Patent Publication Number: US-2011067090-A1

Title: Image data forming apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority based on 35 USC 119 from prior Japanese Patent Application No. P2009-213602 filed on Sep. 15, 2009, entitled “IMAGE DATA FORMING APPARATUS”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image data forming apparatus to form image data. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In a conventional technique (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-14591, paragraphs 0069 to 0076 and  FIG. 3 ), when a printer receives print data with user information as authentication information, the printer transmits the user information with an authentication request to a printer management server, the printer manager server performs an authentication to determine whether the user is qualified to print according to the user information, and the printer prints the print data when receiving an authentication notification from the printer management server. That is, the conventional technique can restrict printing of an unqualified user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, the conventional technique requires an authentication-dedicated terminal such as the printer management server. In other words, only a computer or a printer that is connected to the printer management server via a communication line such as a network can restrict printing of an unqualified user according to the authentication information. 
     An aspect of the invention is an image data forming apparatus including: 
     an image data forming unit configured to form image data; a user authentication information forming unit configured to form user authentication information; a storage unit storing a program configured to be executed by a destination device to determine whether or not to permit outputting the image data from the destination device based on the user authentication information; an image file forming unit configured to form an image file including the image data, the user authentication information, and the program; and a communication control unit configured to transmit the image file to the destination device. 
     The aspect can restrict printing of an unqualified user even in an unconnected condition, via a communication line, to a printer management server that executes an authentication process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image data forming apparatus and a PC according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of an image data forming system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating an image data forming process according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel unit used to set user authentication information according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a process of inputting user authentication information according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are explanatory diagrams of the configuration of an authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are explanatory diagrams of an example of executing the authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a process of executing the authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of an image data forming system according to a modification of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an image data forming process according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel unit used to set user authentication information and print restriction information according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating a process of inputting user authentication information and print restriction information according to the second embodiment. 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  are explanatory diagrams of the configuration of an authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the second embodiment. 
         FIGS. 14A ,  14 B and  14 C are explanatory diagrams of an example of executing the authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a process of executing the authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Descriptions are provided herein below for embodiments based on the drawings. In the respective drawings referenced herein, the same constituents are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate explanation concerning the same constituents is omitted. All of the drawings are provided to illustrate the respective examples only. 
     First Embodiment 
     The configuration of a first embodiment will be explained by referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  6 A,  6 B,  7 A and  7 B. 
       FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram of an image data forming system according to the first embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the image data forming system includes image data forming apparatus  100 , printing device  200  such as a printer, network  110 , and personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as “PC”)  120 . Image data forming apparatus  100  and printing device  200  are communicatably connected via network  110 . Here, one or more PCs  120  are connected to network  110 . 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image data forming apparatus and PC according to the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , image data forming apparatus  100  includes: control unit  101  configured to control the entire operation of the apparatus; operation panel unit  102  used to operate the image data forming apparatus  100 ; memory unit  103  configured to temporarily store data in progress; storage unit  104  configured to store a program or the like; image data forming unit  105  configured to form image data; user authentication information forming unit  106  configured to form user authentication information; image file forming unit  107  configured to form an image file in which an authentication print program is added; and communication control unit  108  configured to communicate with an external device. 
     Operation panel unit  102  includes: display means such as a liquid crystal display for displaying a device condition and a screen to guide operation by an operator; and input means such as an operation button and a touch panel for accepting input by the operator. 
     Memory unit  103  is a memory means such as a volatile memory or the like, and storage unit  104  is a memory means such as a nonvolatile memory, a magnetic disk, or the like. 
     Image data forming unit  105  forms digital image data from an image scanned (read) by an image scanning (reading) means (not shown) such as a scanner. 
     User authentication information forming unit  106  forms user authentication information composed of a user name and a password previously set by a user, which are used to identify the user, based on an input via operation panel unit  102 . 
     Image file forming unit  107  forms an authentication-print-program-applied image file in which an authentication print program including user authentication information formed by user authentication information forming unit  106  is attached to the image data formed by image data forming unit  105 . The configuration of the authentication-print-program-applied image file will be described later. 
     Communication control unit  108  controls transmission and reception of data such as an authentication-print-program-applied image file to and from PCs  120  and the like connected via network  110 . 
     The entire operation of image data forming apparatus  100  having the above configuration is controlled by control unit  101  such as a central processing unit (CPU) serving as a computation means and a control means based on a control program (software) stored in storage unit  104 . 
     Network  110  is a communication line that provides an environment in which image data forming apparatus  100  and an external device such as PC  120  can communicate with each other. 
