Image forming system, management device, image forming device, and program

Abstract

To prevent printing not approved by a management device from being performed.SOLUTION: An image forming system 10 comprises: a management device 200 that generates irreversible collation information by using print instruction information instructing a printing method for image data and individual identification information on a portable storage medium storing the image data, and instructs to store the generated collation information in the portable storage medium together with the image data and the print instruction information; and an image forming apparatus 400 that confirms that the print instruction information stored in the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device, and that the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device by using the collation information stored in the portable storage medium, and prints the image data stored in the portable storage medium according to the print instruction information when it is confirmed that both the print instruction information and the portable storage medium have been approved by the management device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming system, a management device, an image forming device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a payment system in which a client terminal reads an electronic certificate from an IC card that stores the electronic certificate, which includes encrypted credit card payment information, and transmits the read electronic certificate to an online shop server. In this payment system, the online shop server receives the electronic certificate, performs authentication processing based on the electronic certificate, and processes payment based on credit card payment information extracted and decrypted from the electronic certificate.

[0003] The following Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming device that, when a portable computer device is connected to the image forming device as a USB device, collects information stored on the device, compares it with user information downloaded from a management server to perform authentication, and permits printing after authentication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-205501 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-109765 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is possible to store print instruction information and image data on a portable storage medium such as a USB memory and connect it to an image forming device, and print the image data according to the print instruction information stored on the portable storage medium. In this case, even if the print instruction information is rewritten or changes are made to the image data, there is a problem that the image data will be printed according to the rewritten print instruction information or the changed image data will be printed.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming system, a management device, an image forming device, and a program that can prevent printing that is not approved by the management device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming system of a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a first processor, wherein the first processor generates irreversible matching information using print instruction information that instructs a printing method for image data and individual identification information of a portable storage medium that stores the image data, and a management device that instructs that the generated matching information be stored on the portable storage medium together with the image data and the print instruction information; and a second processor, wherein the second processor uses the matching information stored on the portable storage medium to confirm that the print instruction information stored on the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device and that the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device, and when it is confirmed that both the print instruction information and the portable storage medium have been approved by the management device, the image forming device prints the image data stored on the portable storage medium in accordance with the print instruction information.

[0008] An image forming system of a second aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming system of the first aspect, wherein the matching information is a hash value generated using the print instruction information and the individual identification information of the portable storage medium, and the hash value is further encrypted with a private key in a public key cryptosystem, and the second processor acquires the unhashed print instruction information stored in the portable storage medium and the individual identification information of the portable storage medium to generate a hash value, decrypts the encrypted hash value with a public key corresponding to the private key, and compares the hash value, and if the two hash values ​​match, prints the image data stored on the portable storage medium in accordance with the print instruction information.

[0009] An image forming system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming system according to the second aspect, wherein the verification information includes time information when the print instruction information is generated.

[0010] An image forming system according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming system according to the third aspect, wherein the time information is the date and time when the print instruction information is stored in the portable storage medium.

[0011] An image forming system according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming system according to the second aspect, wherein the collation information includes time information for an electronic file in which the print instruction information is recorded.

[0012] An image forming system according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the time information is at least one of a creation date and time and an update date and time of an electronic file in which the print instruction information is recorded.

[0013] In the seventh aspect of the image forming system of the present disclosure, in the image forming systems of the first to sixth aspects, the management device holds instruction usage information indicating the usage status of the print instruction information, and when forming an image using the print instruction information, the image forming device inquires of the management device about the status of the instruction usage information, and if printing is possible, allows printing according to the print instruction information and notifies the management device of changes to the instruction usage information, and does not allow printing if printing is not possible.

[0014] The management device of the eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes a processor, which generates irreversible matching information using print instruction information that instructs a printing method for image data stored on a portable storage medium and individual identification information of the portable storage medium that stores the image data, and controls to instruct the generated matching information to be stored on the portable storage medium together with the image data and the print instruction information.

[0015] An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes a processor, which acquires verification information stored on a portable storage medium, uses the acquired verification information to confirm that the printing instruction information stored on the portable storage medium has been approved by a management device, and that the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device, and if it is confirmed that both the printing instruction information and the portable storage medium have been approved by the management device, prints the image data stored on the portable storage medium in accordance with the printing instruction information.

