Unmanned output control method and apparatus supporting unique terminal authentication

Abstract

An unattended output control method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include the steps of: saving the document as a print data file in a temporary storage within an electronic device in response to receiving a request to print a document and popping up an agent program; and transmitting the print data file to a printer to print the document in response to receiving a payment completion signal through the agent program. The payment completion signal is generated through a payment method selected by the user in the agent program among a plurality of payment methods, and the electronic device may be authenticated with the agent program based on a unique PIN number generated by matching the MAC address of the electronic device's main board with a license key and a system ID.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to unattended print control technology that supports unique terminal authentication. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an unattended print control method and system that supports stable connection and authentication between a plurality of terminals and a printer in a network environment. Background Technology

[0002] An unmanned printing system relates to a technology that enables users to perform tasks such as document printing, copying, and scanning through a terminal without the intervention of a separate administrator. Such unmanned printing systems are utilized in various environments, including schools, government offices, offices, and print shops, and feature a structure in which documents are printed after settling usage fees through a connection between an electronic device terminal, a printer, and a payment terminal during the printing process. However, conventional technologies have suffered from insufficient security and usability due to inadequate authentication systems that guarantee the uniqueness of the terminal or a reliance on specific payment methods.

[0003] Furthermore, existing systems struggled to guarantee stable connections in environments where multiple electronic terminals were simultaneously connected to a single printer, and the transmission of print data prior to payment could lead to unnecessary resource consumption or security risks. Moreover, limited payment methods prevented support for various simplified payment options or QR-based payments. Therefore, a new unattended print control technology is required that enhances security based on unique terminal authentication, ensures printing only after payment is completed, and efficiently supports diverse payment methods and multi-terminal-single-printer environments.

[0004] Furthermore, in conventional technology, the unmanned printer and payment terminal were integrated, requiring the user to enter an individual PIN number into the terminal and undergo an authentication process each time printing was required to be completed. However, this method not only reduced user convenience but also could cause delays in the printing process if the PIN number was exposed externally or entered incorrectly. The problem to be solved

[0005] The technical problem to be solved through some embodiments of the present disclosure is to simplify the printing procedure and greatly improve user convenience by allowing the user to use an unmanned printer without having to directly enter a PIN number.

[0006] The technical problem to be solved through some embodiments of the present disclosure is to prevent unauthorized use or illegal copying by performing terminal authentication based on a unique PIN number generated by combining the mainboard MAC address of an electronic device, a license key, and a system ID.

[0007] Another technical problem to be solved through some embodiments of the present disclosure is to prevent unauthorized printing in an unpaid state or unnecessary waste of resources by ensuring that document data is transmitted to a printer and printed only after a payment completion signal is received.

[0008] Another technical problem to be solved through some embodiments of the present disclosure is to respond to various user environments and improve user convenience by supporting card payments, QR code payments, simple payments, etc.

[0009] Another technical problem to be solved through some embodiments of the present disclosure is to reliably connect a plurality of electronic devices and a single printer using a virtual serial number to efficiently support unattended printing even in a multi-user environment.

[0010] Another technical problem to be solved through some embodiments of the present disclosure is to enable rapid detection of abnormal connections or bypass access and further enhance system security by generating an alarm through a server when an electronic device is connected to a printer via a real IP rather than a designated virtual IP.

[0011] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0012] An unattended output control method that supports unique terminal authentication performed by an electronic device having an agent program installed according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, for solving the above technical problem, comprises the steps of: saving the document as a print data file in a temporary storage within the electronic device and popping up the agent program in response to obtaining a request to print a document; and transmitting the print data file to a printer and printing the document in response to receiving a payment completion signal through the agent program, wherein the payment completion signal is generated through a payment method selected by a user in the agent program among a plurality of payment methods, and the electronic device may be authenticated with the agent program based on a unique PIN number generated by matching the MAC address of the main board of the electronic device with a license key and a system ID.

[0013] In some embodiments, the payment means may include at least one of card payment and simple payment.

[0014] In some embodiments, the payment completion signal may be generated through a card reader or QR code reader of a payment terminal connected to the electronic device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the payment completion signal may be generated by scanning the QR code displayed on the printer with a user terminal.

[0016] In some embodiments, the unique PIN number is generated by combining the MAC address, the license key, and the system ID, and the system ID may be the unique system ID of the company corresponding to the agent program.

[0017] In some embodiments, the pop-up agent program can control output conditions based on a unit price, paper, printer IP, license key, and unique number of the electronic device that are preset by the administrator.

[0018] In some embodiments, the printer is connected to a set of electronic devices comprising a plurality of electronic devices including the electronic device, and the plurality of electronic devices can be connected to the printer by generating a virtual serial number and matching it with the serial number of the printer.

[0019] In some embodiments, the virtual serial number may be generated independently of the IP of the electronic device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the agent program may pop up when the electronic device is connected to the printer via a designated virtual IP corresponding to the printer.

[0021] In some embodiments, when the electronic device is connected to the printer via the printer's actual IP rather than the virtual IP and a document is printed, an alarm may be output through the server.

[0022] An electronic device for performing unattended output control that supports unique terminal authentication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure comprises: a processor; a communication interface; a temporary storage; a memory; and a computer program loaded into the memory and executed by the processor, wherein the computer program comprises: an instruction to save the document as a print data file in the temporary storage and pop up an agent program in response to receiving a request to print a document; and an instruction to transmit the print data file to a printer and print the document in response to receiving a payment completion signal through the agent program, wherein the payment completion signal is generated through a payment method selected by a user in the agent program among a plurality of payment methods, and can be authenticated with the agent program based on a unique PIN number generated by matching the MAC address of the main board with a license key and a system ID.

[0023] In some embodiments, the payment means may include at least one of card payment and simple payment.

[0024] In some embodiments, the payment completion signal may be generated through a card reader or QR code reader of a payment terminal connected to the electronic device.

[0025] In some embodiments, the payment completion signal may be generated by scanning the QR code displayed on the printer with a user terminal.

[0026] In some embodiments, the unique PIN number is generated by combining the MAC address, the license key, and the system ID, and the system ID may be the unique system ID of the company corresponding to the agent program.

[0027] In some embodiments, the pop-up agent program can control output conditions based on a unit price, paper, printer IP, license key, and unique number of the electronic device that are preset by the administrator.

[0028] In some embodiments, the printer is connected to a set of electronic devices comprising a plurality of electronic devices including the electronic device, and the plurality of electronic devices can be connected to the printer by generating a virtual serial number and matching it with the serial number of the printer.

[0029] In some embodiments, the virtual serial number may be generated independently of the IP of the electronic device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the agent program may pop up when the electronic device is connected to the printer via a designated virtual IP corresponding to the printer.

[0031] In some embodiments, when the electronic device is connected to the printer via the printer's actual IP rather than the virtual IP and a document is printed, an alarm may be output through the server. Effects of the invention

[0032] The unmanned output control method and device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can provide the effect of simplifying the output procedure and greatly improving user convenience because the user does not have to directly enter a PIN number while using the unmanned printer.