     PC  120  includes: communication control unit  122  configured to transmit and receive image data to and from image data forming apparatus  100 ; search unit  123 ; memory unit  124  such as a memory; display means  127  such as a display; and an input means (not shown) such as a keyboard and a mouse. Memory unit  124  stores operating system (OS)  125  that is software for controlling the entire operation of the apparatus, and program execution unit  126 . Operation of the entire PC  120  is controlled by a control unit (not shown) such as a central processing unit (CPU) serving as a computation means and a control means based on OS  125  stored in memory unit  124 . 
     Further, the control unit of PC  120  is configured to execute an authentication print program of an authentication-print-program-applied image file received from image data forming apparatus  100 . 
     When a user clicks print button  701  (see  FIG. 7A ), search unit  123  ( FIG. 1 ) of PC  120  searches authentication print program execution unit  126  from memory unit  124  of PC  120  and PC  120  executes the authentication print program. Note that authentication print program execution unit  126  is previously stored in memory unit  124 . 
       FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram of operation panel unit  102  used to set user authentication information according to the first embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 4 , operation panel unit  102  includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel  401  serving as a display means and operation units  402  to  408  serving as input means to accept an input operation to register user authentication information used to identify a user who is allowed to use the image data forming system. Note that LCD display panel  401  also includes a touch panel serving as an input means to accept the user&#39;s input operation. 
     LCD display panel  401  displays an authentication print setting screen for guiding an input operation to register user authentication information. This authentication print setting screen includes: user type setting unit  409  that allows selection of the type of user; user name registration unit  410  used to input the name of the user who is to be allowed to print; password registration unit  411  used to input a password of the user; add button  412  used to proceed to an additional registration to add authentication information of another user; and cancel button  413  used to cancel the additional registration of the authentication information. Note that when enter button  40   b  is pressed, the user name and the password that are input in the user name registration unit  410  and password registration unit  411  are registered as the authentication information. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are explanatory diagrams of the configuration of the authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 6A  illustrates the configuration of the authentication-print-program-applied image file and  FIG. 6B  illustrates the configuration of the authentication print program. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  formed by image data forming apparatus  100  includes authentication print program  601  and image data  602 . Authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  is transmitted from image data forming apparatus  100  to PC  120  and executed in PC  120  serving as a destination. 
     Authentication print program  601  is software executed by the control unit of PC  120  and includes: user authentication information  611  composed of a user name and a password; comparison unit  612  which is a program for comparing a user name and a password input by a user of receiving PC  120  with the user name and password in user authentication information  611 ; print control unit  613  which is a program for controlling whether or not to print image data  602  according to a judgment result by comparison unit  612  of whether or not the user name and password input by the user in the receiving PC  120  correspond with the user name and password of user authentication information  611 ; and image display control unit  614  which is a program for displaying image data  602  on the display means as a preview screen, as shown in  FIG. 6B , for example. 
     Note that image data  602  is image data formed by image data forming unit  105  of image data forming apparatus  100 . Further, comparison unit  612 , print control unit  613 , and image display control unit  614  are assumed to be previously stored in storage unit  104  of image data forming apparatus  100 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are explanatory diagrams of an example of a screen of PC  120  on which authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  of  FIG. 6A  formed by image data forming apparatus  100  is executed according to the first embodiment. 
     When the control unit of PC  120  executes authentication print program  601  included in authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 , authentication print program window  700  shown in  FIG. 7A  is displayed on the display means such as an LCD of PC  120 . 
     Authentication print program window  700  includes: print button  701  used to perform an authentication print; and viewer unit  702  used to display image data  602  as a preview screen. 
     When print button  701  is clicked, authentication dialogue box  710  illustrated in  FIG. 7B  is displayed. Authentication dialogue box  710  includes: text box  711  used to input a user name; text box  712  used to input a password; authentication button  713  used to request an authentication print; and cancel button  714  used to cancel the authentication print. 
     Operation of the above configuration will be explained. 
     A process of forming an authentication-print-program-applied image file by image data forming apparatus  100  will be explained according to the steps represented by “S” in the flowchart of  FIG. 3 , which illustrates an image data forming process of the first embodiment, and with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     S 1   a : According to an instruction from control unit  101 , image data forming unit  105  of image data forming apparatus  100  scans (reads) an image and forms image data. 
     S 2   a : The operation panel unit  102  accepts an input of authentication information such as a user name and a password of a user who is to be allowed to print, and user authentication information forming unit  106  forms user authentication information based on the input user name, password, and the like. Note that the input process of the authentication information by the user will be described later. 
