Processing system, information processing device, control program, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique which can perform authentication through printing in a non-contact manner as necessary.SOLUTION: A processing system includes: a first authentication section which performs first authentication on the basis of first authentication information when acquiring the first authentication information associated with a user; and a processing section which can acquire authentication success information indicating that second authentication is performed based on second authentication information obtained by detecting the user in a non-contact manner and holds a print job associated with the user. When the first authentication is performed when the processing section holds the print job associated with the user, the processing section causes a display section to display a print instruction screen for receiving a print execution instruction based on the print job. When the processing section acquires the authentication success information when the processing section holds the print job associated with the user, the processing section causes an image forming apparatus to execute the printing based on the print job without causing the display section top display the print instruction screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing system including an image forming apparatus having a display unit and capable of printing, an information processing apparatus, a control program, and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Before an image forming device such as a multifunction peripheral prints a print job, a server or the image forming device authenticates the user by accepting operations such as proximity touching of an ID card or input of a user name and password. Here, ID is an abbreviation for identification. After user authentication, the image forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays a list of registered print jobs on a touch panel display unit of the image forming device, and executes the print job for which printing has been instructed by accepting touch operations by the user on the touch panel or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-14191 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described technology, the user is likely to contact the device when requesting user authentication, and the user also needs to contact the image forming apparatus when instructing execution of a print job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The processing system of the present invention is a processing system including an image forming apparatus having a display unit and capable of printing, a first authentication unit that, upon acquiring first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing unit capable of acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and storing a print job associated with the user; The processing unit When the first authentication is performed while the user holds the print job associated with the user, a print instruction screen for receiving an instruction to execute printing based on the print job is displayed on the display unit; When the authentication success information is acquired while the print job associated with the user is held, the image forming device is caused to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit.

[0006] Further, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus that has a display unit and is capable of printing, a first authentication unit that, upon receiving first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing unit capable of acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and storing a print job associated with the user; The processing unit When the first authentication is performed while the user is holding the print job associated with the user, information for displaying a print instruction screen on the display unit to receive an instruction to execute printing based on the print job is transmitted to the image forming device; When the authentication success information is acquired while the print job associated with the user is held, the image forming device is caused to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention provides a control program for controlling an image forming apparatus that is equipped with a display unit and capable of printing, the control program comprising: a first authentication function that, when acquiring first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing function for acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and for storing print jobs associated with the user; The processing function is When the first authentication is performed while the user holds the print job associated with the user, a print instruction screen for receiving an instruction to execute printing based on the print job is displayed on the display unit; When the authentication success information is acquired while the print job associated with the user is held, the image forming device is caused to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit.

[0008] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises: A display unit; A printing department; a first authentication unit that, upon acquiring first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing unit capable of acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and storing a print job associated with the user; The processing unit When the first authentication is performed while the user holds the print job associated with the user, a print instruction screen for receiving an instruction to execute printing based on the print job is displayed on the display unit; When the authentication success information is acquired while the print job associated with the user is held, the printing unit executes the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a system including a processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the flow of processing performed in the processing system when first authentication is performed. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display example of a pre-login screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a display example of a print instruction screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a display of a printing screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a display example of a function list screen. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an example of processing performed by a first authentication unit and a processing unit when first authentication is performed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the flow of processing performed in a system including a processing system when second authentication is performed. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an example of processing performed by a processing unit when second authentication is performed. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an example of processing performed by the information processing apparatus to switch between processing after first authentication and processing after second authentication. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating another example configuration of a system including a processing system. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart schematically illustrating another example of processing performed by the processing unit when second authentication is performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes embodiments of the present invention. Of course, the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and not all of the features shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0011] (1) Overview of the technology included in this invention: First, an overview of the technology included in the present invention will be described with reference to the examples shown in Figures 1 to 14. Note that the figures in this application are diagrams showing schematic examples, and the magnifications in each direction shown in these figures may differ, and the figures may not be consistent with each other. Of course, each element of the present technology is not limited to the specific example indicated by the symbol. In the "Outline of the Technology Included in the Present Invention," the words in parentheses indicate supplementary explanations for the immediately preceding words.

[0012] Aspect 1: As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13 , a processing system SY1 according to one embodiment of the present technology includes a display unit 206 and an image forming apparatus 200 capable of printing. The processing system SY1 includes a first authentication unit U1 and a processing unit U3. When the first authentication unit U1 acquires first authentication information IN1 associated with a user US0, it performs first authentication based on the first authentication information IN1. The processing unit U3 can acquire authentication success information IN3 indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information IN2, which is different from the first authentication information IN1 and is obtained by contactlessly detecting the user US0. The processing unit U3 holds a print job J0 associated with the user US0. When the first authentication is performed while the print job J0 associated with the user US0 is held, the processing unit U3 displays a print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206, which accepts an instruction to print based on the print job J0. When the processing unit U3 acquires the authentication success information IN3 while holding the print job J0 linked to the user US0, it causes the image forming device 200 to perform the printing based on the print job J0 without displaying the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206.

[0013] When the first authentication is performed while a print job J0 linked to the user US0 is held in the processing unit U3, a print instruction screen D2 for accepting an instruction to execute printing based on the print job J0 is displayed on the display unit 206. In this case, the user US0 can instruct execution of printing based on the print job J0 on the print instruction screen D2. When the second authentication is performed while the print job J0 associated with the user US0 is held in the processing unit U3, the processing unit U3 acquires authentication success information IN3. Then, the print instruction screen D2 is not displayed on the display unit 206, and the image forming device 200 executes printing based on the print job J0. In this case, the user US0 does not need to contact the device when requesting authentication for the user US0, and does not need to contact the image forming device 200 when causing the image forming device 200 to execute printing based on the print job J0.

[0014] As described above, the above-mentioned first aspect can provide a processing system SY1 that can perform everything from authentication to printing in a non-contact manner as needed.

[0015] Here, the second authentication includes face authentication based on a captured image IM1 of the face of the user US0, iris authentication based on a captured image of the iris of the user US0, etc. Therefore, the second authentication information IN2 includes the captured image IM1 of the face, the captured image of the iris, etc. The first authentication may be any authentication different from the second authentication, and may include authentication using an ID card 350, authentication by entering a user name and password, biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication, or authentication based on information obtained by contactlessly detecting user US0. The processing system SY1 may include a second authentication unit U2 that performs second authentication. In this application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are terms for distinguishing between elements among a plurality of elements having similarities, and do not imply any order. The above remarks also apply to the following aspects.