[0033] An unmanned output control method and device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can prevent unauthorized use or illegal copying by performing terminal authentication based on a unique PIN number generated by combining the mainboard MAC address of an electronic device, a license key, and a system ID.

[0034] An unattended output control method and apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can prevent unauthorized output in an unpaid state or unnecessary waste of resources by ensuring that document data is transmitted to a printer and output only after a payment completion signal is received.

[0035] The unmanned output control method and apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can respond to various user environments and improve user convenience by supporting card payment, QR code payment, simple payment, etc.

[0036] The unattended output control method and device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can reliably connect a plurality of electronic devices and a single printer using a virtual serial number, thereby enabling efficient unattended output support even in a multi-user environment.

[0037] The unattended output control method and apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure have the effect of rapidly detecting abnormal connections or bypass access and further enhancing system security by generating an alarm through a server when an electronic device is connected to a printer via a real IP rather than a designated virtual IP.

[0038] The effects according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those exemplified above, and a wider variety of effects are included in the present disclosure. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which an electronic device performing unattended output control that supports unique terminal authentication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied. FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of an electronic device that performs unattended output control supporting unique terminal authentication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the overall flow of unmanned output control being performed according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart of a flow of an unattended output control method that supports unique terminal authentication according to some embodiments. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a popup of an agent program according to some embodiments. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the generation of a PIN number according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a set of electronic devices including a plurality of electronic devices according to some embodiments of the present disclosure connected to a single printer. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an unmanned output control method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure that utilizes a virtual IP and generates an alarm in specific situations. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the attached drawings. However, the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments but can be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided merely to complete the technical concept of the present disclosure and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present disclosure, and the technical concept of the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims. That is, the embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplified for the purpose of explaining the technical concept of the present disclosure. The scope of rights according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments presented below or the specific description thereof.

[0041] It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions could obscure the essence of the present disclosure, such detailed description is omitted.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning that is commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise. The terms used in this specification are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure. In this disclosure, the singular form may include the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text, and this applies likewise to the singular expressions described in the claims.

[0043] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used to describe the components of the present disclosure. These terms are intended only to distinguish the components from other components and do not limit the nature, order, sequence, importance, etc. of the components. Where it is stated that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but that another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "joined" between each component.

[0044] As used in the specification, "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements. That is, expressions such as "comprising," "comprising," "having," etc., as used in this disclosure should be understood as open-ended terms implying the possibility of including other embodiments, unless otherwise stated in the phrase or sentence containing such expressions.

[0045] The expression “based on” as used in this disclosure is used to describe one or more factors affecting an act or action of a decision or judgment described in the phrase or sentence containing such expression, and this expression does not exclude additional factors affecting an act or action of a decision or judgment.

[0046] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments below, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which an electronic device (110) that performs unattended output control supporting unique terminal authentication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an unattended printing environment may be configured to include one or more electronic devices (110), a printer (120), a payment terminal (130), a payment server (140), and an agent server (150). FIG. 1 illustrates one electronic device (110), one printer (120), and one payment terminal (130) connected to a network, but this is merely for convenience of understanding, and the number of electronic devices (110), printers (120), and payment terminals (130) connected to the network can vary. For example, multiple electronic devices (110) and payment terminals (130) may be connected to a single printer (120) via a network.

[0049] Meanwhile, FIG. 1 merely illustrates a preferred embodiment for achieving the purpose of the present disclosure, and some components may be added or removed as needed. Additionally, it should be noted that the components of the exemplary environment illustrated in FIG. 1 represent functionally distinct functional elements, and that multiple components may be implemented in an integrated form in an actual physical environment.

[0050] Hereinafter, the individual components illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail.

[0051] The electronic device (110) is a client terminal for a user to perform a document printing request, and may be a general personal computer, laptop, or business workstation. An agent program may be pre-installed on the electronic device (110), and this program may automatically pop up when the user requests document printing, and may perform functions such as temporary storage of the document, selection of a payment method, setting of printing conditions, and confirmation of payment completion. Specific components of the electronic device (110) will be described in detail later through FIG. 2. When a document printing request occurs, the electronic device (110) may save the document as a print data file (PRN file) in a temporary storage and simultaneously pop up the agent program to provide the user with a payment method selection interface. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, to ensure the uniqueness of the electronic device (110), a unique PIN number may be generated by matching the mainboard MAC address of the electronic device (110), a license key, and a system ID unique to the company. The generated PIN number is used for authentication with the agent program, and attempts to print from unauthorized or duplicated terminals may be blocked.

[0052] In the technology according to the present invention, a payment terminal (130) can be connected to each electronic device (e.g., user PC or laptop) or configured to automatically authenticate the terminal's unique PIN number by linking with an agent program. Specifically, a unique PIN number generated by combining the mainboard MAC address, license key, and vendor system ID of the electronic device (110) can be automatically verified in the background through the agent program, and the user does not need to input it directly. Therefore, the user simply needs to select a payment method (credit card, simple payment, QR payment, etc.) and complete the payment, and the PIN authentication is performed internally by the system, allowing for immediate output.

[0053] The printer (120) is an output device that outputs a print data file transmitted from an electronic device (110) in some embodiments of the present disclosure as an actual printout, and can be implemented in various forms such as a laser printer, an inkjet printer, or a multifunction printer (MFP). The printer (120) is generally connected to an agent server (or print server) (150) via a network interface, and upon receiving a print command, it can rasterize the print data in an internal data processing module and output it page by page. In addition, for user convenience, the printer (120) can support various paper sizes (A4, A3, Letter, etc.), double-sided printing, color / black and white modes, resolution adjustment, etc., and in the present disclosure, the output operation is controlled so that it does not start until a payment completion signal is received. Furthermore, the printer (120) includes a unique serial number that is used for device identification when linked with a management server or agent server (150), and can operate stably through virtual serial matching even when multiple electronic devices are connected. The user can use various simple payment methods such as Kakao Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay by scanning the QR code displayed on the printer (120) with a user terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, the QR code may be displayed on the printer (120).

[0054] A payment terminal (130) is a device that generates an actual payment signal according to the payment method selected by the user and transmits it to a payment server (140), and can be implemented in the form of a card reader, a QR code reader, an NFC module, or a combination thereof. For example, the payment terminal (130) can be installed in a location physically close to an electronic device (110). If there are multiple electronic devices (110) corresponding to one printer (120), a payment terminal (130) corresponding to one electronic device (110) can be installed. The payment terminal (130) can recognize physical media such as, for example, IC cards, magnetic cards, or transportation cards, or process mobile simple payment methods such as Kakao Pay, Samsung Pay, or Apple Pay using NFC or QR code methods. Additionally, the payment terminal (130) can have a security chipset embedded to perform encryption and authentication during communication with a card company or a Payment Gateway (PG) and to ensure the integrity of the transaction. In some preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the payment terminal (130) may be placed separately from the printer (120). Alternatively, it may be provided as an integral unit with the printer (120). The payment terminal (130) may perform an important interface role that enables the output to be linked to the payment by receiving an approval response from the payment server (140) immediately after the payment is completed and transmitting the said approval response to the agent program of the electronic device (110). The user may use a credit card, debit card, transportation card, etc. through the payment terminal (130). The payment terminal (130) may include a card reader or a QR code reader and may be linked with the payment server (140) to generate payment approval and payment completion signals.

