JP4430907B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, system, and information processing method, and more particularly to a paper output management method for managing printed paper and performing control when the paper is read and copied.

In recent years, it has become common to create electronic documents using information devices such as computers, and accordingly, the amount of information of documents tends to increase. Conventionally, various document management systems have been developed to manage such a large amount of electronic documents. However, these electronic documents are still often printed on paper. In the conventional document management system, the main purpose is to manage the electronic document, and the electronic document performs various managements such as the user and the revision, whereas the printed paper document is printed as print information. The fact is that it is almost unmanaged. For this reason, when copying a printed document as a paper document, it is possible to copy without limitation, and there is no means for knowing the number of copies to be restricted.
In order to solve these problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-308868 discloses a technique for obtaining a document image with a document ID mark together with document image registration processing in a digital multifunction peripheral. According to this, a document ID is generated when document image data is stored in the storage means. This document ID is encoded by a document ID encoding means to obtain a document ID mark. The obtained document ID mark is input to the pattern synthesizing unit, and at the same time as the accumulation process, is attached to a specific document image and output from an output unit such as a laser printer. By using the document image with the document ID mark, the document can be taken out, and facsimile transmission can also be performed. Further, by transmitting a document image with a document ID mark from a remote facsimile machine to the digital multifunction peripheral, the document image corresponding to the document ID mark can be taken out from the facsimile machine.
JP-A-10-308868

As described above, it is impossible to determine whether or not the content printed as a paper document is permitted to be copied with respect to an electronic document which is a conventional document processing system. In order to acquire it, only a person having authority to use the document processing system in which the electronic document is stored could acquire it. In addition, a complicated procedure such as designating and printing out the electronic document from a computer or the like that controls the document processing system is required.
In addition, when printing IDs, the user consciously sets them or sets and manages them in a computer application. Therefore, there is a problem that ID printing and management cannot be performed when printing from other applications or computers. It goes without saying when copying.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes a technique for assigning an ID (IDentifier) to paper to be printed and managing the position where printing and images are stored using the paper. This makes it possible to easily reprint without knowing the operation authority of the document processing system and the printing procedure of the system. However, a simple document processing system that manages electronic documents using printed paper is proposed, and the printed paper document itself has not yet been managed.
In view of such a problem, the present invention can easily perform ID printing and ID management even when printing from a copy, an arbitrary computer, or an application, and can know the correspondence between the output paper and an electronic document. An object is to provide a processing apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can manage and easily limit the number of prints that can be copied for each printed paper document, regardless of conventional document processing systems and electronic documents. Is to provide.
Another object is to provide an information processing system in which an information processing apparatus having this function is connected to a network and a plurality of information processing apparatuses can be controlled by a single management apparatus.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus that processes an electronic image by using an input unit that reads description information on a paper document as an electronic image and an external information processing apparatus. Print receiving means for receiving the transmitted print image information, storage means for storing the print image information acquired by the print receiving means, and information for uniquely specifying the print image information stored in the storage means; An identifier determining unit that manages the print image information in association with a uniquely determined identifier in the storage unit, and creates and prints an identifier-added image obtained by combining the print image information and the identifier. and output means, wherein the print image information acquired by the print receiving means and stored in said storage means, to uniquely identify the print image information stored in said storage means By determining the identifier by the identifier determining means with respect to that information, and holds the relationship between the identifier and the print image information stored in said storage means, said output means, said acquired by the input means The print image information having the same identifier as the identifier attached to the electronic image is extracted from the storage unit and printed .
According to this invention, when electronic document data is received, the data is stored, and an identifier is uniquely determined for the stored file name and managed together with the attribute of the electronic document data. The corresponding electronic document data itself and attribute information such as time can be acquired.
Claim 2 obtains information that can uniquely identify print image information transmitted from an external information processing apparatus, and is uniquely determined for the information that can uniquely identify the print image information and the print image information. In an information processing apparatus that is connected to an identifier management device that manages the identifiers in association with each other and performs processing related to an electronic image, an input unit that reads description information on a paper document as an electronic image, and an external information processing device a print receiving means for receiving print image information transmitted, storage means for storing the print image information acquired by the print receiving means, a uniquely identifiable information the print image information to the identifier management apparatus request identifier determining means and the output hand to create and print identifier with image obtained by synthesizing the said identifier and the print image information to obtain the identifier by sending With the door, determines the print image information acquired by the print receiving means and stored in said storage means, the identifier by the request identifier determining means relative to the storage location information included in the print image information stored in said storage means Thus, the relationship between the identifier and the print image information stored in the storage unit is maintained, and the output unit has the same identifier as the identifier attached to the electronic image acquired by the input unit. Image information is taken out from the storage means and printed .
According to this invention, there is one management apparatus under the network system that uniquely determines an identifier for the electronic document file name with the network storage location and manages it together with the attributes of the electronic document data. Therefore, when the electronic document data is received, the data is stored, and the identifier is uniquely determined for the stored information processing device and file name by the management device. Regardless of the number of processing devices, the identifier can be used to acquire corresponding electronic document data itself and attribute information such as time.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when electronic document data is received, the data is stored, and an identifier is uniquely determined for the stored file name and managed together with the attribute of the electronic document data. Can be used to obtain corresponding electronic document data itself and attribute information such as time.
Further, in claim 2 , there is one management apparatus under the network system for uniquely determining an identifier for the electronic document file name with the network storage location and managing it together with the attribute of the electronic document data. Therefore, when the electronic document data is received, the data is stored, and the identifier is uniquely determined for the stored information processing device and file name by the management device. Regardless of the number of processing devices, the identifier can be used to acquire corresponding electronic document data itself and attribute information such as time.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .
In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a printer apparatus that manages, reads, and prints a paper document to be printed, and a system including these and a computer.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of a printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This printer apparatus is optically received by a receiving function unit 1 that receives data for printing from outside and a scanner having a digital device such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Devices) or a photomultiplier tube. An image input function unit 2 that digitizes the scanned data by AD (Analog-Digital) conversion, an identifier extraction function unit 3 that extracts an ID printed on a paper document, and reception of print data from the reception function unit 1 Paper management function unit 4 that sets IDs in units, defines the number of copies allowed, and develops the print data into a print format, and converts the ID acquired from the paper management function unit 4 into a barcode image An image forming function unit 5 that converts images acquired from the image input function unit 2 into a print format, and a print engine such as an inkjet printing method or an electrophotographic printing method. There configured with a print output function unit 6 to output the printed paper, and.