[0016] A tenth aspect of the program of the present disclosure causes a computer constituting a management device to execute control to generate irreversible matching information using print instruction information that instructs a printing method for image data stored on a portable storage medium and individual identification information of the portable storage medium that stores the image data, and to instruct the computer to store the generated matching information together with the image data and the print instruction information on the portable storage medium.

[0017] The program of the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure executes control such that a computer constituting an image forming device acquires matching information stored on a portable storage medium, uses the acquired matching information to confirm that the printing instruction information stored on the portable storage medium has been approved by a management device and that the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device, and if it is confirmed that both the printing instruction information and the portable storage medium have been approved by the management device, prints the image data stored on the portable storage medium in accordance with the printing instruction information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the image forming system of the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an image forming system that can prevent printing that is not approved by the management device from being performed.

[0019] According to the image forming system of the second aspect of the present disclosure, when a portable storage medium on which print instruction information is stored and the print instruction information are approved by a management device, it is possible to print image data stored on the portable storage medium on an image forming device.

[0020] According to the image forming system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, when print instruction information with a different generation time than the print instruction information approved by the management device is stored on a portable storage medium, it is possible to prevent image data from being printed according to the print instruction information with the different generation time.

[0021] According to the image forming system of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, when print instruction information different from the print instruction information stored in the portable storage medium at the instruction of the management device is stored in the portable storage medium, it is possible to prevent image data from being printed according to the different print instruction information.

[0022] According to the image forming system of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, when printing instruction information approved by a management device is rewritten or copied to a stored electronic file, printing can be prevented from being performed according to the rewritten or copied printing instruction information.

[0023] According to the image forming system of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, when either the creation date and time or the update date and time of an electronic file in which print instruction information is recorded is changed, it is possible to prevent image data from being printed according to the print instruction information recorded in the changed electronic file.

[0024] According to the image forming system of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, only when the print instruction information is valid, it is possible to form an image according to the print instruction information.

[0025] According to the management device of the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a management device that issues verification information to prevent printing from being performed using at least one of print instruction information that has not been approved by the management device and image data stored on an unapproved portable storage medium.

[0026] According to the image forming device of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming device can be provided that prevents printing from being performed using at least one of print instruction information that has not been approved by the management device and image data stored on an unapproved portable storage medium.

[0027] According to the program of the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the management device can be caused to execute control to issue verification information to prevent printing using at least one of unauthorized print instruction information and image data stored on a portable storage medium.

[0028] According to the program of the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to cause an image forming device to execute control to prevent printing using at least one of unauthorized print instruction information and image data stored on a portable storage medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing, in chronological order, the first half of the processing between the devices constituting the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing, in chronological order, the latter half of the processing between the devices constituting the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing the structure of original data for generating a hash value, and FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing the structure of data recorded in a USB memory. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] An image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is intended to exemplify the image forming system according to the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the following embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 1 is an overall conceptual diagram showing an example of an image forming system 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming system 10 includes a client terminal device 100 operated by a user, a management device 200, a USB memory 300, and an image forming device 400. The client terminal device 100 and the management device 200, and the management device 200 and the image forming device 400 are each connected to one another via a network such as the Internet 500.

[0032] Although detailed explanations will be given later, the general flow of processing in this image forming system 10 will be briefly described below. First, the user selects image data and sets a printing method on the client terminal device 100. The management device 200 generates irreversible verification information using at least print instruction information based on this printing method and the individual identification information of the USB memory 300, and transmits this information to the client terminal device 100. The client terminal device 100 saves the received verification information, along with the image data and print instruction information, in the USB memory 300.

[0033] The user carries the USB memory 300 to a store or the like where the image forming device 400 is installed, and connects the USB memory 300 to the image forming device 400. The image forming device then uses the verification information stored in the USB memory 300 to verify whether the USB memory 300 and the print instruction information stored in the USB memory 300 have been approved by the management device 200. If both the print instruction information and the USB memory 300 have been approved by the management device 200, the image forming device 400 prints the image data stored in the USB memory 300 in accordance with the print instruction information also stored in the USB memory 300.