[0055] The payment server (140) is a payment management server that processes various payment requests and manages approval results in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and performs the function of relaying and authenticating payment signals between the electronic device (110), the payment terminal (130), and the printer system. Specifically, for example, the payment server (140) can determine whether to approve a payment request received from the payment terminal (130) by linking with external financial institutions such as a card company, a bank, or a PG company, and if approved, transmit a payment completion signal to the agent server (150). In addition, the payment server (140) can record data such as transaction history, amount, card company, and user ID in a database and utilize it for future settlement, security log analysis, and tracking of usage patterns. The payment server (140) can be designed with a High Availability (HA) structure and can securely relay financial transactions through multiple network interfaces and security protocols (e.g., TLS / SSL). Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the payment server (140) is connected to an agent server (150) and / or an electronic device (110) to ensure that the output of documents for which payment has not been completed is blocked, thereby enhancing the reliability of the unattended output system.

[0056] The agent server (150) may be a server that comprehensively controls document output management, terminal authentication, output log recording, etc., in conjunction with an agent program installed on an electronic device (110, e.g., a user PC) in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The agent server (150) stores and verifies a unique PIN number generated based on the mainboard MAC address, license key, and company unique system ID of each electronic device (110), thereby enabling only legitimate electronic devices (110) to use the unmanned output system. Additionally, the agent server (150) manages a temporary storage file generated by the electronic device (110) upon a print request, and upon receiving a payment completion signal from the payment server (140), transmits a signal to the electronic device (110) so that the electronic device (110) can safely transmit the corresponding file to the printer. At this time, the output completion result (payment details, card company, amount, print location, etc.) is stored in a database and can be utilized for future management, settlement, security log verification, etc. In addition, the agent server (150) can support a function that allows various setting values, such as unit price, paper size, printer IP, and license validity period, to be predefined in administrator mode. Furthermore, the agent server (150) can monitor the connection status with multiple electronic devices (110) and printers (120) in real time. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the agent server (150) may have a virtual serial management module embedded to support a multi-terminal-single-printer connection, and may detect when an unauthorized terminal connects directly via an actual IP and generate an alarm.

[0057] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (110), printer (120), payment terminal (130), payment server (140), and agent server (150) can be connected to each other through a network to transmit and receive various data. The network can be implemented as any type of wired or wireless network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a mobile radio communication network, or Wibro (Wireless Broadband Internet).

[0058] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 1 may refer to software or hardware such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). However, the components are not limited to software or hardware and may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or configured to execute one or more processors. Functions provided within the components may be implemented by more subdivided components, or multiple components may be combined to be implemented as a single component that performs a specific function.

[0059] Up to now, with reference to FIG. 1, exemplary environments in which an electronic device (110) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied have been described. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 8, unmanned output control methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0060] FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of an electronic device (110) that performs unattended output control supporting unique terminal authentication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (110) may include a processor (210), a communication interface (220), a memory (230), and a temporary storage (240). At least one of the components included in the electronic device (110) may be omitted, or another component may be added to the electronic device (110). Additionally or generally, some components may be implemented as an integrated unit or as a single or multiple entity. At least some of the components within the electronic device (110) may be connected to each other via a bus (250), GPIO (general purpose input / output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface), etc., to exchange data and / or signals. For example, the bus (250) provides communication functions between components of the electronic device (110). The bus (250) may be implemented as various types of buses, such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.

[0062] According to various embodiments, the processor (210) of the electronic device (110) may be configured to perform operations or data processing regarding the control and / or communication of each component of the electronic device (110) (e.g., memory (230)). The processor (210) may be operatively connected to the components of the electronic device (110), for example. The processor (210) may load commands or data received from other components of the electronic device (110) into the memory (230), process commands or data stored in the memory (230), and store result data. The electronic device (110) may have one or more processors (210), and the processor (210) disclosed herein may mean a set of one or more processors (210). The processor (210) may control the overall operation of each component of the electronic device (110). The processor (210) may be configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processor Unit), MCU (Micro Controller Unit), GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), or any form of processor well known in the art of the present disclosure. Additionally, the processor (210) may perform operations for at least one application or program for executing the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0063] According to various embodiments, the memory (230) of the electronic device (110) may store various data, commands and / or information. The memory (230) may load one or more computer programs to execute an unattended output control method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the memory (230) may be implemented as a volatile memory such as RAM, or may include a non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a removable disk, or any form of computer-readable recording medium well known in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, but the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0064] A computer program may include one or more instructions that cause a processor (210) to perform a method / operation according to various embodiments of the present disclosure when loaded into memory (230). That is, the processor (210) may perform a method / operation according to various embodiments of the present disclosure by executing the one or more instructions. In such cases, an unattended output control method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented through an electronic device (110). The memory (230) may store software for device control, such as an agent program executable file and related libraries, an update module, patch data, and a printer driver. Additionally, the memory (230) may store system configuration information such as a unit price, paper size, resolution, and printer IP address pre-set by an administrator, data required for generating and authenticating a unique PIN number of the electronic device (110), and security-related information such as a license key and a company-specific system ID. In addition, the memory (230) may include user account information, login authentication token, recent print request history, a list of pending documents, a payment method selected by the user, and payment setting information. Furthermore, the memory (230) may store print logs such as print time, print location, and number of prints, payment history such as payment amount, card company, payment method, and approval number, error logs such as connection error or payment failure history, and system status records, and may also include data for security modules such as encryption keys or authentication tokens. Additionally, the memory (230) may store various instructions for implementing the operations described in this disclosure.

[0065] Additionally, the memory (230) can store an agent program. An agent program is generally application software that runs on an electronic device and can receive user input and control system resources according to that input. For example, the agent program can act as an intermediary between the operating system and the application program to detect specific action requests and provide a user interface in the form of a pop-up window or the like. Furthermore, the agent program can transmit and receive data with an external server or other device via a network, automate tasks such as saving, transmitting, or deleting files, monitor the system status, and record log data. Moreover, the agent program can control the execution environment by retrieving predefined settings by an administrator and manage connections with various hardware devices, allowing the user to use the service without separate complex settings.

[0066] The agent program stored in the memory (230) is executed by the processor (210) to control the electronic device (110) to save the document as a print data file in the temporary storage (240) when it receives a request to print a document. Additionally, the agent program can display a pop-up window upon a print request to allow the user to select a payment method, and can control printing conditions based on information such as unit price, paper size, printer IP, license key, and terminal unique PIN number that is pre-set by the administrator. Furthermore, the agent program can control the processor (210) to transmit the print data file stored in the temporary storage (240) to the printer only when it recognizes a payment completion signal received from a QR code displayed on the payment terminal or printer and confirms that the signal is valid. Additionally, the agent program can block access by unauthorized or unauthorized terminals by utilizing a unique PIN number generated by matching the mainboard MAC address of the electronic device (110) with the license key and the company's unique system ID in the authentication process. In addition, the agent program can transmit output and payment details to a server to be recorded in a database, and can provide a stable printing environment by generating and managing virtual serial numbers when multiple terminals are connected to a single printer.