  Next, a schematic operation of the printer apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The reception function unit 1 receives data for printing from the outside. The receiving function unit 1 may be any unit that can receive data that can be imaged and printed on paper by the printer apparatus. For example, the receiver function unit 1 is connected to an external computer via a computer network such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and print data described in PDL (Printer Description Language) sent out by a printing operation on the computer side is printed protocol. Or the receiver function unit 1 is connected to an external facsimile by a telephone line such as a telephone line, and facsimile data according to a facsimile standard such as G3 (Grade3), G4 (Grade4), etc. May be received. The image input function unit 2 digitizes data obtained by optically scanning a paper document image with a scanner equipped with a digital device such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Devices) or a photomultiplier tube. To do. Next, the identifier extraction function unit 3 takes out the ID printed on the paper document. Printing an ID on paper can be realized by determining the position and size of the ID, converting it to text, and performing character recognition processing from the read image. As indicated by 21 in FIG. 9A, the ID (numerical value) may be converted into a barcode image, and the barcode image may be cut out and decoded. When the paper management function unit 4 receives print data from the reception function unit 1, the paper management function unit 4 sets an ID for each reception unit and defines the number of copies permitted. Further, the ID and the received print data are sent to the image forming function unit 5. Further, when the paper management function unit 4 receives an ID from the identification extraction function unit 3, the paper management function unit 4 identifies the corresponding electronic document from the ID, and determines whether copying is possible from the number of managed copies. Also, the image creation function unit 5 develops the print data into a print format, combines the ID obtained from the paper management function unit 4 into a barcode image, or obtains it from the image input function unit 2 The converted image is converted to print format. In particular, the image forming function unit 5 includes an image forming engine or program for interpreting PDL if the received print data is PDL, and an image forming engine or program for interpreting the print data if the print data is facsimile data. It is to be prepared. The print output function unit 6 prints and outputs the print image on paper using a print engine such as an inkjet printing method or an electrophotographic printing method.

