JP2017182159A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make taking-out of data difficult by preventing confidential data and the like other than printing data from being stored in data storage means to prevent reduction in reliability due to leakage of the confidential data and taking-out of the data storage means.SOLUTION: A CPU 11 of an information processing device 10 includes a function of: printing data writing means 11a which writes and stores printing data into a printing data-only memory (data storage means) 40; dummy data writing means 11b which writes and stores dummy data prohibiting additional writing to the printing data-only memory 40 after writing of the printing data into the printing data-only memory 40. A CPU 21 of a printer 20 includes print control means 21a which causes a printing unit 25 to perform printing only in a case where the printing data and dummy data are stored in the printing data-only memory 40 when there is a printing instruction of the printing data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that writes print data to portable data storage means such as a USB memory, and a printing apparatus that is connected to the data storage means and reads out the print data stored in the data storage means and performs printing. In particular, the present invention relates to a printing system that can prevent confidential data, important data, and the like other than print data stored in a data storage unit from being taken out.

  In schools, etc., the printing device in the printing room may be allowed to be used not only by teachers but also by students. Often not connected by a network.

  When printing with such a printing device in the printing chamber, for example, the print data is stored in a portable data storage means such as a USB memory, moved to the printing room, and the data storage means is inserted into the printing device, and printing is performed. Direct printing is performed in which the apparatus reads the print data from the data storage means and prints it directly.

  However, in recent years, information leakage due to loss of portable data storage means such as a USB memory has become a social problem, and there is a demand for a printing system that can prevent taking out confidential data by the portable data storage means.

  Therefore, for example, when recording confidential data in a portable data storage means and taking it out, the person who takes out the confidential data, the network location where the confidential data is taken out, the deadline for taking out the confidential data, and the encryption Record confidential data in portable data storage means, limit the place where the confidential data recorded in the memory can be decrypted (network location such as host name and IP), person and take-out expiration date There has been proposed an invention relating to a confidential leakage system that prevents leakage of confidential data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this security leak system, even if portable data storage means that stores confidential data is lost, decryption is made permanent by expiring the expiration date of the confidential data registered in the decryption server. It is possible to prevent leakage of confidential data.

JP 2009-169821 A

  However, in the security leakage system described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the secret data take-out time limit and encrypted confidential data are stored in a portable data storage means, confidential data, important data, etc. are stored in the data storage unit. The act of memorizing it and taking it outside cannot be prevented.

  Therefore, in the unlikely event that the data storage means storing confidential data, important data, etc. is lost, even if the data is stored in the data storage means by limiting the data expiration date, etc. There is a possibility that it will be decrypted and leaked by the brute force method.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and is caused by bringing out print data by prohibiting storing data other than print data in portable data storage means such as a USB memory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system that eliminates the possibility of taking out other data that has been taken out of the office or outside the school, and prevents leakage of data such as confidential data accompanying taking out of data storage means.

In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of a printing system according to the present invention is that an information processing apparatus for writing print data to portable data storage means and the data storage means are connected to the data storage means. A printing system comprising a printing device that reads out stored print data and performs printing,
The information processing apparatus includes a print data writing unit that writes and stores print data in the data storage unit, and dummy data that prohibits additional writing to the data storage unit after the print data is written. While comprising dummy data writing means for writing and storing in the storage means,
In the printing apparatus, when the data storage unit is connected and there is an instruction to print the print data stored in the data storage unit, the print data and the dummy data are stored in the data storage unit. A print control means for printing the print data only in some cases is provided.

  In addition, a second feature of the printing system according to the present invention is that the data storage means is connected to a connection section provided in the printing apparatus in a state where at least a part thereof is covered with a casing having a predetermined size. There is to be.

  A third feature of the printing system according to the present invention is that the casing is provided with an IC chip in which identification information for identifying the casing is registered in advance, and the printing control means includes the data When the storage unit is connected, the identification information is read from the IC chip of the casing in which the data storage unit is mounted, and the print data stored in the data storage unit is printed based on the read identification information It is to determine whether or not to perform.

  According to the first feature of the printing system of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, when the print data is written in the portable data storage means such as a USB memory, the data storage means after the print data is written. Dummy data for prohibiting additional writing to the memory is written in the data storage means.

