JP2014080034A - Information processor, program, printing system and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing apparatus, a printing system, a program, and a printing method that improve security and user convenience are provided.
A printing system 1 includes a PC 10-1, printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N, and the like connected via a LAN 50. The PC 10-1 prints print data according to a user instruction. The data forming unit 111 includes a print data transmitting unit 113 and a communication unit 17 that transmit the formed print data to the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N. The printer devices 20-1 to 20-N receive the received print data. An external storage device 23 for storing the user, an input unit 26 for inputting a user's print instruction and user identification information and a card reader 24, a print data management unit 212 for reading print data corresponding to the user identification information from the external storage device 23, and A printer engine 28 that performs printing based on the print data is provided.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing, a printing system that includes a plurality of printing apparatuses and a print data forming apparatus connected via a network, a program that is executed by a CPU of the printing apparatus, and printing that is formed by the print data forming apparatus The present invention relates to a printing method in which a printing apparatus performs printing based on data.

In recent years, networks such as in-house LANs (Local Area Networks) have become widespread, and personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) and printer devices used by each user are connected via the network to share printer devices. It has been broken. The user uses a PC to create printer data (print data) to be printed, such as editing and creation, and prints created on a printer device connected to the network by a printer driver installed on the PC The data was sent and printed. When a plurality of printer devices are connected to the network, the user designates the printer device to which printer data is to be transmitted on the PC using identification information such as an IP address.
However, since the printer device receives the transmitted print data and outputs it immediately, the print contents may be changed while the user goes to pick up the printed matter in an environment where the user and the printer device are separated from each other. There was a problem of being seen by users. Further, there is a problem that the user forgets to give a print instruction and the printed matter is left in the printer apparatus.
In order to solve such a problem, by controlling the output destination of the image data generated according to the output restriction data in the received print information, an instruction to start outputting the print information transferred from the host is issued on the printing apparatus side. There is a printing apparatus that can be entrusted to the instruction of only a regular user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 7-152520 A

  However, there is a problem that the user has to specify a printer device that is the output destination of print data on the PC, which is burdensome. Even if the user goes to the designated printer device to instruct the start of print data output, if the designated printer device is printing other print data, it waits or operates the PC. Therefore, there is a problem that the designation has to be changed to another printer device, which is not convenient. Furthermore, even when the usage status of the printer device is checked in advance, there is a burden of checking, and the printer device may be in use while the printer device is specified after the check, and the check may be wasted. There was also.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing system, a program, and a printing method that improve security and user convenience.

  The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to the Example of this invention is attached and demonstrated, it is not limited to this. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a print instruction is input by the print instruction input means (24, 26) for inputting a user's print instruction and the print instruction input means, a network is provided according to the print instruction. Print data acquisition means (213, 25) for acquiring print data from one or a plurality of information processing devices (30) connected via (50), and the print data acquired by the print data acquisition means And a printing device (20A-1 to 20A-N) including printing means (28) for performing printing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print instruction input means inputs target print data identification information for inputting target print data identification information for identifying print data that is a target of the print instruction. Input means (24), wherein the print data acquisition means outputs one or more print data corresponding to the target print data identification information input by the target print data identification information input means to the one or more information processing The printing apparatus (20A-1 to 20A-N) is characterized by being acquired from the apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the second aspect, the print data acquisition unit transmits the target print data identification information input by the target print data identification information input unit to the information processing apparatus. Print data corresponding to the target print data identification information transmitted by the print data identification information transmission means (25, S640, # 20, # 320, # 420, # 510) and the target print data identification information transmission means, The printing apparatus (20A-1 to 20A-N) includes target print data receiving means (25, S650, # 30, # 330, # 430, # 520) that is received from the information processing apparatus. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the third aspect, the print data storage means (23) for storing the print data is connected via the network (50). Target print data identification information receiving means (25, # 420) for receiving target print data identification information transmitted from the printing apparatus, and printing corresponding to the target print data identification information received by the target print data identification information receiving means A determination means (21) for determining whether or not data is stored in the print data storage means; and if the determination means determines affirmative, the print data corresponding to the target print data identification information is A printing apparatus (20A-1 to 20A-2), comprising: target print data transmission means (25, # 430) for transmission to another printing apparatus according to claim 3. Is an A-N).

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of printing apparatuses (20A-1 to 20A-N) according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the plurality of printing apparatuses and a network (50). A printing data forming apparatus (10A-1) connected to the printing data forming apparatus based on the printing data formed by the printing data forming apparatus, wherein the printing data forming apparatus includes: , Having print data forming means (111, S440) for forming print data in accordance with a user's instruction, and transferring the print data formed by the print data forming device to the information processing device (30) connected to the network Provided with print data providing means (11A, 17, 31, 34, S470, S510) to be provided, and the information processing apparatus includes the print data providing means. Print data storage means (33, S520) for storing the print data to be provided, and the print data acquisition means of the printing apparatus that has input the print instruction by the print instruction input means responds to the print instruction with the information The printing system (1A) is characterized by acquiring print data from a processing device (S640, S650).

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the fifth aspect, the information processing apparatus receives target print data identification information transmitted by a target print data identification information transmitting unit of the printing apparatus. Information receiving means (31, 34, S710) and target print data reading means (311) for reading out print data corresponding to the target print data identification information received by the target print data identification information receiving means from the print data storage means S720) and target print data transmission means (31, 34, S730) for transmitting the print data read by the print data reading means to the printing apparatus that is the transmission source of the target print data identification information, Is a printing system (1A).

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the printing system according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the print data forming apparatus sets a user who can issue a print instruction for the print data formed by the print data forming unit. And a print instruction providing user setting unit (112A, S450), wherein the print data providing unit identifies the user set by the print instruction enable user setting unit in the print data formed by the print data forming unit The instructable user identification information is provided to the information processing apparatus in association with each other (S470), and the print data storage means of the information processing apparatus and the print data provided by the print data providing means and the instructable user identification The information is stored in association with the information (S520), and the print instruction input means of the printing apparatus receives the print instruction. A command user identification information input unit (24, S620) for inputting command user identification information for identifying the user or its attribute, and the target print data identification information transmission unit of the printing apparatus is configured to input command user identification information. The instruction user identification information input by the means is transmitted to the information processing apparatus (S640), and the target print data identification information receiving means of the information processing apparatus receives the instruction user identification information transmitted from the printing apparatus, The target print data reading unit of the information processing apparatus is based on the instruction user identification information received by the target print data identification information reception unit and the instructable user identification information stored in the print data storage unit, The printing system (1A) is characterized by reading one or a plurality of print data (S720).

