JP2008117332A - Information processing system, printing system, printing control device, information processing program and printing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system, a printing system, a printing control device, an information processing program and a printing control program attaining print output of high safety in any printer by absorbing processing performance different for every printer. <P>SOLUTION: A print server 100 holds a security information table for indicating security information set for each of a printer 120 and a composite machine 121 which are print output destinations, and carries out authentication and image log registration processing at appropriate timing, based on the security information indicated in the security information table in carrying out print output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, a printing system, a print control apparatus, an information processing program, and a print control program.

  From the viewpoint of protecting confidential information and preventing information leakage, information processing devices equipped with a security function that realizes high safety have been developed and used. Especially in image forming devices such as multifunction devices and printing devices. Uses a security function during information processing for printing out electronic data. However, on the network, not only image forming devices with high security functions, but also multiple image forming devices such as image forming devices without security functions and image security devices with simple security functions are connected. Have been.

  When printing out with a multifunction device equipped with a higher-performance security function, for example, a range specified in advance by temporarily holding the received print job and authenticating it using an IC card or PIN The print job can be printed out. On the other hand, a multi-function peripheral not equipped with a security function prints out the received print job as it is.

  In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, print data generated by a client is received by a print server, and the received print data and print history information are stored and accumulated in the print server. When an information leak occurs, the leak source can be specified based on the accumulated print data and print history information.

That is, by managing all print data and print history information to be printed out, the leak source can be identified reliably.
JP 2003-330677 A

  The present invention provides an information processing system, a printing system, and a printing system that enable print output with a set level of safety even in a printing apparatus that does not have a security function or that does not have a relatively high security function. It is an object to provide a control device, an information processing program, and a print control program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an information processing device that executes predetermined information processing, and a setting that sets an execution condition that enables the information processing device to execute the predetermined information processing. And the predetermined information processing in the information processing apparatus on condition that an execution condition corresponding to the information processing apparatus set by the setting means when executing the predetermined information processing on the information processing apparatus is satisfied. Execution permission means for permitting the execution of.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus is a printing apparatus, and the setting unit includes, as the execution conditions, presence / absence of authentication of printing authority, presence / absence of acquisition of log information before printing, log after printing A combination of information acquisition / non-acquisition combinations is set corresponding to each printing apparatus, and the execution permission unit satisfies the execution condition set corresponding to the printing apparatus when a printing instruction is given to the printing apparatus. In addition, printing corresponding to the printing instruction in the printing apparatus is permitted.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the log information includes an image log corresponding to an image printed by the printing apparatus.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first printing apparatus having an image log creation function for creating an image log corresponding to a print image when executing printing, and a second printing apparatus having no image log creation function. A plurality of printing apparatuses including one or more printing instruction apparatuses that designate a desired printing apparatus among the plurality of printing apparatuses and issue a printing instruction, and the printing instructions corresponding to the plurality of printing apparatuses, respectively. Setting means for setting execution conditions enabling execution of printing related to a printing instruction from the apparatus, image log creating means for creating an image log related to printing to be printed by the printing apparatus, and printing by the printing apparatus An image log management apparatus for accumulating and managing an image log related to printing to be performed and a printing apparatus designated by the print instruction apparatus are the first printing apparatus, and the setting procedure If the execution condition set for the first printing device is to acquire the image log before printing, the print instruction is transmitted to the first printing device, and then The image log created by the image log creation function of the first printing device is acquired and stored in the image log management device, and the printing device designated by the printing instruction device is the second printing device, and the setting If the execution condition set for the second printing device by the means is to acquire the image log before printing, before sending the printing instruction to the second printing device And a print control means for transmitting the print instruction to the second printing apparatus after the image log is created by the image log creation means based on the print instruction and stored in the image log management apparatus. Features and That.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the print control means is configured such that the printing apparatus designated by the print instruction apparatus is the first printing apparatus, and the setting means performs the first printing apparatus. When the execution condition set in correspondence with the printing apparatus is to acquire the image log after printing, the print instruction is transmitted to the first printing apparatus and then the first printing apparatus The image log created by the image log creation function is acquired and stored in the image log management device, and the printing device designated by the print instruction device is the second printing device, and the setting means performs the second printing device. If the execution condition set for the printing apparatus is to acquire the image log after printing, the image log is transmitted based on the printing instruction after the printing instruction is transmitted to the second printing apparatus. Creation method Take the image log, characterized in that stored in the image log management device.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth or fifth aspect, the print instruction from the print instruction apparatus is accumulated and managed, and the print apparatus designated by the print instruction is specified based on the accumulated print instruction. The image processing apparatus includes a print control device that controls printing, and the image log creation unit and the print control unit are provided in the print control device.

