Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, image forming system, image forming program, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an image formation apparatus, information processing apparatus, image formation system, image formation program and information processing program which can guarantee that a specific page is printed when collation information matches.SOLUTION: When requesting printing, a confidential page and a confidential code are set as setting of printing information and transmitted to an image formation apparatus 12 as a printing job including printing information and printing data. The image formation apparatus 12 embeds the confidential code in the confidential page and transmits them to a printing engine part 34 when converting the printing data to bitmap data by performing decomposing processing. The printing engine part 34 requests the confidential code to a controller part 20 when printing an output page in which the confidential code is embedded in the bitmap data, collates it with the confidential code embedded in the bitmap data and performs printing when the confidential codes match.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming program, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a control device installed at a position where output from a printer is secured or incorporated in the printer, which authenticates the execution of a print job transmitted from a host device to be output from the printer via a communication network by providing authentication information at the closest distance to the control device, a power control function that starts power supply to the printer upon authentication by the authentication function, and a virtual host function that provides the print job to the printer upon authentication by the authentication function.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a printing system having a printing device capable of receiving a plurality of print jobs. When a printing interruption factor occurs, data of a print job whose printing process by the printing device has been interrupted due to the printing interruption factor is held in a storage means in an encrypted state, and the resumption operation of the printing process of the print job after decrypting the data of the print job held in the storage means in the encrypted state is made executable by the printing device after the printing interruption factor is released and authentication data required for resuming printing of the print job is input.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses that in a printing system capable of secure print processing, for a print job generated in a host computer that generates the print job, secure print is specified in units of pages in the print job, and further, in the printing device, for a print job for which secure print is specified, output is performed without a user authentication operation for pages other than the specified pages, and only the specified pages are output after the authentication operation.

[0005] It has been proposed that for a print job for which secure print is specified, output is performed without a user authentication operation for pages other than the specified pages, and only the specified pages are output after the authentication operation.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-93127 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-146944 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-187317 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Some image forming machines require authentication at the start of printing before printing begins. Because authentication is performed at the beginning of printing, all subsequent pages are printed and ejected. However, even if only certain pages of a document contain confidential information, or if the user wants to confirm the printing conditions immediately before printing a specific page, all pages are ejected after a single authentication at the start of printing. The user was not always present near the image forming machine when printing a specific page. Therefore, for example, when printing on an image forming machine shared by many users, there was a possibility of information leakage if the user left the machine before printing was complete.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, image forming system, image forming program, and information processing program that can guarantee printing of a specific page when the matching information is consistent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a processor, which acquires print information including a predetermined specific page and predetermined matching information, converts the print data to be printed into image data in a format that can be printed for each output page, embeds the matching information into the image data of the converted output page including the predetermined page, requests and obtains the matching information from the user when printing the output page in which the matching information is embedded, and performs a process to print if the embedded matching information and the obtained matching information are consistent.

[0010] In the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, the processor embeds the matching information outside the printing area, as described in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0011] In the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, the processor embeds the matching information by rewriting a predetermined number of bytes of information at the beginning of the image data, in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0012] In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the processor prints without performing the matching of the matching information if the first byte of the image data is 0.

[0013] In the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth embodiment, the processor requests and performs the matching information if the first byte of the image data is not 0.

[0014] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the processor further performs a process to delete the image data when at least one of the number of requests for the matching information and the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0015] In the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, if the matching of the matching information is not performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the processor postpones processing and processes the output pages and subsequent pages.

[0016] The image forming apparatus according to the eighth embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments, wherein the processor detects the specific page by detecting predetermined information in the print data and acquires user information for user authentication as matching information.

[0017] The image forming apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to the eighth embodiment, wherein the predetermined information is predetermined characters or marks placed at predetermined positions.

[0018] The information processing device according to the tenth embodiment includes a processor, which detects a predetermined specific page by detecting predetermined information within the print data to be printed, obtains user information for user authentication as verification information, and when the specific page is detected, performs a process to send the specific page and the verification information to the image forming apparatus when requesting printing from the image forming apparatus.

[0019] The information processing device according to the 11th embodiment is an information processing device according to the 10th embodiment in which predetermined information is predetermined characters or marks placed at predetermined positions.

[0020] The image forming system according to the 12th embodiment includes an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to 9th embodiments, and an information processing apparatus that transmits print data to be printed and the print information to the image forming apparatus to request printing.