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the information processing apparatus is configured to transmit / receive the print data and / or print history of the printing apparatus. The printing system (1A) is characterized by having a print history storage means (33, S740) for storing.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the printing system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the information processing device is print data to be printed by the printing device, and / or The printing system (1A) is characterized by comprising print data erasing means (311 and S740) for erasing print data left for a predetermined period or longer from the print data storage means.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a print data forming apparatus (10-1 to 10-N) and a plurality of printing apparatuses (20-1 to 20-N) are connected via a network. In the printing system in which the printing apparatus performs printing based on the formed print data, the print data forming apparatus includes print data forming means (111, S140) for forming print data according to a user instruction, and Print data providing means (11, 17, 21, 25, S160, S210) for providing the print data formed by the data forming means to the plurality of printing apparatuses is provided, and the printing apparatus is provided by the print data providing means Print data storage means (23, S220) for storing the received print data, and print instruction input means (2 for inputting the user's print instruction) , 26, S310, S320) and printing means (28, S350) for performing printing based on the print data stored in the print data storage means when a print instruction is inputted by the print instruction input means. It is a printing system (1) characterized by having.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the tenth aspect, the print instruction input means inputs the target print data identification information for inputting the target print data identification information for identifying the print data that is the target of the print instruction. Print data reading means for reading out print data corresponding to the target print data identification information input by the target print data identification information input means from the print data storage means, having an input means (24, S320) (212, S340) The printing system (1) is characterized in that the printing unit performs printing based on the print data read by the print data reading unit.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, in the printing system according to the eleventh aspect, the print data forming apparatus can set a user who can issue a print instruction for the print data formed by the print data forming unit. User setting means (11, S150), wherein the print data providing means is an instruction for identifying the user set by the print instruction enable user setting means in the print data formed by the print data forming means The possible user identification information is associated and provided to the plurality of printing apparatuses (S160, S210), and the print data storage unit of the printing apparatus includes the print data provided by the print data providing unit, the instructable user identification information, Are stored in association with each other (S220), and the print instruction input means of the printing apparatus issues a print instruction. A command user identification information input unit (24) for inputting command user identification information for identifying the user or its attribute, and the print data reading unit of the printing apparatus is input by the command user identification information input unit. A printing system (1) characterized in that one or a plurality of print data is read based on the designated user identification information and the instructable user identification information stored in the print data storage means (S340). is there.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the printing system according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the printing apparatus is left for a predetermined period or longer as print data to be printed. The printing system further comprises print data erasing means (212, S380) for erasing the print data being stored from the print data storage means.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to any one of the fifth to thirteenth aspects, the printing apparatus inputs authentication information for authenticating a user who issues a print instruction. Means (24, S320, S620), and authentication determination means (211, S330, S630) for determining whether or not to authenticate the user who issues the print instruction based on the authentication information input by the authentication information input means. The printing system (1, 1A) is characterized in that the printing unit of the printing apparatus performs printing when the authentication determination unit determines affirmative.

  A fifteenth aspect of the invention is the printing system according to the fourteenth aspect, further comprising a portable information storage medium (40) carried by the user, wherein the authentication information input means of the printing apparatus authenticates the user who issues the print instruction. The printing system (1, 1A) is characterized in that authentication information for input is input from the portable information storage medium.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the fifteenth aspect, the print data forming apparatus inputs authentication information for authenticating a user instructing the formation of print data from the portable information storage medium. It has a user authentication information input means (14) and a forming user authentication means (114) for authenticating a user instructing formation based on the authentication information input by the forming user authentication information input means. Printing system (1, 1A).

  The invention according to claim 17 is a program to be executed by the printing apparatus (20A-1 to 20A-N) for performing printing based on the print data, and a print instruction input procedure for inputting a user's print instruction (S610, In step S620), when a print instruction is input in the print instruction input procedure, print data is acquired from one or a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to the printing apparatus via a network according to the print instruction. A print data acquisition procedure (S640, S650) and a print procedure (S660) for performing printing based on the print data acquired in the print data acquisition procedure.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the seventeenth aspect, the print instruction input procedure inputs target print data identification information for inputting target print data identification information for identifying print data to be a target of the print instruction. A procedure (S620), wherein the print data acquisition procedure receives one or more print data corresponding to the target print data identification information input in the target print data identification information input procedure from the one or more information processing apparatuses. It is a program characterized by acquiring.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the eighteenth aspect, the print data acquisition procedure transmits the target print data identification information input in the target print data identification information input procedure to the information processing apparatus. An identification information transmission procedure (S640), and a target print data reception procedure (S650) for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, print data corresponding to the target print data identification information transmitted in the target print data identification information transmission procedure. This is a program characterized by that.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, in the program according to the nineteenth aspect, the target print data identification information is received for receiving the target print data identification information transmitted from another printing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus via a network. A procedure (# 420), a determination procedure for determining whether print data corresponding to the target print data identification information received in the target print data identification information reception procedure is stored in the printing apparatus, and in the determination procedure A target print data transmission procedure (# 430) for transmitting print data corresponding to the target print data identification information to the other printing apparatus when it is determined as affirmative.

