Abstract:
The present invention provides the output management system in which the security is effectively improved by access control to the area, capable of efficiently performing the output processing or picking up the output matter, and capable of utilizing the output device lacking the security function without modification. 
     The present invention is the output management system comprising the terminal device and the output device, wherein the output management system comprises the area management device for managing the access of the user to the area in which the output device is located and the shutoff device for shutting off the access of the user to the area, and the area management device has the storing unit for storing the registered authentication data, the inputting unit for inputting the first authenticated data, the checking unit for checking the first authenticated data and the registered authentication data, and the shutoff releasing unit for releasing the shutoff by the shutoff device when the first authenticated data and the registered authentication data conform to each other.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an output management system, and more specifically, relates to the output management system for limiting access to an area in which an output device is located, thereby improving a security, by allowing the output device, such as an image-forming device without security function, work with a data management device, an area management device and a shutoff device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Recently, amid mounting concern over the security, the target thereof reaches printed matter, which is output by an image-forming device or the like, so that realization of a method and device for outputting print content without known by others is requested. 
         [0005]    Therefore, the image-forming device provided with unit for limiting the output of the printed matter by a password and catch trays with lock are proposed. 
         [0006]    And a MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) which has multiple functions as a printer, a fax machine and a copier, which detects approach of a user by an RFID reader mounted on a printing device when the user having an RFID in which authentication information is stored approaches the printing device, and outputs the text, which the user instructed to output, is proposed. 
         [0007]    However, in the conventionally proposed image-forming device as described above, it is necessary to newly prepare the image-forming device provided with the above-described function or to make alteration, so that a burden such as cost is large. 
         [0008]    And, since it is configured to start the print process after the password is input to the image-forming device, inconvenience, such that the user have to wait until the print process is finished, is envisaged. 
         [0009]    On the other hand, in the conventionally proposed MFP as described-above, it is envisaged that mix-up may be occurred depending on the timing to pickup the printed matter, such as in a case in which a plurality of users give instructions to output to the same MFP. In such a case, the confidentiality of the printed matter would be lost, so that it is difficult to maintain the security. 
         [0010]    And since the printing process is started after detecting that the user enters a certain area, it is inconvenient that the user still has to wait especially when performing the printing process of which output size is large. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In order to solve the above-described problems, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is provided with an area management device for managing access of a user to an area in which an output device is located, and a shutoff device for shutting off the access of the user to the area, wherein the area management device has storing unit for storing registered authentication data, inputting unit for inputting first authenticated data, checking unit for checking the first authenticated data and the registered authentication data, and shutoff releasing unit for releasing a shutoff by the shutoff unit when the first authenticated data and the registered authentication data conform to each other. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a sequence showing procedure in the printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an illustration diagram of an authentication table used for a user authentication in the printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         [0017]    Herein, an output management system (printing system) of this embodiment, which will be shown below, is realized by a process, means, and a function, performed by a computer by an instruction from a program (software). The program gives instructions to each component of the computer to allow the same to perform predetermined process and function, which will be shown below. That is to say, each process and means in the printing system of this embodiment will be realized by specific means in which the program and the computer work together. 
         [0018]    Meanwhile, an entire or a part of the program is provided, for example, by a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and any other computer-readable recording media, and the program read from the recording media is installed on the computer and is executed. And, the program may be directly loaded onto the computer through a communication line, without using the recording media, and may be executed. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a system configuration diagram of a printing system  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a block diagram thereof. 
         [0020]    As shown in these figures, the printing system  1  of this embodiment includes a client device  10  as a terminal device, a print management device  20  as a data management device, an image-forming device  30  as an output device, an area management device  40 , an input interface  50 , and a network  70  to connect them to each other. 
         [0021]    And, one image-forming device  30  is located in each dedicated room  80 , which indicates an area thereof. 
         [0022]    The printing system  1  of this embodiment controls such that only an authenticated user is allowed to enter the room  80  and others are not able to enter the room, by interlocking locking and unlocking of a door provided on the room  80  with user authentication, thereby improving security of a printed matter. 