  The invention according to claim 7 provides a first printing apparatus having an image log creating function for creating an image log corresponding to the print image at the time of printing, and a second printing apparatus not having the image log creating function. A print control apparatus that performs print control of a plurality of printing apparatuses including a print instruction receiving unit that receives a print instruction that specifies a desired printing apparatus among the plurality of printing apparatuses from the print instruction apparatus; A storage unit that stores the print instruction received by the instruction reception unit, and a setting that sets an execution condition that enables execution of printing related to the print instruction from the print instruction apparatus corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses. Means, an image log creating means for creating an image log related to printing to be printed by the printing apparatus, and a printing apparatus designated by the printing instruction apparatus are the first If the execution condition set for the first printing device by the setting means is to acquire the image log before printing, the printing device After transmitting the print instruction, the image log created by the image log creation function of the first printing apparatus is acquired and stored in the image log management apparatus, and the printing apparatus designated by the print instruction apparatus is the second If the execution condition set for the second printing device by the setting means is to acquire the image log before printing, the printing device Print control for transmitting the print instruction to the second printing apparatus after creating the image log by the image log creating means based on the print instruction and storing the image log in the image log management apparatus before transmitting the print instruction Means and Characterized by comprising.

  The invention according to an eighth aspect is the invention according to the seventh aspect, wherein the printing control means is configured such that the printing apparatus designated by the printing instruction apparatus is the first printing apparatus, and the setting means performs the first printing apparatus. When the execution condition set in correspondence with the printing apparatus is to acquire the image log after printing, the print instruction is transmitted to the first printing apparatus and then the first printing apparatus The image log created by the image log creation function is acquired and stored in the image log management device, and the printing device designated by the print instruction device is the second printing device, and the setting means performs the second printing device. If the execution condition set for the printing apparatus is to acquire the image log after printing, the image log is transmitted based on the printing instruction after the printing instruction is transmitted to the second printing apparatus. Creation method Take the image log, characterized in that stored in the image log management device.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a setting means for setting an execution condition that allows a computer to execute the predetermined information processing by an information processing apparatus that executes the predetermined information processing, and the information processing apparatus. Execution permission means for permitting execution of the predetermined information processing in the information processing apparatus on condition that an execution condition corresponding to the information processing apparatus set by the setting means when the predetermined information processing is executed is satisfied It is made to function as.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first printing apparatus having an image log creation function for creating an image log corresponding to a print image when executing printing, and a second printing apparatus having no image log creation function. A print control program for performing print control of a plurality of printing apparatuses including a print instruction for receiving a print instruction for designating a desired printing apparatus from among the plurality of printing apparatuses from the printing apparatus. A first step, a second step of setting an execution condition that enables execution of printing related to a print instruction from a print instruction apparatus corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses, and printing by the printing apparatus A third step of creating an image log relating to printing, and a printing device designated by the printing instruction device is the first printing device; in the second step, the second step If the execution condition set for the printing apparatus is to acquire the image log before printing, the first printing is performed after transmitting the printing instruction to the first printing apparatus. The image log created by the image log creation function of the device is acquired and stored in the image log management device, and the printing device designated by the print instruction device is the second printing device, and in the second step, the printing device If the execution condition set for the second printing apparatus is to acquire the image log before printing, the printing is performed before sending the printing instruction to the second printing apparatus. A computer executes the fourth step of creating the image log in the third step based on the instruction and storing the image log in the image log management apparatus, and then transmitting the print instruction to the second printing apparatus. And features.