     S 3   a : Image file forming unit  107  forms an authentication-print-program-applied image file including image data formed by image data forming unit  105  and user authentication information formed by user authentication information forming unit  106 . 
     S 4   a : Operation panel unit  102  accepts a user&#39;s input specifying one or more PCs  120  as destinations of the generated authentication-print-program-applied image file, that is, a user&#39;s input specifying a computer name of PC  120  as the destination, for example. 
     S 5   a : According to an instruction from control unit  101 , communication control unit  108  transmits the authentication-print-program-applied image file to PC  120  that is the specified destination. 
     Next, the process of accepting input of authentication information of the user in step S 2   a  of  FIG. 3  will be explained according to the steps represented by “S” in the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , which illustrates the user authentication information input process of the first embodiment, and with referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 . 
     A user inputs authentication information on operation panel unit  102  of image data forming apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The authentication print setting screen illustrated in  FIG. 4  is displayed on LCD display panel  401  of operation panel unit  102  to accept the input of the authentication information by the user. 
     S 1   b : According to an instruction from control unit  101 , operation panel unit  102  first accepts the user&#39;s input of the user type in user type setting unit  409  of the authentication print setting screen shown on LCD display panel  401  by using operation units  402  to  405  and the like. Here, the user can be registered by selecting a directory service such as “NT domain” and “Active Directory” (registered trademarks) according to the user&#39;s network environment and obtaining the user name and password of the user to be allowed to print. It is assumed that, when such a network environment has not been created, “standard” is selected and a user name and a password are input. 
     S 2   b : The user who selects a directory service is assumed to select and input a user name, which is to be allowed to print, to user name registration unit  410  and operation panel unit  102  accepts the input operation via operation unit  408  or the like. Control unit  101  stores the input user name to memory unit  103 . Here, the password is also stored with the user name to memory unit  103 . 
     On the other hand, the user who selects “standard” is assumed to input a user name, which is allowed to print, to user name registration unit  410  and operation panel unit  102  accepts the input operation via operation unit  408  or the like. Control unit  101  stores the input user name to memory unit  103 . 
     S 3   b : When “standard” is selected, operation panel unit  102  accepts a user&#39;s input of a password in password registration unit  411  by using operation unit  408  or the like. Control unit  101  stores the input password to memory unit  103  as associating with the user name which is selected and input in step S 2   b.    
     Note that, in a case where a directory service is selected, the process proceeds to step S 4   b , skipping step S 3   b.    
     S 4   b : Plural users can be set as print-allowed users. When there is no other users to set authentication information, operation panel unit  102  accepts a press of enter button  406  and ends the input operation of user authentication information. Here, when there is another user to set authentication information, operation panel unit  102  accepts a press of add button  412  and the process proceeds to step S 1   b  and repeats from steps S 1   b  to S 3   b.    
     Next, the process of executing an authentication-print-program-applied image file in PC  120  will be explained according to the steps represented by “S” in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 , which illustrates a process of executing an authentication-print-program-applied image file of the first embodiment, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 A,  6 B,  7 A and  7 B. 
     S 1   c : In order to print image data  602  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  that is formed and transmitted by image data forming apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1  and has a configuration illustrated in  FIG. 6A , PC  120  in  FIG. 2  develops authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 . In other words, when the control unit of PC  120  executes authentication print program  601  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 , a screen of authentication print program window  700  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  is displayed on the display means by image display control unit  614  of authentication print program  601  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 . 
     S 2   c : PC  120  accepts a click on print button  701  in a screen illustrated in  FIG. 7A . 
     S 3   c : Upon the click on print button  701 , PC  120  executes comparison unit  612  of authentication print program  601  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  to read, from memory unit  124 , a name and password of a user who is logged on PC  120  as login information and compares the read user name and password with the user name and password of user authentication information  611  in authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  received from image data forming apparatus  100 . 
     S 4   c : When PC  120  judges that the login information corresponds with user authentication information  611  as a result of comparing the login information and user authentication information  611 , the process proceeds to step S 5   c . When PC  120  judges that the login information does not correspond with user authentication information  611 , the process proceeds to step S 6   c.    
     S 5   c : When PC  120  judges that the login information corresponds with user authentication information  611 , in order to print image data  602  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 , PC  120  executes print control unit  613  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  to transmit image data  602  as print data to printing device  200  that is a specified printer, to cause printing device  200  to print image data  602 , and end the process. 