         [0023]    Hereinafter, each main configuration of this embodiment will be described in detail. 
       [Client Device  10 ] 
       [0024]    The client device  10  is the terminal device with which the user gives instructions to output print data and sends the output data, and is generally includes an information-processing device, such as a personal computer. 
         [0025]    And, the client device  10  not only sends the print data to the print management device  20 , but also sends data (second authenticated data) for performing user authentication, such as an ID and a password. The reason why the client device  10  sends the second authenticated data to the print management device  20  is that the print management device  20  is allowed to verify validity of the user who requests the print process by the user authentication, and to print out only the print data from the user whose validity is recognized. 
       [Print Management Device  20 ] 
       [0026]    The print management device  20  is the data management device for performing the user authentication and controlling sending of the print data between the client device  10  and the image-forming device  30  under the cooperation with the area management device  40 , and is generally includes the information-processing device such as a personal computer and a workstation. 
         [0027]    As a specific method of the user authentication, the print management device  20  receives the authenticated data (second authenticated data) sent from the client device  10  for the user authentication (receiving unit  201 ), and checks the same against authentication data (registered authentication data) stored in the area management device  40  in advance (checking unit  202 ). 
         [0028]    Then, in a case in which both data conform to each other, the print management device  20  locks the door (shutoff executing unit  203 ), and after that, sends the print data to the image-forming device  30  (data sending control unit  204 ) to be printed out by output means. 
         [0029]    And, the print management device  20  also includes means for detecting an unused image-forming device  30  (unused device detecting unit  205 ) and means for selecting one image-forming device from detected one or more image-forming devices (device selecting unit  206 ). As a method for detecting the unused image-forming device  30 , for example, the print management device  20  may detect by detecting whether the door lock is unlocked or not, whether the image-forming device  30  operates or not, and whether a person is in the area or not by a human sensor. 
       [Image-Forming Device  30 ] 
       [0030]    The image-forming device  30  is the output device for receiving the print data, which is output from the client device  10 , through the print management device  20  and printing out the same, and a network printer or the like corresponds to the same. 
         [0031]    Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the image-forming device  30  is located in a certain area (room  80 ) and access to the image-forming device  30  is limited by an access control. 
       [Area Management Device  40 ] 
       [0032]    The area management device  40  not only authenticates the second authenticated data from the client device  10 , but also authenticates first authenticated data, which is input from the input interface  50 , thereby judging the validity of the user. 
         [0033]    Specifically, the area management device  40  is provided with means for storing the registered authentication data, such as the ID and the password necessary for identifying the user, in a predetermined authentication table or the like (refer to  FIG. 4 ) in advance (storing unit  401 ), means for inputting the authenticated data through the input interface or the like (inputting unit  402 ), and means for checking the registered authentication data and the authenticated data and judging the validity of the user depending on whether the data conform to each other (checking unit  403 ). 
         [0034]    And, the area management device  40  controls the access to the area in which the image-forming device  30  is located, through the user authentication by the checking means. 
         [0035]    Specifically, the area management device  40  checks the authenticated data, which is directly input from the input interface  50 , against the registered authentication data of the user authenticated by the checking unit  202 , then, if the data conforms to each other, unlocks the door to allow the user to enter the room (shutoff releasing unit  404 ). 
       [Input Interface  50 ] 
       [0036]    The input interface  50  is an input device installed to the room  80  in which the image-forming device  30  is located, for inputting the first authenticated data for performing the user authentication. 
         [0037]    As specific inputting unit composing the input interface  50 , there are, for example, a ten-key for inputting the ID and the password, a card reader for reading an ID card or the like, a sensor for reading a part of a human body such as a fingerprint and a voiceprint, an RFID reader for reading identification information written in an IC tag, a card reader for reading the card or the like used for TOKEN authentication, and the like, and the authenticated data, which is input by the input interface  50 , is authenticated by the area management device  40 . 
       [Shutoff Device  60 ] 
       [0038]    The shutoff device  60  locks or unlocks the door for entering and leaving the room  80  in which the image-forming device  30  is located, and an electric lock or the like corresponds to the same. 