[0016] Aspect 2: As illustrated in FIG. 4 and other figures, the first authentication unit U1 may acquire the first authentication information IN1 from a reception unit U4 that receives a proximity operation of the user US0. In the above cases, when the first authentication is performed using the proximity operation as a trigger, the instruction to execute printing is accepted, and when the second authentication is performed without contact, printing is executed without an execution instruction. Therefore, the above-mentioned aspect 2 can provide a highly convenient processing system SY1. Here, the proximity operation refers to an operation of bringing an object or a human body close to a device. The proximity operation includes a contact operation of bringing an object or a human body into contact with a device, and an operation of placing an object or a human body within a short distance from the device so that information can be acquired. For example, a card reader 300 that accepts a proximity operation of an ID card 350 may accept, in addition to a contact operation of the ID card 350, an operation of placing the ID card 350 within a short distance from the card reader 300 so that the first authentication information IN1 can be read. Note that these remarks also apply to the following aspects.

[0017] Aspect 3: As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13, the first authentication unit U1 may acquire the first authentication information IN1 from a card (e.g., an ID card 350) on which the first authentication information IN1 is readably recorded. The second authentication information IN2 may be a captured image IM1 of the face of the user US0. The authentication success information IN3 may be generated by the second authentication unit U2 performing face authentication based on the captured image IM1 as the second authentication. The processing unit U3 may acquire the authentication success information IN3 from the second authentication unit U2. The above-mentioned embodiment 3 can provide a suitable example of the processing system SY1.

[0018] Aspect 4: 9, when the first authentication is performed while the print job J0 linked to the user US0 is held, the processing unit U3 may cause the display unit 206 to display the print instruction screen D2 including a list L1 of the print jobs J0. The processing unit U3 may accept selection of the print job J0 from the list L1, and may cause the image forming apparatus 200 to execute the printing based on the print job J0 for which the selection has been accepted. In the above-described fourth aspect, the print job J0 to be printed can be selected from the list L1 of the stored print jobs J0, thereby improving convenience.

[0019] Aspect 5: As illustrated in Figures 9, 11, and 14, when the first authentication is performed or the authentication success information IN3 is acquired when the print job J0 linked to the user US0 is not held, the processing unit U3 may display a function list screen D4 of the image forming device 200 on the display unit 206. The above-described fifth aspect can present an appropriate guide screen when the number of print jobs J0 linked to the user US0 is zero.

[0020] Aspect 6: As illustrated in FIG. 14, when the first authentication corresponding to the user US0 is performed within a predetermined time after acquiring the authentication success information IN3 corresponding to the user US0, the processing unit U3 may display the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206 without causing the image forming device 200 to perform the printing. In the above-described sixth aspect, it is possible to instruct execution of printing by operating the print instruction screen D2 within a predetermined time after the second authentication is performed, thereby improving convenience.

[0021] Aspect 7: As shown in FIG. 13, the processing unit U3 may be included in the image forming apparatus 200. The seventh aspect can provide a processing system SY1 that does not require a server to manage the image forming apparatus 200.

[0022] Aspect 8: 1, the processing unit U3 and the image forming apparatus 200 may be connected via a network NE1. As shown in Fig. 2, the processing unit U3 may include a transmission unit (e.g., a network I / F 107) that transmits screen information D0 to be displayed on the display unit 206 to the image forming apparatus 200 via the network NE1. Here, I / F is an abbreviation for interface. The above-mentioned eighth aspect can provide a suitable example of the processing system SY1 because it is possible to perform advanced processing in the processing unit U3 connected to the image forming apparatus 200 via a network.

[0023] Aspect 9: As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , an information processing device (e.g., an authentication printing server 100) according to one embodiment of the present technology is an information processing device (100) equipped with a display unit 206 and connected to a print-capable image forming device 200, and includes a first authentication unit U1 and a processing unit U3. Upon receiving first authentication information IN1 associated with a user US0, the first authentication unit U1 performs first authentication based on the first authentication information IN1. The processing unit U3 can acquire authentication success information IN3 indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information IN2, which is different from the first authentication information IN1 and is obtained by contactlessly detecting the user US0. The processing unit U3 holds a print job J0 associated with the user US0. When the first authentication is performed while the processing unit U3 holds the print job J0 associated with the user US0, the processing unit U3 transmits information to the image forming device 200 to cause the display unit 206 to display a print instruction screen D2 for receiving an instruction to print based on the print job J0. When the processing unit U3 acquires the authentication success information IN3 while holding the print job J0 linked to the user US0, it causes the image forming device 200 to perform the printing based on the print job J0 without displaying the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206. The above-mentioned aspect 9 can provide an information processing device (100) that allows contactless processing from authentication to printing as needed.

[0024] Aspect 10: 2 and 13 , a control program PR1 according to one aspect of the present technology is a control program PR1 for controlling a print-capable image forming apparatus 200 equipped with a display unit 206, and causes a computer to implement a first authentication function FU1 and a processing function FU3. When the first authentication function FU1 acquires first authentication information IN1 associated with a user US0, it performs first authentication based on the first authentication information IN1. The processing function FU3 can acquire authentication success information IN3 indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information IN2, which is different from the first authentication information IN1 and is obtained by contactlessly detecting the user US0, and stores a print job J0 associated with the user US0. When the first authentication is performed while the print job J0 associated with the user US0 is stored, the processing function FU3 displays a print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206, which accepts an instruction to print based on the print job J0. When the processing function FU3 acquires the authentication success information IN3 while holding the print job J0 linked to the user US0, it causes the image forming device 200 to execute the printing based on the print job J0 without displaying the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206. The above-described aspect 10 can provide a control program PR1 that enables the processes from authentication to printing to be performed contactlessly as needed.

[0025] Aspect 11: 13 , the image forming apparatus 200 according to one aspect of the present technology includes a display unit 206, a printing unit 208, a first authentication unit U1, and a processing unit U3. When the first authentication unit U1 acquires first authentication information IN1 associated with a user US0, it performs first authentication based on the first authentication information IN1. The processing unit U3 can acquire authentication success information IN3 indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information IN2, which is different from the first authentication information IN1 and is obtained by contactlessly detecting the user US0. The processing unit U3 holds a print job J0 associated with the user US0. When the first authentication is performed while the processing unit U3 is holding the print job J0 associated with the user US0, the processing unit U3 causes the display unit 206 to display a print instruction screen D2 for receiving an instruction to print based on the print job J0. When the processing unit U3 acquires the authentication success information IN3 while holding the print job J0 linked to the user US0, it causes the printing unit 208 to perform the printing based on the print job J0 without displaying the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206. The above-described eleventh aspect can provide the image forming apparatus 200 that can perform everything from authentication to printing in a non-contact manner as needed.