  Therefore, when the user writes the print data in the data storage means and performs printing, the data storage means in which the print data is written cannot store data other than the print data by dummy data. This prevents data from being taken out or leaked.

  In the printing apparatus, when the data storage unit is connected and there is an instruction to print the print data stored in the data storage unit, the print data and dummy data for prohibiting additional writing exist in the data storage unit. Only when the print data is printed.

  Therefore, not only when the print data is not stored in the data storage means, but also when the print data is stored but the dummy data is not written, it is not printed. It is possible to prevent data other than print data from leaking outside.

  Further, according to the second feature of the printing system according to the present invention, the data storage means is connected to a connection part provided in the printing apparatus in a state where at least a part thereof is covered with a casing having a predetermined size. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the data storage means from being taken back and taken out as much as possible.

  According to the third feature of the printing system according to the present invention, the casing is provided with an IC chip in which identification information for identifying the casing is registered in advance, and the printing control means of the printing apparatus includes: When the data storage means is connected, whether the identification information is read from the IC chip of the housing in which the data storage means is mounted, and the print data stored in the data storage means is printed based on the read identification information Determine whether or not.

  For this reason, when the housing is removed from the data storage means, the print data cannot be printed, so that the use of the data storage means removed from the housing can be prevented as much as possible.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the information processing apparatus side constituting the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure on the printing apparatus side that constitutes the printing system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the memory only for print data (data storage means) which comprises the printing system of Embodiment 2 which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the memory only for print data (data storage means) which comprises the printing system of Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the side of the printing apparatus which comprises the printing system of Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, printing systems according to Embodiments 1 to 3 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, the printing system according to the present invention is described by being applied to a school. However, the printing system according to the present invention is merely an example of the present invention, and the printing system according to the present invention is not limited to the following. .

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 provided in a school staff room A and connected by a staff room LAN 30, and a printing room B. The printing apparatus 20 is separated from the staff room LAN 30 and is not connected.

  Therefore, when printing data processed by each information processing apparatus 10 is printed by the printing apparatus 20, the print data is stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 which is portable data storage means such as a USB memory in the staff room A. Carrying to the printing room B, printing is performed by inserting the print data dedicated memory 40 into the printing apparatus 20 in the printing room B.

(Configuration of information processing apparatus 10)
The information processing apparatus 10 is a so-called general-purpose personal computer, and is an external interface (I) to which a CPU 11, a memory 12, a program storage unit 13, a display unit 14, a data input unit 15, and a print data dedicated memory 40 are connected. / F) section 16.

  The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 10. In the first embodiment, the print data writing means 11 a and dummy data of the present invention are executed by executing the printer driver program 13 b and the like stored in the program storage unit 13. It also functions as the writing means 11b.

  The memory 12 temporarily stores data input by the user through the data input unit 15, data processed by the CPU 11, and the like.

  The program storage unit 13 stores an operation system (OS) program, various application programs 13a such as a document creation application program, a printer driver program 13b for causing the printing apparatus 20 to execute printing, and the like.

  The display unit 14 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various data and operation states when the CPU 11 executes an operation system (OS) program, various application programs 13a, and a printer driver program 13b.

  The data input unit 15 is a keyboard, mouse, or the like operated by the user, and inputs various data that is the basis of print data.

  The external interface (I / F) unit 16 is connected to various external devices such as a print data dedicated memory 40 which is data storage means of the present invention.

(Configuration of printing apparatus 20)
The printing device 20 is a stand-alone printing device separated from the staff room LAN 30 as described above, and includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, a program storage unit 23, an operation panel unit 24, a printing unit 25, and an external interface. (I / F) part 26 grade is provided.

  The CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the printing apparatus 20, and particularly functions as the printing control unit 21a.

  The memory 22 temporarily stores print data read from the print data dedicated memory 40 and various data such as the print format and the number of prints input by the user via the operation panel unit 24.

  The program storage unit 23 stores a program for the CPU 21 to control the operation of the entire printing apparatus 20 and to function as the print control unit 21a.

