JP2003186642A - Printer and electronic data distribution apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of printing in the form of protecting the copyright of electronic data, when printing electronic data having the copyright, and to provide an electronic data distribution apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic data being added with printing restriction information, are printed on the basis of the printing restriction information. As the printing restriction information, the number of printable copies is set by a predetermined electronic data unit. A signal control part 5 determines whether the number of printable copies at present is zero or not in printing, and permits the printing, when determination results are not zero. Also, the re-printing of the same page is prevented by updating the number of copies, whenever one copy is printed. A signal control part 5 stores printing history information associating the identification information of the printed electronic data with the printing history of the electronic data in a printing history memory part 3, and judges whether printing is permitted by referring to the printing history information in printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and an electronic data distribution apparatus that prevent unauthorized duplication of electronic data such as still images, moving images, audio data, document data, etc., which have a copyright.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of the Internet and the speeding up of communication, illegal copying of copyrighted still images, moving images, voice data, document data and other contents is becoming a major social problem. As the technology for protecting the copyright as described above, there are currently electronic watermarks, those for designating printing prohibition (PDF files), and the like. In the above digital watermark, management information or the like (for example, copyright information) for protecting the copyright is embedded in the content data, and the management information embedded by the digital watermark is read at the time of printing to restrict printing. ing.

[0003]

However, the management of the copyright information by the digital watermark and the protection method by the PDF file described above function effectively when the legally purchased contents are printed by a specified number. There is a problem not to do. For example, electronic data that can be printed by processing software can be printed without limitation. Further, even if the number of printed sheets is limited to these electronic data, the original electronic data itself can be copied, so that the duplicated electronic data can be printed without limitation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes copyrighted still images, moving images, audio data,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device and an electronic data distribution device that can print electronic data of contents such as document data in a form in which the copyright of the contents is protected.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus for printing electronic data to which print restriction information is added based on the print restriction information.

As described above, in order to protect the copyright, the print restriction information for restricting the printing to the range of the legal right is added,
Since printing is performed based on this information, it becomes possible to manage the copyright of electronic data even when offline, and it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying by a third party. The electronic data may be electronic data acquired via a communication network or may be electronic data that is officially purchased in a form stored in a portable storage medium.

In the printing apparatus, the printable number of copies is set as a predetermined electronic data unit as the print restriction information, and it is determined whether the current printable number of copies is not zero. A determination unit, a first printing permission unit that permits the printing when the determination result is not zero, and an updating unit that updates the printable copy number each time a partial printing is performed. To do.

With such a configuration, the number of printable copies is updated every time a part of printing is performed, so printing outside the range permitted for printing can be thoroughly prevented, and the copyright of electronic data is protected. It is possible to print in a protected form. The number of printable copies corresponds to the number of pages to be printed in the embodiment described later. That is, when printing the same document on a plurality of sheets, for example, when printing two copies of a document consisting of one page, the printable copy number is set to "2". On the other hand, when one copy of one document including a plurality of pages is printed, for example, when one copy of a document including two pages is printed, the printable copy number is set to "2". Further, in the embodiments described later, the first determining unit, the first print permitting unit, and the updating unit are functions provided in the signal control unit, and are executed by the CPU in the signal control unit executing a program. It is a process that is performed.

Further, the printing apparatus further comprises print history storage means for storing the identification information of electronic data printed based on the print restriction information and the print history of the electronic data in association with each other. To do.

As described above, by storing the print history of electronic data printed by the printing apparatus, management of electronic data can be strengthened. In particular, electronic data to be printed is stored in a portable storage medium (for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk such as MO or MD, a magnetic storage medium such as an HDD or FD, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory). If it is stored, the electronic data described as the printed electronic data in the print history accumulating unit rejects the printing, so that the copyright management of the electronic data can be further strengthened.

