Information transmission system and method with multiple user authentication

• US 8,860,977 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Oki, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Guillermety, Fred
• Application Number:
  US13/721,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20130169989A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.14, 358/1.15
• US Class Current: 358/1.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/30 Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/12 Digital output to print unit , e.g. line printer, chain printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1261 by using alternate printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1291 Pool of printer devices: self-managing printing devices in a network, e.g. without a server

Abstract

An information transmission system includes a first image processing device and a second image processing device. The first image processing device includes a memory for storing information associated with each user. In the information transmission system, an authentication unit authenticates a user. A receiving unit receives an instruction for identifying information to be transmitted to the second image processing device, from information associated with the user authenticated by the authentication unit. A transmission unit transmits the information identified by the instruction received by the receiving unit, from the first image processing device to the second image processing device. The authentication unit authenticates a second user with a first user having been authenticated. The receiving unit receives an instruction for identifying the information from information associated with the first user authenticated and information associated with the second user authenticated.

Claims

1. An information transmission system comprising:

a first image processing device configured to include a memory for storing information associated with each user; and

a second image processing device,

said information transmission system further comprising;

an authentication unit configured to authenticate a user;

a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction for identifying information to be transmitted to said second image processing device, from said information associated with the user authenticated by said authentication unit; and

a transmission unit configured to transmit said information identified by the instruction received by said receiving unit, from said first image processing device to said second image processing device,

said authentication unit being configured to authenticate a second user with a first user having been authenticated, and

said receiving unit being configured to receive the instruction for identifying said information from information associated with the first user authenticated by said authentication unit and information associated with the second user authenticated by said authentication unit.

2. The information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein said first image processing device includes said authentication unit, said receiving unit and said transmission unit.

3. The information transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising an information processing device that can communicate with said first image processing device and that can be attached/detached to/from said first image processing device, wherein said information processing device includes said authentication unit, said receiving unit and said transmission unit.

4. The information transmission system according to claim 3, wherein

said information processing device includes a storage device, and

said transmission unit stores, in said storage device, said information identified by the instruction received by said receiving unit, and then transmits said information to said second image processing device.

5. The information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein said information is job data output from an image processing device.

6. The information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein said information is a count value of a counter consumed by an image processing operation.

7. The information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein when a specific user is authenticated by said authentication unit, said receiving unit receives the instruction for identifying said information from information associated with a plurality of users corresponding to the specific user.

8. A method for transmitting information in an information transmission system comprising a first image processing device and a second image processing device, the method comprising:

storing, by said first image processing device, information associated with each user;

authenticating a user;

receiving an instruction for identifying information to be transmitted to said second image processing device, from said information associated with the authenticated user; and

transmitting said information identified by the instruction received, from said first image processing device to said second image processing device, wherein

said authenticating includes authenticating a second user with a first user having been authenticated, and

said receiving an instruction for identifying information to be transmitted to said second image processing device includes receiving the instruction for identifying said information from information associated with the first user authenticated and information associated with the second user authenticated.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said first image processing device executes said authenticating a user, said receiving an instruction for identifying information to be transmitted to said second image processing device, and said transmitting said information.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said information transmission system further comprises an information processing device that can communicate with said first image processing device and that can be attached/detached to/from said first image processing device, and

said information processing device includes said authenticating a user, said receiving an instruction for identifying information to be transmitted to said second image processing device, and said transmitting said information.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein

said information processing device includes a storage device, and

said transmitting said information includes storing, in said storage device, said information identified by the instruction received, before transmitting said information to said second image processing device.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said information is job data output from an image processing device.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein said information is a count value of a counter consumed by an image processing operation.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein when a specific user is authenticated, said receiving an instruction for identifying information to be transmitted to said second image processing device includes receiving the instruction for identifying said information, from information associated with a plurality of users corresponding to the specific user.