Image output apparatus and printer driver

Abstract

In one embodiment, an image output apparatus is configured such that an equipment control portion sets the process of output as an image according to the protection status of received direct print data. When the received direct print data is only simple data in a predetermined file format, the equipment control portion sets a processing method that unconditionally prints out the data, and when thedata is encrypted, the equipment control portion sets a processing method that temporarily holds the data, and prints out the data in response to a user's output instruction, and when a password hasbeen added to the data, the equipment control portion sets a processing method that temporarily holds the data, and prints out the data in response to password input from the user.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Patent Application No. 2005-118499 and Patent Application No. 2005-118500, filed April 15, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. technical field [0002] The present invention relates to an image output device and a printer driver that print out an image based on data received internally or externally, and more particularly, to an image output device that can be set according to the status of received data for direct printing. An image output device and a printer driver of a printout processing method. Background technique [0003] In the conventional printing method, a user starts up necessary application software on a personal computer, opens a file for printing, and executes the process by sequentially selecting, for example, "file", "print" and "execute" from the screen of the opened file data. Start printing. [0004] On the other hand, a direct printing function has recently been proposed, i...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0010] On the other hand, for example, for data sent after being encrypted, even if an attempt is made to print immediately after the data has been sent to the printer, there is a possibility that the encryption cannot be deciphered when the encryption is not in the prescribed encryption format nature, thus it may not be possible to print

Also, considering the recent spam, damage caused by electronic viruses, etc., it is not known whether there is a problem with the data sent after being encrypted in the first place

Given these circumstances, when encrypted data is sent for direct printing, it is problematic to immediately print out that data unconditionally

[0011] On the other hand, data transmitted as password-protected data can be opened by inputting a password on a personal computer by a user who receives the data, but when the opened data is printed using the above-mentioned secure printing, it must be There will be the hassle of needing to re-enter the password for secure printing and then send the data to the printer

Images