  A twenty-first aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of printing apparatuses (20A-1 to 20A-N) and print data forming apparatuses (10A-1 to 10A-) connected to the plurality of printing apparatuses via a network (50). N), and the printing apparatus performs printing based on the printing data formed by the printing data forming apparatus. In the printing method, the printing data forming apparatus forms the printing data according to a user instruction. A step (S440), a print data providing step (S470, S510) for providing the print data formed in the print data forming step to the information processing device (30) connected to the network, and the information processing device Print data storage step (S5) for storing the print data provided in the print data providing step 0), a printing instruction input step (S620, S620) in which the printing apparatus inputs a user's printing instruction, and a printing instruction when the printing apparatus inputs a printing instruction in the printing instruction input step. Accordingly, a print data acquisition step (S640, S650) for acquiring print data from the information processing apparatus, and a print step (S660) in which the printing apparatus performs printing based on the print data acquired in the print data acquisition step. A printing method characterized by comprising:

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of printing apparatuses (20-1 to 20-N), and a print data forming apparatus (10-1 to 10-N) connected to the plurality of printing apparatuses via a network. In the printing method in which the printing apparatus performs printing based on the print data formed by the print data forming apparatus, the print data forming apparatus forms the print data according to a user instruction (S140). ), A print data providing step (S160, S210) for providing the print data formed in the print data forming step to the plurality of printing devices, and the printing device providing the print data provided in the print data providing step. A print data storing step (S220) to be stored; and a printing instruction in which the printing apparatus inputs a user's print instruction. An input step (S310, S320), and a printing step (S350) for performing printing based on the print data stored in the print data storage step when the printing apparatus inputs a print instruction in the print instruction input step. A printing method characterized by comprising:

According to the printing apparatus, printing system, program, and printing method of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the printing apparatus inputs a print instruction from the user, the print data is acquired from the information processing apparatus connected via the network, so that printing can be performed even if the print data is not stored in advance. It is possible to improve the security. Further, since the printing apparatus acquires the print data, the user does not need to specify the printing apparatus in the print data forming apparatus such as a PC, and convenience can be improved. Furthermore, the user can go to an arbitrary printing device among a plurality of printing devices connected to the network and check whether it can be used, and can perform printing. As well as improving the security, it is possible to prevent the collection of printed matter from being forgotten and prevent leakage of printed contents to other users, thereby improving security. Furthermore, when one printing device cannot be used, go to another printing device without returning to the print data forming device such as a PC, and perform printing after confirming the state in the same manner. It is possible to improve user convenience.
(2) The printing apparatus acquires (or reads) one or a plurality of print data corresponding to the input target print data identification information and prints the print data so that the user designates the print data to be printed. For example, a printing apparatus can be shared by a plurality of users and a plurality of print data forming apparatuses, thereby improving efficiency and user convenience.
(3) When a printing apparatus that has input a print instruction acquires print data that is a target of the print instruction from another printing apparatus, the print data can be exchanged between a plurality of printing apparatuses. In addition, by determining whether or not the print data that is the target of the print instruction is stored, the print data can be searched between the printing apparatuses, and by simply storing the print data in an arbitrary printing apparatus, The printing apparatus can acquire this print data.
(4) Of the plurality of printing apparatuses, the printing apparatus that has input the print instruction acquires print data from the information processing apparatus and performs printing, so that the user can select an arbitrary printing apparatus among the plurality of printing apparatuses. It is possible to perform printing after confirming whether or not the printer can be used, and it is not necessary to specify the printing device to be output in the print data forming device, thereby improving user convenience. It becomes possible. Further, by storing the print data in the information processing apparatus until a print instruction is input, the print data is centrally managed and the security is improved.
(5) A print data forming apparatus that forms print data sets a user who can issue a print instruction, and print data based on the set content (instructible user identification information) and instructed user identification information. By reading out and printing, the user who has instructed the formation of the print data can set the user who can issue the print instruction, and the convenience and security can be improved. Further, it is possible to print a plurality of print data associated with the instructable user identification information indicating the user who has given the print instruction, and it is possible to improve the convenience for the user.
(6) The information processing apparatus stores the print data transmission / reception history and / or the print history, thereby managing the flow of the print data and improving the security. In particular, by storing the instructing user identification information as a history, it is possible to leave information indicating which user has printed what print data, and the like, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the printing apparatus.
(7) The information processing apparatus (or the printing apparatus) deletes the print data to be printed and / or the print data that has been left for a predetermined period or more from the print data storage unit, so that the print data Prevents leakage and improves security.
(8) By providing the print data formed by the print data forming means to a plurality of printing devices, the user can go to any printing device of the plurality of printing devices and check whether it can be used. In addition, printing can be performed, and user convenience can be improved.
(9) It is possible to improve security by performing printing when the printing apparatus authenticates a user who issues a print instruction based on the input authentication information.
(10) When the printing apparatus inputs the authentication information from the portable information storage medium, the user can easily verify the validity of the print instruction, and the convenience is improved.
(11) The print data forming apparatus authenticates the user based on the authentication input from the portable information storage medium, thereby restricting the user instructing the formation of the print data and improving the security. Similarly to the case of authenticating a user who issues a print instruction, by inputting authentication information from the portable information storage medium, the user can use one portable information storage medium to instruct print data formation. Therefore, it is possible to give a print instruction and improve convenience.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the present invention. Example 1 6 is a diagram for explaining print data management information stored in an external storage device 23. FIG. Example 1 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system according to the present invention. Example 1 4 is a diagram for explaining exchange of print data via a LAN. FIG. Example 1 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing system and a printing method according to the present invention. Example 1 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus and a printing system according to the present invention. (Example 2) 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation and a printing method of the printing apparatus and the printing system according to the present invention. (Example 2) 4 is a diagram for explaining exchange of print data via a LAN. FIG. (Example 2) 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation, a program, and a printing method of a printing apparatus and a printing system according to the present invention. (Example 2) 4 is a diagram for explaining exchange of print data via a LAN. FIG. (Modification) 4 is a diagram for explaining exchange of print data via a LAN. FIG. (Modification)

  The present invention aims to improve security and user convenience based on print data formed by a print data forming apparatus in which a print data forming apparatus and a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected via a network. In a printing system in which a printing apparatus performs printing, the print data forming apparatus has print data forming means for forming print data in accordance with a user's support, and the print data formed by the print data forming means is connected to a network. Print data providing means for providing to the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus has print data storage means for storing the print data provided by the print data providing means, and the printing apparatus inputs a user's print instruction The print instruction input means and the print instruction input means when the print instruction is input by the print instruction input means. And a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, and a print unit that performs printing based on the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit. Realize.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a plurality of PCs 10-1 to 10 -N and a plurality of printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20 -N connected via a LAN 50. 1 to PC 10-N, an IC card 40 that can be connected to the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N, and the like, and print data formed by the PCs 10-1 to 10-N is transferred to the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N. Is a network system such as a corporate network that performs printing.
The LAN 50 is a local area network provided in a predetermined range such as in a company department or section, and can be constructed by Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like.