[0026] Furthermore, the present technology is applicable to a composite system including the processing system SY1, a composite device including the information processing device (100), an image forming system including the image forming device 200, a processing method performed in the processing system SY1, an information processing method performed in the information processing device (100), a processing method performed in the image forming device 200, a control method for the image forming device 200, a computer-readable medium on which the control program PR1 is recorded, etc. Any of the above-mentioned devices may be composed of multiple distributed parts.

[0027] (2) Specific examples of processing system configuration: FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a processing system SY1 as a specific example. The system includes an authentication printing server 100, an image forming apparatus 200, a card reader 300, a facial authentication server 400, an imaging device 500, and a terminal 600. Here, the authentication printing server 100 is an example of an information processing device, the card reader 300 is an example of a reception unit U4, and the facial authentication server 400 is an example of a second authentication unit U2. The processing system SY1 includes the authentication printing server 100, the image forming apparatus 200, and the card reader 300. The processing system SY1 may also include the terminal 600, the facial authentication server 400, or the imaging device 500. The authentication printing server 100, the image forming apparatus 200, the facial authentication server 400, the imaging device 500, and the terminal 600 are connected to a network NE1 including the Internet. The network NE1 may also include a LAN. Here, LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. The connection to the network NE1 may be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0028] User US0 can use terminal 600 to register print job J0 with authentication printing server 100. Then, user US0 can successfully pass card authentication by touching or holding ID card 350 over card reader 300, allowing image forming apparatus 200 to print based on print job J0 registered on authentication printing server 100. The operation of holding ID card 350 over card reader 300 includes not only the operation of touching ID card 350 to card reader 300, but also the operation of placing ID card 350 close enough to card reader 300 that first authentication information IN1 can be read. User US0 can also successfully pass face authentication by capturing a facial image of user US0 with imaging device 500, allowing image forming apparatus 200 to print based on print job J0 registered on authentication printing server 100. The combination of the image forming device 200, the card reader 300, and the imaging device 500 is not limited to being one in the processing system SY1, and two or more of them may be present in the processing system SY1. Also, two or more terminals 600 may be present in the processing system SY1.

[0029] The authentication printing server 100 is a server computer that includes a first authentication unit U1 that performs first authentication based on first authentication information IN1 read from an ID card 350, and a processing unit U3 that causes the image forming device 200 to execute printing based on a print job J0. The first authentication unit U1 can obtain the first authentication information IN1, including information identifying the user US0, from the ID card 350. The first authentication unit U1 has an authentication database DB1 that stores information that can permit authentication. If the first authentication information IN1 received from the image forming device 200 via the network NE1 is registered in the authentication database DB1, the first authentication unit U1 permits login for the user US0. In this manner, the first authentication is performed. When the processing unit U3 receives a print job registration request RE1 from the terminal 600 via the network NE1, it generates a print job J0 in accordance with the print job registration request RE1 and stores the print job J0 in association with the user US0. The processing unit U3 also holds screen information D0 for displaying screens such as a pre-login screen D1 illustrated in Fig. 5, a print instruction screen D2 illustrated in Fig. 6, a printing in progress screen D3 illustrated in Fig. 7, and a function list screen D4 illustrated in Fig. 8 on the display unit 206 of the image forming device 200. The processing unit U3 performs authentication such as card authentication or face authentication, and when the authentication is successful, the processing unit U3 can transmit screen information D0 according to the situation to the image forming device 200 and transmit a print job J0 linked to the user US0 to the image forming device 200.

[0030] The image forming device 200 includes an input unit 205, a display unit 206, a printing unit 208, an I / F 210 for a card reader 300, and the like. The image forming device 200 may be a multifunction peripheral as shown in FIG. 3, or a dedicated printer. A multifunction peripheral is a printing device that includes functions other than printing. Functions other than printing include a document reading function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like. When the image forming apparatus 200 acquires first authentication information IN1 from the card reader 300, it transmits the first authentication information IN1 to the authentication printing server 100 via the network NE1. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives screen information D0 from the authentication printing server 100 via the network NE1, it displays a screen in accordance with the screen information D0 on the display unit 206. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives a print job J0 from the authentication printing server 100 via the network NE1, it executes printing in accordance with the print job J0 in the printing unit 208.

[0031] When an ID card 350, which stores first authentication information IN1 in a computer-readable format, comes into contact with or is placed within close proximity to the card reader 300, the card reader 300 reads the first authentication information IN1 from the ID card 350 and transmits the first authentication information IN1 to the image forming apparatus 200. The first authentication information IN1 stored on the ID card 350 is linked to the user US0 who owns the ID card 350. Therefore, the card reader 300 accepts proximity operations from the user US0. The ID card 350 can be an IC card, a magnetic card, a card printed with an identification code including the first authentication information IN1, or the like. Here, IC stands for Integrated Circuit. Identification codes include barcodes, two-dimensional codes, and the like. The card reader 300 can be an IC card reader, a magnetic card reader, an identification code reader, and the like. The card reader 300 may also have a writer function capable of writing information. The card reader 300 may be directly connected to the authentication printing server 100 instead of the image forming device 200, or may be connected to the network NE1 if it has a function as a web server.

[0032] The facial recognition server 400 serving as the second authentication unit U2 is a server computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, a storage unit, an I / F for connecting to the network NE1, etc. Here, CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory, and RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. The storage unit of the facial recognition server 400 stores a facial image database DB2 that stores facial image features of a user US0 who can be authenticated, linked to the user US0.

[0033] Facial recognition processing is performed by determining the authenticity of the person to be authenticated based on the comparison results between the feature amounts of a pre-registered facial image and the feature amounts of the facial image of the person to be authenticated at the time of authentication. Various types of facial recognition processing are possible. For example, facial recognition server 400 may perform facial recognition processing by detecting facial features in each of the captured facial image of user US0 and a registered facial image, detecting each facial feature point based on the detected facial features, and calculating the similarity of the facial features based on the detected facial feature points. If the calculated similarity is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that user US0 in the captured facial image and the person in the registered facial image are the same person.