  According to claims 1 to 10 of the present invention, it becomes possible to perform information processing based on the processing conditions set according to the functions of the information processing apparatus, and to realize safety according to the settings. There is an effect. In addition, it is possible to construct a flexible system based on a security policy that is strictly observed throughout the network.

  In particular, according to claims 4 to 8 and claim 10, by using an image log as history information, it is in a state that can be visually confirmed, ensuring higher safety and optimal safety according to the use state. There is also an effect that it is possible to easily set the property (security).

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an information processing system, a printing system, a print control apparatus, an information processing program, and a print control program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram configured by applying an information processing system, a printing system, a print control apparatus, an information processing program, and a print control program according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a printing system that includes a print server 100, a client PC 110, a printing device 120, a multifunction device 121, an authentication device 130, and a log management device 140 as an example of an information processing system. Mutual communication is possible via a communication network.

  This printing system is a system that performs security printing based on the security setting according to the printing output destination of the printing apparatus 120 or the multifunction machine 121, and ensures traceability depending on the printing state and printing state.

  This printing system can be realized by a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 in addition to the configuration as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows the functions of the authentication device 130 and the log management device 140 shown in FIG. The print server 100 has a configuration. That is, the print server 100 holds the security information table held by the authentication device 130 and the history information managed by the log management device 140 shown below.

  The client PC 110 is installed with a printer driver corresponding to the printing apparatus 120 and the multifunction machine 121 that are the print output destinations. Print settings are set for a print job generated by the printer driver, and a print instruction is given to the print server 100. And its print job. An IC card reader (120-1) is installed in the printing apparatus 120 as the print output destination, and an IC card reader is built in the multifunction machine 121. In these printing apparatus 120 and the multifunction machine 121, card information is received from the IC card. Can be read.

  Subsequently, the print server 100 receives a print job from the client PC 100, performs print control processing based on the print output destination information specified in the print settings of the received print job, and performs security by the printing apparatus 120 or the multifunction device 121. Realize printing.

  The print server 100 holds a security information table as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and implements security printing by referring to the security information set in the security information table at the time of print control processing.

  This security information table is a table in which security information is set for each print output destination such as a printing apparatus or a multifunction peripheral, and is a table as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example.

  In the security information table shown in FIG. 3, authentication designation and security level items are set as security information. In the security information table shown in FIG. 4, authentication designation, security level, and background pattern printing are set. Each item is set as security information.

  The authentication designation item is an item for designating whether or not authentication is performed at the time of print output. When authentication is not required, “none” is indicated, and when authentication is required, the authentication method is indicated. In the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, authentication using an IC card is required because “IC card” is shown in the authentication designation item whose device name of the print output destination is “printer A”. Indicates.

  When “IC card” is set in the authentication designation item, the card information of the IC card read by the IC card reader of the printing apparatus 120 or the multifunction machine 121 is received, and the user indicated by the card information is authenticated. It is registered in the apparatus 130 and it is confirmed whether printing output is permitted. That is, an authentication process is performed between the print server 100 and the authentication device 130.

  Next, the security level item is an item that specifies at what timing the image log for the image of the print job to be printed and output is saved as history information. Print output with the highest security is possible. “High security”, “Standard” that enables print output with a normal level of security, and “(No setting)” that enables print output without considering security can be set.

  When “High Security” is set for this security level, an image log for the print job is generated and registered in the log management device 140 before printing, and the print job for which image log registration has been completed can be printed And If “Standard” is set for the security level, an image log is generated and temporarily saved before printing, and the image log is saved when the output result after printing is received. Register in the log management device 140.

  When the security level is either “high security” or “standard”, image log registration processing is performed between the print server 100 and the log management apparatus 140.

