Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The system that performs authentication using My Number cards, etc., before generating images still has room for improvement. [Solution] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an NFC reader 201 that communicates with the My Number Card, an external I / F 424 that communicates via a network, an image forming unit (140) that prints an image on a sheet, and a main control unit 402 that, when the NFC reader 201 detects the My Number Card, starts operating in certificate issuance mode to verify the identity of the My Number Card, and if identity verification is successful, acquires image data of the certificate from a certificate issuance sensor 500 that serves as a window for issuing certificates using the My Number Card via the external I / F 424, and causes the image forming unit (140) to print an image of the certificate corresponding to the image data on a sheet.

Description

Technical Field

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[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be used for a service of printing personal information on a sheet using an identity card with an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip such as a My Number Card.

Background Art

[0002] When receiving administrative services using a My Number Card, it is necessary to achieve both high security and convenience. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for enhancing the usability of a My Number Card while appropriately managing personal information. Patent Document 2 discloses an information display system that displays information on a My Number Card read by a terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] According to this disclosure, it will be possible to improve the mechanism for performing authentication before image formation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] Configuration diagram of the main control unit. [Figure 3] (a) to (c) are example diagrams of the operation screen. [Figure 4] (a) to (c) are example diagrams of the operation screen. [Figure 5] (a) to (c) are example diagrams of the operation screen. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the process of providing administrative services. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the process of providing administrative services. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram showing a smartphone in a position within a predetermined distance of the NFC reader. [Figure 9] A flowchart illustrating the process of providing administrative services. [Figure 10]A flowchart illustrating the process of providing administrative services. [Figure 11] (a) to (d) are example diagrams of the operation screen. [Figure 12] A flowchart illustrating the process of providing administrative services. [Figure 13] A flowchart illustrating the process of providing administrative services. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0009] Conventionally, it has been possible to obtain official documents such as copies of resident registration certificates using kiosk terminals (multimedia copiers) installed in convenience stores. Kiosk terminals (multimedia copiers) have a wide variety of functions that are unnecessary for home or office image forming machines. In order to obtain official documents, users need to operate the screen displayed on the kiosk terminal to display the screen for obtaining official documents. The image forming machine of this embodiment simplifies such operations, making it possible to print official documents using home or office image forming machines.

[0010] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a diagram of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 has an image reading unit 150 at the top. An ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 300 is provided above the image reading unit 150. An operation unit 200 is provided on the front of the image reading unit 150. An NFC (Near Field Communication) reader 201 is connected to the operation unit 200. This image forming apparatus 100 is a printer used at home or in the office, and is not a multi-functional image forming apparatus like a kiosk terminal (multimedia copier).

[0011] The image reading unit 150 reads a document placed on the document table or a document conveyed by the ADF 300 to generate image data. The image reading unit 150 transmits the generated image data to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0012] The operation unit 200 is a user interface having an input interface and an output interface. The input interface includes various key buttons, a touch panel, etc. The output interface includes a display 202, a speaker, etc. The NFC reader 201 is a data acquisition unit that performs short-range wireless communication with an NFC-equipped card or device approaching within a predetermined distance and acquires data from the approaching card or device. In the present embodiment, since the NFC reader 201 is connected to the operation unit 2, the NFC reader 201 functions as the input interface and the output interface of the operation unit 200. Note that the NFC reader 201 may be provided at other locations of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0013] The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a laser scanner unit, a primary transfer unit, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer unit, a fixing unit, and a paper feed cassette that houses the sheet S. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes four image forming units 140 to form four-color images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Further, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has a configuration with two paper feed cassettes 111, but the number of stages of the paper feed cassette 111 is not limited to this.

[0014] The image forming unit 140 includes a photosensitive drum 141 and a developing device 143. The photosensitive drum 141 is a drum-shaped photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer on its surface, and rotates about the drum axis during the image forming operation. The rotating photosensitive drum 141 is uniformly charged on its surface and then scanned with laser light by the laser scanner unit 142, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface. The laser scanner unit 142 irradiates the photosensitive drum 141 with laser light based on the image data acquired from the image reading unit 150 or the image data acquired from an external device. The electrostatic latent image becomes an image corresponding to the image data.