Further, in the printing apparatus, identification information of a printing apparatus permitted to print the electronic data is set as the printing restriction information, and identification information for reading the identification information of the printing apparatus from the electronic data is set. Reading means,
Second determination means for determining whether or not the read identification information and the identification information of the apparatus match each other, and second print permission means for permitting printing when the two pieces of identification information match each other. And is provided.

With such a configuration, printing is not permitted unless it is a printing apparatus set in the printing restriction information, so that printing by a person who does not have a legitimate right can be rejected. In this case, in particular, when the storage device storing the electronic data to be printed is stored in the portable recording medium, the electronic data is permitted to be printed only by the formal printing device. It is possible to further strengthen the management of data copyright. The identification information reading unit, the first determination unit, and the first print permission unit are included in a signal control unit in an embodiment described later, and are performed by the CPU in the signal control unit executing a program. Processing.

Further, the printing apparatus is characterized by comprising storage means for storing the electronic data and erasing means for erasing from the storage means the electronic data for which printing based on the print restriction information is completed. . In this way, electronic data that has printed all pages can be quickly erased from the storage means, which can reduce the chances of misuse of electronic data and further strengthen copyright protection. It becomes possible.

Further, when printing the electronic data, the printing device invalidates an external operation and forcibly maintains the printing state until all printing based on the printing restriction information is completed. Is characterized by. A normal printing apparatus has a reset function that starts printing from the beginning when an error occurs such as printing being canceled, power is turned off, or paper jam occurs during printing. In such a printing apparatus, a third party tries to print the number of copies that exceeds the print allowable range of his own,
If the above error is intentionally generated just before the end of printing, the print count value is reset and printing is restarted from the beginning. Therefore, any number of copies can be made, and the copyright-protected printing cannot be performed. Therefore, in consideration of the case described above, when there are input operations from the outside during printing, these input operations are invalidated to prevent an error from being intentionally caused by a third party and to prevent the copyright. Print in a protected form.

Further, the printing apparatus is characterized in that, when an operation that makes the printing impossible is performed from the outside during printing, all the electronic data currently being printed are erased. For example, regarding an error occurrence caused by the intention of a third party, an error occurrence such as power-off or paper jam occurs is difficult to handle as an operation invalid, unlike the input operation described above. Therefore, when such an error occurs, the re-printing of the same electronic data is prevented by deleting the electronic data itself.

Further, the printing apparatus is characterized in that the print restriction information is encrypted, and further comprises a decryption means for decrypting the encrypted print restriction information.

As described above, since the print restriction information and the content data itself are encrypted, it becomes impossible for a third party to operate the information, and the print restriction information can be changed illegally. It is possible to prevent printing beyond the allowable range of copyright due to.

Further, the present invention comprises a printing means for printing unit electronic data, which is obtained by dividing predetermined electronic data transmitted from the electronic data distribution device, into a plurality of unit electronic data,
A transmission instructing unit that gives an instruction to transmit a print end notification signal indicating the fact to the electronic data distribution device each time printing of the unit electronic data is completed, and the printing unit ends the printing of the unit electronic data. A printing device is provided which receives a notification signal and sequentially prints the subsequent unit electronic data transmitted from the electronic data distribution device, and erases the printed unit electronic data.

With such a configuration, complete electronic data cannot be downloaded all at once, and the printed unit electronic data is quickly erased, so that the user of the printing apparatus can obtain complete electronic data. Will be impossible to obtain. As a result, since the electronic data having the copyright cannot be illegally copied, it is possible to perform the copyright-protected printing.

Further, the present invention is an electronic data distribution apparatus for transmitting unit electronic data obtained by dividing predetermined electronic data into a plurality of units for each unit electronic data to a printing apparatus via a communication network. An electronic data distribution device, characterized in that, after receiving a print end notification signal indicating the end of printing of one unit electronic data from the printing device, the unit electronic data following the one unit electronic data is transmitted. To do.