[0034] In this image forming system 10, there may be a plurality of client terminal devices 100 and a plurality of image forming devices 400, each of which may be connected to the Internet 500. However, in this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, a case will be described in which only one of each is connected to the Internet 500.

[0035] First, we will explain the client terminal device 100. The client terminal device 100 is owned or operated by a user who selects image data, and is a portable terminal device such as a tablet computer or a smartphone, or a notebook personal computer or a desktop personal computer. The user operates application software installed on the client terminal device 100 to operate the user interface of the client terminal device 100 and create or select image data to be printed using the image forming device 400.

[0036] Here, "image data" refers to printable data that can be used to form an image and that has been created by the client terminal device 100 or that has been acquired by the client terminal device 100 via a network such as the Internet 500. Such printable data includes raster or vector format image file data, text file data, and PDL file data in which image data and text data are written in a page description language format that can form an image.

[0037] The "printing method" specified by the user refers to print settings such as the number of copies of image data to be printed, double-sided / single-sided printing setting, output paper size, color / black and white selection, etc. Furthermore, "printing instruction information" is information that specifies the printing method for image data, and takes the form of a printing instruction file that describes the file name of the image data and the printing method for that image data.

[0038] Next, the management device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the management device 200, and Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the management device 200. As shown in Fig. 2, the management device 200 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, a storage device 203, and a communication interface 204, each of which is connected to a control bus 205.

[0039] The CPU 201 is a control microprocessor, and controls the operation of each part of the management device 200 based on a control program stored in the storage device 203 .

[0040] The memory 202 temporarily stores image data information, print instruction information, and USB memory information received from the client terminal device 100 .

[0041] The storage device 203 is configured with a hard disk drive (abbreviated as HDD) or a solid state drive (abbreviated as SSD), and stores a control program for controlling each unit of the management device 200. In the present embodiment, the control program is installed in the storage device 203, but this is not limiting. The control program according to this embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the control program according to this embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a form recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The control program according to this embodiment may also be acquired from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 204. The storage device 203 also stores a print management database 215, which will be described later.

[0042] The communication interface 204 controls communication for communicating with the client terminal device 100 and the image forming device 400 connected via the Internet.

[0043] In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the management device 200 performs the functions of a data receiving unit 211, an accounting processing unit 212, a matching information generating unit 213, a printing management approval unit 214, and a printing management database 215 by executing a control program stored in the storage device 203.

[0044] The data receiving unit 211 receives information about the image data, information about the printing method for the image data, and information about the USB memory 300 connected to the client terminal device 100 from the client terminal device 100 and temporarily stores it in the memory 202.

[0045] The billing processing unit 212 calculates the fee for printing the image data using the above printing method and sends it to the client terminal device 100. It also obtains credit card payment information from the client terminal device 100 and requests payment from a credit card company server (not shown). If the payment is successful, the billing processing unit 212 notifies the client terminal device 100 of this fact and allows the matching information generation unit 213 to perform the processing described below.

[0046] The verification information generation unit 213 generates a print instruction file using the print instruction information stored in the memory 202. The verification information generation unit 213 generates irreversible verification information that serves as confirmation data for verifying that the print instruction file and image data have been approved by the management device 200. Here, "irreversible verification information" refers to information of a value that cannot be restored to the data before conversion, but that uniquely corresponds to the data before conversion. In addition, this verification information is a hash value generated using the print instruction information and the individual identification information of the USB memory 300.

[0047] The "individual identification information" of the USB memory 300 refers to USB memory information including USB memory identification information that identifies each individual USB memory, such as the manufacturer ID, product ID, and serial number of the USB memory 300. Furthermore, the verification information may be time information when the print instruction information was generated, specifically, date and time information when the print instruction information was stored in the USB memory 300, or time information of the electronic file in which the print instruction information is recorded. For example, the time information about this electronic file includes at least one of date and time information about the generation and update date and time information of the print instruction file, which is the electronic file in which the print instruction information is recorded.

[0048] Specifically, the collation information is calculated from the print instruction file, the print instruction file name, the creation date and time information of the print instruction file, and the USB memory information using a hash function designated in advance.