  The operation panel unit 24 includes a key input unit 24a having a power key, a numeric keypad for setting the number of prints, various setting keys for setting a printing format, and the like, and a display for displaying input by the key input unit 24a, a printing state, and the like. Part 24b.

  The printing unit 25 forms an image by ejecting ink from, for example, an ink jet system, that is, an ink head of each color such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Alternatively, a stencil printing apparatus that performs printing with a stencil master may be used. In the first embodiment, since the printing apparatus 20 is not connected to the staff room LAN 30, the CPU 21 reads the print data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 connected to the external interface (I / F) unit 26, as will be described later. Printing is performed based on the control of the CPU 21.

  The external interface (I / F) unit 26 is connected to various external devices such as the print data dedicated memory 40.

  The staff room LAN 30 is a network that connects a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 in the staff room A, and is not connected to the printing apparatus 20 in the printing room B.

  The print data dedicated memory 40 functions as a print data storage means, and is a memory such as a USB memory or a memory card that specially stores print data to be printed by the printing apparatus 20, and is portable and can read and write data. If it is memory, it doesn't matter.

(Operation of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention)
Next, the operation of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the information processing apparatus 10 side constituting the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, it is assumed that the print data dedicated memory 40 is connected to the external I / F unit 16 of the information processing apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the information processing apparatus 10, the CPU 11 performs various information processing by executing various application programs 13a stored in the program storage unit 13 (step S101). The presence / absence of a data storage (writing) command for an external device connected to the / F unit 16 is determined (step S103).

  Here, if there is a data storage command for an external device connected to the external I / F unit 16 (step S103; YES), the CPU 11 stores the print data in the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16. It is determined whether or not it is the dedicated print data dedicated memory 40 (step S105).

  Here, whether or not the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16 is the print data dedicated memory 40 is determined by, for example, the hardware name of the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16, etc. Whether the data is for the print data dedicated memory 40 or whether the data of the dummy data file name “dummy data” is stored in the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16 in addition to the print data. Further, the determination is made based on whether or not the remaining capacity of the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16 is zero. Note that the processing in step S105 may be omitted.

  When it is determined that the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16 is not the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S105; NO), a storage (write) error is displayed, such as displaying a storage (write) error on the display unit 14. Output (step S109), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16 is the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S105; YES), the CPU 11 subsequently (print data dedicated) stores data stored in the memory 40. It is determined whether it is print data (step S107).

  Here, the determination as to whether or not the data stored in the memory 40 (dedicated to print data) is print data is, for example, a printing apparatus such as PostScript language, LIPS language, or a dedicated language for a specific printing apparatus. Whether the data is described in a printable page description language or not can be determined. Here, when the CPU 11 converts the data created by executing the application program 13a into print data by executing the printer driver program 13b for the printing apparatus 20, the data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 is the print data. This can also be determined based on whether or not the printer driver program 13b is executed.

  That is, when the CPU 11 executes the printer driver program 13b for the printing apparatus 20 and tries to write the data expressed in the page description language in the print data dedicated memory 40, the data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 Is determined to be print data.

  On the other hand, instead of writing data to the print data dedicated memory 40 by executing the printer driver program 13b, the user of the information processing apparatus 10 can select arbitrary data, for example, student grade data, etc. When the confidential data is not intended for printing but copied to the print data dedicated memory 40, it is determined that the data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 is not print data.

  When the CPU 11 determines that the data stored in the memory 40 (dedicated to print data) is not print data (step S107; NO), the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16 is not the print data dedicated memory 40. (Step S105; NO), a storage (write) error is output, such as displaying a storage (write) error on the display unit 14 (step S109), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, the external device connected to the external I / F unit 16 is the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S105; YES), and the data stored in the (print data dedicated) memory 40 is the print data (step S107; YES), the CPU 11 first functions as the print data writing means 11a, erases all the data already stored in the print data dedicated memory 40, that is, the print data and the dummy data (step S111), and creates new print data. Is stored (step S113).

  Next, the CPU 11 functions as the dummy data writing means 11b to calculate the free capacity (remaining capacity) of the print data dedicated memory 40 after storing the new print data (step S115), and to calculate dummy data for the calculated free capacity. It is generated and stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S117).