According to this structure, the printing of the unit electronic data is completed in the printing apparatus, and the succeeding unit electronic data is transmitted after the printed unit electronic data is erased. Will be unable to obtain complete electronic data. As a result, since the electronic data having the copyright cannot be illegally copied, it is possible to perform the copyright-protected printing.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an interface unit for transmitting and receiving electronic data to and from an external device (for example, the communication device 20 in FIG. 3), and reference numeral 2 is a data storage for storing electronic data received from the outside via the interface 1. It is a department. Reference numeral 3 is a print history storage unit that stores print history information in which identification information (for example, ID number) of each electronic data and print history are associated, and reference numeral 4 is an encryption / decryption unit that encrypts and decrypts electronic data. The decoding processing unit, reference numeral 5 is a signal control unit that executes various processes described later. Reference numeral 6 is a buffer memory, reference numeral 7 is a print data generation processing unit that processes and processes the electronic data held in the buffer memory 6 into a printable data format, and reference numeral 8 is generated by the print data generation processing unit 7 for printing. It is a printer engine that prints electronic data on a printing sheet or the like.

The data storage unit 2 may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like fixed inside the printing apparatus, or an optical disk (CD-ROM / R / RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-ROM).
R / RW, DVD-RAM, etc., magneto-optical disk (MO, MD, etc.), magnetic storage medium (HDD, FD, magnetic tape, etc.), semiconductor memory (M
It may be a removable recording medium (portable recording medium) such as a flash memory such as S or SD card, FeRAM or the like. Here, when the data storage unit 2 is a portable recording medium, the data storage unit 2 is externally attached to the main body as shown in FIG. (Blue Tooth, low power, specific low power, etc.) or optical communication (IrDA, etc.) may be used to transmit and receive electronic data to and from the main body side. Further, the data storage unit 2 may be built in an external device, and electronic data may be supplied to the main body side by communicating with the external device by radio or optical communication.

(1-2) Network Configuration When Obtaining Electronic Data Next, an example of a network configuration when the printing device 10 having the above configuration obtains electronic data from the electronic data distribution device will be described with reference to FIG. explain. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing device 10 is connected to a communication device 20 (for example, a personal computer, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a mobile information terminal, or an information home appliance) by wire or wirelessly,
Further, the communication device 20 is connected to a network 30 (for example, a dedicated line such as a LAN or the Internet) by wire or wirelessly. The electronic data distribution device 40 that distributes the content is also connected to the network 30 by wire or wirelessly.

The communication device 20 has a function of connecting to the network 30 and acquiring data from the electronic data distribution device 40. For example, when the network 30 is the Internet, it has a WWW browser or the like that can acquire information from the Internet.

(1-3) Operation at the time of acquiring electronic data Next, the operation when downloading the copyrighted electronic data from the electronic data distribution device 40 will be described. First, the user of the printing apparatus 10
By operating the communication device 20 connected to
The electronic data distribution device 40 is accessed via the network 30. As a result, when both lines are established,
Then, the user designates an image or the like to be downloaded. This is done, for example, by designating the ID number assigned to the content such as the image to be downloaded. By this operation, the electronic data distribution device 40
Then, the electronic data corresponding to the ID number received from the communication device 20 is extracted. At this time, if the designated image is a copyrighted content, the electronic data distribution device 40 requests the user to pay the set fee. When the payment procedure by a predetermined method is completed in response to this request, the electronic data distribution device 40 distributes the electronic data to the communication device 20.

Here, the structure of electronic data distributed from the electronic data distribution device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic data is formed in a dedicated format created for the printing apparatus 10, and is roughly divided into a header section 11 and a data section 12. In order to prevent printing that violates the copyright, which includes the date and time when the electronic data was created, the ID number, the data format, the size, the printable number of the electronic data, copyright information, etc., in the header section 11. The print restriction information is stored, and the data section 12 stores electronic data obtained by digitizing an image or the like to be printed. In the electronic data, all the information in the header part is collectively processed, and the image data is encrypted for each page so that a third party cannot decode it.

