by a single or a combination of communication means including, for example, wired or wireless, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a telephone communication network, or other unique communication network.

[0013] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. The server 2 includes a processor 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a storage 24, a communication interface 25, and a system bus 26. The system bus 26 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system bus 26 interconnects the processor 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, the storage 24, and the communication interface 25. The processor 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, and the storage 24 are connected via the system bus 26 to form a computer of the server 2.

[0014] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 21 controls each part in accordance with an operating system or an application program to realize various functions of the server 2. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0015] The ROM 22 is a non-volatile storage device that stores a preset operating system or application programs, control data, and the like.

[0016] The RAM 23 is a volatile storage device and is used as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 21. The RAM 23 is also used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing data.

[0017] The storage 24 corresponds to an auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The storage 24 stores data used by the processor 21 when it performs various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 21, etc. The storage 24 may also store the application programs described above. The storage 24 is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0018] The communication interface 25 communicates with the outside of the server 2 .

[0019] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. The terminal device 3 includes a processor 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a storage 34, a communication interface 35, a user interface 36, and a system bus 37. The system bus 37 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system bus 37 interconnects the processor 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, the storage 34, the communication interface 35, and the user interface 36. The processor 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, and the storage 34 are connected via the system bus 37 to form a computer for the terminal device 3.

[0020] The processor 31 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 31 controls each part in accordance with an operating system or an application program to realize various functions of the terminal device 3. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU.

[0021] The ROM 32 is a non-volatile storage device that stores a preset operating system or application programs, control data, and the like.

[0022] The RAM 33 is a volatile storage device and is used as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 31. The RAM 33 is also used as a buffer memory that temporarily stores data.

[0023] The storage 34 corresponds to an auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The storage 34 stores data used by the processor 31 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 31, etc. The storage 34 may also store the application programs described above. The storage 34 is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark), a HDD, an SSD, etc.

[0024] The communication interface 35 communicates with the outside of the terminal device 3 .

[0025] The user interface 36 is, for example, a display, a keyboard, and a mouse. The user interface 36 may be, for example, a touch panel. The user interface 36 notifies the user operating the terminal device 3 of various information and accepts input from the user.

[0026] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 4 includes a processor 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a storage 44, a communication interface 45, a user interface 46, a printing unit 47, and a system bus 48. The system bus 48 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system bus 48 interconnects the processor 41, the ROM 42, the RAM 43, the storage 44, the communication interface 45, the user interface 46, and the printing unit 47. The processor 41, the ROM 42, the RAM 43, and the storage 44 are connected via the system bus 48 to form a computer of the image forming apparatus 4.

[0027] The processor 41 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 41 controls each part in accordance with an operating system or an application program to realize various functions of the image forming apparatus 4. The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU.

[0028] The ROM 42 is a non-volatile storage device that stores a preset operating system or application programs, control data, and the like.

[0029] The RAM 43 is a volatile storage device and is used as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 41. The RAM 43 is also used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing data.

[0030] The storage 44 corresponds to an auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The storage 44 stores data used by the processor 41 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 41, etc. The storage 44 may also store the application programs described above. The storage 44 is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark), a HDD, an SSD, etc.

[0031] The storage 44 also stores setting information related to PIN authentication. The setting information related to PIN authentication includes at least a determination time and a partial match condition. The determination time is the length of time from when the image forming device 4 receives a print job until PIN authentication based on a partial match is permitted for that print job. The determination time is, for example, 10 minutes. The partial match condition is a criterion for determining whether or not the PIN information included in the print job and the PIN input entered by the user partially match. For example, the partial match condition is that two consecutive digits extracted from the PIN information included in the print job match two consecutive digits extracted from the PIN input entered by the user.

[0032] The application programs stored in ROM 42 or storage 44 include processing programs that describe information processing to be executed by the image forming apparatus 4. There are no particular limitations on the method for installing the processing programs into ROM 42 or storage 44. The processing programs can be installed into ROM 42 or storage 44 by recording them on a removable recording medium or by distributing them via communication over a network. The recording medium can take any form, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, as long as it can record the program and is readable by the device.

[0033] The communication interface 45 communicates with the outside of the image forming apparatus 4 .