In FIG. 1, a thick solid line arrow (1) indicates a flow from reception of print data from the outside to printing of the print data on paper. A thick dotted line arrow in (2) indicates a flow from input of a printed paper image to copying.
Next, the processing of the paper management function unit 4 that is characteristic of the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the paper management function unit 4 when the print data having the flow shown in (1) of FIG. 1 is received. The paper management processing unit 4 receives data to be printed from the reception function unit 1 and starts an operation. First, a new ID is assigned and registered in the management table (S1). An example of the management table used for the registration is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, each row is a unit for ID registration. In FIG. 5, the contents of the elements in each column are described in the top row for explaining the management table. The ID assigned in step S1 is held in the column 11 element ID. The number of printed sheets in column 12 indicates the number of printed sheets copied from the print data of this ID, and 0 is entered as an initial value at the time of registration in step S1 in FIG. In the process of FIG. 2, after registering the above contents in step S1, the ID assigned in step S1 and the received print data are sent to the image forming function unit 5 and finished (S2).
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the paper management function unit 4 when the image input data having the flow shown in (2) of FIG. 1 is read. The paper management function unit 4 receives the ID of the image read from the identifier extraction function unit 3 and starts the operation. First, it is checked whether or not the read ID is registered in the management table shown in FIG. 5 (S11). If not registered (NO route in S11), the process is terminated without printing. If registered (YES route in S11), the number of printed sheets of ID of the input image (column 12 elements) is compared with the specified constraint value (S12), and the value of the number of printed sheets (column 12 elements) is If it is equal to or greater than the constraint value (NO route in S12), the process is terminated without printing. If not (YES in S12), the value of the number of printed sheets (row 12 elements) corresponding to the input ID is incremented by 1 (S13). Then, the next read image is sent to the image forming unit (S14).
In this way, a paper document on which an ID is printed is output when an electronic document is printed, and the information processing apparatus can be limited to a prescribed number when a copy is printed using the paper document.

  FIG. 9A shows an example of the input and output relationship of a paper document printed by the printer of this embodiment. First, when print data is received, 0003 is assigned as an ID, and a paper document printed with the ID is A. By reading A as an input image, B is copied and printed. Further, A is read as an input image, and C is copied and printed. Similarly, B is read as an input image, and D and E are copy-printed. Assuming that the prescribed number of printing restrictions is 5, the paper management function unit 4 has the ID0003 line in the management table in the state shown in FIG. Even printing is prohibited. Similarly, a paper document on which an ID is printed when an electronic document is printed is output, and the information processing method can be limited to a prescribed number when a copy is printed using the paper document. Similarly, a paper document on which an ID is printed when an electronic document is printed is output, and the information processing program performs control that can be limited to a specified number when a copy is printed using the paper document.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a management table handled by the paper management function unit 4 of the present invention. The same number is given to the column element equivalent to FIG. The column 13 element in which the number of restrictions that allow printing is set for each ID is further managed. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the paper management function unit 4 when the image input data having the flow shown in (2) of FIG. 1 is read. The same control as in FIG. 3 showing the processing procedure of the paper management function unit 4 is given the same step number. What is characteristic in FIG. 4 is that the object to be compared with the number of copies in step S15 is the number of restrictions for each ID shown in FIG. Also, before sending the input image to the image forming function unit, a new ID is assigned and registered in the management table together with the number of restrictions permitting copying from the paper (S16). send. In the image forming unit, an ID image is combined with the input image to create a print image. In this way, by setting the number of copies permitted for a paper document every time it is printed or copied, an information processing apparatus capable of finely restricting the paper document is obtained. For example, detailed output restrictions can be made according to the generation of replication. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of the input and output relationship of a paper document printed by the printer of this embodiment. First, 0002 is assigned as an ID when print data is received, and a paper document printed with the ID is A. By reading A as an input image, B, C, D, and E are assigned different IDs, and are copied and printed. Further, by reading B as an input image, a paper document F having a different ID = 0008 is copied and printed. The management table at this time is shown in FIG. Since A (ID = 0002) is 5 as a print restriction and B (ID = 0004) is 1, another output is permitted from A, but not permitted from B. As described above, the copy of the paper data output from the original electronic document can be limited to five sheets, and the copy of the paper data output from the paper input (from the copy) can be limited to only one sheet. Similarly, it is an information processing method capable of finely restricting output to paper by setting the number of copies permitted for the paper document every time it is printed or copied. Similarly, it is an information processing program capable of finely restricting output to paper by setting the number of copies permitted for the paper document every time it is printed or copied.

