Printer and print system

Abstract

A printer includes a first printer position information acquisition, and a public key generator that generates a public key with a passphrase containing at least the first printer position information. The printer holds the public key in a public key storage. A print data receiver receives print date encrypted with the public key. The printer also includes a second printer position information acquisition, and a private key generator that generates a private key with a passphrase containing at least the second printer position information. A decrypter decrypts the print data received by the print data receiver with the private key. A control method of a printer also is described.

1 . A control method of a printer, comprising the steps of: 
 acquiring first printer position information to specify a place where the printer is installed from a printer position information acquisition;    generating a public key with a passphrase containing at least the first printer position information;    storing the generated public key in a public key storage, the number of times the public key is allowed to be stored being limited to a predetermined number of times;    receiving print data encrypted with the public key;    acquiring second printer position information from the printer position information acquisition when the print data has been received;    generating a private key with a passphrase containing at least the second printer position information; and    decrypting the received print data with the private key.    
   
   
       2 . The control method of the printer according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a public key acquisition request from a print client;    reading the public key stored in the public key storage; and    transmitting the public key to the print client which has transmitted the public key acquisition request.    
   
   
       3 . The control method of the printer according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined number of times is one time.  
   
   
       4 . The control method of the printer according to  claim 3 , wherein even if a private key is generated in the step of generating the public key, the private key is abandoned.  
   
   
       5 . The control method of the printer according to  claim 4 , further comprising the step of executing a print operation based on the print data when the print data is decrypted with the private key but not executing the print operation based on the print data when the print data is not decrypted with the private key.  
   
   
       6 . A control method of a printer, comprising the steps of: 
 acquiring first printer position information to specify a place where the printer is installed from a printer position information acquisition, and generating a public key with a passphrase containing at least the first printer position information, when a person with proper authority makes a request;    storing the generated public key in a public key storage;    receiving print data encrypted with the public key;    acquiring second printer position information from the printer position information acquisition when the print data has been received;    generating a private key with a passphrase containing at least the second printer position information; and    decrypting the received print data with the private key.    
   
   
       7 . The control method of the printer according to  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a public key acquisition request from a print client;    reading the public key stored in the public key storage; and    transmitting the public key to the print client which has transmitted the public key acquisition request.    
   
   
       8 . The control method of the printer according to  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of: 
 requesting authentication information of an operator; and    when authentication information has been inputted, judging whether the inputted authentication information coincides with registered authentication information and, when these two pieces of authentication information coincide, judging that the operator has proper authority.    
   
   
       9 . The control method of the printer according to  claim 8 , wherein even if a private key is generated in the step of generating the public key, the private key is abandoned.  
   
   
       10 . The control method of the printer according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of executing a print operation based on the print data when the print data is decrypted with the private key but not executing the print operation based on the print data when the print data is not decrypted with the private key.  
   
   
       11 . A printer, comprising: 
 a first printer position information acquisition which acquires first printer position information to specify a place where the printer is installed from a printer position information acquisition;    a public key generator which generates a public key with a passphrase containing at least the first printer position information;    a public key storage in which the public key generated by the public key generator is stored, the number of times the public key is allowed to be stored being limited to a predetermined number of times;    a print data receiver which receives print data encrypted with the public key;    a second printer position information acquisition which acquires second printer position information from the printer position information acquisition when the print data has been received;    a private key generator which generates a private key with a passphrase containing at least the second printer position information; and    a decrypter which decrypts the print data received by the print data receiver with the private key.    
   
   
       12 . The printer according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a public key acquisition request receiver which receives a public key acquisition request from a print client; and    a public key transmitter which reads the public key stored in the public key storage and transmits the public key to the print client which has transmitted the public key acquisition request.    
   
   
       13 . The printer according to  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined number of times is one time.  
   
   
       14 . The printer according to  claim 13 , wherein even if a private key is generated when the public key generator generates the public key, the private key is abandoned.  
   
   
       15 . The printer according to  claim 14 , further comprising a selective print executor which executes a print operation based on the print data when the print data is decrypted with the private key and does not execute the print operation based on the print data when the print data is not decrypted with the private key.  
   
   
       16 . A printer, comprising: 
 a public key generator which acquires first printer position information to specify a place where the printer is installed from a printer position information acquisition, and generates a public key with a passphrase containing at least the first printer position information, when a person with proper authority makes a request;    a public key storage in which the public key generated by the public key generator is stored;    a print data receiver which receives print data encrypted with the public key;    a second printer position information acquisition which acquires second printer position information from the printer position information acquisition when the print data has been received;    a private key generator which generates a private key with a passphrase containing at least the second printer position information; and    a decrypter which decrypts the print data received by the print data receiver with the private key.    
   
   
       17 . The printer according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a public key acquisition request receiver which receives a public key acquisition request from a print client; and    a public key transmitter which reads the public key stored in the public key storage and transmits the public key to the print client which has transmitted the public key acquisition request.    
   
   
       18 . The printer according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 an authentication information requester which requests authentication information of an operator; and    an authentication judgment section which, when authentication information has been inputted, judges whether the inputted authentication information coincides with registered authentication information and, when these two pieces of authentication information coincide, judges that the operator has proper authority.    
   
   
       19 . The printer according to  claim 18 , wherein even if a private key is generated when the public key generator generates the public key, the private key is abandoned.  
   
   
       20 . The printer according to  claim 19 , further comprising a selective print executor which executes a print operation based on the print data when the print data is decrypted with the private key and does not execute the print operation based on the print data when the print data is not decrypted with the private key.