[0021] The image forming system according to the 13th embodiment includes an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments and an information processing apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh embodiment.

[0022] The image forming program according to the 14th aspect causes a computer to acquire print information including a predetermined specific page and predetermined collation information, convert print data to be printed into image data in a printable format for each output page, embed the collation information in the image data of the output page including the specific page, request and acquire the collation information when printing the output page in which the collation information is embedded, and execute a process of printing when the embedded collation information and the acquired collation information match.

[0023] The information processing program according to the 15th aspect causes a computer to detect a predetermined specific page by detecting predetermined information in print data to be printed, acquire user information for authenticating a user as collation information, and when the specific page is detected, execute a process of including the specific page and the collation information in print information to be printed and transmitting the print information to an image forming apparatus when requesting printing to the image forming apparatus.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the 1st aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of ensuring printing of a specific page when collation information matches.

[0025] According to the 2nd aspect, collation information can be embedded without affecting printing.

[0026] According to the 3rd aspect, collation information can be embedded outside a printing area.

[0027] According to the 4th aspect, it is possible to discriminate and print an output page in which collation information is not embedded.

[0028] According to the 5th aspect, it is possible to recognize an output page including a specific page and request collation information.

[0029] According to the 6th aspect, information leakage can be suppressed as compared with the case of continuously holding image data.

[0030] According to the seventh embodiment, printing can be done more efficiently compared to the case where the matching information is not matched.

[0031] According to the eighth aspect, it becomes possible to eliminate the need for the user to enter verification information.

[0032] According to the ninth aspect, it becomes possible to detect a specific page.

[0033] According to the tenth embodiment, it is possible to provide an information processing device that can ensure that a user is present around the image forming apparatus when printing a specific page.

[0034] According to the eleventh aspect, it becomes possible to detect a specific page.

[0035] According to the twelfth embodiment, an image forming system can be provided that can ensure that a user is present around the image forming apparatus when printing a specific page.

[0036] According to the 13th embodiment, an image forming system can be provided that can ensure that a user is present around the image forming apparatus when printing a specific page.

[0037] According to the 14th embodiment, an image forming program can be provided that can ensure that the user is present around the image forming apparatus when printing a specific page.

[0038] According to the 15th embodiment, it is possible to provide an information processing program that can ensure that a user is present around the image forming apparatus when printing a specific page. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of the image forming system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the main components of the electrical system of the image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the main components of the electrical system of the client computer in the image forming system according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the normal printing process performed by the image forming apparatus when a print request is made from a client computer to the image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the process performed by the image forming apparatus when a client computer requests confidential (authenticated) printing from the image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is an example of a print settings screen displayed on the print job sending side, such as a client computer, when requesting confidential (authenticated) printing from an image forming machine. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of bitmap data after decomposition processing during normal printing. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of bitmap data after decomposition processing during confidential (authenticated) printing. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed in the controller section of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed in the printing engine section of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a screen for entering a confidential code, which is displayed on the user interface of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows a modified example of the processing flow performed in the printing engine section of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] Hereinafter, an example of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and a client computer as an information processing apparatus are connected via various communication lines such as networks will be described as an example. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0041] The image forming system 10 according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 12 and a client computer 14, as shown in Figure 1. The image forming apparatus 12 and the client computer 14 are connected to each other via a communication line 18 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or an intranet. The image forming apparatus 12 and the client computer 14 are each capable of sending and receiving various types of data to and from each other via the communication line 18. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 12 forms an image according to the print instruction by issuing a print instruction from the client computer 14. In Figure 1, one image forming apparatus 12 and one client computer 14 are shown, but there may be multiple of each, or multiple of either one. In this embodiment, an example of issuing a print instruction from the client computer 14 is described, but as shown by the dotted line in Figure 1, it may also be possible to issue a print instruction from a mobile terminal device 16 via the communication line 18. Alternatively, the mobile terminal device 16 may directly issue print instructions to the image forming apparatus 12 via short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Furthermore, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 1, a server 11 may be provided, allowing image forming requests to be sent to the image forming apparatus 12 via the server 11 from at least one of the client computer 14 and the mobile terminal device 16.