There may be various configurations of the plurality of PCs 10-1 to 10-N. However, unless detailed, the configurations of the present invention are substantially the same as the configurations of the PCs 10-1 to 10-N. Since it can be considered that there is, the configuration of the PC 10-1 will be described, and description of the configurations of the other PCs 10-2 to 10-N will be omitted. Similarly, regarding the configuration of the plurality of printer devices 20-1 to 20-N, the configuration of the printer device 20-1 will be described. The same applies to other embodiments.
The PC 10-1 includes a CPU 11, a main storage device 12, an external storage device 13, a card reader 14, an input unit 15, a display unit 16, a communication unit 17, and the like connected to the CPU 11 through a system bus 18 and a system bus 18. It is a computer provided with.

The CPU 11 executes programs such as an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”), application programs, and printer drivers stored in the main storage device 12 and the external storage device 13, and controls the operation of the entire PC 10-1. , A print data forming unit 111, an attribute information generation unit 112, a print data transmission unit 113, an authentication unit 114, and the like.
The print data forming unit 111 executes document creation software or the like according to the operation of the input unit 15 by the user, edits and creates data, determines a range of data to be printed, and forms print data.

The attribute information generation unit 112 generates print data attribute information indicating the attributes of the print data formed by the print data forming unit 111. The print data attribute information includes print data identification information for identifying the print data, user identification information for identifying the user who has instructed the formation of the print data, print setting information, and the like, and indicates the print data attributes It is. The print data identification information is information for identifying the print data including the file name that is the origin of the print data formed by the print data forming unit, the page number indicating the data range in the file, and the like. . The user identification information includes information such as a user name and an employee number, and is information for identifying a user who has instructed formation of print data. The print setting information is information indicating print specifications set by the user, such as print color, quality, and number of prints.
The print data transmission unit 113 controls transmission by the communication unit 17, and the print data formed by the print data formation unit 111 and the print data attribute information generated by the attribute information generation unit 112 are connected to the LAN 50. The data is transmitted to a predetermined plurality of printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N.

  Based on the authentication information input from the IC card 40 attached to the card reader 14, the authentication unit 114 determines whether or not the user who owns the IC card 40 is a legitimate user who has the authority to use the PC 10-1. An authentication determination process for determining whether or not to authenticate is performed. Specifically, the authentication unit 114 first performs mutual authentication with the IC card 40 and determines whether or not the IC card 40 is valid. After confirming the validity of the IC card 40, the authentication unit 114 reads user identification information, user attribute identification information, and the like from the IC card 40. The authentication unit 114 determines whether or not the user has authority to use the PC 10-1. Determine. That is, the authentication unit 114 adds the IC card to the list of identification information or user attribute information of the legitimate user stored in the external storage device 13 of the PC 10-1 or a system management server (not shown) connected to the LAN 50. The determination is made based on whether the user identification information and the user attribute identification information read from 40 are included. When it determines with affirmation, the authentication part 114 authenticates that the holder of IC card 40 is a valid user. If the user is not authenticated by the authentication unit 114, the PC 10-1 maintains a blocked state that the user cannot use, such as a screen lock state. When the user is authenticated, the PC 10-1 is blocked. Is released and the user can use it.

The main storage device 12 is a storage device that can be directly used by the CPU 11, and includes a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU 11, a program such as a startup program, a ROM that stores data, and the like (not shown).
The external storage device 13 is a hard disk or the like, and stores various programs and data such as a program for performing user authentication and a program for creating and forming print data.
The card reader 14 is a communication interface for communicating with the inserted IC card 40.
The input unit 15 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for transmitting information from the user to the PC 10-1. The display unit 16 is a display device such as a display for transmitting information from the PC 10-1 to the user. is there.

The communication unit 17 is a communication interface for connecting to the LAN 50 and transmitting print data to the printer devices 20-1 to 20 -N, and realizes communication with other communication devices via a network such as the LAN 50. .
The printer device 20-1 includes a CPU 21, a main storage device 22, an external storage device 23, a card reader 24, a communication unit 25, an input unit 26, and an engine I / F 27 connected to the CPU 21 via a system bus 29. The printer includes a printer engine 28 and the like connected to the engine I / F 27.

The CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the printer device 20-1 by executing programs stored in the main storage device 22 and the external storage device 23, thereby realizing an authentication unit 211, a print data management unit 212, and the like. Based on the authentication information input from the IC card 40 attached to the card reader 24, the authentication unit 211 determines whether the user who owns the IC card 40 is a legitimate user who has the authority to use the printer device 20-1. The authentication judgment process is performed. The processing content is the same as that of the authentication unit 114 of the PC 10-1. The print data management unit 212 executes processes such as writing and reading of print data management information to the external storage device 23, registration of print history, reading and erasing of print data, and management of print data (see FIG. 2 and FIG.
The main storage device 22 and the external storage device 23 have the same functions as the main storage device 12 and the external storage device 13 of the PC 10-1, and the ROM of the main storage device 22 stores data such as character codes output by the printer engine 28. The external storage device 23 stores print data, print data management information, print history, and the like received from the PCs 10-1 to 10-N.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining print data management information stored in the external storage device 23.
As shown in FIG. 2, the print data management information includes print data attribute information received from the PCs 10-1 to 10-N, a print data serial number for the printer device 20-1 to identify the print data, and this print data. The date and time of reception, the print data identification information such as the identification information (PCID) of the PCs 10-1 to 10-N forming the print data, the print data size, the storage location (address, etc.) are associated with each other.

The card reader 24 is a communication interface for communicating with the inserted IC card 40.
The communication unit 25 is a communication interface for connecting to the LAN 50 and receiving print data from the PCs 10-1 to 10 -N, and realizes communication with other communication devices via a network such as the LAN 50.
The input unit 26 is an input device such as a key panel for transmitting information from the user to the printer device 20-1.
The engine I / F 27 is an interface that mediates exchange of information between the system bus 29 and the printer engine 28 and outputs print data to the printer engine 28. The printer engine 28 performs printing based on print data provided via the engine I / F 27.