  As a result, the print data dedicated memory 40 stores the print data to be printed by the printing apparatus 20 and the dummy data corresponding to the free capacity after storing the print data, so that the remaining capacity of the print data dedicated memory 40 is 0. It becomes.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 10, data other than the print data to be printed by the printing apparatus 20 cannot be stored in the print data dedicated memory 40, that is, data other than the print data is not stored. Further, it is possible to prevent data other than print data to be printed by the printing apparatus 20 via the print data dedicated memory 40 from being taken out or leaked.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the printing apparatus 20 side constituting the printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the printing apparatus 20 side, the CPU 21 functions as the print control unit 21a of the present invention. For example, the user operates the key input unit 24a of the operation panel unit 24 to perform direct printing, that is, external I / O. It is determined whether there is a print data print instruction stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 connected to the F unit 26 (step S201).

  Here, when there is an instruction to print the print data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 connected to the external I / F unit 26 (step S201; YES), the CPU 21 of the printing apparatus 20 performs the print control of the present invention. It functions as the means 21a and determines whether or not print data is stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S203).

  Whether the print data is stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 is determined by, for example, the CPU 21 executing the printer driver program 13b for the printing apparatus 20 in the data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40. The determination can be made based on whether or not the file format data of the converted page description language print data is stored.

  When the print data dedicated to the print data 20 does not store print data that can be printed by the print apparatus 20 (step S203; NO), the CPU 21 of the printing apparatus 20 displays a data read error on the display unit 24b, etc. A read error is output (step S209), and the printing process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 20 is stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S203; YES), the CPU 21 of the printing apparatus 20 continues to have a free space in the print data dedicated memory 40. It is determined whether it is 0 (step S205).

  Specifically, in the information processing apparatus 10, it is determined whether or not dummy data whose free space in the print data dedicated memory 40 is 0 is stored by the processing of steps S115 and S117 shown in FIG. Here, the free space 0 in the print data dedicated memory 40 means a free space in which additional data cannot be written in the print data dedicated memory 40, and the free space in the print data dedicated memory 40 is strictly 0. It doesn't mean everything.

  When the free space of the print data dedicated memory 40 is not 0, that is, when dummy data is not stored (step S205; NO), the external device connected to the printing device 20 is connected to the information processing device 10 in FIG. This means that the print data converted by the processing in steps S111 to S117 shown is not the print data dedicated memory 40 in which the print data is stored.

  Therefore, when it is determined NO in step S205, the CPU 21 of the printing apparatus 20 determines that the print data is not stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S203; NO), and the data is displayed on the display unit 24b. For example, a read error is output (step S209), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, it is determined that the print data is stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S203; YES) and that the free space of the print data dedicated memory 40 is 0 (dummy data is stored). In the case (step S205; YES), the external device connected to the external I / F unit 26 stores print data that can be printed by the printing device 20 in step S113 shown in FIG. This is the print data dedicated memory 40 in which dummy data with a full free capacity (remaining capacity) is stored by the processing of steps S115 and S117.

  Therefore, if it is determined YES in step S205, the CPU 21 of the printing apparatus 20 reads the print data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40, causes the printing unit 25 to execute printing (step S207), and ends the process.

  As described above, according to the printing system 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus 10, when printing is performed by the printing apparatus 20, the print data is stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 for writing, Dummy data for prohibiting additional writing is written in the print data dedicated memory 40 after the print data is written. Note that the dummy data has been described by calculating the free capacity of the print data dedicated memory 40 and taking the data for the free capacity as an example, but it does not stick to the format as long as it is guaranteed that additional writing can be prohibited. .

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 10 of the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since data other than print data and dummy data cannot be stored in the print data dedicated memory 40, other than print data using the print data dedicated memory 40 This prevents data such as important data and confidential data from being taken out or leaked.

  For example, in order to print the analysis result of the deviation value of the class, when spreadsheet data describing the results of all the classes is written as print data in the print data dedicated memory 40, other prints are stored in the print data dedicated memory 40. Since data cannot be stored, it is possible to prevent data such as important data other than print data and confidential data from being taken out or leaked.