[0034] The user interface 46 is, for example, a display and a numeric keypad. The user interface 46 may also be, for example, a touch panel. The user interface 46 notifies the user operating the image forming apparatus 4 of various information and accepts input from the user.

[0035] The printing unit 47 performs printing based on data stored in the RAM 43, the storage 44, etc.

[0036] <Operation> The operation of each part of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the printing system according to the first embodiment. A user performs a printing operation (ACT1). In detail, the user operates the user interface 36 of the terminal device 3 to perform a printing operation for desired data and obtains PIN information corresponding to printing of the desired data. The PIN information may be automatically generated by the processor 31 of the terminal device 3 when performing the printing operation, or may be determined by the user operating the user interface 36 and inputting it.

[0037] The terminal device 3 on which the printing operation has been executed transmits a print job (ACT2). Specifically, the processor 31 of the terminal device 3 transmits a print job including print data and PIN information corresponding to the printing operation executed in ACT1 to the server 2 via the communication interface 35.

[0038] The server 2 receives the print job (ACT3). Specifically, the processor 21 of the server 2 receives the print job sent by the terminal device 3 in ACT2 via the communication interface 25. The received print job is stored in the storage 24, for example.

[0039] The server 2 transmits the print job (ACT4). In detail, the processor 21 of the server 2 transmits the print job stored in the storage 24, for example, to the image forming device 4 via the communication interface 25.

[0040] The image forming device 4 receives the print job (ACT5). Specifically, the processor 41 of the image forming device 4 receives the print job sent by the server 2 in ACT4 via the communication interface 45. The received print job is stored in the storage 44, for example.

[0041] The image forming device 4 displays the list (ACT6). In detail, the processor 41 of the image forming device 4 controls the user interface 46 to display a list of print jobs stored in the storage 44 to the user and prompt the user to make a selection.

[0042] The user selects a print job (ACT 7). Specifically, the user operates the user interface 46 to select a desired print job from among the print jobs displayed by the image forming apparatus 4 in ACT 6.

[0043] The image forming apparatus 4 requests the user to input a PIN (ACT8). In detail, the processor 41 of the image forming apparatus 4 controls the user interface 46 to request the user to input a PIN.

[0044] The user inputs the PIN (ACT9). More specifically, the user inputs the PIN by operating the user interface 46. The PIN information input by the user is called a PIN input.

[0045] The image forming apparatus 4 performs the printing process or notifies the user of an error (ACT 10). In detail, the processor 41 of the image forming apparatus 4 performs the printing process or notifies the user of an error based on the PIN entered in ACT 9.

[0046] When the processing of ACT10 is completed, the series of processing shown in FIG. 5 ends (END).

[0047] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. When the operation of the image forming apparatus 4 starts (START), the processor 41 receives a print job (ACT21). In detail, the processor 41 controls the communication interface 45 to receive the print job from the server 2 and store it in the storage 44.

[0048] The processor 41 displays the list (ACT22). Specifically, the processor 41 controls the user interface 46 to display a list of print jobs stored in the storage 44 to the user and prompts the user to make a selection.

[0049] The processor 41 determines whether a print job has been selected (ACT23). If a print job has not been selected (ACT23, No), the processor 41 executes the process of ACT21. On the other hand, if a print job has been selected (ACT23, Yes), the processor 41 requests the user to enter a PIN (ACT24). In particular, the processor 41 controls the user interface 46 to request the user to enter a PIN.

[0050] The processor 41 determines whether a PIN has been entered (ACT25). If a PIN has not been entered (ACT25, No), the processor 41 executes the process of ACT24. On the other hand, if a PIN has been entered (ACT25, Yes), the processor 41 determines whether the entered PIN, i.e., the PIN input, exactly matches the PIN information included in the print job (ACT26).

[0051] If the PIN input and the PIN information do not completely match (ACT 26, No), the processor 41 acquires setting information (ACT 27). In detail, the processor 41 reads setting information related to PIN authentication from the storage 44.

[0052] The processor 41 determines whether the elapsed time is within the determination time (ACT28). Specifically, the processor 41 determines whether the elapsed time from when the selected print job was received by the image forming device 4 to the present is within the determination time. If the elapsed time is within the determination time (ACT28, Yes), the processor 41 determines whether the PIN input satisfies the partial match condition (ACT29).