[0049] Furthermore, the verification information generation unit 213 further encrypts this verification information together with the user name, a work ID generated by the print management approval unit 214 (described later), and the print instruction file name using a private key in a public key cryptosystem to generate an encrypted file package. The verification information generation unit 213 also instructs the client terminal device 100 to store the generated encrypted file package in the USB memory 300 together with the image data and the print instruction file.

[0050] The printing management approval unit 214 generates instruction usage information indicating the usage status of the print instruction information and stores it in the printing management database 215. Specifically, the printing management approval unit 214 generates a job ID associated with the generated print instruction file and stores it in the printing management database 215. A status of either "valid" or "invalid" is associated with the job ID and stored. When the printing management approval unit 214 issues a job ID, it associates the status "valid" with the job ID and stores it. Furthermore, when the printing management approval unit 214 receives an inquiry from the image forming device 400 about whether the corresponding job ID is "valid," it notifies the image forming device 400 of the status "valid" or "invalid." Furthermore, when the printing management approval unit 214 receives a print completion notification from the image forming device 400, it sets the status of the corresponding job ID in the printing management database 215 to "invalid" to prevent printing with the same job ID from being performed again.

[0051] The USB memory 300 is a portable storage medium that stores image data. The USB memory 300 stores individual identification information, which is USB memory information such as a manufacturer ID, a product ID, and a serial number.

[0052] Next, the image forming apparatus 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 400, and Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 400. As shown in Fig. 4, the image forming apparatus 400 includes a CPU 401, a memory 402, a storage device 403, an input device 404, a display device 405, an image forming unit 406, a communication interface 407, and a USB connector 408, each of which is connected to a control bus 409.

[0053] The CPU 401 is a control microprocessor, and controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 400 based on a control program stored in the storage device 403 .

[0054] The memory 402 temporarily stores print data to be printed by the image forming unit 406 of the image forming apparatus 400 .

[0055] The storage device 403 is configured with a hard disk drive (abbreviated as HDD) or a solid state drive (abbreviated as SSD), and stores a control program for controlling each unit of the image forming apparatus 400. In the present embodiment, the control program of the image forming apparatus 400 is installed in the storage device 403, but this is not limiting. The control program according to the present embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the control program according to the present embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a form recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The control program according to the present embodiment may also be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 407.

[0056] The input device 404 is a touch panel formed on the surface of the display device 405, which will be described later, and through which the user inputs operations as necessary. However, in this embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to operate the input device 404.

[0057] Display device 405 is a liquid crystal display provided in image forming apparatus 400, and displays various screens including messages for the user.

[0058] The image forming unit 406 executes a printing process on the image data acquired from the USB memory 300 in accordance with the printing instructions described in the printing instruction file also acquired from the USB memory 300, and prints the image data on a recording medium such as paper.

[0059] The communication interface 407 controls communication to communicate with the management device 200 connected via the Internet 500 through a LAN cable (not shown) or via a wireless LAN.

[0060] The USB connector 408 is used to connect the USB memory 300 owned by the user.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 400 executes a control program stored in the storage device 403 to perform the functions of a portable storage medium detection unit 411, a printability determination unit 412, and a print control unit 413.

[0062] The portable storage medium detection unit 411 detects the USB memory 300 connected to the USB connector 408 and reads the image data, the print instruction file, the encrypted file package, and the USB memory information recorded in the USB memory 300 .

[0063] The print permission determination unit 412 uses the verification information stored in the USB memory 300 to confirm that both the printing instruction file stored in the USB memory 300 and the USB memory 300 have been approved by the management device 200.

[0064] Specifically, the printability determination unit 412 decrypts the encrypted file package acquired from the USB memory 300 using the public key in the public encryption method, and acquires a hash value contained in the decrypted file. The printability determination unit 412 also calculates a hash value from the print instruction file, print instruction file name, file creation date and time information, and USB memory information acquired from the USB memory 300. The printability determination unit 412 compares these hash values ​​acquired from the USB memory 300 with a hash value that it itself calculated using the information acquired from the USB memory 300. The hash function used to calculate the hash value is the same as the hash function used when the management device 200 calculates the hash value.

