JP2012190372A - Print system, print server, printing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To specify a user who actually performed transmission of print data, when a print server receives the print data.SOLUTION: A print server 4 includes: a storage device 5 for storing user registration information 52 in which account information for respective users is registered and print data PD which is received from an information processing device; an account information determination part 14 for, when the print data PD is received, specifying a user under the condition that at least one of account information added to a predetermined user information specification area and account information added to a predetermined command area that is different from the user information specification area is matched with the account information registered in the user registration information 52; and a spool processing part 15 for, when the user is specified by the account information determination part 14, storing the print data PD received from the information processing device associating with the specified user in the storage device 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print system, a print server, a printing method, and a program, and more particularly, print data received by the print server from the information processing apparatus in a print system in which the information processing apparatus, the print server, and the printing apparatus are connected via a network. The present invention relates to a technique for performing print output by spooling print data in response to a request from a printing apparatus and reading the spooled print data and transmitting it to the printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, a print system in which a print server is provided in a network environment and print data is spooled to the print server is known. In this type of print system, when a user operates an information processing apparatus such as a client PC to transmit print data from the information processing apparatus to the print server, the print data is spooled to the print server. The user then moves to the installation location of a printing device called a multifunction device or MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) and performs operations on the printing device, so that the printing device acquires and prints the print data spooled in the print server. Configured to do output. Such a print system is generally called a pull print system or the like, and is a technique for performing print output in a network environment (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Conventionally, when printing output via a print server is performed in a mission-critical system using a host computer such as a mainframe, the print server identification name is not recorded in all print job user names. Therefore, a technique for adding a host account ID as a job user ID to a PJL command area provided in a header portion of print data is known (for example, Patent Document 2). According to this technology, since it is possible to perform print output by taking over the host account ID, even when a large amount of printed matter is output, the user can print his / her own printed matter based on the host account ID recorded on the printed matter. Can be identified and acquired.

JP 2009-303008 A JP 2008-181219 A

  By the way, in recent years, in an office environment or the like, an authentication system for centrally authenticating and managing a user who uses a device connected to a network is being constructed. In such an authentication system, for example, account information of all users is registered in one authentication server. For this reason, when the user uses an information processing apparatus such as a client PC, the network cannot be used unless the user logs in with an account that matches the account information registered in the authentication server.

  On the other hand, in a network environment in which an authentication system for centrally authenticating and managing users as described above is not constructed, the user account is managed by each device connected to the network. In this case, in the print server provided in the pull print system as described above, user account information capable of spooling print data using a server function is registered in advance. When the print server receives print data from an information processing apparatus such as a client PC, the print server determines whether the account of the user who transmitted the print data is registered in the account information in advance, and is registered in the account information. If so, the print data is spooled. In contrast, print data from an account not registered in the account information is discarded without being spooled.

  For this reason, there is the following problem in the pull print system in which an authentication system for centrally authenticating and managing users is not constructed. For example, when an information processing apparatus shared by a plurality of users is provided in a network environment, a certain user may log in to the information processing apparatus as a common user (common user) and use the information processing apparatus. When the information processing apparatus transmits print data to the print server based on a user instruction, for example, the account information of the logged-in user is stored in a user information designation area that is one of PJL (Printer Job Language) command areas. Add and send. When the print server receives the print data from the information processing apparatus, the print server determines whether the account is registered based on the account information added to the user information designation area included in the PJL command area.

  However, since it is necessary to manage the number of output sheets for each user in the print server, an account relating to a common user is generally not registered in the account information. Therefore, if print data is transmitted while a user is logged in to the information processing apparatus as a common user, the print server cannot identify the user who is the sender of the print data, and the received print data It will be destroyed. In this case, the print data is not spooled in the print server even if the user operates the information processing apparatus to transmit print data and then moves to the installation location of the print apparatus and performs an operation on the print apparatus. The problem occurs that output cannot be performed.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, when print data is received from an account that does not match account information registered in advance in the print server, a new recording area corresponding to the account is automatically created and It is also conceivable to store print data in the storage area. In this case, when the user who transmitted the print data moves to the installation location of the printing apparatus and performs an operation on the printing apparatus, the user must log in using the same account as that used to log in to the information processing apparatus. Thus, print data stored in the print server can be acquired and printed out.