[0034] The face portion can be detected by, for example, using a method for distinguishing between faces and non-faces using a support vector machine for each of the captured face image of user US0 and a registered face image. The face portion can also be detected by using a method for distinguishing between faces and non-faces using a deep neural network, a general learning vector quantization method, or the like. Facial feature points can be detected by, for example, extracting feature points such as the eyes, nose, and mouth from the face, calculating the positional relationship of the feature points and predetermined characteristics around the feature points as feature amounts, and creating a feature amount vector. Here, the predetermined characteristics include color shading, color distribution, etc. Of course, facial feature points can also be detected by other methods. The calculation of the similarity of the facial parts can be realized by, for example, calculating the chi-square distance or Euclidean distance between the feature vectors of the captured facial image of the user and the registered facial image. Of course, the similarity of the facial parts can also be calculated by other methods.

[0035] If a feature whose similarity to the feature of the facial image contained in the captured image IM1 received from the imaging device 500 via the network NE1 is greater than a threshold is registered in the facial image database DB2, the facial authentication server 400 generates authentication success information IN3 including information identifying the user US0. The captured image IM1 of the face of the user US0 is an example of second authentication information IN2 obtained by contactless detection of the user US0. In this manner, facial authentication as the second authentication is performed, and authentication success information IN3 is generated. The authentication success information IN3 is information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on the second authentication information IN2 obtained by contactless detection of the user US0. After generating the authentication success information IN3, the facial authentication server 400 transmits the authentication success information IN3 to the authentication print server 100 via the network NE1. Note that if a feature whose similarity to the feature of the facial image contained in the captured image IM1 is greater than a threshold is not registered in the facial image database DB2, the facial authentication server 400 may transmit authentication failure information to the authentication print server 100 indicating that the second authentication was not performed.

[0036] 1 is a network camera that functions as a web server and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, a storage unit, an imaging unit, an I / F for connecting to network NE1, and the like. Therefore, imaging device 500 can also be considered a server computer. When imaging device 500 captures a contactless image of the face of user US0, it transmits the captured image IM1 to face authentication server 400 via network NE1. It should be noted that imaging device 500 may be directly connected to face authentication server 400, rather than being a network camera.

[0037] 2 shows a schematic diagram of an authentication printing server 100, an example of an information processing device. The authentication printing server 100 includes a processor (CPU 101), a semiconductor memory (ROM 102), a semiconductor memory (RAM 103), a storage device 104, an input device 105, a display device 106, a network I / F 107, and a clock circuit 108. These elements are electrically connected to each other, allowing information to be input and output between them. The network I / F 107 is an example of a transmission unit that transmits screen information D0 to the image forming device 200, and is included in the processing unit U3. Therefore, the processing unit U3 and the image forming device 200 are connected via a network NE1.

[0038] The storage device 104 stores an OS (not shown), a control program PR1, an authentication database DB1, screen information D0, a print job J0, and the like. Here, OS is an abbreviation for operating system. The storage device 104 is a computer-readable medium on which the control program PR1 is recorded. The control program PR1 may be recorded on an external computer-readable recording medium. The control program PR1 causes the authentication printing server 100 (as a computer) to implement a first authentication function FU1 corresponding to the first authentication unit U1 and a processing function FU3 corresponding to the processing unit U3. The print job J0 is associated with user US0 and stored in the storage device 104. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the storage device 104 stores print jobs "J11," "J12," and "J13" associated with user "US1," print job "J21" associated with user "US2," and print jobs "J41" and "J42" associated with user "US4." The storage device 104 may be a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or the like.

[0039] The input device 105 may be a pointing device, hard keys including a keyboard, a touch panel attached to the surface of a display panel, or the like. The display device 106 may be a liquid crystal display panel, or the like. The network I / F 107 is connected to the network NE1 and communicates with other devices connected to this network NE1 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. For example, the network I / F 107 receives a print job registration request RE1, first authentication information IN1, authentication success information IN3, and the like from the other device, and transmits screen information D0, print job J0, and the like to the image forming apparatus 200, which is the other device. The clock circuit 108 is capable of outputting the current date and time.

[0040] The CPU 101 executes the control program PR1 read from the storage device 104 to the RAM 103 to perform a first authentication process corresponding to the first authentication function FU1 and a control process corresponding to the processing function FU3. The control program PR1 causes the authentication printing server 100, which is a computer, to function as a first authentication unit U1 and a processing unit U3. The authentication printing server 100 executing the control program PR1 performs the first authentication process corresponding to the first authentication function FU1 and the control process corresponding to the processing function FU3.

[0041] 3 shows a schematic example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 200. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a CPU 201, which is a processor, a ROM 202, which is a semiconductor memory, a RAM 203, which is a semiconductor memory, a storage unit 204, an input unit 205, a display unit 206, a reading unit 207, a printing unit 208, a facsimile unit 209, an I / F 210 for a card reader 300, a network I / F 211, and a clock circuit 212. These elements are electrically connected to each other, allowing information to be input and output to and from each other.

[0042] The storage unit 204 stores firmware and the like. The CPU 201 executes firmware read from the storage unit 204 to the RAM 203, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 200 to realize multiple functions as the image forming apparatus 200. These functions include a printing function, a reading function, a copying function, a facsimile function, and the like. The storage unit 204 may be a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, or the like.

[0043] The input unit 205 may be a touch panel attached to the surface of a display panel, hard keys, or the like. The display unit 206 may be a liquid crystal display panel, or the like. The reading unit 207 reads an original document and generates scan data representing the read image. The printing unit 208 prints on printing paper based on the print job J0. The image forming device 200 performs a copy function by reading an original document with the reading unit 207 and printing the read image with the printing unit 208. The facsimile unit 209 facsimile-transmits the image read by the reading unit 207 to a destination via a telephone line, and receives an image from a sender via a telephone line. The image forming device 200 can print an image received by the facsimile unit 209 with the printing unit 208. The I / F 210 is connected to a card reader 300 and can receive first authentication information IN1 from the card reader 300. The network I / F 211 is connected to the network NE1 and communicates with the authentication printing server 100 connected to this network NE1 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. For example, the network I / F 211 transmits first authentication information IN1, etc. to the authentication printing server 100, and receives screen information D0, print job J0, etc. from the authentication printing server 100. The clock circuit 212 can output the current date and time.