In addition, it is assumed that the reception function unit 1 receives print data and file information of an electronic document that is an original document from an external computer. A management table used by the characteristic paper management function unit 4 is shown in FIG. The same number is given to the column element equivalent to FIG. In FIG. 7, a file name is stored as information on the electronic document received by the reception function unit 1 for each ID. The stored information only needs to indicate the uniqueness of the electronic document. Next, processing of the paper management function unit 4 here will be described. The process is almost the same as that in FIG. 2 (printing process) and FIG. 4 (duplicating process), but the procedures in steps S1 and S15 for assigning a new ID are different. Before assigning a new ID, it is checked from the management table in FIG. 7 whether the electronic document has already been registered. If registered, the ID is assigned. If it is not registered, a new ID is assigned and a file name is registered as information of the electronic document. In this way, by assigning an ID to each electronic document, an information processing device that can be used as an information processing device that manages document output of the same content by limiting the total number is provided. Similarly, by assigning an ID to each electronic manuscript, an information processing method can be realized in which manuscript outputs having the same contents can be restricted and managed by the total number. Similarly, by assigning an ID to each electronic manuscript, an information processing program that can manage the manuscript output with the same content by limiting the total number.
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it has means for setting the number of sheets that are permitted to be copied when printed by the print output function unit 6. For example, in the functional block configuration of FIG. 1, the setting means is such that the reception function unit 1 receives the restriction number together with the print data, and the information processing apparatus is provided with an input panel and sets it. In this way, as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, since the number of constraints in the management table is set for each paper document to be output, the information processing apparatus can be managed with more flexible restrictions on the number of copies. Similarly, since the number of constraints in the management table is set for each paper document to be output, the information processing method can be managed with more flexibility in limiting the number of copies. Similarly, the number of constraints in the management table can be set for each paper document to be output, and the information processing program can be managed with more flexibility in limiting the number of copies.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of an information processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same number is given to the functional block equivalent to FIG. 10 is characterized in that it includes a storage function unit 7 that stores received print data in a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk. In FIG. 10, a thick solid line arrow (1) indicates a flow from receiving print data from the outside to printing the print data on paper. A thick dotted line arrow in (2) indicates a flow from when a printed paper image is input until printing equivalent to that paper is performed.
The processing procedure of the paper management function unit 4 with this configuration will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the paper management function unit 4 when the print data having the flow shown in (1) of FIG. 10 is received. Procedures equivalent to those in FIG. 2 are given the same step numbers. The feature is that before sending the new ID and the received print data to the image forming function unit 5 (S2), the print data is stored in the storage function unit 7 and the stored print data is managed together with the ID (S21). That is.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the management table of this embodiment. A storage file element 15 is held for each ID. If the print data stored in the storage function unit 7 is uniquely specified, the description method in the table is not limited. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the paper management function unit 4 when the image input data having the flow shown in (2) of FIG. 11 is read. The same steps as those in FIG. 3 are given the same step numbers. The feature is that the image acquired from the input function unit 2 at the time of actual printing is not sent to the image forming function unit 5, but the storage file managed and stored in the management table of FIG. It is taken out (S22) and sent to the image forming function unit 5 (S23). In this way, data at the time of printing from an electronic manuscript is stored, and when a paper document in which the contents are described is copied, the print data is used for printing, so the same quality as the paper document is obtained. An information processing apparatus capable of obtaining a print output is obtained. Similarly, data at the time of printing from an electronic manuscript is stored and printed using the print data when copying a paper document in which the contents are described. This is an information processing method capable of obtaining a printed output. Similarly, data at the time of printing from an electronic manuscript is stored and printed using the print data when copying a paper document in which the contents are described. This is an information processing program capable of obtaining a print output.