     S 6   c : When PC  120  judges that the login information does not correspond with user authentication information  611 , PC  120  displays authentication dialogue box  710  illustrated in  FIG. 7B  on the display means and accepts a user&#39;s input of a user name and a password by using the input means of PC  120  and stores the user name and password to memory unit  124  of PC  120 . 
     S 7   c : PC  120  executes comparison unit  612  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  to read the input user name and password from memory unit  124  and compares the read user name and password with the user name and password which are stored as user authentication information  611  in authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  received from the image data forming apparatus  100 . 
     When PC  120  judges that the read user name and password correspond with the user name and password of user authentication information  611 , the process proceeds to step S 5   c . In order to print image data  602  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 , PC  120  executes print control unit  613  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  to transmit image data  602  to printing device  200  that is the specified printer to cause printing device  200  to print image data  602  and then ends the process. 
     S 8   c : On the other hand, when PC  120  judges that the input user name and password do not correspond with the user name and password of user authentication information  611 , PC  120  displays a message indicating that there is no authorization for printing on the display means and ends the process. 
     As described above, an image data forming apparatus transmits, to a personal computer, an authentication-print-program-applied image file including scanned image data and an authentication print program for identifying authentication information such as a user name and a password. When receiving the authentication print program, the personal computer performs an authentication process to allow printing of a qualified user, and transmits image data to a printing device for the qualified user. With this configuration, even when a printer management server which performs an authentication process is not connected to a communication line, a user who is not qualified to print with the printing device is restricted from printing. 
     In other words, the personal computer having received the authentication-print-program-applied image file from the image data forming apparatus can optionally display image data included in the authentication-print-program-applied image file; however, if a user is not authorized due to a restriction by the image data forming apparatus, the personal computer is restricted from outputting the image data included in the authentication-print-program-applied image file from the personal computer to the outside. 
     In this embodiment, an example in which image data is output to a printing device via a network has been described; however, a communication line such as a USB (universal serial bus) may be used as a substitute for the network. It is thus possible to restrict an output or a transfer to an external device such as a USB memory and a magnetic disk. 
     According to this embodiment, by a directory service such as “NT domain” and “Active Directory” (registered trademarks), a user name and a password used as authentication information in an authentication print program are automatically obtained as a user name and a password of a user who is allowed to print by a transmitter and used as authentication information, and that user name and password are authenticated by comparing the user name and password used when logging on PC  120  serving as a receiver. However, this does not limit the invention. A transmitter may manually set any password used as authentication information via operation panel unit  102  of image data forming apparatus  100 , and the password may be used as authentication information in an authentication print program. In this case, printing may be allowed when a user as a receiver who knows the password and inputs the password to start printing. 
     Further, in this embodiment, an example in which an authentication print program is applied to the scanned image data has been described; however, this does not limit the invention and the authentication print program may be applied to image data that is input to the image data forming apparatus from an external device such as a USB memory or an external memory device, for example. 
     Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example in which an image file applied with an authentication print program is transmitted to PC  120  serving as a receiver has been described; however, this does not limit the invention, and, as shown in  FIG. 9 , an image file applied with an authentication print program that is formed in image data forming apparatus  100  by a transmitting user may be transmitted to and stored in shared storage terminal  300  such as a server and an authentication may be performed when plural users access from PCs  120  to start printing. 
     As described above, according to the first embodiment, the image data forming apparatus transmits, to a personal computer, an authentication-print-program-applied image file which is formed by applying, to read scanned image data, an authentication print program used to authenticate information such as a user name and a password, and the personal computer that receives and executes the authentication print program performs an authentication process to allow a qualified user to pint and transmit the image data to a printing device. With this configuration, even when a printer management server that executes an authentication process is not connected to the communication line, restricting printing by an unqualified user is possible. 
     Further, restricting output of image data by an unqualified user from the device can is possible. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the configuration of the second embodiment, a screen used to input print restriction information that restricts color printing and double-sided printing and a screen to notify a user of the input print restriction information are provided in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. The configuration of the second embodiment will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 11 ,  13 A,  13 B,  14 A,  14 B and  14 C. 
     The configurations of the image data forming apparatus and PC and the configuration of the image data forming system are the same as those of the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and those explanations are omitted. Other parts that are the same as the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the explanations thereof will be omitted. 