  However, if a new storage area for a new account is automatically created in the print server, there is a possibility that the storage area that is only used temporarily increases without limitation. For this reason, the storable capacity of the print server is pressed, and the storage area that must be managed by the print server increases, resulting in a problem that efficient data management cannot be performed. Furthermore, since the actual user to be used with the new account cannot be specified in the print server, there is a problem that the output number of each user cannot be accurately managed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems. For example, even when a user is logged in to the information processing apparatus as a common user, the print data is transmitted. To provide a printing system, a print server, a printing method, and a program that can specify a user who actually transmitted print data without automatically creating a new account in the server and can perform print output satisfactorily. , For that purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus, a print server, and a printing apparatus are connected via a network, and the print server spools print data received from the information processing apparatus. In addition, the print system performs print output in the printing apparatus by reading out the spooled print data in response to a request from the printing apparatus and transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus. The print server includes account information for each user. Includes storage means for storing user registration information registered in advance and print data received from the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus transmits the print data to the print server when the information processing is performed. Add account information related to the logged-in user of the device to a predetermined user information designation area In both cases, the account information input by the user is transmitted by adding to a predetermined command area different from the user information designation area, and when the print server receives the print data from the information processing apparatus, the user information designation The user is specified on the condition that at least one of the account information added to the area and the account information added to the command area matches the account information registered in the user registration information. The print data is stored in the storage unit as corresponding print data.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print system according to the first aspect, the command area includes a command designated by a user when the information processing apparatus directly transmits print data to the printing apparatus. This is a configuration characterized by being an added region.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the print system according to the first or second aspect, the print server includes account information added to the user information designation area and account information added to the command area. Priority setting information including a setting for preferentially discriminating any one of the above information is further stored in the storage unit, and when print data is received from the information processing apparatus, the priority setting information is added to the user information designation area. Of the account information and the account information added to the command area, the user is specified on the condition that the account information set in the priority setting information matches the account information registered in the user registration information. It is the structure characterized by this.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a print server connected to the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus via a network, and receives user registration information in which account information for each user is registered in advance and the information processing apparatus. Storage means for storing print data, account information added to a predetermined user information specifying area when receiving print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and a predetermined command different from the user information specifying area Account information determining means for specifying a user on condition that at least one of the account information added to the area matches the account information registered in the user registration information, and the user is specified by the account information determining means The print data received from the information processing apparatus is associated with the specified user. And when the print data transmission request is received from the printing device, the print data of the user corresponding to the transmission request is read from the storage device and transmitted to the printing device. And a transmission means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the print server according to the fourth aspect, the command area is a command specified by a user when print data is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus. Is a region to which is added.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print server according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the storage unit includes account information added to the user information designation area and account information added to the command area. Priority setting information including a setting for preferentially discriminating any one of the user information, and when the account information determination unit receives print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the user information Of the account information added to the designated area and the account information added to the command area, the account information set in the priority setting information matches the account information registered in the user registration information. In this configuration, a user is specified as a condition.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus, a print server, and a printing apparatus are connected via a network, print data received by the print server from the information processing apparatus is spooled, and A printing method for performing print output in the printing apparatus by reading print data spooled in response to the request and transmitting it to the printing apparatus, wherein (a) account information for each user is registered in the print server Pre-stored user registration information; and (b) when the information processing apparatus transmits print data to the print server, the account information regarding the logged-in user of the information processing apparatus is designated as predetermined user information. Account information input by the user is added to the area and the user information Adding to a predetermined command area different from the area and transmitting, and (c) when the print server receives print data from the information processing apparatus, the account information added to the user information designation area, Identifying a user on condition that at least one of the account information added to the command area matches the account information registered in the user registration information, and (d) the print server receives from the information processing apparatus Storing the print data in a predetermined storage means in association with the specified user, and (e) a user corresponding to the transmission request when the print server receives a print data transmission request from the printing apparatus. Reading the print data from the storage means and transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus, and (f) the printing apparatus When receiving the print data from the serial print server, a configuration characterized by having the steps of: performing printing output based on the print data.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the printing method according to claim 7, wherein the command area is a command designated by a user when print data is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus. Is a region to which is added.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the step (a) includes, in the print server, account information added to the user information designation area and the command area. Priority setting information including a setting for preferentially discriminating any one of the added account information is further stored, and the step (c) receives print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Among the account information added to the user information designation area and the account information added to the command area, the account information set in the priority setting information is registered in the user registration information. The configuration is characterized in that the user is specified on condition that the information matches.

  The invention according to claim 10 is a program executed in a print server connected to the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus via a network, wherein the print server is a user registration in which account information for each user is registered in advance. Storage means for storing information and print data received from the information processing apparatus, and the program receives a print data from the information processing apparatus when the print server receives the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus. That at least one of the account information added to the user information designation area and the account information added to a predetermined command area different from the user information designation area matches the account information registered in the user registration information. Account information determining means for specifying a user as a condition, the account information When the user is specified by another means, the spool means for storing the print data received from the information processing apparatus in the storage means in association with the specified user, and the print data transmission request from the printing apparatus In such a case, the print data of the user corresponding to the transmission request is read out from the storage unit, and the print data transmission unit transmits the print data to the printing apparatus.

  The invention according to an eleventh aspect is the program according to the tenth aspect, wherein the command area includes a command designated by a user when print data is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus. This is a configuration characterized by being an added region.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the program according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the storage means includes account information added to the user information designation area and account information added to the command area. Priority setting information including a setting for preferentially discriminating any one of the above is stored in advance, and the account information added to the user information designation area when the account information discriminating means specifies a user And the account information added to the command area, the user is specified on the condition that the account information set in the priority setting information matches the account information registered in the user registration information. It is the structure characterized by making it function.

  According to the present invention, for example, even when print data is transmitted in a state where a certain user logs in to the information processing apparatus as a common user, the print server does not automatically create a new account, It becomes possible to specify the user who transmitted the print data.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a print system. It is a figure which shows an example of user registration information. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a pull print output form using a print server in a print system. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver setting screen in the information processing apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the command area | region contained in print data. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of a print server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main processing procedure performed in the print server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of print data reception processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed process sequence of a discrimination | determination object setting process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of print data transmission processing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a print system 1 according to the present embodiment. The print system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 2 configured as a client PC, a print server 4, and a printing apparatus 6 configured by an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) or the like, and these include a network 8 such as a LAN. This is a configuration in which data communication is possible with each other.