In the processing procedure S23 of the paper management function unit 4 in FIG. 12, when the stored print data is acquired, it is compared with the input image from the image input function unit 2. At this time, if the contents of the print data and the input image do not coincide particularly in the image portion other than the ID, the printing process is prohibited. In this way, if the print image assumed from the paper image ID does not match the paper image, printing is not permitted, so that only the ID portion can be taken out and copied. It becomes a device. Similarly, if the print image assumed from the paper image ID does not match the paper image, printing is not permitted, so that only the ID portion can be taken out and copied. Become a method. Similarly, if the print image assumed from the paper image ID does not match the paper image, printing is not permitted, so that only the ID portion can be taken out and copied. Become a program.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system of the present invention and its internal block function. A plurality of paper information processing devices (A, B,...) Having the same configuration and a paper management information processing device (S) having a different configuration are connected by a network 50. The components having the same functions as those of the block of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. A characteristic of the system of FIG. 13 is that the paper management function unit is independent of the paper information processing apparatus (A, B,...) That performs paper input / output processing, and the single paper management information processing apparatus S has the system. It is a form. Accordingly, all the other paper information processing apparatuses (A, B,...) Make an ID acquisition request to the paper management information processing apparatus S when outputting print data. When the paper identifier is read and the ID is acquired, the paper management information processing apparatus S is requested to acquire the paper information, and whether or not to perform printing is determined. In this way, since the paper ID and paper output are managed by one server in the system, the ID is unique in the system, and the paper output by the paper information processing apparatus A is read by the paper information processing apparatus B. Even if copied, the number of copies can be limited and managed.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system and its internal block function according to another embodiment of the present invention. There are a plurality of paper information processing apparatuses having the same configuration (A, B,...), And paper management information processing apparatuses (S) having different configurations are connected via a network. The internal configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and those having the same functions as the blocks shown in FIG. 13 are given the same numbers. What is characteristic in the system of FIG. 14 is that the paper management function unit is independent of the paper information processing devices (A, B,...) That perform paper input / output processing, and the single paper management information processing device S has the system. Further, the paper information processing apparatus (A, B,...) That performs input / output processing of each paper has a storage function unit 7 that stores print data. Also, the paper management function unit 4 of the paper management information processing apparatus S has a storage file string 15 element as in FIG. 8, which includes the name of the stored paper management information apparatus, etc. It shall be specified. The transmission / reception function unit 9 transmits / receives data to / from other paper information processing apparatuses and paper management information processing apparatuses on the network together with the function of the reception function unit 1 in FIG. As a result, all the other paper information processing apparatuses (A, B,...) Store the print data when outputting the print data, and make an ID acquisition request to the paper management information processing apparatus S together with the file name. When the paper identifier is read and the ID is acquired, the paper management information processing apparatus S is requested to acquire the paper information, and whether or not to perform printing is determined. Further, when printing, the print data is requested to other paper information processing apparatuses (A, B,...) Holding the print data from the saved file name, and is received and printed. In this way, since the paper ID and paper output are managed by a single paper management information processing apparatus in the system, the ID is unique within the system, and the number of copies can be managed wherever copying is performed. In addition, since print data printed in the system is sent to other paper information processing devices (A, B,...) And printed, printing with the data printed first in the system is possible. The system can obtain the result.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system and its internal block function according to another embodiment of the present invention. There are a plurality of paper information processing apparatuses having the same configuration (A, B,...), And paper management information processing apparatuses (S) having different configurations are connected via a network. The internal configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and those having the same functions as the blocks shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are given the same numbers. What is characteristic in the system of FIG. 15 is that the paper management function unit is independent of the paper information processing apparatus (A, B,...) That performs paper input / output processing, and one paper management information processing apparatus S has the system. Further, the only paper management information processing apparatus (S) having a paper management function unit in the system has a storage function unit 7 for storing print data. As a result, all the other paper information processing apparatuses (A, B,...) Make an ID acquisition request to the paper management information processing apparatus S when outputting print data, and further send the print data. Further, when the paper identifier is read and the ID is obtained, the paper management information processing apparatus S is requested to obtain the paper information to determine whether or not to perform printing. When printing, the print data is requested and Is received and printed. In this way, since the paper ID, paper output management and printing data for printing are stored in one paper management information processing apparatus in the system, the ID is unique in the system and can be copied anywhere. The number of copies can be managed, and print data printed in the system is also stored in the paper management information processing device in a batch, so it can be acquired without having to communicate with other paper information processing devices. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a print result based on the first printed data anywhere in the system.