[0042] The image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment has multiple functions, including an image forming function that receives various data via a communication line 18 and performs image forming processing based on the received data, a reading function that reads a document and obtains image information representing the document, a copying function that copies the image recorded on the document onto paper, a facsimile function that sends and receives various data via a telephone line (not shown), a transfer function that transfers document information such as image information read by the reading function, etc., and a storage function that stores document information such as image information that has been read.

[0043] In the following explanation, a process or set of processes performed by the image forming apparatus 12 to achieve a predetermined function is referred to as a "job." Furthermore, in the following explanation, image formation by the image forming apparatus 12 may be referred to as "printing."

[0044] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical components of the image forming apparatus 12 in the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment includes a controller unit 20 that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C, which are examples of processors. The CPU 20A controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 12. The RAM 20C is used as a work area, etc., when various programs are executed by the CPU 20A. The ROM 20B stores various control programs and various parameters in advance. The various parts of the controller unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 12 are electrically connected by a system bus 42.

[0046] On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment includes an HDD (hard disk drive) 26 for storing various data and application programs. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a display control unit 28 connected to a user interface unit 22, which controls the display of various operation screens on the display of the user interface unit 22. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes an operation input detection unit 30 connected to the user interface unit 22, which detects operation instructions input via the user interface unit 22. In the image forming apparatus 12, the HDD 26, the display control unit 28, and the operation input detection unit 30 are electrically connected to a system bus 42. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 12 uses an HDD 26 as the storage unit, but is not limited to this, and a non-volatile storage unit such as flash memory may be used.

[0047] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment includes a reading control unit 32 that controls the optical image reading operation by the document reading unit 44 and the document feeding operation by the document transport unit, and a printing engine unit 34 that controls the image forming processing by the image forming unit 24 and the transport of paper to the image forming unit 24 by the transport unit 25. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a communication line I / F (interface) unit 36 ​​connected to a communication line 18, which transmits and receives communication data with other external devices such as a client computer 14 connected to the communication line 18. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a facsimile I / F (interface) unit 38 connected to a telephone line (not shown), which transmits and receives facsimile data with a facsimile device connected to the telephone line. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a transmit / receive control unit 40 that controls the transmit and receive of facsimile data via the facsimile I / F unit 38. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a human presence sensor 46 that detects people in the vicinity of the device. In the image forming apparatus 12, the transmit / receive control unit 40, the reading control unit 32, the printing engine unit 34, the communication line I / F unit 36, the facsimile I / F unit 38, and the human presence sensor 46 are electrically connected to the system bus 42.

[0048] With the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment uses the CPU 20A to access the RAM 20C, ROM 20B, and HDD 26, respectively. The image forming apparatus 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the display of information such as operation screens and various messages on the display of the user interface unit 22 via the display control unit 28. The image forming apparatus 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the operation of the document reading unit 44 and the document transport unit via the reading control unit 32. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 12 uses the CPU 20A to control the operation of the image forming unit 24 and the transport unit 25 via the printing engine unit 34, and to control the transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line I / F unit 36, respectively. In addition, the image forming apparatus 12 uses the CPU 20A to control the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I / F unit 38 via the transmission and reception control unit 40. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 12 uses the CPU 20A to understand the operation content in the user interface unit 22 based on the operation input detection unit 30, and executes various controls based on this operation content. The printing engine unit 34 may also include a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., similar to the controller unit 20, and perform the processing of the printing engine unit 34, which will be described later, by executing a program. Alternatively, the function may be realized by the CPU 20A of the controller unit 20 executing a program.

[0049] Next, the main components of the electrical system of the client computer according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main components of the electrical system of the client computer 14 in the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, the client computer 14 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 14A as an example of a processor, ROM 14B, RAM 14C, storage 14D, operation unit 14E, display unit 14F, and communication line I / F (interface) unit 14G. The CPU 14A controls the overall operation of the client computer 14. The ROM 14B stores various control programs and various parameters in advance. The RAM 14C is used as a work area when various programs are executed by the CPU 14A. The storage 14D stores various data and application programs. The operation unit 14E is used to input various information. The display unit 14F is used to display various information. The communication line I / F unit 14G is connected to the communication line 18 and transmits and receives various data with other devices connected to the communication line 18. The communication line I / F unit 14G may also be configured to communicate directly with each device using various well-known wireless communication methods. The various components of the client computer 14 described above are electrically interconnected by a system bus 14I. In this embodiment, the client computer 14 uses storage 14D as the storage unit, but examples of storage include non-volatile storage units such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) and flash memory.