When the communication device 20 receives the electronic data as described above via the network 30, the communication device 20 outputs the electronic data to the printing apparatus 10. The electronic data received via the interface 1 of the printing apparatus 10 is subjected to the following processing by the signal control unit 5 before being stored in the data storage unit 2. First, the signal controller 5 extracts the information stored in the header part 11 of the electronic data. Then, this information is decrypted by the encryption / decryption processing unit 4. As a result, the signal controller 5 can decode the information as described in the header information in FIG.

Subsequently, the signal controller 5 performs a process of adding the printer ID number assigned to itself to this information. Here, the printer ID number means each printing device 1.
0 is a unique ID number assigned to each of the printers to distinguish them from other printing devices. Then, the information of the header section 11 to which the printer ID number is added is once again encrypted by the encryption / decryption processing section 4 and stored in the header section, and thereafter the electronic data is stored in the data storage section 2. .

The operation of downloading electronic data from the electronic data distribution device 40 has been described above. However, when the printing device 10 has a communication function, it is directly connected to the network 30 and electronic data is distributed from the electronic data distribution device 40. Since the data can be downloaded, the communication device 20 does not need to intervene. Also, the above printer ID
The number may be added in the electronic data distribution device 40 instead of in the printing device 10. In this case, when downloading the content, the printing device 10 needs to notify the electronic data distribution device 40 of its own printer ID number. In addition to the portable recording medium described above, the data storage unit 2 also includes the communication device 2
The internal storage unit provided in 0 may be used. In this case, the communication device 20 and the printing device 10 are connected by wire or wirelessly at the time of printing, and the electronic data is transferred from the storage unit in the communication device 20.

(1-4) Operation During Electronic Data Printing Next, the operation of the printing apparatus during electronic data printing will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the process shown below
This is a process performed by the signal controller 5 executing a program stored in an internal memory (for example, ROM). Here, the signal control unit 5 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program is stored, a CPU for executing the program stored in the ROM, and a RAM (for recording data etc. temporarily generated in the processing process). Rand
om Access Memory).

First, at the time of printing, when the user inputs an ID number of electronic data to be printed from an input unit (not shown) and gives an instruction to execute printing, the signal control unit 5 corresponds to the ID number from the data storage unit 2. Electronic data (header 11 and data 12) is extracted (step SP in FIG. 5).
1), subsequently, the electronic data extracted by the encryption / decryption processing unit 4 is decrypted (step SP2). next,
The signal control unit 5 stores the decrypted electronic data in the RAM, which is an internal memory of the signal control unit 5, and then reads the printer ID from the header unit 11 (step SP3). Further, the printer ID is the own printer ID. It is determined whether they match (step SP4). As a result, if the printer ID does not match with its own printer ID (step S
If “NO” in P4), it is determined that the electronic data has not been downloaded by the printing apparatus, and printing is rejected (step SP5).

On the other hand, in step SP4, when the read printer ID matches the self printer ID (“YES” in step SP4), subsequently, the information of the image ID is stored in the print history storage unit 3. It is determined whether or not (step SP7). As a result, if the print history information of the ID number is not stored in the print history storage unit 3, the ID registration is performed by storing this ID number in the print history storage unit 3 (step SP8). Correspondingly, the counter C is set. The counter C is set based on the print restriction information of the electronic data. For example, if the counter value of the print restriction information stored in the header section 11 (see FIG. 4) is “2”, the counter C is set to “2”.

On the other hand, the counter C corresponding to the above ID number
Is stored in the print history storage unit 3, the counter C is read. Step SP9 or step S
When the counter C is set or read at P10,
Then, it is determined whether or not the current counter C is "0" (step SP10). As a result, if the counter C is not "0", the electronic data of the print start page based on the counter value is extracted from the data storage unit 2 and RA
The electronic data stored in M is extracted from the data section 12 and output to the buffer memory 6. For example, counter C
Is 1, the signal control unit 5 reads the electronic data corresponding to the last page from the data unit 12 and outputs the electronic data to the buffer memory 6.