The IC card 40 is a portable information storage medium that a user carries for using the printing system 1. A portable information storage medium stores information so that a predetermined device can read, such as another IC card such as a SIM card or UIM card, an IC tag, a mobile phone equipped with an IC card function, a card equipped with a barcode, etc. This is a portable information storage medium.
The IC card 40 includes user identification information for identifying a user such as a user name and an employee number, user attribute identification information for identifying a user attribute such as a department or job title, validity certificate information such as a secret key, and the like. Is remembered. The validity certification information is information for certifying the validity of the information stored in the IC card 40 to the PCs 10-1 to 10-N and the printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system and the printing method according to the present invention, and shows print data provision processing for providing print data from the PC 10-1 to the printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the exchange of print data via the LAN 50. Hereinafter, the processing of the CPU 11 of the PC 10-1 and the processing of the CPU 21 of the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N will be mainly described.
The user inserts his IC card 40 into the card reader 14 in order to use the PC 10-1.
As shown in FIG. 3, in step 110 (hereinafter, “step” is referred to as “S”), the authentication unit 114 of the PC 10-1 performs an authentication determination process. If the user is authenticated as a legitimate user, the PC 10-1 releases the blocked state and becomes usable by the user (S120, S130).

  The user operates the input unit 15 to start an application, edit and create data such as a document and an image, specify a range of data to be printed, and the print data forming unit 111 forms print data. (S140). In addition, the user operates the input unit 15 to instruct the print color, quality, and the like to perform print settings, and the attribute information generation unit 112 receives user identification information, print data identification information, and print information input from the IC card 40 Print data attribute information including setting information is generated (S150). The print data transmission unit 113 transmits the print data and the print data attribute information to the plurality of printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N via the LAN 50 (S160, FIG. 4), and the process is ended (S170).

The printer devices 20-1 to 20-N receive the print data and the print data attribute information (S210), and the print data management unit 212 externally stores the print data and the print data management information generated from the print data attribute information. It memorize | stores in the apparatus 23 (S220), and complete | finishes a process (S230).
When the print data is formed by other PCs 10-2 to 10-N, the other PCs 10-2 to 10-N perform the print data providing process in the same manner as the PC 10-1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system and the printing method according to the present invention, and printing provided from the PC 10-1 to the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N in the print data providing process (see FIG. 3). A printing process for performing printing based on data is shown. Hereinafter, the processing of the CPU 21 of the printer apparatus 20-1 will be mainly described.
The user who has instructed the formation of print data on the PC 10-1 has removed the IC card 40 from the card reader 14 of the PC 10-1 and installed it nearby from the PC 10-1, in order to perform printing after sending the print information. The printer device 20-1 to be printed, such as a printer device that is not in use, is attached, the IC card 40 is mounted on the card reader 24, the input unit 26 is operated, and a print instruction is issued.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in S310, the printer apparatus 20-1 inputs a print instruction and starts processing, and the authentication unit 211 performs authentication determination processing (S320), and authenticates the user as a valid user. The print data management unit 212 refers to the print data management information stored in the external storage device 23, and reads the print data associated with the user identification information of the user from the external storage device 23 (S330, S340). For example, when the user is the former A, the print data management unit 212 determines NO. The print data of 472, 473, and 475 are read (see FIG. 2). The printer device 20-1 outputs the read print data to the printer engine 28, performs printing (S350), and ends the processing (S360).

The print data management unit 212 stores, in the external storage device 23, the print history including the identification information of the user who issued the print instruction, the print data identification information of the print data to be printed, the printing date and time, and the like. The print data that has been deleted is deleted from the external storage device 23 (S360). In addition, the print data management unit 212 transmits a print data deletion instruction including print data identification information of the print data to be printed to the other printer apparatuses 20-2 to 20-N (S370). Receiving this instruction, the printer devices 20-2 to 20 -N delete the print data corresponding to the print data identification information from the external storage device 23. The printer device 20-1 ends the process (S380), and waits for input of a print instruction and waits for reception of print data and the like.
It should be noted that the print data management unit 212 of the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N is not subject to the print instruction (S310 of FIG. 4) for a predetermined period or longer after receiving (S210 of FIG. 3). The stored print data is erased from the external storage device 23, and the fact is stored in the external storage device 23 as a print history.
When the user performs printing with the other printer devices 20-2 to 20-N, the other printers 20-2 to 20-N perform the printing process in the same manner as the printer 20-1.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the printing system 1 provides the print data formed by the PC 10-1 to the plurality of printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N. It was possible to go to any of the printing devices and check whether it was ready to use, and then to perform printing, thereby improving user convenience. Further, in the PC 10-1, it is not necessary to specify the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N to be output, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

Furthermore, since the printing system 1 prints print data corresponding to the instruction user identification information (identification information of the user who issued the print instruction) input to the printer device 20-1, a plurality of users and a plurality of PCs 10-1 are used. The printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N can be shared by the PC 10-N, and the efficiency and convenience of the user can be improved. Furthermore, it is possible to print a plurality of print data associated with the user identification information indicating the user who has issued the print instruction, thereby improving convenience.
In the printing system 1, since the printer devices 20-1 to 20 -N store the print history including the instruction user identification information, the print data identification information, the printing date and time, and so on, which user is responsible for what print data Thus, it is possible to reliably leave a print history indicating when printing is performed.

Further, the printing system 1 stores, from the external storage device 23, the print data that the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N are printing objects and the printing data that is left unprinted for a predetermined period or longer. Since it is erased, it is possible to prevent leakage of print data and improve security.
Furthermore, since the printing system 1 performs printing when the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N authenticate a user who issues a print instruction based on the authentication information input from the IC card 40, security is improved. It became possible. In addition, the user can easily prove the validity of the print instruction. Similarly, since the PC 10-1 authenticates the user based on the authentication information input from the IC card 40, the user who instructs the formation of print data is restricted to improve the security, and the user can use one IC. By using the card 40, it is possible to issue a print data formation instruction and a print instruction, and it is possible to improve convenience.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus and printing system according to the present invention.
In addition, the part which fulfill | performs the function similar to the Example mentioned above attaches | subjects the same code | symbol or the code | symbol unified at the end, and abbreviate | omits duplication description and drawing suitably.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the printing system 1A includes a plurality of PCs 10A-1 to 10A-N, a plurality of printer devices 20A-1 to 20A-N, a printer management device 30, and the like connected via the LAN 50. The network system performs printing by providing print data formed by the PCs 10A-1 to 10A-N to the printer apparatuses 20A-1 to 20A-N via the printer management apparatus 30.