[0065] Furthermore, if the two hash values ​​match as a result of comparing the hash values, print permission determination unit 412 inquires of management device 200 whether the work ID included in the encrypted file package is "valid." If the work ID is valid, that is, if printing is possible, print permission determination unit 412 permits printing control unit 413 to perform the following printing, and if the work ID is invalid, that is, if printing is not possible, print permission determination unit 412 does not permit printing control unit 413 to perform the following printing.

[0066] If printing is permitted by the print permission determination unit 412, the print control unit 413 controls the image forming unit 406 to print the image data acquired from the USB memory 300 on a recording medium such as paper in accordance with the print instructions in the print instruction file that has also been acquired.

[0067] Next, the overall processing flow of the image forming system 10 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows the first half of a sequence diagram showing the processing between the devices constituting the image forming system 10 in chronological order, and Figure 7 shows the second half of the same sequence diagram.

[0068] First, the user connects the USB memory 300, which stores image data to be printed and print instruction information, to the client terminal device 100. Next, in step S101, the user operates the client terminal device 100 to input a user name, password, etc., and transmits them to the management device 200, thereby logging in to the management device 200.

[0069] In step S102, the user operates client terminal device 100 to select image data to be printed. This image data may be created on client terminal device 100, or may be an image acquired via a network such as the Internet 500. Furthermore, the user operates client terminal device 100 to set the printing method, such as the number of copies of the image data to be printed, double-sided / single-sided printing setting, output paper size, and color / black and white selection.

[0070] In step S103, the client terminal device 100 transmits to the management device 200 information about the image data and information about the printing method.

[0071] In step S104, the accounting processing unit 212 of the management device 200 calculates the fee for printing the image data using the printing method set by the user, and transmits the calculated fee to the client terminal device 100. The accounting processing unit 212 also requests the client terminal device 100 to transmit payment information such as credit card information.

[0072] When the user operates client terminal device 100 to input payment information, client terminal device 100 transmits the payment information to management device 200 in step S105.

[0073] In step S106, the billing processing unit 212 of the management device 200 sends the payment information to the server of the credit card company to request payment, and if the payment is successful, allows the verification information generating unit 213 to perform the processing described below.

[0074] In step S107, the verification information generation unit 213 of the management device 200 generates a print instruction file using information about the image data, such as the file name with the absolute path of the image data, and information about the printing method. The information about the image data may include the file size of the image data.

[0075] In step S108, the matching information generation unit 213 transmits the generated printing instruction file to the client terminal device 100 and instructs the client terminal device 100 to store the file together with the image data file to be printed in the USB memory 300 connected to the client terminal device 100. The matching information generation unit 213 also requests the client terminal device 100 to provide update date and time information for the printing instruction file and information about the USB memory 300.

[0076] In step S109, the client terminal apparatus 100 saves the print instruction file and the image data file in the USB memory 300, and also acquires the update date and time information of the print instruction file and the information of the USB memory 300 at this time.

[0077] In step S110, the client terminal device transmits the update date and time information of the acquired printing instruction file and information of the USB memory 300 to the management device 200.

[0078] In step S111, the printing management approval unit 214 of the management device 200 generates a work ID corresponding to the printing instruction file. Note that this work ID has a one-to-one correspondence with the printing instruction file. The printing management approval unit 214 associates the generated work ID with "valid" as a setting value and stores it.

[0079] In step S112, the verification information generation unit 213 calculates a hash value from the print instruction file, the print instruction file name, the creation date and time information of the print instruction file, the update date and time information of the print instruction file, and the USB memory information, as shown in Fig. 8(a). The information of the USB memory 300 includes individual identification information consisting of USB memory information such as the manufacturer ID, product ID, and serial number. A pre-specified hash function is used to calculate the hash value.

[0080] Furthermore, in step S112, the verification information generation unit 213 encrypts the calculated hash value, the username used to log in to the management device 200, the task ID, and the print instruction file name using a private key in a public key cryptosystem to generate an encrypted file package. Figure 8(b) shows the structure of this encrypted file package. The public key corresponding to the private key is transmitted to the image forming device 400 in advance and stored therein.

[0081] In step S113, the verification information generation unit 213 transmits the encrypted file package to the client terminal device 100 and instructs it to save it in the USB memory 300.