[0015] The developing device 143 forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 141 by attaching a developer (here, toner) to the electrostatic latent image. The primary transfer unit 144 is provided at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 145 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 141. The primary transfer unit 144 transfers the toner image from the photosensitive drum 141 to the intermediate transfer belt 145 by being biased toward the intermediate transfer belt 145 and by applying an electrostatic load bias.

[0016] The intermediate transfer belt 145 is conveyed and driven in the direction of arrow A. The image forming processes for each color by the four image forming units 140 are performed at a timing such that the toner images of each color are superimposed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 145. As a result, the intermediate transfer belt 145 carries the toner images of each color. The intermediate transfer belt 145 conveys the carried toner image to the secondary transfer unit 130. In this way, the toner image generated in the image forming process reaches the secondary transfer unit 130.

[0017] The paper feed cassette 111 is pulled out in the front direction of the image forming apparatus 100 and houses the sheet S on which an image is to be formed. The sheet S is paper, OHT (OverHead Transparency), or the like. The sheet S is conveyed from the paper feed cassette 111 to the secondary transfer unit 130. In the conveyance path of the sheet S from the paper feed cassette 111 to the secondary transfer unit 130, a paper feed unit 110, a first pair of conveyance rollers 120, and a sheet skew correction unit 10 are provided.

[0018] The paper feeding unit 110 transports sheets S one by one from the paper feeding cassette 111 to the first transport roller pair 120. The first transport roller pair 120 transports the sheets S transported from the paper feeding unit 110 to the sheet skew correction unit 10. The sheet skew correction unit 10 is equipped with a register roller 103. The register roller 103 corrects the skew of the sheet S with respect to the transport direction and transports the sheet S to the secondary transfer unit 130 in time with the timing when the toner image is transported to the secondary transfer unit 130. Through this transport process, the sheet S reaches the secondary transfer unit 130.

[0019] The secondary transfer unit 130 includes a secondary transfer inner roller 131 and a secondary transfer outer roller 132. The secondary transfer unit 130 uses the secondary transfer inner roller 131 and the secondary transfer outer roller 132 to grip and transport the intermediate transfer belt 145 and the sheet S. At this time, a transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer unit 130, so that the toner images of all colors are transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 145 to the sheet S all at once. The sheet S on which the toner images have been transferred is transported to the fuser unit 155.

[0020] The fuser 155 melts and fixes the toner image onto the sheet S by a predetermined pressure applied by substantially opposing rollers or belts and a heating effect from a heat source such as a heater. The sheet S having the fixed image obtained in this way is transported to the first paper discharge roller 160 or the second paper discharge roller 161. The sheet S transported to the first paper discharge roller 160 is discharged to the first paper discharge tray 170, or, if printed on one side in double-sided printing, is transported to the reversal transport unit 180. The sheet S transported to the reversal transport unit 180 is transported to the secondary transfer unit 130 via the first transport roller pair 120, where an image is formed on the reverse side. The sheet S transported to the second paper discharge roller 161 is discharged to the second paper discharge tray 171. The first paper discharge tray 170 is provided with a first paper discharge tray sensor 172 for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet S. The second paper discharge tray 171 is provided with a second paper discharge tray sensor 173 for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet S.

[0021] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main control unit that controls the operation of such an image forming apparatus 100. The controller unit 425 is connected to the main control unit 402. The controller unit 425 is connected to the operation unit 200 and the external interface (I / F) unit 424. The external I / F unit 424 is a communication interface that is connected to the network (in this case, the internet line 501) via the router 505 and the ONU (Optical Network Unit) 506. The external I / F unit 424 controls communication with the server 504 of the certificate issuance center 500, which is an external device that serves as a window for issuing certificates using My Number cards, via the internet line 501.