  The information processing apparatus 2 can execute various application programs when the user performs a login operation and shifts to a login state. The information processing apparatus 2 includes a storage device 3 such as a hard disk device, and a driver program 9 is installed in the storage device 3. The driver program 9 is a so-called printer driver, and is a program for generating and outputting print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 6 in the information processing apparatus 2.

  When the print server 4 receives the print data output from the information processing apparatus 2, the print server 4 temporarily stores the print data, and receives the print data based on the print data transmission request from the printing apparatus 6. Server computer to send to. The print server 4 includes a storage device 5 such as a hard disk device. The storage device 5 stores a program 51, user registration information 52, and priority setting information 53, and a print data storage area 54 as a storage area for storing print data.

  The program 51 is a program for realizing the function as the print server 4. For example, when the print server 4 is turned on, the print server 4 reads and executes the program 51 in the storage device 5. As a result, the print server 4 realizes various functions to be described later.

  The user registration information 52 is information in which information related to the user who uses the print server 4 is registered in advance. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user registration information 52. In the user registration information 52, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, account information when each user uses the print server 4 and a print data storage area 54 provided for each user are specified. The storage area information and the count value obtained by counting the cumulative value of the output number of each user are stored.

  When the print server 4 receives print data via the network 8, the print server 4 determines whether or not the account information regarding the user who sent the print data is registered in the user registration information 52. If the account information related to the user who sent the print data is registered in the user registration information 52, the user is specified based on the account information, and the print data storage area 54 provided for the specified user is specified. The received print data is stored. On the other hand, the print server 4 discards the received print data when the account information regarding the transmission user of the received print data is not registered in the user registration information 52.

  The priority setting information 53 preferentially determines any of a plurality of account information included in the print data when determining whether or not the account information regarding the print data transmission user is registered in the user registration information 52. This is information that is set in advance. When the priority setting information 53 is stored in the storage device 5, the print server 4 prioritizes based on the priority setting information 53 if the print data received via the network 8 includes a plurality of account information. The account information to be determined is specified, and it is determined whether or not the account information related to the print data transmission user is registered in the user registration information 52 based on the account information.

  The print data storage area 54 is a storage area for storing print data. This print data storage area 54 is provided for each user registered in the user registration information 52, and the storage device 5 is provided with a plurality of print data storage areas 54. Therefore, the cumulative value of the output number for each user stored in the user registration information 52 can be updated by counting the number of output sheets of print data stored in each print data storage area 54. Yes.

  Next, the printing apparatus 6 is an apparatus that performs print output based on print data input via the network 8. The printing apparatus 6 includes an operation panel 7 serving as a user interface when operated by a user. The operation panel 7 includes a display unit configured with a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying various information to the user, and an operation unit that receives various operation inputs by the user. The printing apparatus 6 can directly receive print data from the information processing apparatus 2 and perform print output. The print apparatus 6 acquires print data output from the information processing apparatus 2 to the print server 4 from the print server 4 and prints the print data. You can also output. An output form in which the printing apparatus 6 acquires print data from the print server 4 and performs print output in this way is called pull printing.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a concept of a pull print output form using the print server 4 in the print system 1. For example, when the user A logs in to the information processing apparatus 2 and issues a print output instruction using the print server 4, the driver program 9 described above is activated in the information processing apparatus 2. Then, the information processing apparatus 2 generates the print data PD by executing the driver program 9 and transmits the print data PD to the print server 4.

  The print data PD transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 includes, for example, a command area such as PJL (Printer Job Language) in its header area. Account information for specifying the user who transmitted the print data PD is added to the command area.

  The print server 4 that has received the print data PD from the information processing apparatus 2 specifies a user based on account information included in the print data PD, and determines whether or not the user is registered in the user registration information 52. Is determined. As a result, if the user is registered in the user registration information 52, the received print data PD is stored and saved in the print data storage area 54 corresponding to the user. For example, when the print data PD is transmitted by the user A operating the information processing apparatus 2 as shown in FIG. 3, the print server 4 can identify the user A from the account information included in the print data PD. The received print data PD is stored and saved in the print data storage area 54 corresponding to the user A. However, at this time, if the user A cannot be specified, the print data PD is discarded.

  Then, after the user A operates the information processing apparatus 2 to transmit the print data PD to the print server 4, the user A moves to the installation location of the printing apparatus 6 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3. Then, by operating the operation panel 7 of the printing apparatus 6, a user ID, a password, and the like are input, and the printing apparatus 6 is logged in. At this time, for example, by holding the IC card held by the user A over a card reader (not shown), various types of information including account information recorded on the IC card is automatically read and logged in. It doesn't matter.