[0067] A temporary storage device (240) is a memory device that may be included within an electronic device (110) or implemented in an external storage medium connected to the electronic device (110), and can perform the function of temporarily storing and managing data. The temporary storage device (240) may generally be composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), flash memory, or a combination thereof, and may be implemented in the form of volatile or non-volatile memory. The temporary storage device (240) acts as a temporary repository for files or data generated during program execution, thereby maintaining data until the user completes a task or a specific action is approved. Additionally, the temporary storage device (240) directly interacts with an operating system or application to support fast reading and writing of files, and can efficiently manage storage space by deleting or updating unnecessary data. Furthermore, the temporary storage device (240) can temporarily accumulate data prior to data transmission over a network to enable stable data transmission, and can support data recovery even in the event of system errors or unexpected shutdowns.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present invention, the temporary storage (240) can be utilized to store a document in the form of a print data file when a user requests the printing of a document. In this case, the temporary storage (240) can prevent unauthorized printing in an unpaid state by securely maintaining the print data file from the time of the printing request until the time a payment completion signal is received. Furthermore, the temporary storage (240) can independently store and manage print data files corresponding to each document even when multiple printing requests occur simultaneously, and can delete specific files or switch to a printing waiting state depending on whether payment is completed. Moreover, the temporary storage (240) can perform data format conversion or buffering to increase file transmission efficiency when linked with a print server or printer, and can also be utilized as a temporary record space to transmit related log data to a server after printing is completed. Therefore, the temporary storage (240) can function as a core security device for payment-based printing control, going beyond a simple data storage.

[0069] According to various embodiments, the communication interface (220) of the electronic device (110) may establish a wired or wireless communication channel with an external device (e.g., printer (120), payment terminal (130)) and transmit and receive various data with the external device. According to one embodiment, the communication interface (220) may include at least one port for connecting to the external device via a wired cable in order to communicate with the external device via a wired connection. In the above case, the communication interface (220) may perform communication with the external device connected via a wired connection through at least one port. According to one embodiment, the communication interface (220) may include a cellular communication module and be configured to be connected to a cellular network (e.g., 3G, LTE, 5G, Wibro, or Wimax). According to various embodiments, the communication interface (220) may include a short-range communication module and transmit and receive data with the external device using short-range communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), UWB), but is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the communication interface (220) may include a contactless communication module for contactless communication. Contactless communication may include at least one contactless proximity communication technology, such as, for example, NFC (near field communication) communication, RFID (radio frequency identification) communication, or MST (magnetic secure transmission) communication.

[0070] The electronic device (110) according to various embodiments will not hinder the implementation of the various embodiments disclosed in this document even if some of the configurations shown in FIG. 2 are omitted or substituted. For example, the electronic device (110) may additionally include an input / output interface, a display, etc., to receive various information, commands, etc. from an administrator or user through the input / output interface, the display, etc., or to output various information, data, etc. to an administrator or user. For example, the display may display various screens based on the control of the processor (210). For example, the display may be implemented in the form of a touch sensor panel (TSP) capable of recognizing contact or proximity of various external objects (e.g., fingers). The touch sensor panel may have various structures and types, and the present disclosure may apply regardless of the structure and type of the touch sensor panel. For example, the display may include a capacitive sensor to recognize contact or proximity of various external objects. The capacitive sensor may be composed of a plurality of capacitors, and the capacitive sensor may apply an electrical signal to the capacitors. A capacitor can charge and discharge electric charge in response to the application of an electric signal. When an electric signal is applied to a capacitor, electric charge can be charged in the capacitor depending on the magnitude of the voltage of the electric signal. For example, a display can receive touch input based on signals collected from a capacitance sensor. For example, the display can receive a user's tap touch, double tap touch, sliding touch, drag and drop touch, and long touch. In addition, the input / output interface may include various input / output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and speaker, in addition to the touch screen.

[0071] In the present disclosure, the operation described as being performed by the electronic device (110) may be understood, unless otherwise explained, as an operation performed by the processor (210) of the electronic device (110) executing an instruction stored in memory (220).

[0072] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the overall flow of unmanned output control being performed according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0073] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the overall flow of unattended output control according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the unattended output control method may include steps such as a document output request (S301), temporary storage of a PRN file (S302), display of an agent popup (S303), reception of a payment completion signal (S304), printer transmission and output (S305), and storage of output results on a server (S306). Each step is described in more detail below.

[0074] The document output request step (S301) may correspond to the process in which a user executes a output command for a specific document on an electronic device (110). The user may select a "print" command from various applications such as a word processor, a web browser, or an email client, and the output request may be transmitted to an agent program through the print spooler of the operating system. Upon receiving the output request, the electronic device (110) may collect the file path of the document to be output, output options (e.g., color / black and white, number of copies, whether to print double-sided), and information about the printer to be output. Additionally, at this step, the output request may be performed simultaneously for multiple documents as well as a single document, and multiple documents may be registered in a queue and processed sequentially in subsequent steps. Therefore, at the S301 step, basic metadata of the document to be output is collected, and it may serve as an initial step for preparing subsequent payment and authentication procedures.

[0075] The temporary storage step of the PRN file (S302) may correspond to a process of converting a document requested for output into the form of a print data file (PRN file) and storing it in a temporary storage of an electronic device. A PRN file is generally a data file converted into a Page Description Language (e.g., PostScript, PCL, PDF, etc.) and may include a set of commands that the printer can directly interpret. The electronic device (110) can generate a PRN file based on an output command received from an application and store the file in a temporary storage (240) to retain the data until a payment completion signal arrives. In this step, the PRN file may be stored with a unique identifier, and if multiple output requests occur simultaneously, each PRN file may be registered in a separate queue. Additionally, since the PRN file is not transmitted to the printer (120) until payment is completed, unnecessary resource occupation or unauthorized printing can be prevented. Therefore, the S302 step can serve as a key security step to ensure that output occurs only after payment is completed.

[0076] The agent popup display step (S303) may correspond to a process in which an agent program installed on the electronic device (110) detects a print request and displays a user interface (UI) in the form of a popup window. The agent program may provide the user with information such as selecting a payment method, checking print options, and calculating an estimated cost. For example, the agent program may automatically recognize the number of prints, whether it is black and white or color, paper size, etc., calculate the payment amount, and display this in a popup window so that the user can check the cost before printing. In addition, the agent program may control the printing environment by referencing data such as a unit price, printer IP address, license key, and unique PIN number that are pre-set by an administrator, and may allow the user to change or cancel specific options if necessary. Therefore, in step S303, the user can clearly express their intention to pay, and the system may be in a state ready for payment.

[0077] The payment completion signal reception step (S304) may correspond to the process in which a payment is performed through a payment method selected by the user, and the electronic device (110) receives the payment completion signal generated as a result. The user may perform a simple payment by inserting a credit card or debit card into the card reader of the payment terminal (130) or by scanning a QR code displayed on the printer (120) with a smartphone. The payment request is processed in conjunction with a card company or PG company through the payment server (140), and a payment completion signal may be transmitted when the payment is approved. The electronic device (110) or agent program receives this signal and verifies the validity of the signal to confirm that it is a normal payment. In addition, situations such as payment failure, network error, or approval rejection may occur during this step, and in such cases, the system may display a notification to the user and suspend or cancel the print request. Therefore, the S304 step is a core security step in which the print is directly linked to the payment, and can fundamentally block unpaid prints or unauthorized use.

[0078] The printer transmission and output step (S305) corresponds to the process in which, when the payment completion signal is successfully confirmed, the PRN file stored in the temporary storage is transmitted to the printer (120) to perform actual printing. The electronic device (110) transmits the PRN file via a printer driver or an agent server (150, or a print server), and the printer (120) interprets the file to print the document page by page. In this process, the printer (120) can output by reflecting various printing options (e.g., resolution, color mode, whether to print double-sided, etc.), and the settings specified by the user in the agent program can be reflected as is. Additionally, if an error (e.g., paper jam, ink shortage, network disconnection) occurs during the output process, the system can detect it and provide a notification to the user so that appropriate measures can be taken. For example, this notification can be provided via the electronic device (110), the printer (120), or the user's smartphone. Therefore, the S305 step is the final execution step of the unattended output system and can ensure that the user's document is safely printed.

[0079] The output result server storage step (S306) may correspond to the process of storing data related to the result on a server after the output is completed. Specifically, the output result data may include information such as the filename of the printed document, the time of printing, the number of copies printed, whether it is color or black and white, the payment amount, the payment method, the card company, the approval number, and the printing location. This data is recorded in a database within the server, allowing an administrator to monitor printing history or utilize it for settlement, log analysis, security audits, etc. Additionally, the output result data may be stored separately by user, which can contribute to statistical analysis of personal usage history or the detection of fraudulent use. Furthermore, the output results may be uploaded to a cloud server for remote management or monitored in real-time through an administrator page.

[0080] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart of the flow of an unattended output control method (400) that supports unique terminal authentication according to some embodiments.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 4, the unattended output control method (400) may include the step (S410) of saving the document as a print data file in a temporary storage within an electronic device and popping up an agent program in response to receiving a document output request, and the step (S420) of transmitting the print data file to a printer and outputting the document in response to receiving a payment completion signal through the agent program. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the step (S410) and the step (S420) are not limited to being performed only on a single document, but may be performed sequentially or in parallel on a plurality of documents. For example, when a user requests to output a plurality of documents simultaneously, each document may be saved as an individual print data file in a temporary storage, and output may be performed collectively or selectively at the time when a payment completion signal is received. Additionally, the payment completion signal may be obtained through various payment interfaces such as a card reader, a QR code reader, or a mobile payment application, and in the event of a situation such as payment failure, network error, or approval rejection, the system may be controlled to stop the output operation or display an error message to the user.

[0082] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, before transmitting the print data file to the printer in step (S420), additional conversion operations may be performed to verify the integrity of the file or to reflect output conditions pre-set by an administrator (e.g., color / black and white conversion, resolution adjustment, paper size change, etc.). These conversion operations may be optionally applied to ensure efficient transmission of print data and output quality. After printing is completed, the relevant logs are stored on a server and can be used for subsequent auditing or settlement.

[0083] Here, a payment completion signal may be generated through a payment method selected by the user in the agent program among a plurality of payment methods. In one embodiment, the payment method may include at least one of card payment and simple payment. Specifically, the user may select a physical card-based payment method, such as a credit card, debit card, or transportation card, from a pop-up screen of the agent program, and in this case, a payment signal may be generated by inserting or touching the corresponding card to a card reader of a payment terminal (130) connected to an electronic device (110).

[0084] Additionally, the user may select a simple payment method such as Kakao Pay, Zero Pay, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, etc. In this case, the payment request can be processed by communicating with a smartphone through a QR code reader or NFC module embedded in the payment terminal (130). Furthermore, when a QR code is displayed on the display screen of the printer (120) itself, the user can scan the code with their smartphone camera to make a payment through a mobile payment application, and a payment completion signal can be generated by transmitting the payment approval result to the electronic device (110) via the payment server (140). Therefore, the payment completion signal can be generated in various ways, such as card-based payment, mobile simple payment, and QR code-based payment. Through the support of such multiple payment methods, the user can secure convenience, and the system operator can simultaneously guarantee payment stability and universality.

[0085] In one embodiment, a payment completion signal may be generated through a card reader or a QR code reader of a payment terminal (130) connected to an electronic device (110). Specifically, the card reader may recognize various IC chip-based or magnetic stripe-based payment media, such as credit cards, debit cards, and transportation cards, and when a user inserts or touches the payment media, encrypted transaction data may be generated and transmitted to a payment server. The payment server may verify the approval status by linking the data with a card company or financial institution, and then return the approval result in the form of a payment completion signal. The QR code reader may communicate with a payment application by scanning a payment QR code displayed on a printer or the screen of an electronic device, and when a user completes a payment on a mobile device, the result may be converted into a payment completion signal and transmitted to the electronic device.

[0086] In one embodiment, a payment completion signal may be generated by scanning a QR code displayed on a printer (120) with a user terminal. Specifically, the printer (120) may generate and display a QR code corresponding to a payment request through its own display unit or a connected output screen, and the user may scan the QR code using a user terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, a mobile payment application installed on the user terminal (e.g., Kakao Pay, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Zero Pay, etc.) may automatically recognize payment information (payment amount, transaction ID, printer unique identifier, etc.) included in the QR code and transmit the payment request to a server. The payment server may verify the request, perform an approval procedure in conjunction with a financial institution, and then convert the approval result into a payment completion signal and return it to an electronic device (110) or an agent program.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present invention, the QR code may include security elements such as a printer-specific serial number, a transaction session key, or a random number-based one-time token. This prevents the reuse of the same QR code and blocks malicious attackers from arbitrarily duplicating the QR code to bypass the payment system. Additionally, since the QR code is generated and displayed in real time by the printer itself, the payment request and the output device can be clearly matched, preventing payments from being made on the wrong terminal or a different printer.

[0088] Additionally, the electronic device (110) can be authenticated with an agent program based on a unique PIN number generated by matching the MAC address of the mainboard of the electronic device (110) with a license key and a system ID. Specifically, the MAC address uniquely assigned to the mainboard is a unique value for identifying network devices, is difficult to tamper with, and can be utilized as a basic element for terminal identification. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, such a MAC address may be combined with a license key and a system ID unique to the company, which are assigned by an administrator or service provider, to generate a PIN number that can identify the electronic device (110). The generated PIN number can be stored in memory (230) and called whenever the agent program is executed, and the agent program can determine whether it is a legitimate electronic device by verifying the PIN number through a server or an internal verification module. Such an authentication procedure can effectively block access from unauthorized or duplicated terminals, and security can be enhanced, particularly because even if the same license key is illegally duplicated, a correct PIN number is not generated if the unique MAC address and system ID do not match.

[0089] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a popup (500) of an agent program according to some embodiments.

[0090] In one embodiment, the pop-up agent program can control output conditions based on the unit price, paper, printer IP, license key, and unique number of the electronic device that are preset by the administrator. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the pop-up (500) can be displayed on the screen of the electronic device when a user makes a print request and can intuitively provide various information such as the number of prints, payment amount, paper unit price, and document list. Through this, the user can check the estimated cost before printing, change the output conditions, or proceed with payment.

[0091] For example, a "Printing Cost Payment" tab may be displayed at the top left of the popup (500), and a notice stating "Please check the number of copies and amount and make a payment" may be included at the top right. This notice clearly informs the user that printing will not be performed until payment is completed, thereby reducing unnecessary misunderstanding or errors. Additionally, for example, the "number of copies" and "payment amount" may be calculated and displayed in real time in the central area of ​​the popup (500), and the payment amount may be updated immediately if the user changes the number of copies or adjusts the paper type and printing mode.

[0092] For example, unit price information by paper size may be provided in a table format in the right area of ​​Fig. 5. For example, unit prices for black and white and color may be displayed for various paper sizes such as A4, A3, A5, B4, B5, etc., and if an administrator sets a specific paper size to be unavailable in advance, "Unavailable" may be displayed in the corresponding item. This unit price information can be synchronized with a server and automatically updated, and unit prices with a discount rate applied may be reflected depending on a specific period or event.

[0093] Additionally, for example, a list of documents awaiting printing may be displayed in a table format at the bottom of FIG. 5. This list may include information such as document number, job name, paper size, printing mode (black and white / color), number of copies, and total number of pages, and the user may select specific documents to delete or proceed with payment as needed. By displaying the document list in this way, the user can approve and print multiple documents in bulk or selectively print only some of them.

[0094] Drawing symbol 501 represents the "Printing Cost Payment / Print" button, and the payment process can be initiated when the user clicks the button. The button (501) is linked to a payment method selection window, allowing the user to select one of various payment methods, such as credit card, debit card, transportation card, simple payment, or QR code payment. Additionally, the button (501) not only functions to simply start the payment but can also verify whether the payment is complete and control the transmission of the PRN file stored in the temporary storage to the printer only if verified. In other words, the button (501) can serve as a trigger for control and payment linkage.

[0095] In some embodiments of the present invention, the information displayed in the popup (500) is not limited to simply costs and purchases, but may additionally display security alerts provided by an administrator or server, license validity period warnings, or information on usage restrictions for specific user accounts. Additionally, the popup (500) may display customized information based on user login accounts; for example, for specific department accounts, monthly usage limits or budget balances may be displayed together to improve management efficiency. Furthermore, the popup (500) may store the user's selection records in a log format and transmit them to a server so that they can be utilized for subsequent auditing and security analysis.

[0096] In another embodiment of the present invention, the agent program can be configured to allow the user to view a preview screen of the document to be printed before proceeding with payment. Specifically, the agent program can convert a PRN file stored in a temporary storage into page units to provide a preview image to the user, through which the user can select the range of pages to be printed or exclude unnecessary pages. This preview function is not limited to merely checking the print quality; it can also automatically calculate and display the payment amount to the user based on the number of selected pages. Therefore, the user can reduce costs by removing unnecessary pages and can clearly recognize the estimated amount before payment, thereby increasing payment reliability. Additionally, since the server can store the page information selected during the preview process along with the payment log, it can verify whether the actual payment amount matches the number of printed pages during the subsequent settlement process. Such pre-print preview and payment integration functions can simultaneously achieve user-friendliness and cost-efficiency.

[0097] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the generation of a PIN number (604) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0098] In one embodiment, a unique PIN number may be generated by combining a MAC address, a license key, and a system ID. Additionally, in one embodiment, the system ID may be a unique system ID of a vendor corresponding to the agent program.

[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a PIN number (604) is generated based on unique identification information of the electronic device (110), and the generated PIN number (604) can be used in the authentication process with the agent program (605).

[0100] First, the mainboard MAC address (601) is indicated, which may be a unique hardware address assigned to the mainboard for network device identification. Since the mainboard MAC address (601) is a value that is difficult to change hardware-wise, it can be utilized as a fundamental element for determining the uniqueness of an electronic device. The mainboard MAC address (601) is a physical address uniquely assigned to the Network Interface Controller (NIC) of the electronic device, and may generally be a fixed identification value of 48 bits or 64 bits in length. This MAC address is permanently recorded in the hardware during the manufacturing stage and enables the unique identification of a terminal on the same network. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mainboard MAC address (601) can be used as a key element to guarantee the uniqueness of the terminal, going beyond merely serving as an identifier for network communication. For example, even if multiple devices exist with the same operating system or the same application program installed, the mainboard MAC address of each device is not duplicated, so the authentication value generated based on it can identify only the individual device. Furthermore, since MAC addresses are values ​​assigned at the hardware level, they are difficult to falsify or tamper with via software; even if they are arbitrarily changed, they can be invalidated during server-side verification procedures. Therefore, by utilizing the mainboard MAC address as the basis data for generating a unique PIN number, the present invention can effectively block access by unauthorized cloned terminals or unauthorized devices. Moreover, in some embodiments, the mainboard MAC address may be randomized using a hash algorithm and reflected in the PIN number, thereby preventing external parties from directly inferring or tracing the MAC value.

[0101] A license key (602) is a unique authentication value issued by the operator of the system to a terminal or user account, and is typically provided in the form of a string of characters composed of English letters, numbers, and special characters. The license key (602) grants legal usage rights for the software and serves as a basis for determining whether the user is an official user of the unmanned output control system. In some embodiments of the present invention, the license key (602) may be operated as a dynamic key that can be periodically verified and updated during the communication process with the server, rather than a static key simply entered during installation. For example, the license key may have its validity period renewed at regular intervals, or may be changed to an active or inactive state depending on the usage history of a specific terminal. Additionally, the license key may be combined with a MAC address and a vendor system ID to be used as a component for generating a PIN number; in this case, security can be enhanced because a correct PIN number will not be generated even if the license key is forged or stolen if other components do not match. Furthermore, since license keys can be issued and retrieved in bulk from a management server, efficient license management is possible in a large-scale user environment. Therefore, the license key in the present invention can be utilized as a security factor for terminal authentication and authorization control in an unmanned output system.

[0102] The vendor system ID (603) may be a unique identification value defined by the vendor or service provider operating and managing the unmanned output control system. The vendor system ID can be used to specify the affiliation, managing entity, and scope of service provision of the terminal, and can be combined with the MAC address and license key when generating a PIN number to serve as an additional security element in the authentication process. For example, even if there are terminals with the same MAC address and the same license key, if the vendor system IDs are different, different PIN numbers are generated, so authentication may not be allowed in different vendor environments. This can effectively block a specific terminal from attempting unauthorized printing by accessing an unauthorized vendor system. In addition, the vendor system ID can be used as a reference value to reflect vendor-specific policies (e.g., fee structure, types of documents that can be printed, scope of supported payment methods, etc.) on the server side, and the corresponding policies can be automatically applied during the terminal authentication stage. Furthermore, the vendor system ID can be dynamically updated through linkage between the management server and the agent program, and can be immediately reflected upon the expiration of a specific vendor's contract, system changes, or modification of security policies. Therefore, the company system ID in the present invention can function as a factor that controls the entire output environment and enhances security.

[0103] The mainboard MAC address (601), license key (602), and vendor system ID (603) can be combined to generate a PIN number (604). Specifically, these three elements can be combined through a security module that includes a hash algorithm, cryptographic operation, or random number generation logic, thereby generating a unique PIN number (604) that differs for each electronic device. The generated PIN number (604) can be designed so that even if any single value is tampered with, a valid number is not produced if it does not match other elements, and consequently, multi-factor authentication can be implemented. The generated PIN number (604) can be stored in memory or a security module and can be used to perform mutual authentication with an agent program (605) during the process in which the electronic device performs an output request or processes a payment completion signal. For example, the agent program (605) can call the PIN number (604) to perform a comparison verification with a server, and if the verification fails, it can block the output process or provide a notification to the user.

[0104] In some embodiments of the present invention, the PIN number (604) may be generated not as a simple static combination value, but as a time-based one-time password (TOTP) or a dynamic value based on a random number. In this case, since the PIN number changes at regular intervals, verification may fail during the authentication process even if an illegally copied terminal steals the same MAC address or license key. Additionally, the PIN number (604) may be generated based on an encryption algorithm (e.g., SHA-256, AES) to prevent external attackers from tracing it back or tampering with it.

[0105] In some embodiments of the present invention, a dynamically generated session key can be utilized in addition to a fixed PIN number during the output process. Specifically, a server or agent program may generate a one-time session key using a random number generator or a cryptographic hash algorithm whenever an output request occurs, and the session key may be exchanged between an electronic device and a printer along with a payment completion signal. The session key may be configured to become invalid after a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.); thus, even if an attacker steals the payment signal or PIN number, the same session key cannot be reused, thereby blocking unauthorized output. Furthermore, since the session key may include encrypted data such as payment details, output document IDs, and unique information of the electronic device, it is possible to verify in subsequent audit logs whether a specific output was legitimately performed. Such a dynamic session key-based output control structure enhances security at the session level and can effectively prevent replay attacks or reuse attacks. In other words, in this case, since a unique PIN number is generated for each output environment, authentication may be allowed only when connected to a specific printer even if it is the same terminal, and this can be effective in blocking unauthorized printer access.

[0106] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a set of electronic devices including a plurality of electronic devices (701, 702, 703) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure connected to a printer (707).

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 7, each electronic device (701, 702, 703) can be connected to a payment terminal (704, 705, 706), and a set of electronic devices consisting of multiple electronic devices (701, 702, 703) can be connected to a single printer (707) via a network.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present invention, electronic devices (701, 702, 703) may transmit individually generated print data files to a printer (707) upon a print request. However, since data collisions or confusion in the print order may occur if they are simply connected in parallel, in one embodiment, a plurality of electronic devices (701, 702, 703) may be connected to the printer (707) by generating a virtual serial number and matching it with the serial number of the printer (707). Specifically, each electronic device (701, 702, 703) may internally generate a unique virtual serial number upon a print request, and the generated virtual serial number may be matched with the actual serial number of the printer (707) to identify and manage the connection between the two terminals.

[0109] In one embodiment, this virtual serial number is not simply a random value, but can be dynamically generated based on the network address of the electronic device, the terminal's unique PIN number, or a policy value set by an administrator. Therefore, even if multiple electronic devices access the printer (707) simultaneously in the same network environment, the output sessions can be distinguished by the virtual serial number, so that no conflicts or data interference can occur. Additionally, the virtual serial number can be periodically updated or assigned once, thereby preventing a specific electronic device from directly accessing the printer without authorization.

[0110] In one embodiment, a virtual serial number can be generated independently of the IP address of the electronic device. Specifically, since the IP address of an electronic device can change frequently depending on the network environment, user location, or dynamic allocation methods such as DHCP, managing the connection with the printer based solely on the IP address may result in reduced stability or the occurrence of IP conflict issues. In some embodiments of the present invention, to prevent such problems, a virtual serial number can be generated using hardware information of the electronic device (e.g., motherboard MAC address), software information (e.g., license key, terminal unique PIN number), or a random number-based token provided by a server. Therefore, even if the IP address of the electronic device changes within the same network segment, the virtual serial number can be maintained consistently or managed independently, thereby ensuring stable session connectivity with the printer. Furthermore, unlike IP addresses, virtual serial numbers are difficult for a third party to easily steal through network sniffing or forgery, thus further enhancing the security of the printing environment. Moreover, by maintaining a mapping table between the virtual serial number and the printer's actual serial number, the agent server can ensure that the unattended print control system operates normally even in the event of network configuration changes or IP address conflicts.

[0111] Additionally, each electronic device (701, 702, 703) can perform an individual payment process through a payment terminal (704, 705, 706). For example, the print data file of the device can be transmitted to the printer (707) only when the electronic device (701) has completed the payment through the payment terminal (704). Since other electronic devices (702, 703) must independently undergo the payment and authentication process, a single printer can be shared by multiple users while being managed strictly separately by payment unit. This structure can be usefully applied in public environments (e.g., libraries, schools, government offices, shared office spaces, etc.).

[0112] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the connection between the electronic device set and the printer (707) may not be based on a simple IP, but may be established through a virtual IP and a virtual serial management module. Through this, even if a specific electronic device attempts to print without authorization by directly accessing the printer's actual IP, the server or agent program can detect this and generate an alarm.

[0113] In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, an administrator can monitor a set of electronic devices through an agent server and centrally control access rights to the printer (707). For example, payment history, number of prints, usage history, etc. of a specific electronic device are stored in a log format, allowing the printer administrator to analyze user-specific statistics and security logs.

[0114] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an unmanned output control method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure that utilizes a virtual IP and generates an alarm in specific situations.

[0115] In one embodiment, the unattended output control method can check whether an electronic device is connected to a printer via a virtual IP (S801). Specifically, the virtual IP can be generated in advance by a server or agent program and assigned to the electronic device (110), and the virtual IP can be used for output control as a type of logical address mapped to the printer's actual IP. This allows the electronic device (110) to be forced to pass through the virtual IP during the process of connecting to the printer, and prevents unauthorized access by the user directly entering the actual IP or manipulating network settings. Additionally, the virtual IP can be periodically updated or reassigned on a session basis, so that even the same electronic device can be controlled to use a different virtual IP for each output request. This structure can provide security features that prevent network attacks such as IP spoofing or direct access.

[0116] If it is confirmed that the electronic device is connected to the printer via a virtual IP, normal printing can proceed (S802). At this time, the print data file stored in the temporary storage can be transmitted to the printer only through a verified virtual IP connection, and the printer can interpret the data normally and print it. In addition, the server can record connection logs using the virtual IP to store the time of occurrence of the print request, terminal ID, payment information, etc. Therefore, the administrator can track whether a specific print order was processed through a normal path even thereafter, thereby ensuring both transparency and security of the print history. Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, even during normal printing, a virtual IP-based session key or a one-time authentication token is used together so that the entire printing process can be protected by an end-to-end security structure.