         [0039]    Specifically, when the validity of the second authenticated data from the client device  10  is recognized by the above-described shutoff executing unit  203 , the shutoff device  60  locks the door of the corresponding room, and subsequently, when the validity of the first authenticated data of the user, which is input by the input interface  50 , is recognized by the above-described shutoff releasing unit  404 , the shutoff device  60  unlocks the door. 
         [0040]    In this manner, the printing system of this embodiment is configured to control the access to the image-forming device  30  by interlocking the locking and unlocking of the door by the shutoff device  60  with the user authentication, thereby limiting pickup of the printed matter. 
       [Network  70 ] 
       [0041]    The network  70  is a communication network including a LAN (local area network), a WAN (wide area network) and the like, for connecting each device to allow control thereof. Therefore, it is also possible to control or the like each device through the Internet. 
         [0042]    Next, procedure in the printing system of this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a sequence showing procedure in the printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is an illustration diagram of an authentication table used for user authentication. 
         [0044]    When the user gives instructions to print out from the client device  10 , the second authenticated data for authenticating the user is sent to a print server with the print data (S 1 ). 
         [0045]    The second authenticated data is the ID and the password, which is input from the user to the client device, for example. 
         [0046]    The print management device  20  receives the print data and the authenticated data from the client device  10  (S 2 ). 
         [0047]    Next, the print management device  20  sends the received authenticated data to the area management device  40  and asks the authentication of the user (S 3 ). 
         [0048]    The area management device  40  checks the received authenticated data against the registered authentication data stored in advance, thereby authenticating the user (S 4 ). Meanwhile, when these data conform to each other, it is judged to be valid, and if not, it is judged to be invalid. Specifically, the checking is performed by referring to the authentication table as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0049]    Meanwhile, if the validity is recognized as a result of the above-described authentication, the user is specified (S 5 ). This is for improving accuracy of the authentication by using the same data to the registered authentication data, which will be a reference in the authentication to be performed later (S 12  to S 17 ). 
         [0050]    For example, when a check result of the second authenticated data is “1” as in the case of the user of which registration number is  002  shown in  FIG. 4 , the authenticated user is specified, and it is possible to identify this in the authentication to be performed later. 
         [0051]    And, the result of the above-described authentication is notified to the print management device  20  (S 6 ). 
         [0052]    The print management device  20 , which is notified by the area management device  40  that the user authentication is valid (S 7 ) then gives instruction to lock (S 8 ), and the shutoff device  60  locks the door of the room in which the image-forming device  30  is located (S 9 ). Meanwhile, the procedure in which the unlock instruction is once received by the input interface  50  and the input interface  50  gives a predetermined lock instruction to the shutoff device  60  is also possible. 
         [0053]    And the print management device  20  sends the print data to the image-forming device  30  (S 10 ), and the image-forming device  30  outputs the print process by the output unit thereof (S 11 ). 
         [0054]    In this manner, by starting the printout simultaneously with the reception of the print data, it becomes possible to print without waiting the authentication to be performed later, so that high-speed print becomes possible as a result. 
         [0055]    The user who finished giving the instruction of printout has to enter the room in which the image-forming device  30  is located in order to pickup the printed matter, and then the user has to perform the authentication again. 
         [0056]    Specifically, the user inputs the ID and the password (first authenticated data) from the input interface  50  such as the ten-key, installed to the room, and this is sent to the area management device  40  (S 12 ). 
         [0057]    The area management device  40  receives and inputs the first authenticated data, and performs the authentication once again (S 13 ). 
         [0058]    Meanwhile, the authentication herein is performed only for the user specified in the S 5 , as described above. 
         [0059]    Specifically, the registered authentication data of the user of which check result of the second authenticated data is “1” and whose validity is recognized in the authentication in previous step, as of the registration numbers  002 ,  004  and  005  in the example shown in  FIG. 4 , and the first authenticated data are checked. 