[0053] If the PIN input and the PIN information completely match in ACT26 (Yes in ACT26), or if the PIN input and the PIN information satisfy the partial match condition in ACT29 (Yes in ACT29), the processor 41 executes the print process (ACT30). In detail, the processor 41 controls the printing unit 47 to print the selected print job.

[0054] If the elapsed time is not within the determination time in ACT28 (ACT28, No), or if the PIN input does not satisfy the partial match condition with the PIN information in ACT29 (ACT29, No), the processor 41 notifies the user of an error (ACT 31). In detail, the processor 41 controls the user interface 46 to notify the user of the error.

[0055] When the processing in ACT30 or the processing in ACT31 is completed, the series of processing steps shown in FIG. 6 is completed.

[0056] In this way, the image forming device 4 according to the first embodiment allows printing even if the PIN does not match exactly, as long as the partial match condition is met, during the period from when the print job is received until the determination time. Then, if the PIN does not match exactly after the determination time from when the print job is received, the image forming device 4 according to the first embodiment displays an error and does not allow printing.

[0057] The partial match condition will be explained using a specific example. For illustrative purposes, the following condition is set. The PIN information is an eight-digit positive integer, "12345678." The user can input any positive integer of one or more digits as the PIN input. The partial match condition is that two consecutive digits extracted from the PIN information match two consecutive digits extracted from the PIN input. If the user inputs "123" as the PIN input, "12" and "23" can be extracted as two consecutive digits. Since both of these match the two consecutive digits that can be extracted from the PIN information, the partial match condition is satisfied. Similarly, if the user inputs "456" as the PIN input, both "45" and "56" match, and therefore the partial match condition is satisfied. Similarly, if the user inputs "678" as the PIN input, both "67" and "78" match, and therefore the partial match condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if the user enters "136" as the PIN, "13" and "36" can be extracted as two consecutive digits, but neither of these matches the two consecutive digits that can be extracted from the PIN information, and therefore the partial match condition is not met.

[0058] <Effects> Short-term memory ability differs from person to person. In a printing system 1 used by a variety of users, if the number of digits in the PIN is increased to improve security, some users may not be able to remember the PIN, which could result in printing being impossible or taking a long time to complete.

[0059] According to the first embodiment, in the printing system 1, the image forming device 4 receives a print job including print data and PIN information from the server 2. Then, the image forming device 4 according to the first embodiment allows printing of the print data if the user's PIN input satisfies a partial match condition with the PIN information during a determination time period after receiving the print job. Furthermore, the image forming device 4 according to the first embodiment does not allow printing of the print data if the user's PIN input does not completely match the PIN information after the determination time period after receiving the print job.

[0060] The image forming device 4 according to the first embodiment allows printing not only for a perfect match but also for a partial match during the determination time after receiving the print job, thereby improving usability. Furthermore, after the determination time after receiving the print job, the image forming device 4 according to the first embodiment does not check for a partial match of the PIN, and allows printing only if the PIN input is a perfect match, thereby maintaining security. This allows the image forming device 4 according to the first embodiment to improve usability while maintaining security.

[0061] Second Embodiment A printing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. The printing system 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the operation of the image forming device 4 is partially different. Below, the differences between the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described.

[0062] <Configuration> The configuration of the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the configuration of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment in the setting information stored in the storage 44 of the image forming device 4. The storage 44 of the image forming device 4 according to the second embodiment includes, as setting information related to PIN authentication, a change start time, the number of digits to be added, and an addition interval in addition to the judgment time and partial match conditions. The change start time is the length of time from when the image forming device 4 receives a print job until it starts changing the partial match conditions when performing PIN authentication based on partial match for that print job. The change start time is shorter than the judgment time. For example, the change start time is 5 minutes when the judgment time is 10 minutes. The number of digits to be added is the unit of the number of digits to be added when changing the partial match conditions. For example, the number of digits to be added is 1 digit. The addition interval is the time interval for changing the partial match conditions. For example, the addition interval is 1 minute.