[0022] The main control unit 402 is an information processing device having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 426, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 427, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 428. The CPU 426 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing a computer program stored in the ROM 427. The RAM 428 provides a workspace for the CPU 426 when it performs processing. The main control unit 402 prints images onto the sheet S by controlling the operation of each load within the image forming apparatus 100 through the execution of a computer program. The main control unit 402 also communicates with the server 504 of the certificate issuance center 500 to obtain data on various certificates provided by administrative services, and creates certificates by printing images based on the obtained data onto the sheet S.

[0023] The main control unit 402 acquires information such as instructions from the operation unit 200 via the controller unit 425 and performs processing according to the acquired information. The main control unit 402 outputs various information from the output interface of the operation unit 200, such as the display 202, via the controller unit 425. In this embodiment, the main control unit 402 displays various screens on the display 202 of the operation unit 200. Because the operation unit 200 is connected to the NFC reader 201, it communicates with NFC-equipped cards and devices via the NFC reader 201. The main control unit 402 can communicate with NFC-equipped cards and devices via the controller unit 425, the operation unit 200, and the NFC reader 201. In addition, the main control unit 402 can communicate with other devices connected to the internet line, such as the server 504 of the certificate issuance center 500, via the controller unit 425 and the external I / F unit 424.

[0024] In this embodiment, an example is described in which a My Number Card, which is an identification card with an IC chip, is used as an NFC-equipped card or device. The image forming apparatus 100 will print a certificate, etc., relating to a user authenticated by the My Number Card onto the sheet S. Figures 3, 4, and 5 are illustrative diagrams of the operation screen displayed on the display 202 of the operation unit 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as "display 202") when printing a certificate, etc., onto the sheet S using the My Number Card.

[0025] When the NFC reader 201 approaches the My Number Card 600 within a predetermined distance, it detects the My Number Card 600 and begins communication with it. The NFC reader 201 notifies the main control unit 402 of the detection of the My Number Card 600. Upon receiving this notification, the main control unit 402 displays a PIN entry screen (Figure 3(a)) on the display 202 for entering a PIN. The main control unit 402 verifies the identity of the My Number Card 600 using the PIN. Once the PIN is entered and identity verification is complete, the main control unit 402 provides administrative services to the user by sequentially displaying the screens shown in Figures 3(b), (c), 4(a)-(c), and 5(a)-(c) on the display 202.

[0026] Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating the process of providing administrative services to a user. This process begins when the user brings their My Number Card 600 within a predetermined distance of the NFC reader 201. The image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment can be configured to operate in two modes: a normal mode in which it operates as a printer, copier, facsimile, etc., independently of the My Number Card 600, and a certificate issuance mode when the My Number Card 600 is detected.

[0027] The main control unit 402 waits until the NFC reader 201 detects the My Number Card 600 (S100:N). When the NFC reader 201 detects the My Number Card 600 (S100:Y), the main control unit 402 sets its operating mode to certificate issuance mode and starts operating in certificate issuance mode (S101). Having started operating in certificate issuance mode, the main control unit 402 attempts to access the server 504 of the certificate issuance center 500 via the internet line 501 using the external I / F unit 424 (S102). Hereinafter, the server 504 of the certificate issuance center 500 will simply be referred to as "certificate issuance center 500". The certificate issuance center 500 is the counter for issuing certificates using the My Number Card 600. If access is successful (S103:Y), the main control unit 402 displays the PIN entry screen shown in Figure 3(a) on the display 202 (S104).

[0028] The main control unit 402 checks whether the "Exit" button has been pressed on the PIN entry screen (S105). If the "Exit" button has been pressed (S105:Y), the main control unit 402 blocks access to the certificate issuance center 500 (S106), returns the display on the display 202 to the normal standby display of the image forming apparatus 100 (S107), and terminates the process.

[0029] If the "Exit" button is not pressed (S105:N), the main control unit 402 determines whether or not a PIN has been entered from the operation unit 200 (S108). The PIN is, for example, a four-digit number. If no PIN is entered (S108:N), the main control unit 402 returns to the process in S105 and checks whether or not the "Exit" button has been pressed. In other words, the main control unit waits until the "Exit" button is pressed from the PIN input screen or until a PIN is entered.