  Further, when “(no setting)” is set as the security level, print output is possible without generating an image log.

  This image log shows images and thumbnail images that have been converted to a predetermined resolution, and is information that can be used to confirm what kind of image image print job has been printed. In addition, the image image itself May be an image log.

  In addition to the image log, at the time of printing processing, an output history (hereinafter referred to as “job log” for distinguishing from the image log) indicating a print output result and a print state is recorded.

  Next, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing item shown in FIG. 4 is an item for setting whether or not to print the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print data such as the background image and the digital watermark image together with the print job requested to be printed. Thus, “Yes” is set when the background pattern printing is performed, and “None” is set when the background pattern printing is not performed. When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print is set to “present”, the designated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print data is generated and transmitted together with the print job at the time of print output.

  A security information table including such items is held in the print server 100 and is referred to during print control processing.

  The print server 100 further performs processing for monitoring the output state of a print job that has issued a print instruction to the printing apparatus 120 and the multifunction peripheral 121, and the log management apparatus 140 uses the output result and output state information as a job log. Register with. In particular, when the security level is “standard”, the image log in a temporarily saved state is registered in the log management apparatus 140 by receiving the print result.

  If the security level is “high security” or “standard”, it is registered as history information in association with the generated image log.

  The authentication device 130 manages user information that enables security printing by the print server 100, and manages setting information such as printability and print conditions for each user.

  Further, the log management apparatus 140 manages a job log as history information at the time of print output. Further, when the print level is set to “high security” or “standard” by the printing apparatus 120 or the multifunction machine 121, the image log generated by the print server 200 in association with the job log is managed. Is done.

  In the printing system which is an example of the information processing system having such a configuration, security printing can be realized based on the setting information in the security information table of the print server 100.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the print server 100 shown in FIG.

  The print server 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a communication interface 10, a control unit 11, a table storage unit 12, an authentication processing unit 13, an image log generation unit 14, a storage unit 15, a print control unit 16, and an operation unit 17.

  The communication interface 10 is an interface for performing mutual communication with each node illustrated in FIG. 1, and transmits received data to the control unit 11.

  The control unit 11 is main control in the print server 100 and controls processing of data received via the communication interface 10. When a print request is received from the client PC 110, the print request is transferred to the print control unit 16. Further, when an operation using the operation unit 17 is accepted, various tables stored in the table storage unit 12 are changed based on the operation content, or information stored in the storage unit 15 is processed into a state where it can be referred to. Control to display.

  The print control unit 16 performs a print control process for the print job of the print request received from the control unit 11. This print control process is a control process performed by referring to the security information table stored in the table storage unit 12 via the control unit 11 and based on the security information designated for the print output destination of the print job. .

  As security information, the presence / absence and method of authentication, registration / non-registration and registration timing of the image log for the security level, and the like are specified. Is registered, the image log generation unit 14 is requested to generate an image log.

  At this time, the authentication processing unit 13 performs an authentication process by receiving an authentication request from the print control unit 16. For example, authentication using “IC card” is set in the security information, and it is determined whether or not the user indicated by the card information is registered by receiving the card information of the IC card from the output destination. In this case, authentication processing is performed to determine whether printing output is possible.

  Further, the image log generation unit 14 receives an image log generation request from the print control unit 16 via the control unit 11, thereby generating an image log for the image image of the print job. The image log is history information that allows the user to refer to the image of the printed image. The image log is an image obtained by converting the image image of the print job to a predetermined resolution, a thumbnail image, or the image image itself. May be.

  The print control unit 16 performs registration processing based on the security level for the image log generated by the image log generation unit 14. When the security level is “high security”, the generated image log is printed on each log forming apparatus 140 connected via the communication interface 10 to each image forming apparatus (printing apparatus or multifunction peripheral) as a print output destination. Registration is performed before the output instruction processing is performed, and when the security level is “standard”, the generated image log is temporarily stored in the cache of the storage unit 15 of the print server 100.