  On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 20, the print data dedicated memory 40 is connected to the external I / F unit 26, and when the print apparatus 20 directly instructs printing of the print data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40, printing is performed. The print data is printed only when the print data is stored in the data dedicated memory 40 and the free space is 0. In other cases, the print is not executed.

  Therefore, in the printing apparatus 20 of the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 20 is stored in the information processing apparatus 10 in step S113 shown in FIG. 2, and the subsequent processes in steps S115 and S117 are performed. As a result, print data can be printed only when the print data dedicated memory 40 in which dummy data with a full free space (remaining capacity) is stored is connected to the external I / F unit 26. Printing can also be prevented.

  In the description of the processing on the printing apparatus 20 side in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not print data is stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 in step S203, and whether or not the free space is 0 is determined in step S205. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a determination process for determining whether or not the free space is 0 is executed first, and then a determination process for determining whether or not print data is stored is performed. Of course, it is also possible to go at the same time.

[Embodiment 2]
In the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment, since the information processing apparatus 10 is configured such that the print data dedicated memory 40 cannot store data other than print data and dummy data, printing using the print data dedicated memory 40 is possible. Although it is possible to prevent data such as important data other than data and confidential data from being taken out and leaked, the print data dedicated memory 40 is portable, and thus it is not possible to prevent the print data dedicated memory 40 from being taken out and leaked. Therefore, when the print data is important data, confidential data, etc., it can be stored as print data in the print data dedicated memory 40. Therefore, taking out or leakage of important data or confidential data using the print data dedicated memory 40 is prevented. It cannot be prevented.

  Therefore, in the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, important data and confidential data using the print data dedicated memory 40 can be prevented from being taken out and leaked as much as possible.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the print data dedicated memory 40 constituting the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the print data dedicated memory 40 constituting the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is portable, but has a predetermined size (volume) that is difficult to take out of school or outside the company. At least a part of the casing (case) 50 is covered, and the casing 50 is connected to the external interface unit 26 of the printing apparatus 20 in a state where at least a part thereof is covered by the casing 50. In this embodiment, it is necessary that a recess capable of receiving the housing 50 is formed around the external interface unit 26 of the printing apparatus 20.

  Here, the predetermined size (volume) is, for example, not less than about A5 size that is difficult to put in a pocket of clothes.

  In addition, the print data dedicated memory 40 has a predetermined weight of the print data dedicated memory 40 at the same time as the predetermined size or instead of the predetermined size, such as a weight not to be taken out by mistake, for example, a weight of about 1 kg or more. Also good. The configuration other than mounting the casing 50 on the print data dedicated memory 40 is the same as that of the printing system 1 of the first embodiment described above.

  Therefore, according to the printing system 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention, as with the printing system 1 of the first embodiment, data such as important data other than print data and confidential data is taken out via the print data dedicated memory 40. In addition to preventing leakage and leakage as much as possible, since the housing 50 having the predetermined size or weight is attached to the print data dedicated memory 40, it is possible to further prevent the print data dedicated memory 40 from being taken home by mistake.

[Embodiment 3]
Since the print data dedicated memory 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above is at least partially covered by the casing 50 having a predetermined size or weight, it is possible to further prevent the print data dedicated memory 40 from being taken home by mistake. However, if the housing 50 is removed from the print data dedicated memory 40, it is difficult to prevent the print data dedicated memory 40 from being taken out.

  Therefore, in the printing system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the housing 50 is removed from the print data dedicated memory 40, the printing device 20 in the printing chamber B cannot perform printing, and an alarm sound or the like is generated. It is configured.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the print data dedicated memory 40 constituting the printing system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the printing system 1 according to the third embodiment, an RFID (radio frequency identifier) type IC or the like is provided on a housing 50 having a predetermined size (volume) or weight to which the print data dedicated memory 40 is mounted. A chip 51 is incorporated. For example, identification information (ID) for identifying the housing 50 is registered in the IC chip 51 in advance.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the printing apparatus 20 side constituting the printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same step number is attached | subjected to the process same as the process sequence by the side of the printing apparatus 20 of the printing system of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 3, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the CPU 21 of the printing apparatus 20 of the printing system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the user operates the key input unit 24 a of the operation panel unit 24 to connect to the external I / F unit 26. If there is an instruction for direct printing of the print data stored in the print data dedicated memory 40 (step S201; YES), it is determined whether or not the print data is stored in step S203 and the free space in step S205 is Before the determination process of whether or not it is 0, communication such as near field communication is performed with the IC chip 51 provided in the housing 50 to read the identification information (ID) from the IC chip 51, and the print data dedicated memory 40 is read. It is determined whether or not the housing 50 is attached (step S301).