The PC 10A-1 has an attribute information generation unit realized by the CPU 11A executing programs stored in the main storage device 12 and the external storage device 13 in addition to the configuration substantially similar to the PC 10-1 in the first embodiment. 112A and the like.
The attribute information generation unit 112A generates print data attribute information including print data identification information, user identification information, print setting information, instructable user identification information for identifying a user who can issue a print instruction for print data, and the like. (See FIG. 7 described later).

The printer devices 20A-1 to 20A-N are programs that are stored in the main storage device 22 and the external storage device 23 by the CPU 21A in addition to substantially the same configuration as the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N in the first embodiment. A print data acquisition unit 213 realized by executing the above.
The print data acquisition unit 213 requests the printer management apparatus 30 to provide print data and acquires the print data (see FIG. 9 described later).
The printer management apparatus 30 is an information processing apparatus that includes a CPU 31, a main storage device 32, an external storage device 33, a communication unit 34, and the like that are connected to the CPU 31 via a system bus 35. The printer management device 30 stores print data formed by the PCs 10-1 to 10-N and manages the print data by providing the print data to the printer devices 20A-1 to 20A-N as necessary.

The CPU 31 controls the overall operation of the printer management apparatus 30 by executing programs stored in the main storage device 32 and the external storage device 33, thereby realizing the print data management unit 311 and the like. The print data management unit 312 performs processing such as writing and reading of print data management information to the external storage device 33, registration of print history, reading and erasing of print data, and management of print data (see FIG. 7 to 9).
The main storage device 32 and the external storage device 33 have the same functions as the main storage device 22 and the external storage device 23 of the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N according to the first embodiment, and the external storage device 33 is the PC 10-1. -10-N, print data management information generated from print data attribute information including instructable user identification information, print data communication history, and the like are stored. The print data communication history includes the print data reception history including the date and time when the print information is received from the PCs 10-1 to 10-N, the print data attribute information of the received print data, and the print data to the printer devices 20A-1 to 20A-N. Is the information indicating the print data transmission / reception history, such as the print data transmission history including the date and time of transmission, the print data attribute information of the transmitted print data, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation and printing method of the printing apparatus and printing system according to the present invention, and shows print data provision processing for providing print data from the PC 10A-1 to the printer management apparatus 30. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining exchange of print data via the LAN 50. Hereinafter, the processing of the CPU 11A of the PC 10A-1 and the CPU 31 of the printer management apparatus 30 will be mainly described.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the PC 10A-1 forms print data (S400 to S440) in the same manner as the processing of the PC 10-1 in the first embodiment (S100 to S140 in FIG. 3). The user selects and designates a user who can instruct printing, and the PC 10A-1 sets instructable user identification information (S450). For example, if the user who can print the created file is himself or herself, the user operates the input unit 15 according to the display on the display unit 16, and selects and designates himself and her. The attribute information generation unit 112A generates print data attribute information including the instructable user identification information (S460). The print data transmission unit 112 transmits print data, print data attribute information, and the like to the printer management apparatus 30 (S470, # 10 in FIG. 8), and the PC 10A-1 ends the processing (S480).

  The printer management device 30-1 receives the print data and the print data attribute information (S510), and the print data management unit 311 sends the print data management information generated from the print data and the print data attribute information to the external storage device 23. Store (S520), write the reception history to the external storage device 23 (S530), and terminate the process (S540).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation, program, and printing method of the printing apparatus and printing system according to the present invention, and printing provided from the PC 10A-1 to the printer management apparatus 30 in the print data providing process (see FIG. 7). A printing process is shown in which printing is performed in accordance with user instructions based on data. Hereinafter, the processes of the CPU 21A of the printer apparatus 20A-1 and the CPU 31 of the printer management apparatus 30 will be mainly described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the printer apparatus 20A-1 performs an authentication determination process (S600 to S320) in the same manner as the process of the printer apparatus 20-1 in the first embodiment (S300 to S320 in FIG. 5).

When the user is authenticated as a legitimate user, the print data acquisition unit 213 transmits a print data provision request that includes user identification information and requests the provision of print data from the communication unit 25 to the printer management apparatus 30 (S640, # 20 in FIG. The printer management apparatus 30 receives this request (S710), refers to the print data management information stored in the external storage device 33, and sends the print data associated with the received user identification information from the external storage device 33. Read (S720). The printer management apparatus 30 transmits the read print data to the printer apparatus 20A-1 that is the request transmission source (S730, # 30 in FIG. 8), writes the communication history in the external storage device 33, and transmits the transmitted print data. The data is erased from the external storage device 33 (S740), and the process is terminated (S750).
The printer device 20A-1 receives the print data (S650), outputs the print data to the printer engine 28, performs printing (S660), and ends the process (S670).
When the user performs printing with the other printer apparatuses 20A-2 to 20A-N, the other printers 20A-2 to 20A-N perform the printing process in the same manner as the printer 20A-1.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the printing system 1A stores the print data in the printer management apparatus 30, so the print data is centrally managed and the security is improved. It became possible.
In addition, the printing system 1A sets a user who can give a print instruction according to the designation of the user who has instructed the formation of print data by the PC 10A-1, and this setting content (instructible user identification information) and the instructing user Since the print data is read and printed based on the identification information, the user who has instructed the formation of the print data can select the user who can issue the print instruction, and the convenience and security can be improved. Became possible.
Furthermore, in the printing system 1A, the printer management apparatus 30 can manage the flow of print data by storing the communication history of the print data, thereby improving the security.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the equivalent scope of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the printing system 1 transmits print data from the PC 10-1 on which the print data is formed to the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N, and the external storage device of the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N. 23, the print data is stored, and when a print instruction is input, the print data is read out and output to the printer engine 28 for printing. A method for providing print data from the PC 10-1 to the printer engine 28 is described below. It is not limited.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the printing system 1 transmits print data from the PC 10-1 to the printer management apparatus 30 (# 110), and the printer management apparatus 30 transmits the printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N. The print data may be transmitted to (# 120). The provision of print data from the PC 10-1 to the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N may be performed via one or more third devices.
As shown in FIG. 10B, the printing system 1 transmits print data from the PC 10-1 to the printer device 20-1 (# 210), and the other printer device 20-2 from the printer device 20-1. The print data may be transmitted to ˜20-N (# 220). The printing system 1 may provide print data from the PC 10-1 to any one or a plurality of predetermined printer devices, and may provide the print data from this printer device to another printer device.