       FIG. 11  is an explanatory diagram of operation panel unit  102  used to set user authentication information and print restriction information according to the second embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 11 , LCD display panel  401  displays an authentication print setting screen used to input user authentication information and print restriction information. The authentication print setting screen includes: a color print restriction unit  1001  used to set a color print restriction; and print side restriction unit  1002  used to set a print side restriction, in addition to user type setting unit  409 , user name registration unit  410 , password registration unit  411 , add button  412 , and cancel button  413  illustrated in  FIG. 4  of the first embodiment. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are explanatory diagrams of an authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the second embodiment.  FIG. 13A  illustrates the configuration of an authentication-print-program-applied image file and  FIG. 13B  illustrates the configuration of an authentication print program. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13A , as in the first embodiment, authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  formed by image data forming apparatus  100  includes authentication print program  601  and image data  602 . 
     Authentication print program  601  is software executed by PC  120  and, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , includes, in addition to user authentication information  611 , comparison unit  612 , and image display control unit  614 , for example: print restriction information  621  composed of a color print restriction and a print side restriction which are set via the authentication print setting screen; and print control unit  622  which is a program for controlling whether or not to print image data  602  according to a judgment result by comparison unit  612  of whether the user name and password input by a receiving user correspond to the user name and password of user authentication information  611  and according to previously set print restriction information  621 . 
     Image data  602  is image data formed by image data forming unit  105  of image data forming apparatus  100 . Further, comparison unit  612 , print control unit  623 , and image display control unit  614  are assumed to be previously stored in storage unit  104  of image data forming apparatus  100 . 
       FIGS. 14A ,  14 B and  14 C are explanatory diagrams of an example of executing an authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the second embodiment and illustrate a screen of PC  120  in a case where authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  formed by image data forming apparatus  100  is executed in PC  120 . 
     Authentication print program window  700  illustrated in  FIG. 14A  and authentication dialogue box  710  illustrated in  FIG. 14B  are the same as those in the first embodiment and, in the second embodiment, print restriction notification dialog box  1200  that notifies a user of printing restriction illustrated in  FIG. 14C  is added. 
     Print restriction notification dialog box  1200  includes section  1201  that notifies a color print restriction condition and section  1202  that notifies a print side restriction condition. 
     Operation of the above configuration will be explained. 
     First, a process by which image data forming apparatus  100  creates an authentication-print-program-applied image file will be explained according to the steps represented by “S” in the flowchart of  FIG. 10 , which illustrates an image data forming process according to the second embodiment, and with referring to  FIG. 1 . 
     S 1   d : Image data forming unit  105  of image data forming apparatus  100  reads an image and forms image data according to an instruction from control unit  101 . 
     S 2   d : Operation panel unit  102  accepts input of authentication information such as a user name and a password of a user who is to be allowed to print and print restriction information, and user authentication information forming unit  106  forms user authentication information based on the input user name and password. The process of inputting user authentication information and print restriction information will be described later. 
     S 3   d : Image file forming unit  107  forms an authentication-print-program-applied image file including image data formed by image data forming unit  105 , user authentication information formed by user authentication information forming unit  106 , and print restriction information set for each user. 
     S 4   d  and S 5   d : The processes are the same as those in steps S 4   a  and S 5   a  of  FIG. 3  and those explanations are omitted. 
     Next, the process of accepting input of user authentication information and print restriction information in step S 2   d  of  FIG. 10  will be explained according to the steps represented by “S” in the flowchart of  FIG. 12 , which illustrates a process of inputting user authentication information and print restriction information according to the second embodiment, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 11 . 
     This input of user authentication information is to be executed by operation panel unit  102  of image data forming apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . An authentication print setting screen illustrated in  FIG. 11  is displayed on LCD display panel  401  of operation panel unit  102  to accept input of user authentication information and print restriction information. 
     S 1   e  to S 3   e : The processes are the same as those in steps S 1   b  to S 3   b  of  FIG. 5  and those explanations will be omitted. 
     S 4   e : According to an instruction from control unit  101 , operation panel unit  102  accepts a user&#39;s input of whether or not to allow color printing by operation units  402  to  405  and the like via color print restriction unit  1001  of the authentication print setting screen displayed on LCD display panel  401  and accepts a user&#39;s input of whether or not to execute double-sided printing by operation units  402  to  405  and the like via print side restriction unit  1002  of the authentication print setting screen displayed on LCD display panel  401 . Control unit  101  associates print setting information including the input color print setting and print side setting with a user name that is input in step Step and stored in memory unit  103 . 