[0044] (3) Specific examples of system processing: 4 shows a schematic example of the processing flow performed by the processing system SY1 when card authentication is performed as the first authentication. Here, step S114 corresponds to the first authentication unit U1 and the first authentication function FU1. Steps S116, S120, S122, and S128 correspond to the processing unit U3 and the processing function FU3. Hereinafter, the word "step" may be omitted, and the step symbol may be shown in parentheses.

[0045] First, the terminal 600 accepts an operation to register a print job J0 from the user US0, and sends a registration request for the print job J0, i.e., a print job registration request RE1 shown in FIG. 1, to the authentication printing server 100 (S102). Upon receiving the print job registration request RE1 from the terminal 600, the authentication printing server 100 generates a print job J0 based on the print job registration request RE1, associates the print job J0 with the user US0, and performs a storage process to store the print job J0 in the storage device 104 (S104). As a result, the processing unit U3 holds the print job J0 associated with the user US0.

[0046] Furthermore, when user US0 is not logged in, the authentication printing server 100 transmits pre-login screen information to the image forming apparatus 200 to display pre-login screen D1, as shown in Fig. 5, on the display unit 206 (S106). Upon receiving the pre-login screen information from the authentication printing server 100, the image forming apparatus 200 performs display processing to display the pre-login screen D1 on the display unit 206 (S108).

[0047] The pre-login screen D1 shown in Fig. 5 prompts user US0 to perform card authentication or input a user ID and password. When user US0 touches or holds the ID card 350 over card reader 300, card reader 300 reads first authentication information IN1, which includes information identifying user US0, from the ID card 350 and transmits the first authentication information IN1 to image forming apparatus 200 (S110). When user US0 touches or operates a "User ID and Password" button 811 on pre-login screen D1, image forming apparatus 200 accepts an operation from user US0 to input a user ID and password and transmits the input user ID and password to authentication printing server 100 as first authentication information IN1. Note that Fig. 4 illustrates the processing performed when user US0 touches or holds the ID card 350 over card reader 300 to perform a proximity operation.

[0048] When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the first authentication information IN1 from the card reader 300, it transmits the first authentication information IN1 to the authentication printing server 100 and requests login for user US0 (S112). When the authentication printing server 100 receives the first authentication information IN1 from the image forming apparatus 200, it performs a first authentication process to perform first authentication based on the first authentication information IN1 (S114). If the first authentication information IN1 is registered in the authentication database DB1, the authentication printing server 100 permits login for user US0. In this way, when the first authentication unit U1 acquires the first authentication information IN1 linked to user US0, it performs first authentication based on the first authentication information IN1.

[0049] When the first authentication is performed while a print job J0 linked to user US0 is held, the authentication printing server 100 transmits print instruction screen information to the image forming apparatus 200, causing the display unit 206 to display a print instruction screen D2, such as the one shown in FIG. 6 (S116). The print instruction screen D2 is a screen for accepting instructions to execute printing based on the print job J0. Upon receiving the print instruction screen information from the authentication printing server 100, the image forming apparatus 200 performs display processing to display the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206 (S118).

[0050] The print instruction screen D2 shown in FIG. 6 has a list L1 of print jobs J0 and a print button 824. In the example shown in FIG. 2, when the first authentication is performed for user "US1," print jobs "J11," "J12," and "J13" associated with user "US1" are displayed in list L1 along with check boxes 821 to 823. The input unit 205 accepts an operation to select whether or not to check the check boxes 821 to 823. When the input unit 205 accepts a touch operation of the print button 824 from user US0, the image forming apparatus 200 executes printing based on the print jobs corresponding to the check boxes 821 to 823 that have been checked. In the example shown in Figure 6, check boxes 821 corresponding to print job "J11", 822 corresponding to print job "J12", and 823 corresponding to print job "J13" are checked, so the image forming device 200 will perform printing based on print jobs "J11", "J12", and "J13". 2, if there is only one print job J0 associated with user US0, such as user "US2," only one print job J0 is displayed in the format of list L1 on print instruction screen D2. In this case, image forming apparatus 200 accepts a selection as to whether or not to execute printing based on print job J0.

[0051] When the print button 824 is touched, the image forming apparatus 200 transmits selection information indicating the selected print job J0 to the authentication printing server 100 (S120). When the authentication printing server 100 receives the selection information for the print job J0, it transmits print data and print-in-progress screen information for displaying a print-in-progress screen D3, as shown in FIG. 7, on the display unit 206 to the image forming apparatus 200 (S122). In S122, the authentication printing server 100 generates print data for printing based on the print job J0 indicated in the selection information and transmits this print data to the image forming apparatus 200. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the print-in-progress screen information from the authentication printing server 100, it performs display processing for displaying the print-in-progress screen D3 on the display unit 206 (S124). When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the print data from the authentication printing server 100 in S124, it performs printing in accordance with this print data. As a result, printing based on the print job J0 is performed.

[0052] The printing screen D3 shown in Fig. 7 displays processing statuses 831 to 833 for print job J0. When check marks are placed in the check boxes 821 to 823 as shown in Fig. 6, the image forming apparatus 200 displays, on the display unit 206, a processing status 831 for print job "J11," a processing status 832 for print job "J12," and a processing status 833 for print job "J13." Here, the processing status 831 being "printing" means that printing based on print job "J11" is being executed, and the processing statuses 832 and 833 being "waiting to print" means that printing based on print job "J12" and print job "J13" are waiting. Of course, when printing based on print job "J11" is completed, printing based on print job "J12" and printing based on print job "J13" are executed sequentially.

[0053] When printing based on print job J0 is completed, the image forming apparatus 200 transmits a print completion notification to the authentication printing server 100 (S126). When the authentication printing server 100 receives the print completion notification from the image forming apparatus 200, it transmits function list screen information to the image forming apparatus 200, which causes the display unit 206 to display a function list screen D4 as shown in Fig. 8 (S128). When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the function list screen information from the authentication printing server 100, it performs display processing to display the function list screen D4 on the display unit 206 (S130).

[0054] 8 has a print button 841 for using the print function, a copy button 842 for using the copy function, a fax button 843 for using the facsimile function, a scan button 844 for using the read function, etc. User US0 can use various functions of the image forming device 200 by performing a touch operation on the function list screen D4 while logged in to the authentication printing server 100. User US0 can log out of the authentication printing server 100 by performing a touch operation on the logout button (not shown) on the image forming device 200.