         [0060]    And, the area management device  40  notifies the result of the authentication to the input interface  50  (S 15 ). 
         [0061]    The input interface  50 , which is notified by the area management device  40  that the user authentication is valid (S 14 ), gives the unlock instruction (S 16 ), and the shutoff device  60  unlocks the door of the room in which the image-forming device  30  is located (S 17 ). 
         [0062]    And, the input interface  50  gives the instruction to release user specifying information to the area management device  40  (S 18 ), and the area management device  40 , which receives the same, release the user specifying (S 19 ). 
         [0063]    Specifically, as shown in the authentication table shown in  FIG. 4 , the area management device  40  deletes the input authenticated data or the like of the user of which two authentications are performed, as of the registration number  005 . Thereby, the room number C and the image-forming device  30  located in this room are in unused state, so that other users may print out. 
         [0064]    Herein, the print management device  20  may be provided with means for detecting the unused image-forming device  30  from a plurality of image-forming devices  30  (unused device detecting unit  205 ), and further, may be provided with means for selecting one from the plurality of detected image-forming devices  30  (device selecting unit  206 ). 
         [0065]    As the unused device detecting unit  205 , the image-forming device  30  in the unused state is detected by referring to the above-described table, also by whether the door is locked or unlocked, and by existence or nonexistence of a person by a human sensor. 
         [0066]    And, as the device selecting unit  206 , the corresponding image-forming device may be selected automatically or manually according to the content of the print (color output, both sides printing or the like). 
         [0067]    Thereby, not only the output from a plurality of users (client devices  10 ) becomes possible, but also a plurality of print process may be performed immediately. 
         [0068]    In addition, by applying the above-described process sequences (S 1  to S 19 ) for each output, it is also possible to maintain the security of each printed matter. 
         [0069]    And, it is possible that the door is automatically locked just after the user enters the room or after a predetermined time has passed, and freely opened and closed only from inside. Thereby, other than the authenticated user may not enter or leave the room, so that the security is further improved. 
         [0070]    And, it is configured that the door is not locked after the user who pickups the printed matter leaves the room. Thereby, the room is in the unused state, so that unused image-forming device detection may be performed by the print management device  20 . 
         [0071]    As described above, the printing system  1  of the present embodiment not only performs the user authentication and allows the user of which validity is recognized to print out, but also allows the user to pickup the printed matter. 
         [0072]    Specifically, it is configured that the access to the area in which the image-forming device  30  is located is limited by the user authentication, and only the authenticated user may access the image-forming device  30  to pickup the printed matter. 
         [0073]    By utilizing such a close-door character of the area, extremely highly confidential print process becomes possible, and the security effect higher than that of the conventional mailbox printing and the like may be exerted. 
         [0074]    And, as described above, since the image-forming device  30  is located in the closed room  80 , if the printout is started upon the authentication of the authenticated data from the client device  10 , the security of the printed matter is sufficiently maintained. And, by performing the authentication again when entering the room, the effect thereof is improved. 
         [0075]    In this manner, since the printout may be started at the early stage after the instruction of printing by the client device  10 , a situation that the user waits for the printout to be finished at the image-forming device  30  as a conventional mailbox hardly occurs, so that it becomes possible to realize the efficiency of the print process and the improvement of the security in the same time. 
         [0076]    Further, the printing system  1  of this embodiment may realize a secure printing system by implementing the general image-forming device  30  to the system without adding special function. 
         [0077]    Therefore, it is possible to realize and provide a versatile printing system  1  of which cost is small. 
         [0078]    As described above, although the preferred embodiment of the output management system of the present invention has been described, it goes without saying that the output management system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0079]    For example, the output management system of the present invention may realize a video playing system by adopting a video server as the terminal device and a player and a monitor as the output device, and it becomes possible to utilize the same in a members-only or paid video rental room or the like. 
         [0080]    And, the output management system of the present invention may be utilized as an automated teller system by adopting an ATM (automated teller machine) as the output device. 
         [0081]    The present invention is preferably utilized as a system provided with the output unit, authentication unit and the predetermined area.