[0082] In step S114, the client terminal device 100 stores the encrypted file package received from the management device 200 in the USB memory 300. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8(b), the USB memory 300 stores the encrypted file package in addition to the printing instruction file and image data that are already stored therein.

[0083] Next, the user carries the USB memory 300 to a store where the image forming apparatus 400 is installed, and connects the USB memory 300 to the USB connector 408 of the image forming apparatus 400. Then, in step S115 of FIG. 7, the portable storage medium detection unit 411 detects the connected USB memory 300 and reads the image data file, printing instruction file, encrypted file package, and USB memory information recorded in the USB memory 300.

[0084] In step S116, the print permission determining unit 412 decrypts the encrypted file package acquired from the USB memory 300 using the public key in the public encryption method, and acquires the hash value included in the decrypted file.

[0085] In step S117, the printability determination unit 412 calculates a hash value from the print instruction file, print instruction file name, file creation date and time information, file update date and time information, and USB memory information acquired from the USB memory 300. The hash function used to calculate the hash value is the same as the hash function used when the management device 200 calculates the hash value.

[0086] In step S118, the printability determination unit 412 compares the hash value acquired from the USB memory 300 with the hash value it calculated. If the values ​​are equal, the printability determination unit 412 inquires of the management device 200 in step S119 whether the job ID is "valid." If the hash values ​​do not match, the printability determination unit 412 generates error information, displays it on the display device 405, does not perform printing, and ends the process. The error information includes a message indicating that the connected USB memory is different from the one that originally saved the image data or printing instruction file, or that the printing instruction file cannot be used because it has been copied or changed.

[0087] As a result, if the content of the printing instruction file acquired from the USB memory 300 differs from the content created by the management device 200, the hash values ​​will not match and printing will not be possible. Also, if the printing instruction file is copied, the file update date and time information of the printing instruction file will differ, so the hash values ​​will not match and printing will not be possible. Also, if the USB memory is different from the one in which the printing instruction file was originally saved, the USB memory information will be different and the hash values ​​will not match and printing will not be possible.

[0088] In step S120, the print management approval unit 214 of the management device 200 acquires the status, ie, state, of "valid" or "invalid" for the job ID in response to the inquiry, and notifies the image forming device 400 of the status.

[0089] In step S121, print control unit 413 of image forming apparatus 400 determines whether the status of the job ID is "valid." If the status of the job ID is "valid," then in step S122, print control unit 413 controls image forming unit 406 in accordance with the print instructions in the print instruction file to print the image data acquired from USB memory 300 onto a recording medium such as paper. Note that if the status associated with the job ID is "invalid," printability determination unit 412 generates error information, displays it on display device 405, does not perform printing, and terminates the process. The error information includes a message indicating that the print instruction file has already been used and is therefore invalid.

[0090] In step S123, the print control unit 413 notifies the management device 200 that printing has been performed in accordance with the print instruction corresponding to the job ID. In step S124, the print management approval unit 214 of the management device 200 sets the status of the job ID for which printing has been completed, received from the image forming device 400, to "invalid," and ends the process. Therefore, printing using print instruction information containing the same job ID becomes impossible.

[0091] In the above embodiment, a hash value calculated using the USB memory information and the print instruction information is used as the verification information, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. The hash value is used by the management device 200 to verify that the USB memory itself and the data recorded on the USB memory are authentic. Therefore, the verification information needs to be hashed at least the USB memory information and the print instruction information, and may also be hashed information including the image data to be printed and the device information of the image forming device 400.

[0092] If USB memory information is used as the information to be hashed, it is possible to confirm that the USB memory 300 storing the image data has been approved by the management device 200. Furthermore, if print instruction information is used as the information to be hashed, it is possible to confirm whether the print instruction information has been approved by the management device 200. Similarly, if the image data itself is included as the information to be hashed, it is possible to confirm whether the image data itself has been approved by the management device 200. In other words, if changes are made to the image data, for example, if the contents of the image data file are tampered with even though the file name is the same, the hash values ​​will not match and printing will be impossible. Furthermore, the information to be hashed may also include device information of a pre-specified image forming device 400, such as a serial number, in the calculation. In this case, printing will not be possible even if the USB memory is connected to an image forming device other than the specified image forming device 400.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the USB memory 300 is used as an example of a portable storage medium, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. The portable storage medium may be a medium that can store and carry at least image data and print instruction information and that transfers data non-via a network, such as a flash memory such as an SD card, or a smartphone.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the case where the print instruction file is generated in the management device 200 has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. After the print instruction file is generated in the client terminal device 100 and stored in the USB memory 300, the print instruction file and its creation time information may be transmitted to the management device 200, and a hash value may be calculated.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the status of the job ID is set to either "valid" or "invalid" has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. The status of the job ID may be the number of prints that can be made. In this case, the number of prints that can be made is decreased each time printing is performed. When the number of prints that can be made associated with the job ID becomes "0," printing is disabled, thereby preventing printing using a print instruction file that includes the job ID.