Similarly, in the second embodiment, the printing system 1A transmits print data from the PC 10-1 that formed the print data to the printer management apparatus 30, stores the print data in the external storage device 33 of the printer management apparatus 30, and prints the print data. In response to a print data provision request from the printer device 20A-1 that has input the instruction, print data is provided from the printer management device 30 to the printer device 20A-1, but the print data from the PC 10A-1 to the printer engine 28 is provided. The providing method is not limited to this.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the printing system 1A transmits print data from the PC 10A-1 to the printer device 20A-1 (# 310), and the print data is transmitted from the external storage device 23 of the printer device 20A-1. When the printer apparatus 20A-N inputs a print instruction, a print data provision request is transmitted to the printer apparatus 20A-1 (# 320). In response to this request, the printer apparatus 20A-1 transmits the print apparatus 20A. The print data may be transmitted to -N (# 330).

As shown in FIG. 11B, the printing system 1A transmits print data from the PC 10A-1 to the printer device 20A-1 (# 410), and the printer device 20A-2 inputs a print instruction. A print data provision request is transmitted to the other printer apparatuses 20A-1, 20A-3 to 20A-N (# 420). The other printer apparatuses 20A-1, 20A-3 to 20A-N determine whether or not the print data that is the target of the print data provision request is stored, and when the print data is stored, the printer apparatus responds to this request. The print data may be transmitted from 20A-1 to the printer device 20A-2 (# 430).
Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the printing system 1A stores the print data in the external storage device 13 of the PC 10A-1, and issues a print data provision request when the printer device 20A-1 inputs a print instruction. The data may be transmitted to the predetermined PCs 10A-1 to 10A-N (# 510), and the print data may be transmitted from the PC 10A-1 to the printer device 20A-1 in response to this request (# 520).

The printer devices 20A-1 to 20A-N that have input the print instruction may acquire print data by transmitting a print data provision request to one or more predetermined communication devices connected to the LAN.
When the printer apparatuses 20A-1 to 20A-N that have input the print instruction acquire print data that is the target of the print instruction from other printing apparatuses, the print data among the plurality of printer apparatuses 20A-1 to 20A-N. Can be exchanged. Further, when each printer apparatus receives a print data provision request, it is possible to search for print data among the printer apparatuses 20A-1 to 20A-N by determining whether the target print data is stored. By simply storing the print data in an arbitrary printer device, other printer devices can acquire the print data.

  In each embodiment, the printing systems 1 and 1A transmit and store the print data attribute information together with the print data from the PCs 10-1 and 10A-1, but the IC cards 40 from the PCs 10-1 and 10A-1 The print data attribute information is written to the printer device 20-1 to 20-N and 20A-1 to 20A-N when the print instruction is input, and the print data attribute information is read and printed based on the print data attribute information. Data acquisition may be performed. The location where the print data attribute information is stored is not limited, and may be stored in a location that can be referred to when inputting a print instruction. Further, the PCs 10-1 and 10 -N may write the location where the print data is stored (such as the IP address of the stored device) to the IC card 40 as the print data attribute information.

  In each embodiment, the PCs 10-1 to 10-N, 10A-1 to 10A-N, the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N, and 20A-1 to 20A-N are connected to the card readers 14 and 24 of the IC card 40. The IC card 40 is stored in the IC card 40, such as when the IC card 40 is placed in a predetermined position, such as detecting the insertion of the IC card, or the IC card 40 is brought into a predetermined range. There may be provided an IC card detecting unit for detecting that the information has moved to a predetermined place where the information can be read. It is possible to start processing, and it is possible to improve user convenience. Further, the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N and 20A-1 to 20A-N may input detection of the IC card 40 as a print instruction.

  Although IC card 40 was illustrated as a portable information storage medium, it is not limited to this, Authentication information for authenticating the user who is a holder is PC10-1 to 10-N, 10A-1 to 10A-N, Other portable information storage media may be used as long as they can be provided to the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N and 20A-1 to 20A-N. Therefore, the communication method between the portable information storage medium and the card readers 14 and 24 may be any of a contact type, a non-contact type, a contact / non-contact type, and the like, and is not limited.

  In the second embodiment, the user selects and designates a user who can instruct printing, and the PC 10A-1 sets instructable user identification information (S450 in FIG. 7), but sets the attributes of the user who can instruct printing. Then, attribute identification information for identifying this attribute may be stored in the external storage device 33 as print data attribute information. A plurality of persons who can perform printing can be designated collectively according to the department to which the employee belongs, and convenience can be improved. When a plurality of persons can print, the printer management apparatus 30 may delete the print data under a predetermined condition, such as deleting the print data after the plurality of persons print. Good.

In each embodiment, the printer devices 20-1 and 20 </ b> A- 1 input user identification information from the IC card 40 as target print data identification information for identifying print data to be printed. The devices 20-1 and 20A-1 display print data identification information on a display unit (not shown), and the user operates the input unit 26 to select print data to be printed, and the target print data. The print data identification information may be input such as inputting the identification information.
In addition, the printer devices 20-1 and 20A-1 may input attributes such as a PC ID and a user's department as print data identification information, and can identify print data to be printed. The print data identification information input by the printer devices 20-1 and 20A-1 is not limited.

  In each embodiment, the PC 10-1 to PC 10-N, 10A-1 to 10A-N form print data described in a page description language (PDL) such as PCL, and the printer devices 20-1 to 20-N. It may be provided to 20A-1 to 20A-N, and PDL print data is converted into image data such as bitmap data and provided to printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N and 20A-1 to 20A-N. May be. The data format of print data exchanged between the PCs 10-1 to 10-N, 10A-1 to 10A-N, and the printer apparatuses 20-1 to 20-N and 20A-1 to 20A-N is not limited.

  In the second embodiment, the printer management apparatus 30 stores the communication history of print data. However, after the print data is transmitted to the printer apparatus 20A-1, the printer management apparatus 30 receives a print end notification, and the printer apparatus 20-1 of the first embodiment. The print history may be stored in the same manner as ˜20-N.