[0051] With the above configuration, the client computer 14 according to this embodiment uses the CPU 14A to access the ROM 14B, RAM 14C, and storage 14D, acquire various data via the operation unit 14E, and display various information on the display unit 14F. In addition, the client computer 14 uses the CPU 14A to control the transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line I / F unit 14G.

[0052] Furthermore, if printing instructions are to be made from the mobile terminal device 16, the mobile terminal device 16 is basically configured as a general computer, and like the client computer in Figure 3, it includes a CPU 16A, ROM 16B, RAM 16C, etc., so a detailed explanation is omitted. In addition, the mobile terminal device 16 includes a position detection unit 16H that detects the position of the mobile terminal device 16 using GPS (Global Positioning System), etc., and a shooting unit 16J such as a camera, etc., which are not present in the client computer 14.

[0053] Here, we will describe the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 12 when a print request is made from the client computer 14 to the image forming apparatus 12 in the image forming system 10 configured as described above according to this embodiment.

[0054] First, let's explain the normal printing process. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the normal printing process performed in the image forming apparatus 12 when a print request is made from the client computer 14 to the image forming apparatus 12 in the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0055] A print request is made by sending a print job containing print data such as PDL (Page Description Language) and print information such as the number of pages to print and various print conditions from the client computer 14 to the image forming apparatus 12.

[0056] The user moves to the image forming apparatus 12 and performs an authentication operation by using an IC (Integrated Circuit) card or operating the user interface unit 22. Then, by operating the user interface unit 22, the user specifies the print job to be printed and issues a print command. Note that this authentication operation may be omitted.

[0057] When a print job is ordered, the controller unit 20 performs a decomposition process, which converts print data such as PDL into bitmap data as an example of image data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 12, according to the print information of the print job received from the client computer 14. When performing the decomposition process, if the print information is set to aggregate printing, which combines multiple pages into one page, the multiple pages are converted into bitmap data with the output page aggregated into one page. Also, if double-sided printing is set, the front page and back page are each converted into bitmap data with one output page. The controller unit 20 then transmits the bitmap data converted by the decomposition process and the print information to the print engine unit 34.

[0058] The printing engine unit 34 receives bitmap data and print information transmitted from the controller unit 20, and controls the image forming unit 24 and the transport unit 25 according to the content of the print information to form an image on the paper and output it.

[0059] Incidentally, as mentioned above, in the normal printing process, authentication is performed at the beginning of printing, and after that, all pages are printed and ejected. However, even if only certain pages of the document to be printed contain confidential information, or if you want to check the printing conditions immediately before printing certain pages, all pages are ejected after the single authentication at the beginning of printing. Users are not always present around the image forming machine when printing confidential pages or pages that need to be checked immediately before printing. Therefore, for example, when printing on an image forming machine shared by many users, there is a possibility of information leakage if the user leaves the machine before printing is complete.

[0060] Therefore, in the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment, confidential (authenticated) printing is performed, which requires authentication when printing a specific page. Now, confidential (authenticated) printing will be explained. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the process performed by the image forming apparatus 12 when a confidential (authenticated) printing request is made from the client computer 14 to the image forming apparatus 12 in the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0061] When a client computer 14 or the like requests printing, the print information is configured with predefined specific pages, such as confidential pages or pages to be reviewed immediately before printing, and verification information such as a confidential code. This print job, including the print information and print data, is then sent to the image forming apparatus 12. In the following, an example is described in which a confidential page requiring confidentiality is applied as an example of a specific page, and a confidential code such as a PIN is applied as an example of verification information.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, when the image forming apparatus 12 performs decomposition processing to convert print data into bitmap data, it embeds a confidential code into the bitmap data of the page set as print information and sends it to the print engine unit 34. For example, in the case of aggregated printing, if any of the multiple pages aggregated into an output page is a confidential page, the confidential code is embedded in the bitmap data of that output page. Then, when the print engine unit 34 prints an output page in which a confidential code is embedded in the bitmap data, it requests the confidential code from the controller unit 20. At this point, by inputting the confidential code via the user interface unit 22, it is compared with the confidential code embedded in the bitmap data, and printing proceeds if they match. As a result, if the confidential code is not input by the user interface unit 22 immediately before printing the confidential page, printing stops, thus ensuring that the user is present around the image forming apparatus 12 when printing the confidential page. Note that in the case of aggregated printing, input of the confidential code is requested immediately before printing the output page containing the confidential page, thus ensuring that the user is present around the image forming apparatus 12 when printing the output page containing the confidential page.

[0063] Figure 6 shows an example of a print settings screen displayed on the print job sending side, such as a client computer 14, when requesting confidential (authenticated) printing from the image forming apparatus 12.

[0064] In the print settings screen shown in Figure 6, under the Confidential (Authentication) tab, you specify whether all pages or specific pages should be confidential. Then, just before printing, you enter a confidential code in the Confidential (Authentication) Code field to verify the information. In the example in Figure 6, "ff19362ff" is set as the confidential (authentication) code.

[0065] Next, the decomposition process of the controller unit 20 will be explained with specific examples. Figure 7 shows an example of bitmap data after decomposition processing during normal printing, and Figure 8 shows an example of bitmap data after decomposition processing during confidential (authenticated) printing.

[0066] The controller unit 20 receives the print information and print data set on the print settings screen and embeds the confidential code into the bitmap data after the confidential page has been decomposed.

[0067] Figures 7 and 8 show the binary representation of the bitmap data after decomposition. While the actual decomposed data includes information such as data size and format at the beginning, only the print data is shown here.

[0068] Normally, the first line of decomposed print data is outside the print area, so it is all zeros, as shown in Figure 7.

[0069] Therefore, in this embodiment, the controller unit 20 embeds a confidential code into the decomposed data by rewriting the first 10 bytes of the print data.

[0070] Specifically, when embedding the confidential code "ff19362ff" as described above, as shown in Figure 8, the first byte is used as the code size, and since the number of characters is 9, 9 is embedded, and then "ff19362ff" is embedded in bytes 2 through 10. Figure 8 shows the bitmap data after embedding the confidential code "ff19362ff" represented in binary.

[0071] Next, we will describe the specific processes performed in the image forming apparatus 12 of the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment, which is configured as described above.

[0072] First, we will explain the specific processing from when the controller unit 20 performs decomposition processing until it transmits the bitmap data to the print engine unit 34. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the controller unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment. Note that the processing in Figure 9 is performed, for example, by the CPU 20A executing a program that has been pre-stored in the ROM 20B or HDD 26.

[0073] In step 100, the controller unit 20 determines whether or not there are any pages that have not been decomposed. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 102; otherwise, the controller unit 20 terminates its processing.

[0074] In step 102, the controller unit 20 performs a decomposition process and proceeds to step 104. That is, it performs a process to convert the print data into bitmap data. If collated printing is set, multiple pages are combined into one page and converted into bitmap data representing that output page. Also, if double-sided printing is set, the front page and back page are each converted into bitmap data representing one output page.

[0075] In step 104, the controller unit 20 determines whether the page is one on which a confidential code is specified. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 108.

[0076] In step 106, the controller unit 20 performs the confidential code embedding process and proceeds to step 108. That is, as shown in Figure 8, the confidential code is embedded in the decomposed bitmap data.

[0077] In step 108, the controller unit 20 sends print data to the print engine unit 34, and the process returns to step 100 to repeat the above steps.

[0078] Next, we will explain the specific processes that the print engine unit 34 performs from receiving the decomposed print data to printing.

[0079] The printing engine unit 34 receives bitmap data and print information transmitted from the controller unit 20, stores them in a buffer memory or the like, and outputs them in page order according to the engine performance (for example, 30 pages / minute).

[0080] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow performed in the printing engine unit 34 of the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment. The processing in Figure 10 is performed, for example, by executing a program pre-stored in the printing engine unit 34 or the HDD 26.

[0081] In step 200, the printing engine unit 34 determines whether the first byte is 0 or not. That is, it determines whether or not a confidential code is embedded. If a confidential code is embedded, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 202; if a confidential code is not embedded, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 212.

[0082] In step 202, the printing engine unit 34 requests the controller unit 20 to send a confidential code, and the process proceeds to step 204. The controller unit 20 then displays a screen for entering the confidential code on the user interface unit 22, for example, as shown in Figure 11, and requests the user to enter the confidential code. Figure 11 shows an example of a screen for entering a confidential code displayed on the user interface unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 12.

[0083] In step 204, the printing engine unit 34 determines whether or not it has received a confidential code from the controller unit 20. That is, it determines whether or not it has received a confidential code entered by the user interface unit 22, waits until the determination is affirmative, and then proceeds to step 206.

[0084] In step 206, the print engine unit 34 reads the data length of the first byte and proceeds to step 208. That is, it reads the data from the beginning of the bitmap in which the confidential code is embedded.

[0085] In step 208, the printing engine unit 34 determines whether the confidential codes match. This determination is made by comparing the confidential code embedded in the bitmap data with the confidential code received in step 204 to determine if they match. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 210; if it is positive, the process proceeds to step 212.

[0086] In step 210, the printing engine unit 34 determines whether the number of code requests is less than a predetermined number N. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 202 and the above process is repeated; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 214.

[0087] In step 212, the print engine unit 34 performs the printing process and proceeds to step 214. That is, it prints based on the bitmap data decomposed by the controller unit 20.

[0088] In step 214, the print engine unit 34 erases the print data and completes the series of processes.

[0089] By performing this process, a confidential code is requested and printing stops immediately before printing the output page containing the confidential page, thus ensuring that the user is present in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 12 when the confidential page is being printed.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if there is a misalignment between the print information and the bitmap data when transmitting the print information and bitmap data to the print engine unit 34, printing can be stopped at the confidential page to ensure that the confidential code is verified.

[0091] Next, a modified example of the processing performed in the printing engine unit 34 will be described. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the processing flow performed in the printing engine unit 34 of the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment.

[0092] In the process shown in Figure 10, the system waits until the confidential code is entered in step 204. However, in the modified version, if the confidential code is not entered after a predetermined period of time, the process is postponed and printing of subsequent pages is performed.

[0093] In other words, as shown in Figure 12, steps 203, 216, and 218 are added to the process in Figure 10.

[0094] In step 202, after requesting the controller unit 20 to send the confidential code, the process proceeds to step 203, where the printing engine unit 34 determines whether a certain amount of time has elapsed since the request for the confidential code. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 216; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 206.

[0095] In step 216, the printing engine unit 34 determines whether or not there is another output page. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 204; if it is positive, the process proceeds to step 218.

[0096] In step 218, the print engine unit 34 postpones the output page currently being processed and moves on to the next output page, returning to step 200 to repeat the above process.

[0097] By processing in this way, if a confidential code is not entered after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the output page containing the confidential page will be postponed, and subsequent pages will be printed instead.

[0098] In the above embodiment, when printing a confidential page, the print data is deleted if the number of requests for the confidential code exceeds a threshold. However, the conditions for deleting the print data are not limited to this. For example, step 210 may determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the request for the confidential code, and the print data may be deleted if the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time. Alternatively, step 210 may determine whether at least one of the number of requests for the confidential code and the elapsed time since the request for the confidential code exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the print data may be deleted.

[0099] Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example in which a user sets specific pages and matching information by operating the client computer 14, the method of setting specific pages and matching information is not limited to this. For example, a fixed layout (e.g., upper right corner of the text) or a predetermined mark may be placed on a specific page such as a confidential page, and when printing is instructed from the client computer 14, the specific page such as a confidential page may be automatically recognized by detecting the character or mark from the print data. In addition, for matching information such as a confidential code, user information or biometric information for user authentication may be acquired and used as matching information. Moreover, the process of automatically recognizing specific pages and the process of acquiring user information or biometric information as matching information may be performed on the image forming apparatus 12 side, in addition to being performed on the client computer 14. For example, when the image forming apparatus 12 receives a print request along with print data, and the user moves to the image forming apparatus 12 and logs in using card authentication or biometric authentication, the controller unit 20 detects a specific page from the print data, obtains login information, performs a decomposition process, and embeds the login information, such as user information or biometric information, as verification information on the specific page. Then, as in the above embodiment, when printing an output page that includes the specific page, the verification information should be requested. By using login information as verification information, when printing a specific page, card authentication or biometric authentication is only required, making it easier to input verification information than entering a confidential code. Note that these processes may also be performed by executing a program, as in the above embodiment.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when embedding the confidential code into the bitmap data, the code size was embedded in the first byte, and the confidential code was embedded in the second to tenth bytes, but this is not the only way. For example, the number of confidential codes could be predetermined, the confidential code could be embedded from the first byte, and when reading the data, the predetermined number of bytes could be read starting from the first byte.