[0030] If a PIN is entered (S108:Y), the main control unit 402 sends the entered PIN to the certificate issuance center 500 (S109). The certificate issuance center 500 determines whether the PIN is correct or not. The main control unit 402 obtains the result from the certificate issuance center 500 regarding whether the entered PIN was correct or not (S110).

[0031] If the PIN is incorrect (S110:N), the main control unit 402 checks whether it has received notification from the certificate issuance center 500 that the PIN input has been locked after three incorrect PIN entries (S112). If the PIN input is locked (S112), the main control unit 402 displays a screen on the display 202 indicating that the PIN is locked (Figure 5(c)) (S113). If the "Close" button on the screen in Figure 5(c) is pressed, the main control unit 402 determines that the user has recognized that the PIN is locked (S114:Y). In this case, the main control unit 402 performs the processes in S106 and S107 and terminates the process.

[0032] If the PIN entry is not locked (S112:N), the main control unit 402 displays a screen on the display 202 indicating that the PIN is incorrect (Figure 5(b)) (S115). If the "Re-enter PIN" button is pressed from the screen of Figure 5(b) (S116:N), the main control unit 402 performs the processing from S104 onwards. If the "Cancel" button is pressed to indicate that the PIN will not be re-entered (S116:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processing in S106 and S107 and terminates the process.

[0033] If the PIN is correct (S110:Y), the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the certificate issuance municipality selection screen shown in Figure 3(b) (S111). If the "Exit" button on the certificate issuance municipality selection screen is pressed (S117:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes in S106 and S107 and terminates the process. If the "Exit" button is not pressed (S117:N) and a municipality is selected (S118:Y), the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the certificate type selection screen (Figure 3(c)) (S119).

[0034] If the "Exit" button on the certificate type selection screen is pressed (S120:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes in S106 and S107 and terminates the process. If the "Exit" button is not pressed (S120:N) and a certificate to be printed is selected (S121:Y), the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the certificate issuance type input display (Figure 4(a)) (S122).

[0035] If the "Finish" button on the certificate issuance type input screen is pressed (S123:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes in S106 and S107 and terminates the process. If the "Finish" button is not pressed (S123:N) and the issuance type of certificate to be printed is selected (S124:Y), the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the certificate information selection screen (Figure 4(b)) (S125).

[0036] If the "Finish" button on the certificate information selection screen is pressed (S126:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes in S106 and S107 and terminates the process. If the "Finish" button is not pressed (S126:N) and the "Previous Screen" button is pressed (S127:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes from S122 onwards. If the "Previous Screen" button is not pressed (S127:N) and the information to be printed on the certificate is selected (S128:Y), the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the certificate number selection screen (Figure 4(c)) (S129).

[0037] If the "Finish" button on the certificate quantity selection screen is pressed (S130:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes in S106 and S107 and terminates the process. If the "Finish" button is not pressed (S130:N) and the "Previous Screen" button is pressed (S131:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes from S125 onwards. If the "Previous Screen" button is not pressed (S131:N) and the number of certificates to be printed is selected (S132:Y), the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the certificate issuance details confirmation screen (Figure 5(a)) (S133). The issuance details confirmation screen displays information including the type and number of certificates selected in the previous processes as the issuance details.

[0038] If the "Exit" button on the certificate issuance details confirmation screen is pressed (S134:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes in S106 and S107 and terminates the process. If the "Exit" button is not pressed (S134:N) and the "Previous Screen" button is pressed (S135:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes from S129 onwards. If the "Previous Screen" button is not pressed (S135:N) and the "Confirm" button is pressed and the contents of the certificate to be printed are confirmed (S136:Y), the main control unit 402 sends the contents of the certificate to be printed to the certificate issuance center 500 (S137). When the main control unit 402 receives the certificate image data from the certificate issuance center 500 in response to the transmission of the contents of the certificate to be printed (S138:Y), it prints the certificate based on the acquired image data (S139). Once the printing of the certificate is complete (S140:Y), the main control unit 402 performs the processes in S106 and S107 and then terminates the process.