1,1A printing system 10-1 to 10-N, 10A-1 to 10A-N PC
11, 11A CPU
14 Card reader 17 Communication unit 20-1 to 20-N, 20A-1 to 20A-N Printer device 21, 21A CPU
23 External storage device 24 Card reader 25 Communication unit 26 Input unit 28 Printer engine 30 Printer management device 31, 31A CPU
34 Communication unit 40 IC card 50 LAN
111 Print Data Forming Unit 112 Print Data Transmitting Unit 113 Authentication Unit 211 Authentication Unit 212 Print Data Management Unit 213 Print Data Acquisition Unit 311 Print Data Management Unit

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

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a program, a printing system, and a printing method that improve security and user convenience.

The present invention relates to a print data forming apparatus for forming print data, and an information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus via a network, the print data formed by the print data forming apparatus, and the print data forming apparatus As a user who can issue a print instruction for print data, the print data stored in association with the instructable user identification information in which the user who has instructed the formation of the print data and other users other than the user are set Storage means; target print data identification information receiving means for receiving target print data identification information for identifying print data to be printed, sent from the printing apparatus; and the target print data identification information receiving means Print data corresponding to the target print data identification information received by the user and the instructable user identification information. The target print data reading means for reading from said print data storage means, and object print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data read out by the object print data reading means to the printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus having a.

The present invention is a print data forming apparatus that forms print data, and a program that is executed in an information processing apparatus that is connected to the printing apparatus via a network, the print data formed by the print data forming apparatus, As a user who can issue a print instruction for print data by the print data forming apparatus, the user who instructed the formation of the print data is associated with the instructable user identification information set by other users than the user himself / herself A print data storage step for storing the print data in the print data storage means; and a target print data identification information receiving step for receiving the target print data identification information for identifying the print data that is the target of the print instruction transmitted from the printing apparatus. And the target print data received by the target print data identification information receiving step. The target print data reading step for reading the print data corresponding to the identification information and the instructable user identification information from the print data storage means, and the print data read by the target print data reading step are transmitted to the printing apparatus And a target print data transmission step to be executed in order.

The present invention includes a print data forming apparatus for forming print data, an information processing apparatus connected to the print data forming apparatus via a network, and a printing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network. In the printing system, the print data forming apparatus includes: a print data forming unit that forms print data according to a user instruction; and a user who can issue a print instruction for the print data formed by the print data forming unit. Print instruction capable user setting means set for the user who has instructed the formation of print data and other users other than the user himself, and the print instruction capable user setting means for the print data formed by the print data formation means In association with the instructable user identification information for identifying the user set by the information Print data providing means for providing to a physical device, and the information processing apparatus has print data storage means for storing print data provided by the print data providing means and instructable user identification information, The printing apparatus includes: a target print data identification information input unit that inputs target print data identification information for identifying print data that is a target of a print instruction; and a target print data identification input by the target print data identification information input unit. Print data acquisition means for acquiring print data corresponding to the information and instructable user identification information from the print data storage means, and printing means for performing printing based on the print data acquired by the print data acquisition means, The present invention relates to a printing system having

The information processing apparatus is received by the target print data identification information receiving means for receiving the target print data identification information input by the target print data identification information input means of the printing apparatus, and the target print data identification information receiving means. The target print data reading means for reading the print data corresponding to the target print data identification information and the instructable user identification information from the print data storage means, and the print data read by the target print data reading means as the target print data It is preferable to include a target print data transmission unit that transmits to the printing apparatus that is a transmission source of the identification information.

The information processing apparatus preferably includes a print history storage unit that stores print data transmission / reception history and / or printing history of the printing apparatus.

The information processing apparatus may include print data erasure means for erasing print data that has been printed by the printing apparatus and / or print data that has been left for a predetermined period of time from the print data storage means. preferable.

The present invention includes a print data forming apparatus for forming print data, an information processing apparatus connected to the print data forming apparatus via a network, and a printing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network. A printing method in a printing system, wherein the print data forming apparatus forms print data in accordance with a user instruction, and the print data forming apparatus forms print data formed by the print data forming step. A print instruction enabling user setting step for setting a user who can issue a print instruction to the user who has instructed the formation of print data and a user other than the user himself; and the print data forming apparatus includes the print data In the print data formed by the forming step, the print setting possible user setting scan A print data providing step of associating and providing the instructable user identification information for identifying the user set by the client to the information processing device, and the print data provided by the information processing device in the print data providing step. And a print data storage step for storing instructable user identification information, and a target print data identification information input step for inputting target print data identification information for the print device to identify print data to be printed. A print data acquisition step in which the printing apparatus acquires, from the information processing apparatus, print data corresponding to the target print data identification information input in the target print data identification information input step and the instructable user identification information; The printing apparatus acquires the print data acquired by the print data acquisition step. A printing method comprising a printing step, the printing is performed based on.

(1) When the printing apparatus inputs a print instruction from the user, the print data is acquired from the information processing apparatus connected via the network, so that printing can be performed even if the print data is not stored in advance. It is possible to improve the security. Further, since the printing apparatus acquires the print data, the user does not need to specify the printing apparatus in the print data forming apparatus such as a PC, and convenience can be improved. Furthermore, the user can go to an arbitrary printing device among a plurality of printing devices connected to the network and check whether it can be used, and can perform printing. As well as improving the security, it is possible to prevent the collection of printed matter from being forgotten and prevent leakage of printed contents to other users, thereby improving security. Furthermore, when one printing device cannot be used, go to another printing device without returning to the print data forming device such as a PC, and perform printing after confirming the state in the same manner. It is possible to improve user convenience.
(2) The printing apparatus acquires (or reads) one or a plurality of print data corresponding to the input target print data identification information and prints the print data so that the user designates the print data to be printed. For example, a printing apparatus can be shared by a plurality of users and a plurality of print data forming apparatuses, thereby improving efficiency and user convenience.
(3) When a printing apparatus that has input a print instruction acquires print data that is a target of the print instruction from another printing apparatus, the print data can be exchanged between a plurality of printing apparatuses. In addition, by determining whether or not the print data that is the target of the print instruction is stored, the print data can be searched between the printing apparatuses, and by simply storing the print data in an arbitrary printing apparatus, The printing apparatus can acquire this print data.
(4) Of the plurality of printing apparatuses, the printing apparatus that has input the print instruction acquires print data from the information processing apparatus and performs printing, so that the user can select an arbitrary printing apparatus among the plurality of printing apparatuses. It is possible to perform printing after confirming whether or not the printer can be used, and it is not necessary to specify the printing device to be output in the print data forming device, thereby improving user convenience. It becomes possible. