Image forming apparatus, enciphered data processing method and enciphered data processing system

• US 20020083001A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Ogishima, Noriaki
• Application Number:
  US10/022,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20020083001A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/608 Secure printing

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a deciphering section for receiving and deciphering enciphered data, and a printing section for printing enciphered data on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus may be provided with a processing section for updating software or updating a version of a program based on the deciphered data.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

deciphering means for receiving and deciphering enciphered data; and

printing means for printing enciphered data on a recording medium.

2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

request generating means for requesting the enciphered data with respect to an external server.

3. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

key generating means for generating an enciphering key for use in an enciphering process carried out in an external server which provides the enciphered data.

4. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said key generating means generates the enciphering key based on information peculiar to the image forming apparatus.

5. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said key generating means generates the enciphering key based on information peculiar to the image forming apparatus and a random variable.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising:

deciphering means for receiving and deciphering enciphered data;

processing means for updating software or updating a version of a program based on deciphered data; and

printing means for printing data on a recording medium.

7. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

request generating means for requesting the enciphered data with respect to an external server.

8. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

key generating means for generating an enciphering key for use in an enciphering process carried out in an external server which provides the enciphered data.

9. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said key generating means generates the enciphering key based on information peculiar to the image forming apparatus.

10. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said key generating means generates the enciphering key based on information peculiar to the image forming apparatus and a random variable.

11. An enciphered data processing method comprising:

a requesting step requesting data with respect to a server;

a transmitting step enciphering requested data in the server and transmitting enciphered data via a network;

a deciphering step receiving and deciphering the enciphered data in an apparatus which at least has a printing function; and

a printing step printing deciphered data on a recording medium in the apparatus.

12. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

a request generating step requesting the enciphered data with respect to an external server.

13. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said request generating step generates the request from a terminal equipment which is coupled to the apparatus and is capable of accessing the server.

14. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said request generating step generates the request from the apparatus which is capable of accessing the server.

15. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

a key generating step generating an enciphering key which is used by said transmitting step, in the apparatus.

16. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said key generating step generates the enciphering key based on information peculiar to the apparatus.

17. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said key generating step generates the enciphering key based on information peculiar to the apparatus and a random variable.

19. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising:

a request generating step requesting the enciphered data with respect to an external server.

20. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said request generating step generates the request from a terminal equipment which is coupled to the apparatus and is capable of accessing the server.

21. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said request generating step generates the request from the apparatus which is capable of accessing the server.

22. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising:

a key generating step generating an enciphering key which is used by said transmitting step, in the apparatus.

23. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said key generating step generates the enciphering key based on information peculiar to the apparatus.

24. The enciphered data processing method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said key generating step generates the enciphering key based on information peculiar to the apparatus and a random variable.

26. The enciphered data processing system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said requesting means is provided in a terminal equipment which is coupled to the apparatus and is capable of accessing the server.

27. The enciphered data processing system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said requesting means is provided in the apparatus which is capable of accessing the server.

28. The enciphered data processing system as claimed in claim 25, further comprising:

key generating means for generating an enciphering key which is used by said transmitting means, in the apparatus.

30. The enciphered data processing system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said requesting means is provided in a terminal equipment which is coupled to the apparatus and is capable of accessing the server.

31. The enciphered data processing system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said requesting means is provided in the apparatus which is capable of accessing the server.

32. The enciphered data processing system as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

key generating means for generating an enciphering key which is used by said transmitting means, in the apparatus.

18. An enciphered data processing method comprising:

a requesting step requesting data with respect to a server;

a transmitting step enciphering requested data in the server and transmitting enciphered data via a network;

a deciphering step receiving and deciphering the enciphered data in an apparatus which at least has a printing function; and

a processing step updating software or updating a version of a program based on deciphered data.

25. An enciphered data processing system comprising:

request means for requesting data with respect to a server;

transmitting means for enciphering requested data in the server and transmitting enciphered data via a network;

deciphering means for receiving and deciphering the enciphered data in an apparatus which at least has a printing function; and

printing means for printing deciphered data on a recording medium in the apparatus.

29. An enciphered data processing system comprising:

requesting means for requesting data with respect to a server;

transmitting means for enciphering requested data in the server and transmitting enciphered data via a network;

deciphering means for receiving and deciphering the enciphered data in an apparatus which at least has a printing function; and

processing means for updating software or updating a version of a program in the apparatus based on deciphered data.