When the electronic data is stored in the buffer memory 6 in this way, the print data generation processing unit 7 converts the electronic data stored in the buffer memory 6 into a format for printing by the printer engine 8 or the like. , Create print data. Then, the printer engine 8 prints this print data to execute printing (step SP11). Then, when the printing of one page is completed, the signal control unit 5 decrements the counter C by one and returns to step SP10.

When printing of all pages is completed and the counter C reaches "0"("YES" in step SP10), printing is completed (step SP14), and the ID number stored in its own memory. The electronic data and the electronic data stored in the buffer memory 6 are erased (step SP15), and the printing process ends.

At this time, the print history storage section 3 stores the print history information in which the ID number of the electronic data for which printing has been completed and the counter C which has become "0" are associated with each other. In this way, the print history storage unit 3 stores all the print history information of the electronic data printed by the printing apparatus 10 based on the print restriction information regardless of the value of the counter C. As a result, by referring to the print history information, it is possible to grasp all electronic data printed by the printing apparatus 10 up to now, and prevent reprinting of the same data.

Before the counter reaches "C = 0",
When an instruction to finish printing is issued from the input unit, the value of the counter C at that time is I of the electronic data.
The signal control unit 5 stores the electronic data stored in its own memory in the data storage unit 2 while being stored in the print history storage unit 3 in association with the D number. At this time,
By storing the electronic data in the data storage unit 2 after decrypting the electronic data by the encryption / decryption processing unit 4 before storing, the electronic data can be protected more safely. When the next printing is instructed, the printing is started from the page that has not been printed yet.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the header section 11 of the electronic data stored in the data storage section 2 is used.
The counter C is initially registered based on the print restriction information stored in, and the printing is executed while the counter C is updated each time printing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent reprinting of a page once printed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent copying of the copyrighted work. Further, electronic data for which all pages have been printed can be quickly erased from the data storage unit 2 to avoid the possibility of being abused by a third party, thereby further strengthening copyright protection. Can be desired.

Further, if the printer ID of the printing apparatus 10 is not the registered electronic data, the printing is not permitted, so that the management of the electronic data can be strengthened. In particular, when the data storage unit 2 is a portable recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the main body as shown in FIG. 2, by certifying the printer ID, more advanced management of electronic data is performed. It becomes possible.

As described above, various restrictions are set in the printing of the electronic data off-line, so that the copyright-protected electronic data can be correctly printed by the number of copies permitted to be printed based on the regular usage fee. It is possible to manage accurately.

(2) Second Embodiment (2-1) Configuration Next, a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus 15 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, but does not include the print history storage unit 3 and the signal control unit 5. The processing content is different.

(2-2) Operation The operation of the printing device 15 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. At the time of printing, when the user inputs an ID number of electronic data to be printed from an input unit (not shown) and gives an instruction to execute printing, first, the signal control unit 5
Extracts the electronic data (header 11 and data 12) corresponding to the ID number input from the data storage 2 (step SP31 in FIG. 7), and then the encryption / decryption processor 4 is extracted. The electronic data is decrypted (step SP32).

Then, the signal controller 5 sets the print flag to "1" (step SP33) and starts printing the electronic data (step SP34). As a result, electronic data is output from the internal memory of the signal control unit 5 to the buffer memory 6 page by page, and the print data generation processing unit 7 converts the electronic data of the buffer memory 6 into a printable format to generate print data. By doing
The printer engine 8 prints this print data on a paper surface or the like. Here, during the period when the flag being printed is set to “1”, external input operations such as power off input instructions and print cancel are invalidated, and even when these instructions are issued, The print execution status is maintained. Also, errors other than input operation (for example, paper jam,
It is judged whether or not a power outlet is pulled out (step SP35), and if an error occurs despite invalidating the input operation (step SP35).
In "35", "YES"), all the electronic data are erased, and the printing process ends. On the other hand, if no error has occurred by the time all the pages have been printed, after the printing is completed (“YES” in step SP37), all the electronic data are erased (step SP38), and then the print flag is set. Is set to "0" (step SP3
9) and the print processing is ended.