[0039] Through the above processing, it becomes possible to quickly print certificates such as copies of resident registration using the My Number Card 600 with the image forming apparatus 100, with operability equivalent to or better than that of a kiosk terminal (multimedia copier). In this embodiment, a configuration in which the My Number Card 600 is read by an NFC reader 201, which is a contactless IC card reader, has been described, but a configuration in which the My Number Card 600 is read by a contact-type IC card reader is also possible.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is no mention of fee payment for issuing certificates, as it is assumed that no fees will be charged for issuing certificates in the future. However, this is not the only option, and fees may still be charged for issuing certificates as before. In this case, for example, an amount equivalent to the type of certificate issued would be debited from the bank account linked to the My Number Card 600.

[0041] (Second Embodiment) The configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and the main control unit 402 in the second embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a mobile terminal such as a smartphone equipped with My Number Card functionality is used instead of the My Number Card 600. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing such a smartphone brought within a predetermined distance of the NFC reader 201.

[0042] If a smartphone 700 equipped with My Number Card functionality is simply brought close, the PIN entry screen will be displayed on the display 202, similar to when a My Number Card 600 is brought close to the NFC reader 201 in Figure 3(a). However, if the smartphone 700 has biometric authentication functionality, identity verification can be performed using biometric authentication. Therefore, by performing identity verification using the biometric authentication function of the smartphone 700, it becomes possible to skip the PIN entry screen and display the administrative service menu screen on the display 202 first.

[0043] Figures 9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating the process of providing administrative services to a user using a smartphone 700 equipped with My Number Card functionality. This process begins when the user brings either the My Number Card 600 or the smartphone 700 within a predetermined distance of the NFC reader 201.

[0044] The main control unit 402 waits until the NFC reader 201 detects a My Number Card 600 or a smartphone 700 equipped with My Number Card functionality (S200:N). When the NFC reader 201 detects a My Number Card 600 or a smartphone 700 equipped with My Number Card functionality (S200:Y), the main control unit 402 sets the operation mode to certificate issuance mode and starts operation in certificate issuance mode (S201). The main control unit 402 also attempts to access the certificate issuance center 500, similar to the process in S102 (S202). If the access is successful (S203:Y), the main control unit 402 checks whether the NFC reader 201 has detected the smartphone 700 and whether the smartphone 700 has been verified by the biometric authentication function (S204). If the user's identity has been verified by biometric authentication (S204:Y), the main control unit 402 displays the certificate issuance municipality selection screen shown in Figure 3(b) on the display 202 (S205).

[0045] If the user has not been verified by biometric authentication using a My Number Card 600 or a smartphone 700 (S204:N), the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the PIN entry screen shown in Figure 3(a) (S206). The main control unit 402 checks whether the "End" button has been pressed on the PIN entry screen (S207). If the "End" button has been pressed (S207:Y), the main control unit 402 blocks access to the certificate issuance center 500 (S208), returns the display on the display 202 to the normal standby display of the image forming apparatus 100 (S209), and terminates the process.

[0046] If the "Exit" button is not pressed (S207:N), the main control unit 402 determines whether or not a PIN has been entered from the operation unit 200 (S210). The PIN is, for example, a four-digit number. If no PIN is entered (S210:N), the main control unit 402 returns to the process in S207 and checks whether or not the "Exit" button has been pressed. In other words, the main control unit waits until the "Exit" button is pressed from the PIN entry screen or until a PIN is entered.

[0047] If a PIN is entered (S210:Y), the main control unit 402 sends the entered PIN to the certificate issuance center 500 (S211). The certificate issuance center 500 determines whether the PIN is correct or not. The main control unit 402 obtains the result from the certificate issuance center 500 regarding whether the entered PIN was correct or not (S212).

[0048] If the PIN is correct (S212:Y), the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the certificate issuance city / ward selection screen shown in Figure 3(b) (S205). Thereafter, unless the "Exit" button is pressed (S218:N), the main control unit 402 executes the processes from S118 onwards in Figures 6 and 7 (processes from S219 onwards). If the PIN is incorrect (S212:N), the main control unit 402 performs the same processes as S112 to S116 in Figure 6 (S213 to S217).