[0063] <Operation> The operation of the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment, the operations of the server 2 and the terminal device 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment, the operation of the image forming device 4 differs from that of the image forming device 4 according to the first embodiment in the operation in ACT27 described with reference to FIG. 6. Details of the operation of the image forming device 4 according to the second embodiment in ACT27 will be described below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0064] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 4 according to the second embodiment. In the operation of the image forming apparatus 4 according to the second embodiment, the operation in ACT27 described with reference to Fig. 6 is replaced with the operation described with reference to Fig. 7, in comparison with the operation of the image forming apparatus 4 according to the first embodiment.

[0065] When the operation starts (START), the processor 41 acquires the setting information (ACT 270). In detail, the processor 41 reads the determination time, partial match condition, change start time, number of added digits, and addition interval from the storage 44.

[0066] The processor 41 determines whether the time elapsed from when the selected print job was received to the present is after the change start time (ACT271). If it is after the change start time (ACT271, Yes), the processor 41 sets the partial match condition based on the elapsed time (ACT272). In detail, the processor 41 calculates and sets a new partial match condition based on the elapsed time using the elapsed time, the partial match condition, the change start time, the number of added digits, and the added interval read in the processing of ACT270. The calculation of the new partial match condition based on the elapsed time will be described later.

[0067] In the process of ACT271, if it is not after the change start time (ACT271, No), the processor 41 sets the partial match condition to the initial value (ACT273). In detail, the processor 41 sets the partial match condition read in the process of ACT270 as the partial match condition to be used in subsequent determinations.

[0068] When the processing in ACT272 or the processing in ACT273 is completed, the series of processing steps shown in FIG. 7 is completed (END).

[0069] The calculation of a new partial match condition based on elapsed time will now be described in detail. In the example described in the first embodiment, the partial match condition was that two consecutive digits extracted from the PIN information and the PIN input match. In the example shown in the second embodiment, the number of consecutive digits used for the determination increases as time elapses. In other words, the number of digits extracted to determine a partial match increases as time elapses. How the number of digits used as one element of the partial match condition is calculated will now be described.

[0070] Let Tp be the time elapsed since the print job was received, Tc be the time when the change started, Kp be the number of digits to be added, Ts be the addition interval, and Ki be the initial value of the number of digits in the partial match condition. First, calculate the calculation value A using the following formula (1). (Tp-Tc+1)÷Ts=A (1) Next, the decimal points of calculated value A are discarded to obtain calculated value B. Furthermore, the set number of digits Ks is calculated as shown in the following formula (2) and set as the partial match condition. B×Kp+Ki=Ks (2) By calculating the set number of digits Ks in this way, the number of digits that satisfy the partial match condition increases by the additional number of digits Kp at each additional interval Ts after the change start time Tc when the image forming apparatus 4 receives the print job.

[0071] A specific example will be used to explain the relationship between the set number of digits Ks and elapsed time. As an example for purposes of explanation, assume that the determination time is 10 minutes, the change start time Tc is 5 minutes, the number of additional digits Kp is 1 digit, the additional interval Ts is 1 minute, and the initial value Ki is 2 digits. When the elapsed time is between 0 and 5 minutes, the processing of ACT273 is executed, and the number of digits for the partial match condition is the initial value of 2 digits. When the elapsed time is between 5 and 6 minutes, the processing of ACT272 is executed, and the number of digits for the partial match condition is 3 digits. When the elapsed time is between 6 and 7 minutes, the processing of ACT272 is executed, and the number of digits for the partial match condition is 4 digits. When the elapsed time is between 7 and 8 minutes, the processing of ACT272 is executed, and the number of digits for the partial match condition is 5 digits. When the elapsed time is between 8 and 9 minutes, the processing of ACT272 is executed, and the number of digits for the partial match condition is 6 digits. When the elapsed time is between 9 and 10 minutes, the processing of ACT272 is executed, and the number of digits for the partial match condition is 7 digits. After 10 minutes have passed, the PIN will be authenticated if it is an exact match.

[0072] <Effects> According to the second embodiment, the image forming device 4 increases the number of digits in the partial match condition with each additional interval during the determination time and after the change start time. That is, the image forming device 4 according to the second embodiment gradually approaches an exact match condition over time. In other words, the partial match condition gradually switches from a partial match with a small number of digits, which is easy to use, to an exact match, which provides strong security. This allows the image forming device according to the second embodiment to improve usability while maintaining security.