     S 5   e : Plural users may be set as users who are allowed to print and, when there is no other users to set authentication information and print restriction information, operation panel unit  102  accepts a press of enter button  406  and ends the input of user authentication information and print restriction information. Here, when there is another user to set authentication information and print restriction information, operation panel unit  102  accepts a press of add button  412 , proceeds to a process in step S 1   e  and repeats processes from steps S 1   e  to S 4   e.    
     Next, the process in which PC  120  executes the authentication-print-program-applied image file will be explained according to the steps represented by “S” in the flowchart of  FIG. 15 , which illustrates a process of executing an authentication-print-program-applied image file according to the second embodiment, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  13 A,  13 B,  14 A,  14 B and  14 C. 
     S 1   f : In order to print image data  602  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 , which is formed and transmitted by image data forming apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and has a configuration illustrated in  FIG. 13 , image display control unit  614  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  displays the screen of authentication print program window  700  illustrated in  FIG. 14A  on the display means when PC  120  illustrated in  FIG. 2  opens authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 , that is, when the control unit of PC  120  executes authentication print program  601  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 . 
     S 2   f : PC  120  accepts a click on print button  701  on the screen illustrated in  FIG. 14A . 
     S 3   f : Upon accepting a click on print button  701 , PC  120  executes comparison unit  612  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  to read the user name and password of a user who is logging onto PC  120  as login information from the memory unit  124  and compares the read user name and password with the user name and password of user authentication information  611  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  received from image data forming apparatus  100 . 
     S 4   f  When PC  120  judges that the login information corresponds with user authentication information  611  as a result of comparing the login information with the user authentication information  611 , the process proceeds to step S 5   f . When PC  120  judges that the login information does not correspond with user authentication information  611 , the process proceeds to step S 9   f.    
     S 5   f : When PC  120  judges that the login information corresponds with the user authentication information  611 , PC  120  reads user authentication information  611  and print restriction information  621  and judges whether or not a print restriction is set by the user. When PC  120  judges that a print restriction is set, the process proceeds to step S 6   f . When PC  120  judges that a print restriction is not set, the process proceeds to S 8   f.    
     S 6   f : When PC  120  judges that a print restriction is set, PC  120  displays print restriction notification dialog box  1200  illustrated in  FIG. 14C  on the display means and notifies the user of the print restriction. The user is assumed to confirm the print restriction displayed on print restriction notification dialog box  1200  and to click operation confirmation button  1203 . 
     S 7   f : When operation confirmation button  1203  displayed on print restriction notification dialog box  1200  is clicked, in order to print image data  602  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  based on set print restriction information  621 , PC  120  executes print control unit  622  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  to transmit image data  602  together with information for restricting a color print and a print side as print data to printing device  200  serving as a specified printer. PC  120  causes printing device  200  to print image data  602  and ends the process. 
     S 8   f : On the other hand, when PC  120  judges that a print restriction is not set in step S 5   f , in order to print image data  602  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600 , PC  120  executes print control unit  622  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  to transmit image data  602  as print data to printing device  200  serving as a specified printer. PC  120  causes allows printing device  200  to print image data  602  and ends the process. 
     S 9   f : Further, when PC  120  judges that the login information does not correspond with user authentication information  611  in step S 4   f , PC  120  displays authentication dialogue box  710  illustrated in  FIG. 14B  on the display means, accepts an input of a user name and a password via the input means, and stores the user name and password in memory unit  124 . 
     S 10   f ; PC  120  executes comparison unit  612  of authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  to read the input user name and password from the memory unit  124  and compares the read user name and password with the user name and password of user authentication information  611  in authentication-print-program-applied image file  600  received from image data forming apparatus  100 . 
     When PC  120  judges that the input user name and password correspond with the user name and password of user authentication information  611 , the process proceeds to S 5   c  and executes the above processes in steps S 5   f  to S 8   f.    
     S 11   f ; On the other hand, when PC  120  judges that the input user name and password do not correspond with the user name and password of user authentication information  611 , PC  120  displays a message that the user does not have a right to execute printing on the display means and ends the process. 
     As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, more sensitive print restrictions for a formed image file can be performed since print restriction information such as a color print restriction and a compulsory double-sided print is applied to the authentication-print-program-applied image file formed by image data forming apparatus. 
     In the first and second embodiments, an authentication print program is applied to image data read by a data reading function of the image data forming apparatus; however, the image data forming apparatus may be a facsimile or the like so that the authentication print program is applied to image data received from an external device. Further, the image data forming apparatus may be a multifunctional machine that has a function to transmit image data with communication means. 
     The invention includes other embodiments in addition to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Hence, all configurations including the meaning and range within equivalent arrangements of the claims are intended to be embraced in the invention.