As described above, in this embodiment,
During printing, all external input operations are invalidated, and all electronic data to be printed is printed at once. Further, even if the input operation is disabled, when the user performs a mechanical operation, for example, the power outlet is forcibly pulled out, a paper jam occurs, or the data storage unit 2 is installed in the main body as shown in FIG. If the user performs an operation that cannot be handled by an electrical process such as the data storage unit 2 being forcibly pulled out while being attached and used, the same electronic data is deleted by deleting all the electronic data. Prevent reprinting of data. This makes the third
If a person maliciously attempts to reprint the same print data by performing the above-mentioned operation, he / she can prevent duplication of the copyrighted work by erasing the electronic data itself or rejecting the print execution. It will be possible.

The following measures may be taken to prevent the above-mentioned error operation from the outside. For example,
In case the power outlet is forcibly pulled out,
A battery capable of continuing printing for a predetermined period is provided in the printing apparatus. Further, the mounting unit is locked so that the data storage unit 2 mounted during printing cannot be removed, so that the data storage unit 2 cannot be removed. Further, regarding the jam of the printing paper, the user cannot supply the printing paper during printing.

If the electronic data cannot be erased, the ID number of the electronic data in which an error has occurred may be stored to prevent reprinting of the same electronic data. That is, in the present embodiment, re-printing is rejected for electronic data in which an error has occurred during printing, so that the duplication of the electronic data due to the malicious intent of the third party as described above is prevented.

(3) Third Embodiment Next, a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus according to this embodiment is a printing apparatus suitable for so-called streaming, in which printing is performed while downloading electronic data. (3-1) Configuration First, in FIG. 3, a database 41 included in the electronic data distribution device 40 stores a plurality of electronic data 100 such as documents and images as shown in FIG. 8A. In the data section 12 of this electronic data 100, FIG.
As shown in (b), electronic data for one page is further divided into electronic data 101, and unit electronic data 1
A plurality of 01 are stored. The data capacity of the unit electronic data 101 is set smaller than the data capacity of the buffer memory of the printing apparatus 10.

(3-2) Operation Next, operations of the electronic data distribution device 40 and the printing device 10 in this embodiment will be described. First, the user of the printing device 10 operates the communication device 20 to which the printing device 10 is connected to access the electronic data distribution device 40 via the network 30. As a result, when both lines are established, subsequently, the user makes an image distribution request by designating the ID number assigned to the image or the like to be downloaded.

By this operation, the electronic data distribution device 40
Extracts the electronic data 100 corresponding to the ID number for which the instruction of the distribution request is received, and distributes the unit electronic data 101 at the top of the first page of this electronic data to the communication device 20.
It should be noted that each unit electronic data is provided with identification information indicating the position of the data in order from the top to the bottom of each page. Thereby, the electronic data distribution device 40 can grasp which position each unit electronic data corresponds to, and can transmit the unit electronic data in order.

When the communication device 20 receives the electronic data as described above via the network 30, the communication device 20 outputs the electronic data to the printing device 10. The electronic data received via the interface 1 of the printing apparatus 10 is sent to the buffer memory 6, converted into a format suitable for printing by the print data generation processing unit 7, and the printer engine 8 converts the converted print data. Print. As a result, when the printing of the unit electronic data at the top of the first page is completed, the signal control unit 5 erases the unit electronic data stored in the data buffer 6, and then prints the print indicating completion of printing via the interface 1. An instruction to send an end notification signal to the electronic data distribution device 40 is issued. By such processing, the print end notification signal is transmitted to the electronic data distribution device 40 via the communication device 20. Electronic data distribution device 40
When receiving this print end notification signal, transmits the following second unit electronic data to the communication device 20. This allows
The printing device 10 prints the subsequent second unit electronic data.