  The process transition performed by the print control unit 16 is shown in FIG.

  The table storage unit 12 holds a security information table, and this security information table is a table that is referred to when a print control process is performed by the print control unit 16. Examples of security information tables are shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and as described above, the security information is shown for each image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus or a multifunction peripheral on the network. It is a configuration.

  The storage unit 15 is a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and temporarily stores the image log generated by the image log generation unit 14 and also stores a job log. The storage unit 15 stores copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print data, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print data indicates, for example, a background image or a digital watermark image.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing process transitions in the information processing system of the present invention.

  The process transition in the print server shown in the process transition of FIG. 6 includes a print control process performed between the authentication apparatus and the log management apparatus. The flow of this print control process is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, first, when a print request for a print job is made at the client PC (601), the client PC transmits the print job to the print server (602).

  Next, the print server that has received the print job spools the print job to a spooler (603), and print control processing is performed on the print job (604). This print control process is a process as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, and is a process for performing an optimum security print according to each image forming apparatus (printing apparatus or multifunction peripheral) as a print output destination.

  Also, in this print control process, by receiving the card information of the IC card from the image forming apparatus designated as the print output destination (605, 606), the user who issued the print instruction based on the card information is authenticated. Authentication processing is included (607). Further, when the print control process is performed, the print server transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus of the print output destination that has read the card information of the authenticated user (608).

  Next, the detailed processing flow of this print control processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  This print control process is a process performed by the print server. The print control process is started by receiving a print job from the client PC, and the received print job is analyzed (701). The security setting for the printing apparatus designated in the above is referred from the security information table (702).

  This security information table shows security settings for each printing apparatus, and has a table configuration as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, for example. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 shows the flow of processing based on the table shown in FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether the security level of the printing apparatus designated as the print output destination indicated by the security information table as shown in FIG. 3 is “high security” (703).

  If the security level is high security (YES in 703), an image log for the image image of the print job is generated (704), and the generated image log is registered in the log management device (705). Subsequently, in order to surely realize a print output at a high security level, it is confirmed whether or not the registration state of the image log is in a normally registered state (706).

  If the image log is not registered normally (NO in 706), the print level at the high security level cannot be secured. The requesting client PC is notified that the print job reception has failed (709).

  The image log for the image image of the print job indicates, for example, an image obtained by converting the image image to a predetermined resolution or a thumbnail image as described above. Of course, the image image itself may be used as the image log.

  On the other hand, if the security level is not high security (NO in 703), it is determined whether the security level is “standard” (707).

  If the security level is “standard” (YES in 707), an image log for the image image of the print job is generated (708) and temporarily stored in the cache on the print server. If the security level is not “standard” (NO in 707), it indicates that the security level is “(no setting)”. The security level of “(no setting)” is the print server. Indicates that normal image processing is performed without generating an image log (716).

  By specifying the security level, it is possible to specify whether or not to generate an image log together with the generation timing and registration timing of the image log.

  Next, when the security level is “high security” and the generated image log is normally registered in the log management device, or when the security level is “standard”, the security information table Authentication processing is performed with reference to the authentication designation item.

  It is determined whether the authentication designation item is “IC card” (710). If the authentication designation item is not “IC card” (NO in 710), the print job requested to be printed without authentication. The printing process is performed (716).

  On the other hand, when “IC card” is set in the authentication designation item (YES in 710), the card information is received to authenticate the user based on the card information stored in the IC card. (711).

  Until the card information is received (NO in 711), the card is in a standby state, during which the cancellation process can be accepted (715). If the cancellation process is performed (YES in 715), it is determined whether the security level of the printing apparatus that processes the print job is “standard” (718). If the security level is “standard” (YES in 718). ), The image log temporarily stored in the storage area is registered in the log management device (719). Further, the print history of the print job is also saved (720).

  If the security level of the printing apparatus that processes the print job is not “standard” but “high security” (NO in 718), the image log of the print job has already been logged. Since it is registered in the management apparatus, only the print history is saved (720).