[0117] If it is confirmed that the electronic device is not connected to the printer via a virtual IP, an alarm may be triggered via the server (S803). Specifically, the alarm is not limited to simply displaying a warning message on the administrator console, but can be transmitted in real time through various channels such as email, SMS, and messenger notifications. The alarm may include the IP address of the unauthorized terminal, the time of the attempted connection, and information about the accessed printer, and the administrator can take immediate countermeasures based on this information. Additionally, when an alarm is triggered, the server may register the MAC address or PIN number of the terminal in a blacklist to automatically block future access by the same terminal. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the transmission of output data itself may be forcibly stopped or the printer may be controlled to switch to a standby state simultaneously with the occurrence of the alarm. In this case, the actual output can be fundamentally prevented from being exposed to the outside.

[0118] In one embodiment, an agent program may pop up when an electronic device connects to a printer via a designated virtual IP corresponding to the printer. Specifically, a server or administrator may set a virtual IP uniquely mapped to each printer, and can recognize an attempt by an electronic device to connect via that virtual IP as a legitimate print request. At this time, the agent program may automatically pop up and display on the screen payment methods, estimated print cost, and print options (paper size, color, number of copies, etc.) that the user can select. Conversely, if the electronic device attempts to connect directly via the printer's actual IP, the agent program may not pop up, or it may immediately detect abnormal access by displaying a security warning message. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the agent program popup may display a session key or token associated with the virtual IP, thereby additionally guaranteeing that the session is a valid connection. According to this embodiment, since the connection via the virtual IP acts as a trigger condition for the agent program popup, unauthorized printing or network attacks can be blocked in advance. From the user's perspective, payment and printing can proceed only after following normal procedures, thereby simultaneously enhancing security and reliability.

[0119] In one embodiment, if an electronic device is connected to a printer via the printer's actual IP rather than a virtual IP and a document is printed, an alarm may be issued via a server. Specifically, the server (agent server) can analyze the connection path while receiving a print request to determine whether the connection is a legitimate session via a designated virtual IP or an abnormal session using the actual IP directly. If a connection via the actual IP is detected, the server may consider this a security threat or an attempt at unauthorized access and immediately display a warning message on the administrator console or deliver a real-time notification to the administrator through various channels such as email, text messages, or application notifications. Additionally, the server may block the print request simultaneously with the alarm or record the MAC address and PIN number of the electronic device to restrict future access by the same terminal. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, if abnormal connections occur repeatedly, the server may automatically register the terminal in a blacklist or temporarily switch the printer itself to a protection mode to stop the print waiting process. Through this, it is possible to effectively detect and respond to direct IP access, IP spoofing, or attempts to falsify or tamper with settings that may occur in unattended printing environments.

[0120] Various embodiments of the present disclosure and effects according to the embodiments have been described so far with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0121] The effects according to the technical concept of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description in the specification.

[0122] The technical concept of the present disclosure described so far with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8 may be implemented as computer-readable code on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be, for example, a removable recording medium (CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, USB storage device, removable hard disk) or a fixed recording medium (ROM, RAM, computer-equipped hard disk). The computer program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium may be transmitted to another computing device via a network such as the Internet and installed on the other computing device, thereby being used on the other computing device.

[0123] In the foregoing, although all components constituting the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as being combined or operating together, the technical concept of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the purpose of the present disclosure, all components may be selectively combined in one or more ways to operate.

[0124] Although operations are depicted in a specific order in the drawings, it should not be understood that the operations must be executed in the specific order depicted or in a sequential order, or that all depicted operations must be executed to obtain the desired result. In certain situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of the various configurations in the embodiments described above should not be understood as a necessary separation, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0125] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be practiced in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present disclosure shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the technical concepts defined by the present disclosure. Explanation of the symbols

[0126] 110; electronic device 120: Printer 130: Payment terminal 140: Payment Server 150: Agent Server

Claims

Claim 1 A method for unattended output control that supports unique terminal authentication performed by an electronic device in which an agent program is installed, comprising: a step of saving the document as a print data file in a temporary storage within the electronic device and popping up the agent program in response to obtaining a request to print a document; and a step of transmitting the print data file to a printer and printing the document in response to receiving a payment completion signal through the agent program, wherein the payment completion signal is generated through a payment method selected by a user in the agent program among a plurality of payment methods, the electronic device is authenticated with the agent program based on a unique PIN number generated by matching the MAC address of the main board of the electronic device with a license key and a system ID, the popped-up agent program controls output conditions based on a unit price, paper, printer IP, the license key, and a unique number of the electronic device that are pre-set by an administrator, the printer is connected to an electronic device set comprising a plurality of electronic devices including the electronic device, and the plurality of electronic devices are connected to the printer by generating a virtual serial number and matching it with the serial number of the printer. Claim 2 A method for unmanned output control according to claim 1, wherein the payment means comprises at least one of card payment and simple payment, and the payment completion signal is generated through a card reader or QR code reader of a payment terminal connected to the electronic device. Claim 3 A method for unmanned output control according to claim 1, wherein the payment completion signal is generated by scanning a QR code displayed on the printer with a user terminal, the unique PIN number is generated by combining the MAC address, the license key, and the system ID, and the system ID is the unique system ID of the company corresponding to the agent program. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 An unattended output control method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual serial number is generated independently of the IP of the electronic device, and the agent program can be popped up when the electronic device is connected to the printer through a virtual IP designated in correspondence with the printer. Claim 6 An electronic device comprising: a processor; a communication interface; a temporary storage; a memory; and a computer program loaded into the memory and executed by the processor, wherein the computer program includes: an instruction to save the document as a print data file in the temporary storage and pop up an agent program in response to receiving a request to print a document; and an instruction to transmit the print data file to a printer and print the document in response to receiving a payment completion signal through the agent program, wherein the payment completion signal is generated through a payment method selected by a user in the agent program among a plurality of payment methods, and is authenticated with the agent program based on a unique PIN number generated by matching the MAC address of the main board with a license key and a system ID, and the popped-up agent program controls printing conditions based on a unit price, paper, printer IP, the license key, and a unique number of the electronic device that are pre-set by an administrator, and the printer is connected to an electronic device set composed of a plurality of electronic devices including the electronic device, and the plurality of electronic devices are connected to the printer by generating a virtual serial number and matching it with the serial number of the printer. Claim 7 An electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the payment means comprises at least one of card payment and simple payment, and the payment completion signal is generated through a card reader or QR code reader of a payment terminal connected to the electronic device. Claim 8 An electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the payment completion signal is generated by scanning a QR code displayed on the printer with a user terminal, the unique PIN number is generated by combining the MAC address, the license key, and the system ID, and the system ID is the unique system ID of the company corresponding to the agent program. Claim 9 delete Claim 10 An electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the virtual serial number is generated independently of the IP of the electronic device, and the agent program can be popped up when the electronic device is connected to the printer through a virtual IP designated in correspondence with the printer.

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