[0049] Through the above process, it becomes possible to quickly print certificates such as copies of resident registration using a smartphone 700 equipped with My Number Card functionality via an image forming apparatus 100, with operability equivalent to or better than that of a kiosk terminal (multimedia copier). Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, it becomes possible to quickly print certificates such as copies of resident registration using a My Number Card 600 via the image forming apparatus 100. The payment of fees is also the same as in the first embodiment.

[0050] (Third embodiment) The configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and the main control unit 402 in the third embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted. In the third embodiment, an example of selecting a certificate to print and paying a fee using the smartphone 700 of the second embodiment will be described. Figure 11 is an example of the operation screen displayed on the display 202 when printing a certificate, etc., on a sheet S using such a My Number Card 600.

[0051] As shown in Figure 11(a), the smartphone 700 has already been verified using biometric authentication, the certificate to be printed has been selected using a dedicated application or web browser, and the certificate issuance fee has been paid. In this case, not only the My Number Card 600 PIN entry screen but also the next screen, the administrative services menu screen, can be skipped, and printing of the selected certificate can be started immediately.

[0052] Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts illustrating the process of providing administrative services to a user using such a smartphone 700. This process is initiated when the user brings either their My Number Card 600 or smartphone 700 within a predetermined distance of the NFC reader 201.

[0053] The main control unit 402 waits until the NFC reader 201 detects a My Number Card 600 or a smartphone 700 equipped with My Number Card functionality (S300:N). When the NFC reader 201 detects a My Number Card 600 or a smartphone 700 equipped with My Number Card functionality (S300:Y), the main control unit 402 sets the operation mode to certificate issuance mode and starts operation in certificate issuance mode (S301). The main control unit 402 also attempts to access the certificate issuance center 500, similar to the process in S102 (S302). If the access is successful (S303:Y), the main control unit 402 checks whether the NFC reader 201 has detected the smartphone 700 and whether the smartphone 700 has been verified by the biometric authentication function (S304).

[0054] If the user's identity has been verified by biometric authentication (S304:Y), the main control unit 402 checks whether the certificate to be printed has been selected on the biometrically authenticated smartphone 700 and whether the certificate issuance fee has been paid (S305). If confirmed (S305:Y), the main control unit 402 sends the contents of the certificate to be printed to the certificate issuance center 500 (S318). In response to the transmission of the contents of the certificate to be printed, the main control unit 402 obtains the image data of the certificate from the certificate issuance center 500 (S319:Y), and then prints the certificate based on the obtained image data (S320). Once the printing of the certificate is complete (S321:Y), the main control unit 402 blocks access to the certificate issuance center 500 (S308), returns the display on the display 202 to the normal standby display of the image forming apparatus 100 (S309), and terminates the process. If the certificate to be printed has already been selected on the biometrically authenticated smartphone 700 and the certificate issuance fee has not been paid (S305:N), the main control unit 402 proceeds to the certificate selection process described later in S322 and beyond.

[0055] If the smartphone 700 detected by the NFC reader 201 has not been verified by the biometric authentication function (S304:N), the main control unit 402 performs the same processing as in S206 to S212 in Figure 9 (S306 to S312). The same applies if the NFC reader 201 detects the My Number Card 600 (S304:N) (S306 to S312). Similarly, the processing when the PIN entered in processing S312 is incorrect (S313 to S317) is the same as the processing in S112 to S116 in Figure 6, so the explanation is omitted. Also, the processing in S322 to S342 is the same as the processing in S111 to S136 explained in Figures 6 and 7, so the explanation is omitted.