[0055] In reality, the processing unit U3 may perform card authentication or the like and succeed in authenticating the user US0 even when the processing unit U3 does not hold the print job J0 linked to the user US0. In this case, since the user US0 is likely to use functions other than the printing function, the authentication printing server 100 displays the function list screen D4 on the display unit 206. The process for this is illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0056] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the processing performed by the first authentication unit U1 and processing unit U3 when first authentication is performed. In FIG. 9, elements that are the same as those shown in FIG. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals. The processing shown in FIG. 9 begins when login by user US0 is requested in S112 of FIG. 4. The authentication printing server 100 executes multiple processes in parallel through multitasking. Here, S114 corresponds to the first authentication unit U1 and the first authentication function FU1. S140, S116, S120, S122, and S128 correspond to the processing unit U3 and the processing function FU3. First, the authentication printing server 100 performs a first authentication process based on the received first authentication information IN1 (S114). Next, the authentication printing server 100 branches the process depending on whether or not the authentication printing server 100 holds the print job J0 linked to the user US0 (S140).

[0057] If the authentication printing server 100 holds print job J0 linked to user US0, it displays print instruction screen D2 shown in Fig. 6 on the display unit 206 (S116) and receives selection information for print job J0 (S120). Furthermore, the authentication printing server 100 displays printing screen D3 shown in Fig. 7 on the display unit 206 and transmits print job J0 indicated in the selection information to the image forming device 200 (S122). Thereafter, the authentication printing server 100 displays function list screen D4 shown in Fig. 8 on the display unit 206 (S128). If the authentication printing server 100 does not hold the print job J0 linked to the user US0, the process proceeds to S128, and the function list screen D4 shown in FIG.

[0058] As described above, when the first authentication is performed while the user US0 holds the print job J0 linked to the user US0, the processing unit U3 displays the print instruction screen D2 including the list L1 of the print jobs J0 on the display unit 206. Then, the processing unit U3 accepts the selection of the print job J0 from the list L1, and causes the image forming device 200 to execute printing based on the selected print job J0. On the other hand, if the first authentication is performed when the print job J0 linked to the user US0 is not held, the processing unit U3 causes the display unit 206 to display the function list screen D4 of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0059] 4 are performed in a case where facial authentication is performed instead of card authentication, the image forming apparatus 200 can still print based on the print job J0. However, when the processing unit U3 accepts the selection of the print job J0 from the list L1, the user US0 must perform a touch operation to print, such as touching the print instruction screen D2. This reduces the advantage of facial authentication, which can be performed without contact. Therefore, the processing system SY1 of this specific example is configured to perform printing based on the print job J0 when face authentication is performed, even if no contact operation for issuing a print instruction is performed.

[0060] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the flow of processing performed in a system including the processing system SY1 when facial authentication is performed as the second authentication. In FIG. 10, elements that are the same as elements shown in FIG. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals. FIG. 11 schematically illustrates processing performed by the processing unit U3 when the second authentication is performed. In FIG. 11, elements that are the same as elements shown in FIG. 10 are assigned the same reference numerals. Here, S240, S242, S208, and S214 correspond to the processing unit U3 and processing function FU3. FIG. 12 schematically illustrates processing performed in the authentication printing server 100 to switch between the processing after card authentication shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 and the processing after facial authentication shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. First, the process shown in FIG. 12 will be described.

[0061] When the authentication printing server 100 receives the print job registration request RE1 from the terminal 600 (S302), it performs the storage process for the print job J0 in S104 shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, and continues the process shown in FIG.

[0062] 4 and 9, and performs the first authentication process. When the authentication printing server 100 holds the print job J0 linked to the user US0, the authentication printing server 100 displays the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206, and continues the process shown in FIG. 12 after the processes of S120 to S128 shown in FIG. 4.

[0063] Furthermore, when the authentication printing server 100 receives authentication success information IN3 from the face authentication server 400 (S306), the process proceeds to S240 shown in Fig. 11. When the authentication printing server 100 is holding print job J0 linked to user US0, it displays a printing screen D3 on the display unit 206 and sends the print data to the image forming device 200. The authentication printing server 100 performs the processes of S212 and S214 shown in Fig. 10, and then continues the process shown in Fig. 12.

[0064] As described above, if card authentication is performed while a print job J0 associated with user US0 is held, user US0 can instruct printing based on print job J0 on print instruction screen D2. If facial authentication is performed while a print job J0 associated with user US0 is held, print instruction screen D2 is not displayed, and image forming device 200 executes printing based on print job J0. In this case, user US0 does not need to contact the device when requesting user authentication, and does not need to contact image forming device 200 when causing image forming device 200 to execute printing based on print job J0. Therefore, the processing system SY1 of this specific example can perform processes from authentication to printing contactlessly as needed.

[0065] Next, an example of the flow of processing performed in a system including the processing system SY1 when face authentication is performed will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Note that the processing of S102 to S108 is the same as the processing of S102 to S108 shown in Fig. 4, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. The imaging device 500 captures a contactless image of the face of user US0 and transmits the captured image IM1 to the facial authentication server 400 (S202). When the facial authentication server 400 receives the captured image IM1 from the imaging device 500, it performs a second authentication process based on the captured image IM1 as second authentication information IN2 (S204). If the facial image database DB2 contains a feature whose similarity to the feature of the facial image contained in the captured image IM1 is greater than a threshold, the facial authentication server 400 generates authentication success information IN3 including information for identifying user US0 and transmits this authentication success information IN3 to the authentication printing server 100 (S206).

[0066] When the authentication printing server 100 acquires authentication success information IN3 including information identifying the user US0 while a print job J0 associated with the user US0 is held, the authentication printing server 100 transmits print data and print-in-progress screen information for displaying a print-in-progress screen D3, as shown in FIG. 7, on the display unit 206 to the image forming apparatus 200 (S208). In S208, the authentication printing server 100 generates print data for printing based on all print jobs J0 associated with the user US0 and transmits this print data to the image forming apparatus 200. In the example shown in FIG. 2, when the authentication printing server 100 receives authentication success information IN3 corresponding to the user "US1," it generates print data for printing based on the print jobs "J11," "J12," and "J13" associated with the user "US1." When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the print-in-progress screen information from the authentication printing server 100, it performs display processing to display a print-in-progress screen D3 on the display unit 206 (S210). In S210, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives the print data from the authentication print server 100, it performs printing in accordance with the print data, thereby performing printing based on the print job J0.