As described above, in this embodiment,
Printing is performed for each unit electronic data, and the unit electronic data held in the buffer memory 6 is erased every time printing is completed, so that electronic data does not remain in the printing apparatus 10 at the time when all printing is completed. As a result, since the electronic data downloaded from the electronic data distribution device 40 cannot be copied, it is possible to avoid the abuse of the electronic data by a third party and protect the copyright.

The first to third parts shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 etc.
As described above, the function of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment is to record a program for realizing this function in a computer-readable recording medium, and to cause the computer system to read the program recorded in the recording medium and execute the program. By doing so, various processing may be executed, or hardware that realizes each function is constructed,
With this, various functions may be realized. The "computer system" includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

The "computer-readable recording medium" means an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, MO, MD.
Magnetic storage media such as HDD, FD, etc.,
A portable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system which serves as a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those that hold the program for a certain period of time are also included.

Further, the program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the program may be a program for realizing some of the functions described above. further,
It may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific structure is not limited to this embodiment, and a design etc. within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also possible. included.

[0057]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the electronic data to which the print restriction information is added is printed based on the print restriction information. Since only protected printing is permitted, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying by a third party.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printable number of copies is set as a predetermined electronic data unit as the print restriction information, and it is judged whether or not the current printable number of copies is zero. No. 1 determination unit, a first print permission unit that permits the printing when the determination result is not zero, and an updating unit that updates the printable copy number each time partial printing is performed, so that printing is performed. Printing outside the permitted range can be thoroughly prevented, and printing can be performed in a form in which the copyright of electronic data is protected.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the identification information of the printing apparatus permitted to print the electronic data is set as the printing restriction information, and the identification information of the printing apparatus is read from the electronic data. An information reading unit, a second judging unit that judges whether the read identification information and the identification information of the device match each other, and a second that permits printing when the two pieces of identification information match each other. Since it is provided with the print permitting means, it becomes possible to further strengthen the management of the copyright of the electronic data. In this case, the function is particularly effective when the storage device storing the electronic data to be printed is stored in the portable recording medium.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing history accumulating means for storing the identification information of the electronic data printed based on the printing restriction information and the printing history of the electronic data in association with each other, and the case of performing the printing Further, since the print history accumulating means is referred to and the print rejecting means for rejecting the printing of the printed electronic data is provided, the management of the electronic data can be strengthened. In this case, the storage device storing the electronic data to be printed is a CD-ROM.
Also, it is particularly effective when it is stored in a medium such as MO.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, electronic data for which all pages have been printed can be quickly deleted from the storage means, so that it is possible to further strengthen copyright protection. .

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, when the electronic data is printed, the operation from the outside is invalidated and the printing state is forcibly maintained until all the printing based on the printing restriction information is completed. Therefore, even if a third party tries to print the number of copies that exceeds the print allowable range of his / her own and intentionally causes the above error just before the printing is completed, it can be immediately dealt with. Can be printed in a protected form.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, when an operation that makes the printing impossible is performed from the outside during printing, all the electronic data currently being printed is erased. Even if a mechanical error such as the power being turned off or a paper jam occurs due to an error caused by the intention of the three parties, it is possible to prevent the re-printing of the same electronic data and to print in a form that protects the copyright. It can be carried out.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print restriction information is encrypted, and the printer further comprises a decryption means for decrypting the encrypted print restriction information. As described above, since the print restriction information and the content data itself are encrypted, it becomes impossible for a third party to operate the information, and thus the print restriction information is illegally changed and the copyright is changed. It is possible to prevent printing that exceeds the allowable range of.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, a printing unit for printing the unit electronic data obtained by dividing the predetermined electronic data transmitted from the electronic data distribution apparatus into a plurality of unit electronic data, and each unit. Each time printing of the electronic data is completed, a transmission instructing unit that gives an instruction to transmit a print end notification signal indicating the fact to the electronic data distribution device is provided, and the printing unit receives the print end notification signal of the unit electronic data. The subsequent unit electronic data transmitted from the electronic data distribution device is sequentially printed, and the printed unit electronic data is erased. This makes it impossible to download the electronic data in a complete form, so that the electronic data having the copyright cannot be illegally copied, and the copyright-protected printing can be made possible.