[0101] Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example of embedding a confidential code by rewriting data outside the print area at the beginning of the bitmap data after decomposition, this is not the only possible method. For example, the confidential code may be embedded outside another print area on the output page, rather than at the beginning. Alternatively, it may be embedded within the print area, rather than outside it.

[0102] Furthermore, although the CPU was described as an example of a processor in the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a broader term that includes general-purpose processors (such as CPUs) and specialized processors (such as GPUs: Graphics Processing Units, ASICs: Application Specific Integrated Circuits, FPGAs: Field Programmable Gate Arrays, and programmable logic devices).

[0103] Furthermore, the operation of the processor in the above embodiments may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, but may be changed as appropriate.

[0104] Furthermore, the processing performed by the image forming apparatus according to the above embodiment may be performed by software, by hardware, or by a combination of both. In addition, the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 12 may be stored as a program on a storage medium and distributed.

[0105] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it is of course possible to implement it in various modified forms without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 10 Image Forming Systems 12 Image forming apparatus 14 client computers 14A CPU 20 Controller section 20A CPU 22 User Interface Section 34 Printing engine section

Claims

1. The processor comprises, The system acquires print information, which is setting information including a predetermined specific page and predetermined matching information, and print data for the print target to be drawn. The print data to be printed is converted into image data in a printable format for each output page. The matching information is embedded by rewriting the information of the leading portion outside the print area of ​​the image data of the converted output page, which includes the specified page, By referring to the information at the beginning of the aforementioned image data, it is determined whether or not the matching information is embedded. If it is determined that the aforementioned matching information is not embedded, print the output page. If it is determined that the aforementioned matching information is embedded, the system requests and obtains the aforementioned matching information from the user. An image forming apparatus that prints the output page when the embedded matching information matches the acquired matching information.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor prints the image without performing the matching of the matching information if the first byte of the image data is 0, and requests and performs the matching of the matching information if the first byte of the image data is not 0.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor further performs a process to delete the image data when at least one of the number of requests for the matching information and the elapsed time since the user was requested to provide the matching information exceeds a predetermined threshold.

4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein if the matching of the matching information is not performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the request for the matching information, the processor postpones printing the output page and processes subsequent output pages.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor detects a specific page by detecting predetermined information in the print data and obtains user information for authenticating the user as the matching information.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined information is predetermined characters or marks placed at predetermined positions.

7. The processor comprises, By detecting predetermined information within the print data to be printed, a specific predetermined page is detected. Obtain user information as matching information to authenticate the user, An information processing device that, when it detects the aforementioned specific page, sends to the image forming apparatus a print information to be printed, including information specifying the specific page and the matching information, in order to cause the image forming apparatus to embed the matching information by rewriting the information of the leading portion outside the print area of ​​the image data of the output page containing the aforementioned specific page.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined information is predetermined characters or marks placed at predetermined positions.

9. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An information processing device that transmits print data to be printed and the print information to the image forming apparatus to request printing, An image forming system including [specific components].

10. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, An image forming system including [specific components].

11. On the computer, The system acquires print information, which is setting information including a predetermined specific page and predetermined matching information, and print data for the print target to be drawn. The print data to be printed is converted into image data in a printable format for each output page. By rewriting the information of the leading portion outside the print area of ​​the image data of the converted output page, which includes the aforementioned specific page, the matching information is embedded. By referring to the information at the beginning of the aforementioned image data, it is determined whether or not the matching information is embedded. If it is determined that the aforementioned matching information is not embedded, print the output page. If it is determined that the aforementioned matching information is embedded, the system requests and obtains the aforementioned matching information from the user. An image forming program for causing the program to print the output page when the embedded matching information matches the acquired matching information.

12. On the computer, By detecting predetermined information within the print data to be printed, a specific predetermined page is detected. Obtain user information as matching information to authenticate the user, An information processing program for sending information specifying the specific page and the matching information to the image forming apparatus, along with the print information to be printed, to the image forming apparatus in order to embed the matching information by rewriting the information of the leading portion outside the print area of ​​the image data of the output page containing the specific page when the image forming apparatus detects the specific page and requests printing from the image forming apparatus.

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