[0067] When printing based on print job J0 is completed, the image forming apparatus 200 transmits a print completion notification to the authentication printing server 100 (S212). When the authentication printing server 100 receives the print completion notification from the image forming apparatus 200, it performs a logout process to terminate the login state of user US0 (S214). Thereafter, in S106, the authentication printing server 100 transmits pre-login screen information to the image forming apparatus 200. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the pre-login screen information from the authentication printing server 100, it performs a display process to display a pre-login screen D1 on the display unit 206 (S108).

[0068] In reality, the processing unit U3 may perform facial authentication and succeed when it does not hold the print job J0 linked to user US0. In this case, since user US0 is likely to use functions other than the print function, the authentication printing server 100 displays the function list screen D4 on the display unit 206. An example of the processing for this is shown in Figure 11. The processing shown in Figure 11 starts when the authentication printing server 100 receives authentication success information IN3 from the facial authentication server 400 in S206 of Figure 10. First, the authentication printing server 100 branches the process depending on whether or not the authentication printing server 100 holds the print job J0 linked to the user US0 (S240).

[0069] If the authentication printing server 100 holds the print job J0 linked to the user US0, it displays the printing screen D3 shown in Fig. 7 on the display unit 206 and sends print data for executing printing based on all print jobs J0 linked to the user US0 to the image forming device 200 (S208).Then, the authentication printing server 100 performs a logout process (S214). If the authentication printing server 100 does not hold the print job J0 linked to the user US0, it displays the function list screen D4 shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 206 (S242).

[0070] As described above, when the processing unit U3 acquires authentication success information IN3 from the facial authentication server 400 as the second authentication unit U2 while holding the print job J0 linked to the user US0, it causes the image forming device 200 to execute printing based on the print job J0 without displaying the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206. On the other hand, when the processing unit U3 acquires the authentication success information IN3 while the print job J0 linked to the user US0 is not held, the processing unit U3 causes the display unit 206 to display the function list screen D4 of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0071] As described above, when a first authentication such as card authentication is performed while a print job J0 associated with user US0 is held in processing unit U3, a print instruction screen D2 for accepting an instruction to print based on the print job J0 is displayed on display unit 206. In this case, user US0 can instruct the execution of printing based on the print job J0 on the print instruction screen D2. When a print job J0 associated with user US0 is held in processing unit U3 and face authentication is performed as a second authentication method that does not require a contact operation, the print instruction screen D2 is not displayed on display unit 206, and printing based on the print job J0 is executed. In this case, user US0 does not need to contact the device when requesting user authentication, and does not need to contact image forming device 200 when causing the image forming device 200 to execute printing based on the print job J0. Therefore, the processing system SY1 of this specific example can perform processes from authentication to printing contactlessly as necessary.

[0072] (4) Variation: The present invention can be modified in various ways. For example, the authentication printing server 100 may include a first authentication unit U1 and a second authentication unit U2. The processing system SY1 may also include a third authentication unit that performs a third authentication different from the first and second authentications. The first authentication is not limited to card authentication or authentication by inputting a user ID and password, but may be fingerprint authentication, etc. The second authentication is not limited to face authentication, but may be iris authentication, etc. The above-described processes can be changed as appropriate, such as by changing the order of the processes. The above-described processes are not limited to being executed by a CPU, but may also be executed by an electronic component such as an ASIC. Here, ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The above-described processes may also be distributed among multiple CPUs, or may be executed by a CPU and an electronic component such as an ASIC operating in cooperation with each other.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the processing system SY1 may not include the authentication printing server 100, and the first authentication unit U1 and processing unit U3 may be included in the image forming device 200. FIG. 13 schematically illustrates another configuration of a system including the processing system SY1. The system includes the image forming device 200, a card reader 300, a face authentication server 400, an imaging device 500, and a terminal 600. The processing system SY1 includes the image forming device 200 and the card reader 300. The image forming device 200 includes a display unit 206, a printing unit 208, a first authentication unit U1, a processing unit U3, etc. When the first authentication unit U1 obtains first authentication information IN1 from the card reader 300, if the first authentication information IN1 is registered in the authentication database DB1, it permits login for the user US0. In this manner, the first authentication is performed. When the processing unit U3 receives the print job registration request RE1 from the terminal 600 via the network NE1, it generates a print job J0 in accordance with the print job registration request RE1 and stores the print job J0 in association with the user US0. When the facial authentication server 400 generates authentication success information IN3, it transmits the authentication success information IN3 to the image forming apparatus 200 via the network NE1.

[0074] 6 on the display unit 206. When first authentication such as card authentication is performed while the processing unit U3 is holding the print job J0 linked to the user US0, the processing unit U3 causes the printing unit 208 to execute printing based on the print job J0 without displaying the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206. Furthermore, when the processing unit U3 receives authentication success information IN3 from the face authentication server 400 while the processing unit U3 is holding the print job J0 linked to the user US0, the processing unit U3 causes the printing unit 208 to execute printing based on the print job J0. 13 can also perform processes from authentication to printing in a non-contact manner as needed. Of course, the image forming apparatus 200 may include a second authentication unit U2, a third authentication unit, etc.

[0075] It would be convenient if the second authentication, such as facial authentication, could be switched to the first authentication, such as card authentication, as illustrated in Fig. 14. Fig. 14 schematically illustrates another process performed by processing unit U3 when the second authentication is performed. In Fig. 14, the same elements as those shown in Fig. 11 are assigned the same reference numerals. The process shown in Fig. 14 begins when the authentication printing server 100 receives authentication success information IN3 from the facial authentication server 400 in S206 of Fig. 10. Here, S240, S242, S244, S246, S208, and S214 correspond to processing unit U3 and processing function FU3. First, the authentication printing server 100 branches the process depending on whether or not the authentication printing server 100 holds the print job J0 linked to the user US0 (S240).

[0076] If the authentication printing server 100 holds print job J0 linked to user US0, it branches the process depending on whether the first authentication for user US0 has been performed (S244). The authentication printing server 100 executes multiple processes in parallel through multitasking. For example, if the authentication printing server 100 performs card authentication for user US0 in a process other than the process shown in FIG. 14, this constitutes first authentication. If first authentication has been performed, the authentication printing server 100 proceeds to S116 in FIG. 4 and displays the print instruction screen D2 shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 206.