  Even if the cancellation process is performed before the card information is received, the image log is registered in the state where the security level is set, and the security is ensured even in the print output process.

  If the card information is received without the cancellation process (YES in 711), the user authentication process is performed on the received card information (712). In this authentication process, authentication is performed by determining whether the user indicated by the card information is registered in the authentication device.

  As a result of the authentication process, it is determined whether or not the authentication is successful (713). If the authentication is not possible (NO in 713), the print output of the print job is canceled as the authentication failed, and the authentication failure is stored in the print history. (720) The process is terminated. In this case, the generated image log is discarded because the print request itself is invalid. Of course, it may be configured to register and manage.

  On the other hand, if the user is authenticated based on the card information (YES in 713), a print job is searched based on the device identification information of the printing device that is the transmission source of the card information (714). That is, the print job requested by the authenticated user is retrieved from the list of print jobs for which print output is designated by the printing device designated by the device identification information sent together with the card information.

  As a result of the search, print processing of the matched print job is performed (716), and the print job is transmitted to the designated printing apparatus (717). Then, it is determined whether or not the security level set for the printing apparatus designated as the print output destination is “standard” (718). If it is “standard” (YES in 718), the printing apparatus is checked. The image log temporarily stored in the cache for the transmitted print job is registered in the log management apparatus (719), and the print history that the print output has been performed is stored (720).

  If the security level is not “standard” (NO in 718), only the print history is saved (720). This is because the security level is “high security” or “(no setting)”. In the former case, the image log of the print job has already been registered in the log management device. This is because it is not necessary to register.

  The above processing is print control processing based on the security information table shown in FIG. 3, and in the print control processing performed based on the security information table shown in FIG. 4, the processing point “A” in FIG. Indicated by adding.

  The security information table shown in FIG. 4 is a table obtained by adding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print item to the security setting of the security information table shown in FIG. 3, and a flowchart for this copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print item is shown in FIG.

  That is, when processing point “A” is obtained by the process shown in FIG. 7, the process proceeds to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and is the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing performed with reference to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern item in the security information table shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not (801). If “Yes” is set in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print item in the security table of FIG. 4 and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print is performed (YES in 801), an image image for copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing is generated (802) and shown in FIG. Transition to authentication processing. Further, when “None” is set in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print item and no copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing is performed (NO in 801), the process directly proceeds to the authentication process shown in FIG.

  This copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing is a process for printing a background image, a digital watermark image, etc. together with a print job for which a print request has been made, as described above. An optimal copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print image is generated based on the image resolution and image size.

  In the first embodiment, when an authentication method is designated as “IC card” in the authentication designation item of the security information table and authentication is performed by this method, the user information indicated by the card information used for the authentication and the user information The configuration is such that all print jobs that match the information of the print output destination that has read the card information are printed out. In the second embodiment, the print job to be printed out is selected from the matched print jobs. The configuration is such that printing is performed.

  A print job that matches the user information indicated by the card information read from the IC card and the print output destination information read from the card information and transmitted to the print server 100 is displayed on a screen as shown in FIG.

  The screen shown in FIG. 9 displays a list of print jobs searched based on user information and print output destination information. From the job count item 901, start button 902, stop button 903, and print job display area 900. Composed.

  The print job display area 900 shows an example in which a plurality of matched print jobs are displayed. To select a print job as a print output target, a check button with reference to the information of the job name 91 and the reception date 92 is shown. Check 90.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the job name 91 is “document C” and the reception date 92 is “August 1, 2006 13:01:00”, and the job name 91 is “document E”. In this example, a print job whose reception date 92 is “August 1, 2006 13:04:00” is selected as a print output target.

  A print output target is selected, and a print job selected by pressing a start button 902 is printed out. Also, printing output is stopped by pressing a stop button 903.

  Note that the security level of the security information table is “high security” and the generated image log is being transferred to the log management device. Enables printout with security.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope not changing the gist thereof.