  However, when the user A logs in to the printing apparatus 6, it is necessary to log in as the user A registered in the user registration information 52 in the print server 4. Therefore, the printing apparatus 6 sends the user ID and password input to the operation panel 7 or information read from the IC card to the print server 4 to request user authentication, and the user registration is performed by the user authentication in the print server 4. It is good also as a structure which transfers to a login state on the condition that it is specified that it is the user A registered into the information 52. FIG. In addition, similarly to the user registration information 52 managed by the print server 4, user authentication information in which information related to the user is registered in advance is held in the printing apparatus 6, and the user authentication information is based on the user authentication information. The printing apparatus 6 may be configured to perform internal authentication.

  When the user A logs in to the printing apparatus 6 as described above, the printing apparatus 6 requests the print server 4 to transmit the print data PD related to the user A who is the login user. Accordingly, the print server 4 reads out the print data PD stored in the print data storage area 54 corresponding to the user A and transmits it to the printing apparatus 6. The printing apparatus 6 performs print output based on the print data PD received from the print server 4. Thereby, the user A can obtain the printed matter M output from the printing device 6.

  In the print system 1 as described above, an authentication system that centrally authenticates and manages users who use the network 8 is not constructed. Therefore, for example, when the information processing apparatus 2 is an apparatus shared by a plurality of users, when the user A uses the information processing apparatus 2, it is not “user A” registered in the print server 4; The information processing apparatus 2 may be used by logging in as a common user (common user). In such a case, when the user A transmits the print data PD for pull printing to the print server 4, the sender of the print data PD is “user A” on the printer driver setting screen in a state where the driver program 9 is activated. ”Can be entered.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of such a printer driver setting screen G1. On this setting screen G1, various setting operations for generating the print data PD can be performed. In the example shown in the figure, one screen for setting the output method is displayed. The output method setting screen includes an output setting field R1 and a security printing setting field R2. In the output setting field R1, radio buttons B1, B2, and B3 that can select one of the three output forms of normal printing, security printing, and spool printing are displayed as output forms. In the security print setting field R2, an ID input field R4 for inputting an ID and a password input field R5 for inputting a password are displayed. Further, at the bottom of the screen, an OK button B4 for instructing transmission of the print data PD and a cancel button B5 for canceling transmission of the print data PD are included.

  The normal printing is an output form in which the print data PD is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 to the printing apparatus 6 and the printing apparatus 6 promptly starts printing when receiving the print data PD. In this normal printing, the print data PD is not transmitted via the print server 4, and the print data PD is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 to the printing apparatus 6. Further, in this normal printing, there is no need to input to the ID input field R4 and the password input field R5 of the security print setting field R2.

  In the security printing, the print data PD is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 to the printing apparatus 6, and the received printing data PD is temporarily stored in the printing apparatus 6, and the security printing is performed from the operation panel 7. This is an output form in which print output is started on condition that an input that matches the ID and password set and input in the setting field R2 is made. Such security printing is used when a confidential document or the like is printed out. That is, when the user transmits the print data PD and sets the ID and password in the security print setting field R2 in advance, the printing apparatus 6 matches the ID and password with respect to the operation panel 7. Do not print unless input. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a confidential document from being viewed by a third party. That is, the input operation for the ID input field R4 and the password input field R5 provided in the security print setting field R2 is normally performed when security printing is selected. Note that in this security printing as well as normal printing, the print data PD is not transmitted via the print server 4, and the print data PD is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 to the printing apparatus 6.

  Next, spool printing is an output form in which print output is performed by pull printing using the above-described print server 4. By using such a pull printing function, it is possible to prevent a confidential document from being viewed by a third party, as in the above-described security printing. The screen example of FIG. 4 shows a state where the radio button B3 corresponding to this spool printing is selected and spool printing is selected as the output form. In the present embodiment, when the user selects spool printing, account information for identifying the user himself / herself is input to at least one of the ID input field R4 and the password input field R5 of the security print setting field R2. It can be done.

  For example, when the user A is logged in to the information processing apparatus 2 as a common user, a print instruction for spool printing is performed without inputting account information for identifying the user A in the security print setting field R2. If this is done, account information for identifying the user A is not added to the print data PD transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 to the print server 4. Therefore, in order to prevent this, the user A selects spool printing and inputs in advance account information for identifying the user A in the security print setting field R2. When the OK button B4 is pressed, the print data PD is generated by the function of the driver program 9 and transmitted to the print server 4.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the PJL command area D1 included in the print data PD. In the command area D1, various command areas are provided for each line. When the information processing apparatus 2 generates the print data PD based on the user's instruction, the account information of the logged-in user who has logged into the information processing apparatus 2 is stored in the user information designation area CR1 that is one of the command areas D1. Append. For example, when the user A is logged in to the information processing apparatus 2 as a common user, the name “common” is added to the user information designation area CR1 as account information corresponding to the common user. When the user A is logged in to the information processing apparatus 2 as the user A who is his / her regular account, the name “user A” is added to the user information specifying area CR1. More specifically, when the information processing apparatus 2 executes the driver program 9, the information processing apparatus 2 acquires account information regarding the currently logged-in user from the operating system (OS), and automatically transmits the account information to the user information designation area CR1. Is added.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the command area D1 includes command areas CR2 and CR3 for adding information input to the above-described security print setting field R2 as a command area different from the user information designation area CR1. It is. When the information processing apparatus 2 generates the print data PD, if information is input in each of the ID input field R4 and the password input field R5 of the security print setting field R2 on the printer driver setting screen G1, the information Is automatically added to each of the command areas CR2 and CR3. Therefore, when the user inputs account information for specifying a user in the security print setting field R2 in a state where spool printing is selected, account information for specifying the user is added to the command areas CR2 and CR3.

  For example, when the user A is logged in to the information processing apparatus 2 as a common user, the name “common” indicating the common user is automatically added to the user information designation area CR1. In such a case, when spool printing is selected, the user A inputs regular account information for identifying the user A in the security print setting field R2, which normally does not need to be input, and instructs transmission of the print data PD. The OK button B4 is operated. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 2 stores account information indicating “user A” in the command areas CR <b> 2 and CR <b> 3 relating to security printing, which are command areas different from the user information designation area CR <b> 1. In addition, print data PD is generated. In the example of FIG. 5, the case where the account information is added to each of the two command areas CR2 and CR3 related to the security printing is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. Account information may be added to at least one of them.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a user uses the information processing apparatus 2, the user may log in and use the information processing apparatus 2 as a common user that is not registered in the print server 4. In such a case, when the user issues a print instruction by pull printing, as described above, by inputting information relating to the user's regular account in the security print setting field R2 and issuing the print instruction, the printing apparatus 6 is originally provided. The print data PD is generated by adding the regular account information of the user to the command areas CR2 and CR3 used when the print data PD is directly transmitted. Then, the print data PD generated in this way is transmitted to the print server 4.

  When the print server 4 of the present embodiment receives the print data PD generated as described above, the account information added to the user information designation area CR1 and the command area CR2 different from the user information designation area CR1. Alternatively, the user is specified on the condition that at least one of the account information added to CR3 matches the account information registered in the user registration information 52. The received print data PD is stored in the storage device 5 as the print data PD corresponding to the specified user.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the print server 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the print server 4 includes a network interface 11, a CPU 12, and a storage device 5. In addition, the print server 4 includes a memory for temporarily storing data. The network interface 11 is for connecting the print server 4 to the network 8. In the print server 4, the CPU 12 is configured to transmit / receive print data PD via the network interface 11.

  The CPU 12 reads and executes the program 51 stored in the storage device 5 when the power is turned on. By executing the program 51, the CPU 12 functions as a print data reception unit 13, an account information determination unit 14, a spool processing unit 15, a transmission request analysis unit 16, and a print data transmission unit 17, as shown in FIG. .

  The print data receiving unit 13 is a processing unit that receives the print data PD for pull printing transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 via the network interface 11. When receiving the print data PD transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2, the print data receiving unit 13 outputs the print data PD to the account information determining unit 14.

  The account information determination unit 14 is a processing unit that determines account information included in the print data PD received by the print data reception unit 13. The account information determination unit 14 analyzes the PJL command area D1 included in the print data PD, and the account information added to the user information designation area CR1 and a predetermined command area CR2 different from the user information designation area CR1. Alternatively, the user is specified on condition that at least one of the account information added to CR3 matches the account information registered in the user registration information 52.

  For example, in the command area D1 of the received print data PD, when account information is added only to the user information designation area CR1 shown in FIG. 5, the account information determination unit 14 is added to the user information designation area CR1. It is determined whether or not the account information registered matches the account information registered in the user registration information 52. Further, if the account information is not added to the user information specifying area CR1, and the print data PD having the account information added only to the command area CR2 or CR3 is received, the account information determination unit 14 Then, it is determined whether or not the account information added to the command area CR2 or CR3 matches the account information registered in the user registration information 52. As described above, the account information determination unit 14 in the command area D1 of the print data PD, when the account information is registered only in one of the user information designation area CR1 and the predetermined command area CR2 or CR3. Then, it is determined whether or not the account information is registered in the user registration information 52. As a result, if the account information registered in the user registration information 52 can be specified, the user who transmitted the print data PD can be specified thereby. Note that the user specified at this time is a user registered in the user registration information 52.

  Further, in the command area D1 of the received print data PD, when account information is added to the user information designation area CR1, and further, account information is added to a predetermined command area CR2 or CR3, an account information determination unit 14 determines whether or not the priority setting information 53 is stored in the storage device 5. When the priority setting information 53 is stored in the storage device 5, the account information determination unit 14 determines, based on the priority setting information 53, the account information added to the user information specifying area CR 1 and a predetermined command area. One of the two pieces of account information is selected from the account information added to CR2 or CR3. Then, it is determined whether or not the selected account information matches the account information registered in the user registration information 52. As a result, if the account information matches the account information registered in the user registration information 52, the account information determination unit 14 specifies the user who transmitted the print data PD.

  However, when the priority setting information 53 as described above is not stored in the storage device 5, the account information determination unit 14 registers the account information added to the predetermined command area CR 2 or CR 3 in the user registration information 52. It is determined whether or not it matches the account information.

  As a result of determining the account information as described above, if the user who transmitted the print data PD can be specified, the spool processing unit 15 functions next. On the other hand, when the user cannot be specified, the received print data PD is discarded.

  The spool processing unit 15 is a processing unit that stores and saves the received print data PD in the print data storage area 54 corresponding to the specified user. For example, when the user who transmitted the print data PD is specified as “user A”, the spool processing unit 15 stores and saves the received print data PD in the print data storage area 54 corresponding to “user A”. The print data PD transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 is spooled in the print server 4 by such processing of the spool processing unit 15.

  Next, the transmission request analysis unit 16 is a processing unit that receives the transmission request D2 transmitted from the printing apparatus 6 via the network interface 11, and analyzes the received transmission request D2. The transmission request D <b> 2 transmitted from the printing apparatus 6 to the print server 4 includes information regarding the user who has logged into the printing apparatus 6. For this reason, the transmission request analysis unit 16 refers to the user registration information 52 based on such information on the user, and specifies the user who is requesting transmission of the print data PD by operating the printing device 6. . When the user can be specified, the transmission request analysis unit 16 causes the print data transmission unit 17 to function.

  The print data transmission unit 17 is a processing unit that reads the print data PD stored in the print data storage area 54 and transmits the print data PD to the printing apparatus 6. The print data transmission unit 17 specifies the user's print data storage area 54 specified by the transmission request analysis unit 16. Then, the print data PD stored in the print data storage area 54 is read and transmitted to the printing apparatus 6 via the network interface 11. At this time, when a plurality of print data PDs are stored in the specified print data storage area 54, the print data transmission unit 17 reads all the plurality of print data PDs and transmits them to the printing apparatus 6 at a time. You may do it. When the transmission of the print data PD is normally completed, the print data transmission unit 17 deletes the print data PD that has been transmitted from the print data storage area 54.

  Next, a specific operation in the print server 4 will be described. 7 to 10 are flowcharts showing an example of a processing procedure performed in the print server 4, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the main processing procedure. This process is performed by the CPU 12 executing the program 51 when the print server 4 is powered on.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when this process is started, the print server 4 determines whether or not the print data PD is received from the information processing apparatus 2 (step S1). If the print data PD is received (YES in step S1), the print server 4 executes a print data reception process (step S2). On the other hand, if the print data PD has not been received (NO in step S1), the print data reception process in step S2 is skipped.

  Next, the print server 4 determines whether a transmission request has been received from the printing apparatus 6 (step S3). If a transmission request has been received (YES in step S3), the print server 4 executes a print data transmission process (step S4), and further executes a print sheet count process (step S5). On the other hand, if a transmission request has not been received (NO in step S3), the print data transmission process in step S4 and the printed sheet count process in step S5 are skipped. Note that the printed sheet count process (step S5) is a process of adding the count value in the user registration information 52 as the print data PD is transmitted to the printing apparatus 6 by the print data transmission process of step S4.

  The print server 4 is configured to repeatedly execute the processes in steps S1 to S5 as described above.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of the print data reception process (step S2). When this process is started, the print server 4 reads account information from the user information designation area CR1 included in the command area D1 of the received print data PD (step S11). Next, the print server 4 reads account information from a predetermined command area CR2 or CR3 different from the user information designation area CR1 included in the command area D1 of the received print data PD (step S12). Then, the print server 4 determines whether or not the two account information has been read out in steps S11 and S12 (step S13). As a result, when two pieces of account information have been read (YES in step S13), the print server 4 executes a discrimination target setting process (step S14).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the discrimination target setting process (step S14). When this process is started, the print server 4 determines whether or not the priority setting information 53 is stored in the storage device 5 (step S31). As a result, when the priority setting information 53 is not stored in the storage device 5 (NO in step S31), the print server 4 stores the account information read from the predetermined command area CR2 or CR3 different from the user information designation area CR1. It is set as a discrimination target (step S32). On the other hand, when the priority setting information 53 is stored in the storage device 5 (YES in step S31), the print server 4 reads the priority setting information 53 (step S33). Then, it is determined whether or not the account information read from the predetermined command area CR2 or CR3 is set to be determined preferentially (step S34). If the account information read from the predetermined command area CR2 or CR3 is set to be preferentially determined (YES in step S34), the print server 4 determines that the predetermined command area CR2 is different from the user information designation area CR1. Alternatively, the account information read from CR3 is set as a discrimination target (step S35). On the other hand, if the setting is such that the account information read from the user information specifying area CR1 is preferentially determined (NO in step S34), the print server 4 determines the account information read from the user information specifying area CR1. The target is set (step S36). The discrimination target setting process (step S14) is thus completed.

  By performing the discrimination target setting process (step S14) as described above, one account information is discriminated when account information is read from each of the user information designation area CR1 and the command area CR2 or CR3. Set as a target.

  Returning to FIG. 8, when the two account information is not read out in steps S11 and S12 (NO in step S13), the account information is not read out in one or both of steps S11 and S12. become. In this case, the print server 4 determines whether or not one account information has been read in one of steps S11 and S12 (step S15). If one account information has been read (YES in step S15), the print server 4 sets the read one account information as a discrimination target (step S16). If the account information is not read out in any of the processes in steps S11 and S12 (NO in step S15), the print server 4 discards the received print data PD and ends the process (step S21).

  When one account information to be determined in step S14 or S16 is set, the print server 4 reads the user registration information 52 (step S17), and the account information set as the determination target is the user registration information 52. Is registered (step S18). If the account information is registered in the user registration information 52 (YES in step S18), the print server 4 identifies the user who transmitted the print data PD (step S19), and the print data storage area of the identified user. In 54, the received print data PD is stored and saved (step S20). On the other hand, if the account information set as the determination target is not registered in the user registration information 52 (NO in step S28), the print server 4 discards the received print data PD and ends the process (step). S21).

  When the print data PD is received by executing the print data reception process (step S2) as described above in the print server 4, the account information added to the user information designation area CR1 and the predetermined command area CR2 or The user is specified on the condition that at least one of the account information added to CR3 matches the account information registered in the user registration information 52. The received print data PD is stored in the storage device 5 as the print data PD corresponding to the specified user.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of the print data transmission process (step S4). When this process is started, the print server 4 extracts information (for example, account information) about the user included in the transmission request received from the printing apparatus 6 (step S41). The print server 4 reads the user registration information 52 (step S42), and specifies the user who made the transmission request (step S43). At this time, the specified user is a login user who has logged into the printing apparatus 6. Thereafter, the print server 4 specifies the print data storage area 54 of the specified user (step S44), and reads the print data PD stored in the print data storage area 54 (step S45). Then, the read print data PD is transmitted to the printing apparatus 6 and the process is terminated (step S46).

  By executing the print data transmission process (step S4) as described above in the print server 4, the print data PD corresponding to the user operating the operation panel 7 of the printing apparatus 6 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 6. Will come to be. When the printing apparatus 6 executes the print job, print output based on the print data PD is performed.

  In the print server 4, as the print data PD is transmitted to the printing apparatus 6, the print number counting process (step S 5) is executed as described above. Can be managed properly.

  As described above, in the print system 1 according to the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 2, the print server 4, and the printing apparatus 6 are connected via the network 8, and the print data PD received from the information processing apparatus 2 by the print server 4 is received. The print apparatus 6 prints the print data PD by spooling the print data PD spooled in response to a request from the print apparatus 6 and transmitting it to the print apparatus 6. When the information processing apparatus 2 transmits the print data PD to the print server 4, the account information related to the logged-in user of the information processing apparatus 2 is added to a predetermined user information designation area CR 1 and the account input by the user In this configuration, information is added to a predetermined command area CR2 or CR3 different from the user information designation area CR1 and transmitted. When the print server 4 receives the print data PD from the information processing apparatus 2, at least one of the account information added to the user information designation area CR1 and the account information added to the command area CR2 or CR3 is registered as a user. In this configuration, a user is specified on the condition that it matches the account information registered in the information 52, and is stored in the storage device 5 as print data PD corresponding to the specified user.

  According to such a configuration, for example, even when the print data PD is transmitted in a state where a certain user is logged in to the information processing apparatus 2 as a common user, the print server 4 actually stores the print data PD. Since the transmitting user can be accurately specified, it is possible to effectively use the print output by pull printing. In addition, the user who operates the information processing apparatus 2 does not need to perform a troublesome operation such as performing a re-login operation in order to switch from a login state as a common user to a login state with his / her regular account. Improves.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined command area CR2 or CR3 different from the user information specifying area CR1 is specified by the user when the information processing apparatus 2 directly transmits the print data PD to the printing apparatus 6. This is the area where commands are added. Therefore, the driver program 9 itself installed in the information processing apparatus 2 does not need to be modified at all. Therefore, even when a large number of information processing apparatuses 2 are provided in the network 8, the driver program 9 itself installed in each information processing apparatus 2 does not need to be rewritten, and the program 51 installed in the print server 4. The print system 1 according to the present embodiment can be realized simply by rewriting only for the above-described processing.

  In addition, as described above, the print server 4 according to the present embodiment stores either one of the account information added to the user information designation area CR1 and the account information added to the predetermined command area CR2 or CR3. Priority setting information 53 including settings for preferential determination is stored in the storage device 5. When print data is received from the information processing apparatus 2, the priority setting information 53 is set out of the account information added to the user information specifying area CR1 and the account information added to the predetermined command area CR2 or CR3. The user information is specified on the condition that the account information that is registered matches the account information registered in the user registration information 52.

  According to such a configuration, when both the account information added to the user information specifying area CR1 and the account information added to the predetermined command area CR2 or CR3 are extracted in the print server 4, whichever Whether to preferentially determine the account information can be set in advance. In the print server 4, since processing for specifying a user is performed with one account information based on the priority setting information 53 as a priority discrimination target, efficient processing is performed.

(Modification)
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment regarding this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to the content mentioned above, It cannot be overemphasized that various modifications are applicable.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the user operates the information processing apparatus 2 to instruct the print output of the pull print, the case where the user's own regular account information is input to the security print setting field R2 is exemplified . Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the command areas CR2 and CR3 different from the user information designation area CR1 are command areas related to security printing. However, the command area to which the regular account information input by the user is added is not necessarily limited to the command area related to security printing, and may be any other command area.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print system 2 Information processing apparatus 4 Print server 5 Storage device (storage means)
6 Printing device 8 Network 13 Print data receiving unit (print data receiving means)
14 Account information discriminator (account information discriminating means)
15 Spool processing part (spool means)
16 Transmission request analysis unit (transmission request analysis means)
17 Print data transmission unit (print data transmission means)
52 User registration information 53 Priority setting information CR1 User information designation area CR2, CR3 Command area PD Print data