Further, according to the electronic data distribution apparatus of the present invention, electronic data distribution in which unit electronic data obtained by dividing predetermined electronic data into a plurality of units is transmitted to the printing apparatus via the communication network for each unit electronic data. The device transmits a unit electronic data subsequent to the one unit electronic data after receiving a print end notification signal indicating the end of printing of the transmitted one unit electronic data from the printing device. In this way, the printing of the unit electronic data is completed in the printing apparatus, and the succeeding unit electronic data is transmitted after the printing of the unit electronic data is completed. Therefore, the user of the printing apparatus obtains complete electronic data. It becomes impossible to do. As a result, since the electronic data having the copyright cannot be illegally copied, it is possible to perform the copyright-protected printing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an outline view of a printing apparatus for showing a mounted state of the data storage unit 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration when electronic data is acquired from the electronic data distribution device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of electronic data distributed from the electronic data distribution device 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a data configuration stored in a database included in an electronic data distribution device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Interface (I / F) 2 ... Data storage part (storage means) 3 ... Print history storage part (print history storage means) 4 ... Encryption / decryption processing part (decryption means) 5 ... Signal control part (1st) And second determination means, first and second printing permission means, updating means, identification information reading means,
Erasing means, transmission instruction means) 6 ... Buffer memory 7 ... Print data generation processing unit 8 ... Printer engine (printing means) 10, 15 ... Printing device 20 ... Communication device 30 ... Network 40 ... Electronic data distribution device 41 ... Database

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus, which prints electronic data to which print restriction information is added based on the print restriction information. 2. The print restriction information includes a printable copy number set in a predetermined electronic data unit, and a first determining means for determining whether or not the printable copy number at present is zero, and the determination. The first print permission means for permitting the printing when the result is not zero, and the updating means for updating the printable copy number each time a partial print is executed. The printing device described. 3. A print history storage unit for storing the identification information of electronic data printed based on the print restriction information and the print history of the electronic data in association with each other. The printing apparatus according to claim 2. 4. As the print restriction information, identification information of a printing device permitted to print the electronic data is set, and identification information reading means for reading the identification information of the printing device from the electronic data, and reading. A second judgment means for judging whether or not the identification information and the identification information of the apparatus match each other; and a second print permission means for permitting printing when both the identification information match. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 5. Storage means for storing the electronic data,
The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an erasing unit that erases, from the storage unit, electronic data that has been printed based on the print restriction information. 6. When printing the electronic data, the operation from the outside is invalidated and the printing state is forcibly maintained until all the printing based on the printing restriction information is completed. The printing apparatus according to Item 1. 7. The method according to claim 1 or 6, wherein all the electronic data currently being printed are erased when an operation that makes the printing impossible is performed from the outside during printing. The printing device according to. 8. The print restriction information is encrypted,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted print restriction information. 9. A printing unit that prints, for each unit electronic data, unit electronic data obtained by dividing predetermined electronic data transmitted from the electronic data distribution device into a plurality of units, and each time the printing of each unit electronic data is completed. A transmission instructing means for instructing transmission of a print end notification signal to that effect to the electronic data distribution device, wherein the printing means receives the print end notification signal of the unit electronic data from the electronic data distribution device. A printing apparatus, which sequentially prints subsequent unit electronic data transmitted, and erases the unit electronic data that has been printed. 10. An electronic data distribution device for transmitting, for each unit electronic data, unit electronic data obtained by dividing predetermined electronic data into a plurality of units, to a printing device via a communication network.
An electronic data distribution device, characterized in that, after receiving a print end notification signal indicating the end of printing of one transmitted unit electronic data from the printing device, the unit electronic data subsequent to the one unit electronic data is transmitted. .