Patent ID: 8456661
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An authentication printing apparatus configured to perform an authentication printing process, which externally receives print data and prints the received print data on completion of a preset authentication operation, the authentication printing apparatus comprising: an authentication data input module configured to input authentication data for authentication operation; an attachment information acquisition module configured to obtain attachment information regarding attachment of a preset device to the authentication printing apparatus; and an authentication printing restriction module configured to, in response to reception of a print request for a printing operation with the authentication printing apparatus, control the authentication data input module to input the authentication data while controlling the attachment information acquisition module to obtain the attachment information and control the authentication printing process by referring to the input authentication data and the attachment information; wherein the authentication printing restriction module, when the input authentication data is invalid, prohibits a printing operation of the print data and when the input authentication data is valid, refers to the obtained attachment information and restricts the authentication printing process according to at least either of presence or absence of any device attached to the authentication printing apparatus and type of the attached device, wherein when the obtained attachment information indicates that a non-volatile storage device for storing the externally received print data itself is attached to the authentication printing apparatus, the authentication printing restriction module restricts a printing operation with the authentication printing apparatus.