[0096] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0097] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as necessary. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10. Image forming system 100 Client terminal device 200 Management device 201 CPU 202 memory 203 Storage device 204 Communication Interface 205 Control Bus 211 Data receiving unit 212 Billing Processing Unit 213 Matching information generation unit 214 Print Management Approval Department 215 Print Management Database 300 memory 400 Image forming device 401 CPU 402 memory 403 Storage device 404 Input Device 405 Display device 406 Image forming unit 407 Communication Interface 408 Connector 409 Control Bus 411 Portable storage medium detection unit 412 Printability judgment section 413 Printing control unit 500 Internet

Claims

1. a management device including a first processor, the first processor generating irreversible verification information using print instruction information instructing a printing method for image data and individual identification information of a portable storage medium storing the image data, and instructing that the generated verification information be stored in the portable storage medium together with the image data and the print instruction information; an image forming device comprising a second processor, which uses the verification information stored in a portable storage medium to confirm that the print instruction information stored in the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device and that the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device, and when it is confirmed that both the print instruction information and the portable storage medium have been approved by the management device, prints the image data stored in the portable storage medium in accordance with the print instruction information; An image forming system comprising:

2. the verification information is a hash value generated using the print instruction information and individual identification information of the portable storage medium, and the hash value is further encrypted with a private key in a public key cryptosystem; 2. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein the second processor acquires unhashed print instruction information stored on a portable storage medium and individual identification information of the portable storage medium to generate a hash value, decrypts the encrypted hash value using a public key corresponding to the private key, and compares the hash value; and if the two hash values ​​match, prints the image data stored on the portable storage medium according to the print instruction information.

3. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the collation information includes time information when the print instruction information was generated.

4. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the time information is the date and time when the print instruction information is stored on the portable storage medium.

5. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the collation information includes time information for the electronic file in which the print instruction information is recorded.

6. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the time information is at least one of a creation date and time and an update date and time of the electronic file in which the print instruction information is recorded.

7. the management device holds instruction usage information indicating a usage status of the print instruction information; An image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when forming an image using the printing instruction information, the image forming device inquires of the management device about the status of the instruction usage information, and if printing is possible, allows printing according to the printing instruction information and notifies the management device of changes to the instruction usage information, and does not allow printing if printing is not possible.

8. a processor; The processor: generating irreversible verification information using print instruction information instructing a printing method for the image data stored in a portable storage medium and individual identification information of the portable storage medium storing the image data; a management device that performs control to instruct the portable storage medium to store the generated collation information together with the image data and the print instruction information;

9. a processor; The processor: Acquire the verification information stored in the portable storage medium; Using the acquired verification information, confirm that the print instruction information stored in the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device, and that the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device; An image forming device that, when it is confirmed that both the print instruction information and the portable storage medium have been approved by the management device, prints image data stored in the portable storage medium in accordance with the print instruction information.

10. The computer that constitutes the management device generating irreversible verification information using print instruction information instructing a printing method for the image data stored in a portable storage medium and individual identification information of the portable storage medium storing the image data; a program for executing control to instruct the portable storage medium to store the generated collation information together with the image data and the print instruction information;

11. A computer constituting an image forming apparatus includes: Acquire the verification information stored in the portable storage medium; Using the acquired verification information, confirm that the print instruction information stored in the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device, and that the portable storage medium has been approved by the management device; A program that executes control to print image data stored on a portable storage medium in accordance with the print instruction information when it is confirmed that both the print instruction information and the portable storage medium have been approved by the management device.

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