Claims (12)

An information processing apparatus, a print server, and a printing apparatus are connected via a network, print data received by the print server from the information processing apparatus is spooled, and the print data spooled in response to a request from the printing apparatus Is a printing system that performs print output in the printing apparatus by reading out and transmitting to the printing apparatus,
The print server includes storage means for storing user registration information in which account information for each user is registered in advance, and print data received from the information processing apparatus,
When the information processing apparatus transmits print data to the print server, the information processing apparatus adds account information related to a logged-in user of the information processing apparatus to a predetermined user information designation area, and receives account information input by the user. Add to a specified command area that is different from the user information specification area and send it,
When the print server receives print data from the information processing apparatus, at least one of account information added to the user information designation area and account information added to the command area is registered in the user registration information. A printing system characterized in that a user is specified on condition that the account information matches, and is stored in the storage means as print data corresponding to the specified user.   2. The print according to claim 1, wherein the command area is an area to which a command designated by a user is added when the information processing apparatus directly transmits print data to the printing apparatus. system. The print server includes priority setting information including a setting for preferentially discriminating any one of account information added to the user information specifying area and account information added to the command area. It is further stored in the storage means,
When the print data is received from the information processing apparatus, the account information set in the priority setting information among the account information added to the user information designation area and the account information added to the command area is 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the user is specified on condition that the account information matches the account information registered in the user registration information. A print server connected to an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus via a network,
Storage means for storing user registration information in which account information for each user is registered in advance, and print data received from the information processing apparatus;
When the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus is received, at least of account information added to a predetermined user information specifying area and account information added to a predetermined command area different from the user information specifying area Account information determination means for specifying a user on the condition that one matches the account information registered in the user registration information;
Spool means for storing print data received from the information processing apparatus in the storage means in association with the specified user when a user is specified by the account information determination means;
A print data transmission unit that, when receiving a print data transmission request from the printing apparatus, reads out the user's print data corresponding to the transmission request from the storage unit and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus;
A print server comprising:   5. The command area according to claim 4, wherein the command area is an area to which a command designated by a user is added when print data is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus. Print server. The storage means further includes priority setting information including a setting for preferentially discriminating any one of the account information added to the user information specifying area and the account information added to the command area. Remember,
The account information determination unit receives the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and includes the priority information among the account information added to the user information designation area and the account information added to the command area. 6. The print server according to claim 4, wherein the user is specified on condition that the account information set in the setting information matches the account information registered in the user registration information. An information processing apparatus, a print server, and a printing apparatus are connected via a network, print data received by the print server from the information processing apparatus is spooled, and the print data spooled in response to a request from the printing apparatus Is a printing method for performing print output in the printing apparatus by reading out and transmitting to the printing apparatus,
(a) storing in advance user registration information in which account information for each user is registered in the print server;
(b) When the information processing apparatus transmits print data to the print server, account information about the logged-in user of the information processing apparatus is added to a predetermined user information designation area, and account information input by the user Adding to a predetermined command area different from the user information designating area and transmitting,
(c) When the print server receives print data from the information processing apparatus, at least one of account information added to the user information designation area and account information added to the command area is the user registration information. Identifying the user on condition that it matches the account information registered in
(d) storing the print data received from the information processing apparatus by the print server in a predetermined storage unit in association with the specified user;
(e) when the print server receives a print data transmission request from the printing device, reading the user's print data corresponding to the transmission request from the storage unit and transmitting the print data to the printing device;
(f) when the printing apparatus receives print data from the print server, performing print output based on the print data;
A printing method characterized by comprising:   The command area is an area to which a command designated by a user is added when print data is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus. How to print. The step (a) is to preferentially determine one of account information added to the user information designation area and account information added to the command area to the print server. Storing priority setting information including settings,
In the step (c), when the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus is received, the priority is selected from the account information added to the user information designation area and the account information added to the command area. 9. The printing method according to claim 7, wherein the user is specified on condition that the account information set in the setting information matches the account information registered in the user registration information. A program executed in a print server connected to an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus via a network,
The print server includes storage means for storing user registration information in which account information for each user is registered in advance, and print data received from the information processing apparatus,
The program executes the print server,
Account information added to a predetermined user information designation area when print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus is received, and account information added to a predetermined command area different from the user information designation area Account information determination means for specifying a user on condition that at least one of them matches the account information registered in the user registration information;
A spool unit that stores print data received from the information processing apparatus in the storage unit in association with the specified user when a user is specified by the account information determination unit; and
A print data transmission unit that, when receiving a print data transmission request from the printing device, reads out the user's print data corresponding to the transmission request from the storage unit and transmits the print data to the printing device;
A program characterized by functioning as   The command area is an area to which a command designated by a user is added when print data is directly transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus. program. In the storage means, priority setting information including a setting for preferentially discriminating any one of the account information added to the user information specifying area and the account information added to the command area is stored. Pre-stored,
When the account information determination unit specifies a user, the account set in the priority setting information among the account information added to the user information designation area and the account information added to the command area 12. The program according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the program functions to specify a user on condition that the information matches the account information registered in the user registration information.

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