  If the identification information (ID) read from the IC chip 51 matches the identification information of the casing 50 (step S301; YES), it means that the casing 50 is attached to the print data dedicated memory 40, so that Embodiment 3 The CPU 21 of the printing apparatus 20 determines whether or not the print data in step S203 is stored and whether or not the free space in step S205 is 0, as in the printing apparatus 20 of the first embodiment described above. This determination process is performed, and the subsequent processes are continued.

  On the other hand, when the identification information (ID) cannot be read from the IC chip 51 or when the read identification information (ID) does not match the identification information of the housing 50 (step S301; NO), the print data dedicated memory This means that the housing 50 has been modified, such as the housing 50 being removed from the housing 40 or another different housing 50 being attached, so that the CPU 21 of the printing apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment may cause an error in reading data on the display unit 24b. A display error is output (step S209), and the process ends.

  Therefore, according to the printing system 1 of the third embodiment according to the present invention, not only the data such as important data and confidential data other than the print data but also leakage and leakage can be prevented as much as possible as in the printing system 1 of the second embodiment. The casing 50 having a predetermined size or weight can prevent the print data dedicated memory 40 from being taken home by mistake, and printing using the print data dedicated memory 40 when the casing 50 is removed or modified is also possible. Can be prevented.

  Therefore, it is expected that the user will not remove the housing 50 from the print data dedicated memory 40 or modify it. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the print data dedicated memory 40 from being taken out or modified by mistake in this respect. .

  In the printing system 1 of the third embodiment, communication such as near field communication is performed with the IC chip 51 provided in the housing 50 of the print data dedicated memory 40 at the entrance or entrance of the school, and the identification information (ID) is obtained. If a gate or the like having a readable communication means is provided and the print data dedicated memory 40 with the housing 50 is erroneously taken out, an alarm is generated at the gate, and the print data dedicated memory is erroneously generated. Taking out 40 can be further prevented.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system 10 ... Information processing apparatus 11 ... CPU
11a ... print data writing means 11b ... dummy data writing means 12 ... memory, 13 ... program storage unit 13a ... application program 13b ... printer driver program 14 ... display unit 15 ... data input unit 16 ... external interface (I / F) unit 20 ... Printer 21 ... CPU
21a ... Print control means 22 ... Memory 23 ... Program storage unit 24 ... Operation panel unit 24a ... Key input unit 24b ... Display unit 25 ... Printing unit 25 ... Data input unit 26 ... External interface (I / F) unit 30 ... Staff room LAN
40 ... Print data dedicated memory (data storage means)
50 ... Case (case)
51 ... IC chip

Claims (3)

An information processing apparatus that writes print data to a portable data storage unit, and a printing system that is connected to the data storage unit and reads out the print data stored in the data storage unit and performs printing. There,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Print data writing means for writing and storing print data in the data storage means;
A dummy data writing means for writing and storing in the data storage means dummy data that prohibits additional writing to the data storage means after the print data has been written,
The printing apparatus includes:
When the data storage unit is connected and there is an instruction to print the print data stored in the data storage unit, the print data and the dummy data are stored only in the data storage unit. A printing system comprising printing control means for printing data.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the data storage unit is connected to a connection unit included in the printing apparatus in a state where at least a part of the data storage unit is covered with a casing having a predetermined size. In the housing,
An IC chip in which identification information for identifying the housing is registered in advance is provided,
When the data storage unit is connected, the print control unit reads the identification information from the IC chip of the casing on which the data storage unit is mounted, and the data storage unit is based on the read identification information. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether to print the print data stored in the printer.

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