  In the present invention, the program is executed from a recording medium (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for causing the information processing system having a communication function to execute the above-described operation or to configure the above-described means. It is also possible to configure an information management system that executes the above-described processing by installing the above in a computer and executing it. A computer constituting the information processing system is connected to a central processor unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk via a system bus. The CPU performs processing using the RAM as a work area according to a program stored in the ROM or the hard disk.

  The medium for supplying the program may be a communication medium (a medium for temporarily or fluidly holding the program such as a communication line or a communication system). For example, the program may be posted on an electronic bulletin board (BBS: Bulletin Board Service) of a communication network and distributed via a communication line.

  The present invention can be applied to a system and a program that enable print output that achieves high security by a plurality of information processing apparatuses having different processing capabilities.

1 is a system configuration diagram configured by applying an information processing system, a printing system, a printing control apparatus, an information processing program, and a printing control program according to the present invention. The block diagram which shows the detailed functional structure of the information processing apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows a security information table. The figure which shows a security information table. The figure which shows the print job selection screen which selects a print job. The sequence diagram which shows the process transition in the information processing system of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the information processing system of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the information processing system of this invention. FIG. 10 is another system configuration diagram configured by applying the information processing system, the printing system, the print control apparatus, the information processing program, and the print control program according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Communication interface 11 Control part 12 Table preservation | save part 13 Authentication process part 14 Image log production | generation part 15 Storage part 16 Print control part 17 Operation part 100 Print server 110 Client PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Printing apparatus 120-1 IC card reader 121 Multifunction machine 130 Authentication apparatus 140 Log management apparatus

