Patent ID: 8010785
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. A printer capable of communicating with an external device via a network and configured to execute a plurality of print instructions, comprising: a process execution unit configured to execute a print process corresponding to a print instruction received from the external device via the network; an obtaining unit configured to obtain, substantially concurrently, the print instruction, print data, and a digital certificate from the external device via the network, the digital certificate describing a range of processes which are permitted to be executed; a validity judgment unit configured to judge whether the digital certificate, which was obtained substantially concurrently with the print instruction and the print data by the obtaining unit, is valid based on a digital signature attached to the digital certificate; an authorization unit configured such that, if the digital certificate, which was obtained substantially concurrently with the print instruction and print data by the obtaining unit, is judged to be valid by the validity judgment unit and if the print process corresponding to the print instruction is within the range of processes which are permitted to be executed, the authorization unit authorizes the process execution unit to execute the print process on the print data obtained with the valid digital certificate; an internal storage unit configured to store the digital certificate describing the range of processes which are permitted to be executed; a process judgment unit configured to make a judgment whether the print process corresponding to the print instruction is within the range of processes which are permitted to be executed described in the digital certificate stored in the internal storage unit, in response the obtaining unit obtaining the print instruction, wherein