[0073] <Other variations, etc.> In the above embodiment, an example of a partial match condition is described in which two consecutive digits extracted from the PIN information included in the print job match two consecutive digits extracted from the PIN input entered by the user. However, the partial match condition is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible. For example, the number of digits used to determine a partial match may be changed to any positive integer, such as three or four digits. However, the number of digits used to determine a partial match must be smaller than the total number of digits in the PIN information. Furthermore, the position of the digits used to determine a partial match may be limited to a specific position, such as the beginning or end of the PIN information and PIN input. For example, the partial match condition may be defined as the first two digits of the PIN information matching the first two digits of the PIN input. Furthermore, the partial match condition may include the number of digits in the PIN input matching the number of digits in the PIN information.

[0074] Examples of partial match conditions can be expressed using variables as follows: For example, a partial match condition includes a condition where X (X is a positive integer) consecutive digits extracted from the PIN information match X digits extracted from the PIN input. For example, a partial match condition includes a condition where the first Y (Y is a positive integer) digits of the PIN information match the first Y digits of the PIN input.

[0075] A modified example of the partial match condition will be described using a specific example. As an example for illustrative purposes, the following condition is set. The PIN information is a string of eight digits, "87654321." The user can input a positive integer of any number of digits, one or more digits, as the PIN input. Here, the partial match condition is that the first two digits of the PIN information match the first two digits of the PIN input. If the user inputs "123" as the PIN input, the first two digits of the PIN information, "87," do not match the first two digits of the PIN input, "12," so the partial match condition is not met. Similarly, if the user inputs "987" as the PIN input, the first two digits of the PIN information, "87," do not match the first two digits of the PIN input, "98," so the partial match condition is not met. On the other hand, if the user inputs "871" as the PIN input, the first two digits of the PIN information, "87," match the first two digits of the PIN input, "87," so the partial match condition is met.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the setting information related to PIN authentication is pre-stored in the storage 44. The setting information related to PIN authentication may be information transmitted from the server 2 that the image forming apparatus 4 receives and stores in the storage 44, or information that is input by the user via the user interface 46 and that is stored in the storage 44.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the setting information related to PIN authentication is read from the storage 44 in the processing of ACT27 and the processing of ACT270. The setting information related to PIN authentication may be stored in the server 2. In this case, the image forming apparatus 4 communicates with the server 2 when acquiring the setting information related to PIN authentication, instead of reading it from the storage 44.

[0078] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...printing system, 2...server, 3...terminal device, 4...image forming device, 5...network, 21...processor, 22...ROM, 23...RAM, 24...storage, 25...communication interface, 26...system bus, 31...processor, 32...ROM, 33...RAM, 34...storage, 35...communication interface, 36...user interface, 37...system bus, 41...processor, 42...ROM, 43...RAM, 44...storage, 45...communication interface, 46...user interface, 47...printing unit, 48...system bus.

Claims

1. a communication interface for receiving print data and PIN information from the server; a user interface that accepts a PIN input from a user; a control unit that permits printing of the print data when the PIN information and the PIN input satisfy a first partial match condition within a first period after receiving the PIN information; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit permits printing of the print data when, during a second period after the first period, the PIN information and the PIN input satisfy a second partial match condition that is closer to an exact match than the first partial match condition.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first partial match condition includes a condition that X (X is a positive integer) consecutive digits extracted from the PIN information match X consecutive digits extracted from the PIN input.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first partial match condition includes a condition that the first Y digits of the PIN information (Y is a positive integer) match the first Y digits of the PIN input.

5. a communication interface for receiving print data and PIN information from the server; a user interface that accepts a PIN input from a user; a control unit that permits printing of the print data when the PIN information and the PIN input satisfy a partial match condition within a first period after receiving the PIN information; an image forming apparatus comprising: a terminal device that transmits the print data and the PIN information to the server; the server receiving the print data and the PIN information from the terminal device and transmitting the print data and the PIN information to the image forming device; A printing system comprising:

6. A processor of the image forming apparatus Controlling the communication interface to receive print data and PIN information from the server; Controlling a user interface to accept a PIN input from a user; permitting printing of the print data when the PIN information and the PIN input satisfy a first partial match condition within a first period after receiving the PIN information; A control program for an image forming apparatus.

Images