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus for executing predetermined information processing;
Setting means for setting an execution condition that enables the information processing apparatus to execute the predetermined information processing;
Execution of the predetermined information processing in the information processing apparatus on condition that an execution condition corresponding to the information processing apparatus set by the setting means when executing the predetermined information processing for the information processing apparatus is satisfied. An information processing system comprising: an execution permission unit to permit. The information processing apparatus includes:
A printing device,
The setting means includes
As the execution condition, a combination of authentication of printing authority, acquisition of log information before printing, acquisition of log information after printing is set corresponding to each printing apparatus,
The execution permission means includes
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein, when a printing instruction is given to the printing apparatus, printing corresponding to the printing instruction in the printing apparatus is permitted when the execution condition set corresponding to the printing apparatus is satisfied. The log information is
The information processing system according to claim 2, comprising an image log corresponding to an image printed by the printing apparatus. A plurality of printing apparatuses including a first printing apparatus having an image log creation function for creating an image log corresponding to the print image at the time of printing, and a second printing apparatus not having the image log creation function;
One or a plurality of print instruction devices that designate a desired printing device among the plurality of printing devices and issue a print instruction, and printing related to a print instruction from the print instruction device corresponding to each of the plurality of printing devices Setting means for setting execution conditions that enable execution;
Image log creating means for creating an image log related to printing to be printed by the printing apparatus;
An image log management apparatus for accumulating and managing image logs related to printing to be printed by the printing apparatus;
The printing device designated by the printing instruction device is the first printing device, and the execution condition set corresponding to the first printing device by the setting unit acquires the image log before printing. If it is, the image log created by the image log creation function of the first printing device is acquired after being transmitted to the first printing device and stored in the image log management device. The printing apparatus designated by the printing instruction apparatus is the second printing apparatus, and the execution condition set corresponding to the second printing apparatus by the setting unit acquires the image log before printing. If the image log is generated, an image log is created by the image log creation unit based on the print instruction and stored in the image log management apparatus before the print instruction is transmitted to the second printing apparatus. , Printing system comprising a printing control unit that transmits a print instruction to the printing apparatus of the second. The print control means includes
The printing apparatus designated by the printing instruction apparatus is the first printing apparatus, and the execution condition set corresponding to the first printing apparatus by the setting unit acquires the image log after printing. The image log created by the image log creation function of the first printing device after transmitting the print instruction to the first printing device and stored in the image log management device, The printing apparatus designated by the printing instruction apparatus is the second printing apparatus, and the execution condition set corresponding to the second printing apparatus by the setting unit acquires the image log after printing. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein after the print instruction is transmitted to the second printing apparatus, an image log is created by the image log creating means based on the print instruction and stored in the image log management apparatus. Printing system. A print control device for accumulating and managing print instructions from the print instruction device and controlling printing on the print device designated by the print instruction based on the print instructions managed and accumulated;
The image log creation means and the print control means are:
The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing system is provided in the printing control apparatus. Printing of a plurality of printing apparatuses including a first printing apparatus having an image log creation function for creating an image log corresponding to the print image when executing printing, and a second printing apparatus not having the image log creation function A printing control apparatus for performing control,
A print instruction receiving means for receiving a print instruction specifying a desired printing device of the plurality of printing devices from the print instruction device;
Storage means for storing the print instructions received by the print instruction reception means;
Setting means for setting execution conditions enabling execution of printing related to a print instruction from the print instruction apparatus corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses;
Image log creating means for creating an image log related to printing to be printed by the printing apparatus;
The printing device designated by the printing instruction device is the first printing device, and the execution condition set corresponding to the first printing device by the setting unit acquires the image log before printing. If it is, the image log created by the image log creation function of the first printing device is acquired after transmitting the print instruction to the first printing device, and stored in the image log management device. The printing device designated by the print instruction device is the second printing device, and the execution condition set for the second printing device by the setting unit acquires the image log before printing. If it is, after sending the print instruction to the second printing apparatus, after creating an image log by the image log creation means based on the print instruction and storing in the image log management apparatus, The mark Print control apparatus and a print control means for transmitting instruction to the printing apparatus of the second. The print control means includes
The printing apparatus designated by the printing instruction apparatus is the first printing apparatus, and the execution condition set corresponding to the first printing apparatus by the setting unit acquires the image log after printing. The image log created by the image log creation function of the first printing device after transmitting the print instruction to the first printing device and stored in the image log management device, The printing apparatus designated by the printing instruction apparatus is the second printing apparatus, and the execution condition set corresponding to the second printing apparatus by the setting unit acquires the image log after printing. The image log is generated by the image log generation unit based on the print instruction and is stored in the image log management apparatus after the print instruction is transmitted to the second printing apparatus. Print control apparatus. Computer
Setting means for setting an execution condition that allows the information processing apparatus that executes the predetermined information processing to execute the predetermined information processing;
Execution of the predetermined information processing in the information processing apparatus on condition that an execution condition corresponding to the information processing apparatus set by the setting means when executing the predetermined information processing for the information processing apparatus is satisfied. An information processing program for functioning as a permitted execution permission means. Printing of a plurality of printing apparatuses including a first printing apparatus having an image log creation function for creating an image log corresponding to the print image at the time of printing and a second printing apparatus not having the image log creation function A print control program for executing control by a computer,
A first step of accumulating a print instruction received from the printing apparatus, the print instruction designating a desired printing apparatus among the plurality of printing apparatuses;
A second step of setting an execution condition that enables printing related to a print instruction from a print instruction apparatus corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses;
A third step of creating an image log related to printing to be printed by the printing apparatus;
The printing device designated by the printing instruction device is the first printing device, and the execution condition set corresponding to the first printing device in the second step displays the image log before printing. If it is to be acquired, after transmitting the print instruction to the first printing apparatus, the image log created by the image log creation function of the first printing apparatus is acquired and stored in the image log management apparatus The printing apparatus designated by the printing instruction apparatus is the second printing apparatus, and the execution condition set corresponding to the second printing apparatus in the second step is the image before printing. If the log is to be acquired, an image log is created in the third step based on the print instruction before the print instruction is transmitted to the second printing apparatus, and the image log management apparatus After accumulating Print control program and a fourth step of transmitting the print instruction to the printing apparatus of the second.

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