[0056] In the process of S339 in Figure 13, the certificate issuance details confirmation screen shown in Figure 11(b) is displayed on the display 202. If the "Confirm" button on the issuance details confirmation screen is pressed in the process of S342 and the issuance details of the certificate to be printed are confirmed, the main control unit 402 switches the display on the display 202 to the certificate issuance fee payment request screen shown in Figure 11(c) (S343). Subsequently, the main control unit 402 confirms that the issuance fee for the certificate to be printed has been paid on the smartphone 700 detected by the NFC reader 201 (S344). When payment is confirmed, the screen shown in Figure 11(d) is displayed on the display 202.

[0057] If payment is confirmed (S344:Y), the main control unit 402 sends the contents of the certificate to be printed to the certificate issuance center 500 (S345). In response to the transmission of the contents of the certificate to be printed, the main control unit 402 obtains the image data of the certificate from the certificate issuance center 500 (S346:Y), and then prints the certificate based on the obtained image data (S347). Once the printing of the certificate is complete (S348:Y), the main control unit 402 blocks access to the certificate issuance center 500 (S308), returns the display on the display 202 to the normal standby display of the image forming apparatus 100 (S309), and terminates the process.

[0058] Through the above processing, it becomes possible to quickly print certificates such as copies of resident registration using a smartphone 700 equipped with My Number Card functionality via an image forming apparatus 100, with operability equivalent to or better than that of a kiosk terminal (multimedia copier). Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, it becomes possible to quickly print certificates such as copies of resident registration using a My Number Card 600 via an image forming apparatus 100.

[0059] In the third embodiment, the payment of fees is completed using a smartphone 700, but the payment of fees is not limited to this, and fees may be paid in the same way as in the first and second embodiments.

[0060] Furthermore, even when identity verification is performed using biometric authentication via the smartphone 700 in the second and third embodiments, authentication using a PIN may be combined. This enables two-factor authentication, thereby improving security.

Claims

1. A data acquisition method that communicates with an IC chip-equipped identification card, A means of communication that communicates over a network, A printing method for printing an image onto a sheet, The display and Operating means and Equipped with control means, The control means is When the data acquisition means detects the IC chip-equipped identification card, it starts the operation mode for issuing a certificate using the IC chip-equipped identification card, and displays a screen on the display for verifying the identity of the IC chip-equipped identification card. The operation means obtains information for identity verification from the screen, performs identity verification using the information, and if identity verification is successful, obtains image data of the certificate from an external device that serves as a certificate issuance window using the IC chip-equipped identification card via the communication means, and causes the printing means to print an image of the certificate corresponding to the image data onto the sheet. Image forming apparatus.

2. The control means is characterized by displaying an administrative service menu screen on the display when the identity verification is successful, and transmitting the contents of the certificate to be printed, selected from the administrative service menu screen by the operation means, to the external device via the communication means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned issued content is characterized by including information about the type of certificate to be printed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The information used for identity verification is characterized by being numerical. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The control means is characterized by transmitting the information for identity verification to the external device via the communication means, causing the external device to perform identity verification, and obtaining the result of identity verification from the external device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned IC chip-equipped identification card is characterized by being a My Number Card. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned IC chip-equipped identification card is a portable device with biometric authentication capabilities. The control means is characterized by performing identity verification of the IC chip-equipped identification document based on the result of identity verification of the mobile terminal by the biometric authentication function obtained by the data acquisition means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The control means is characterized by displaying an administrative service menu screen on the display when the identity verification is successful, and transmitting the contents of the certificate to be printed, selected from the administrative service menu screen by the operation means, to the external device via the communication means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned mobile device allows the user to select the type of certificate to print. The control means is characterized by confirming the type of certificate selected by the mobile terminal, obtaining image data of the confirmed type of certificate from the external device, and causing the printing means to print the image of the certificate corresponding to the image data onto the sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

10. The aforementioned mobile device can pay the fee, The control means is characterized by acquiring image data of the confirmed type of certificate from the external device when the fee has been paid. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The control means is characterized by performing identity verification of the mobile terminal by the biometric authentication function of the mobile terminal obtained by the data acquisition means, verifying the identity of the IC chip-equipped identification document, displaying a screen for identity verification on the display, and obtaining identity verification information from the operation means to verify the identity of the mobile terminal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

Images