[0077] If the first authentication has not been performed, the authentication printing server 100 branches the process depending on whether a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving the authentication success information IN3 (S246). The predetermined time is not particularly limited and may be set to approximately 10 to 30 seconds depending on the usage situation. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the authentication printing server 100 repeats the processes of S244 to S246. Therefore, if the first authentication for user US0 is performed within the predetermined time after receiving the authentication success information IN3 for user US0, the authentication printing server 100 will display the print instruction screen D2 on the display unit 206 without causing the image forming device 200 to perform printing.

[0078] 7 on the display unit 206, and transmits print data for executing printing based on all print jobs J0 linked to the user US0 to the image forming device 200 (S208).Then, the authentication printing server 100 performs a logout process (S214). If the authentication printing server 100 does not hold the print job J0 linked to the user US0, it displays the function list screen D4 shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 206 (S242).

[0079] In the example shown in FIG. 14, the user can instruct printing to be performed by operating the print instruction screen D2 within a predetermined time after the second authentication such as face authentication is performed, thereby improving convenience.

[0080] (5) Conclusion: As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that can perform everything from authentication to printing in a non-contact manner as needed, in various aspects. Of course, even a technology that consists only of the elements of the independent claims can achieve the basic functions and effects described above. Furthermore, it is possible to implement configurations in which the components disclosed in the above examples are substituted with each other or the combination is changed, or configurations in which the components disclosed in the publicly known techniques and the above examples are substituted with each other or the combination is changed, etc. The present invention also includes these configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 100...authentication printing server, 104...storage device, 107...network I / F, 200...image forming device, 205...input unit, 206...display unit, 208...printing unit, 300...card reader, 350...ID card, 400...facial authentication server, 500...imaging device, 600...terminal, D0...screen information, D1...pre-login screen, D2...print instruction screen, D3...printing screen, D4...function list screen, DB1...authentication database, DB2...facial image database, FU1...first authentication function, FU3...processing function, IM1...captured image, IN1...first authentication information, IN2...second authentication information, IN3...authentication success information, J0...print job, L1...list, NE1...network, PR1...control program, RE1...print job registration request, SY1...processing system, U1...first authentication unit, U2...second authentication unit, U3...processing unit, U4...reception unit, US0...user.

Claims

1. A processing system including an image forming apparatus having a display unit and capable of printing, a first authentication unit that, upon acquiring first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing unit capable of acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and storing a print job associated with the user; The processing unit When the first authentication is performed while the print job associated with the user is held, a print instruction screen for receiving an instruction to execute printing based on the print job is displayed on the display unit, and when the execution instruction is received from the print instruction screen, the image forming device is caused to execute the printing based on the print job; A processing system that, when the authentication success information is acquired while holding the print job linked to the user, causes the image forming device to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit.

2. The processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the first authentication unit acquires the first authentication information from a reception unit that receives a proximity operation from the user.

3. the first authentication unit is capable of acquiring the first authentication information from a card on which the first authentication information is readably recorded, the second authentication information is a captured image of the user's face, the authentication success information is generated by a second authentication unit performing face authentication based on the captured image as the second authentication, The processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is capable of acquiring the authentication success information from the second authentication unit.

4. The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the first authentication is performed while the processing unit is holding the print job associated with the user, the processing unit displays the print instruction screen including a list of the print jobs on the display unit, accepts selection of the print job from the list, and causes the image forming device to perform the printing based on the print job for which the selection was accepted.

5. The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the first authentication is performed or the authentication success information is obtained when the print job associated with the user is not held, the processing unit displays a function list screen of the image forming device on the display unit.

6. The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the first authentication corresponding to the user is performed within a predetermined time after obtaining the authentication success information corresponding to the user, the processing unit displays the print instruction screen on the display unit without causing the image forming device to perform the printing.

7. 7. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is included in the image forming apparatus.

8. the processing unit and the image forming apparatus are connected via a network, 7. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit includes a transmission unit that transmits screen information to be displayed on the display unit to the image forming apparatus via the network.

9. An information processing device that is connected to an image forming device that is equipped with a display unit and capable of printing, a first authentication unit that, upon receiving first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing unit capable of acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and storing a print job associated with the user; The processing unit When the first authentication is performed while the print job associated with the user is held, information for displaying a print instruction screen on the display unit to receive an instruction to execute printing based on the print job is transmitted to the image forming device, and when the execution instruction received from the print instruction screen is acquired, the image forming device is caused to execute the printing based on the print job; When the authentication success information is acquired while the print job associated with the user is held, the information processing device causes the image forming device to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit.

10. A control program for controlling an image forming apparatus that has a display unit and is capable of printing, a first authentication function that, when acquiring first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing function for acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and for storing print jobs associated with the user; The processing function is When the first authentication is performed while the print job associated with the user is held, a print instruction screen for receiving an instruction to execute printing based on the print job is displayed on the display unit, and when the execution instruction is received from the print instruction screen, the image forming device is caused to execute the printing based on the print job; A control program that, when the authentication success information is acquired while holding the print job linked to the user, causes the image forming device to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit.

11. A display unit; A printing department; a first authentication unit that, upon acquiring first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing unit capable of acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and storing a print job associated with the user; The processing unit When the first authentication is performed while the print job associated with the user is held, a print instruction screen for receiving an instruction to execute printing based on the print job is displayed on the display unit, and when the execution instruction is received from the print instruction screen, the printing based on the print job is executed by the printing unit; When the authentication success information is acquired while the print job associated with the user is held, the image forming device causes the printing unit to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit.

12. A processing system including an image forming device having a display unit and capable of printing, a first authentication unit that, upon acquiring first authentication information associated with a user, performs first authentication based on the first authentication information; a processing unit capable of acquiring authentication success information indicating that second authentication has been performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and obtained by contactlessly detecting the user, and storing a print job associated with the user; The processing unit A processing system in which, when the first authentication corresponding to the user is performed within a predetermined time after obtaining the authentication success information corresponding to the user, the image forming device does not perform the printing, but instead displays a print instruction screen on the display unit that accepts instructions to perform printing based on the print job.

13. The processing unit: When the first authentication is performed while the print job associated with the user is held, the print instruction screen is displayed on the display unit; The processing system of claim 12, wherein when the authentication success information is acquired while holding the print job associated with the user, the image forming device is caused to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display unit.

Images