1 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration of a printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing the process sequence of the paper management function part 4 at the time of receiving the print data of the flow shown by (1) of FIG. 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the process sequence of the paper management function part 4 at the time of reading the image input data of the flow shown to (2) of FIG. 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the process sequence of the paper management function part 4 at the time of reading the image input data of the flow shown by (2) of FIG. 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the management table used in the case of registration of this invention. It is a figure which shows the management table which the paper management function part 4 of this invention handles. It is a figure which shows the example of the management table used in the case of registration of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the management table used in the case of registration of this invention. It is a figure explaining the printing restriction | limiting of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional block structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the paper management function part 4 at the time of receiving the print data of the flow shown by (1) of FIG. 10 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the paper management function part 4 at the time of reading the image input data of the flow shown to (2) of FIG. 10 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing system of this invention, and its internal block function. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing system of other embodiment of this invention, and its internal block function. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing system of other embodiment of this invention, and its internal block function.

Explanation of symbols

  1 reception function section, 2 image input function section, 3 identifier extraction function section, 4 paper management function section, 5 image creation function section, 6 print output function section

Claims (2)

In an information processing apparatus that performs processing on an electronic image, input means for reading description information on a paper document as an electronic image, print receiving means for receiving print image information transmitted from an external information processing apparatus, and the printing A storage unit that stores the print image information acquired by the reception unit, information that can uniquely identify the print image information stored in the storage unit, and the print image information in the storage unit are uniquely determined. with the and the identifier determination means for managing in association with the identifier, and output means for printing to create an identifier with image obtained by synthesizing the above and the print image information identifier, the print image information acquired by the print receiving means was stored in the storage unit, an identifier by the identifier determining means relative to uniquely identifiable information print image information stored in said storage means By constant, holds a relationship between the identifier and the print image information stored in said storage means, said output means, said same identifier attached to the electronic image acquired by the input means An information processing apparatus that prints out print image information from the storage unit . Information that can uniquely identify print image information transmitted from an external information processing apparatus is acquired, and information that can uniquely identify the print image information corresponds to an identifier that is uniquely defined for the print image information In addition, in an information processing apparatus connected to an identifier management apparatus to be managed through a network and performing processing related to an electronic image, input means for reading description information on a paper document as an electronic image, and a print image transmitted from an external information processing apparatus An identifier is obtained by sending print receiving means for receiving information, storage means for storing the print image information acquired by the print receiving means, and information for uniquely specifying the print image information to the identifier management device. obtained with a request identifier determination means, and output means for printing to create an identifier with image obtained by synthesizing the above and the print image information identifier, Storing the acquired print image information by serial print receiving means to said storage means, by determining the identifier by the request identifier determining means relative to the storage location information included in the stored print image information to said storage means, The relationship between the identifier and the print image information stored in the storage unit is retained, and the output unit stores the print image information having the same identifier as the identifier attached to the electronic image acquired by the input unit. An information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus is removed from a storage unit and printed .

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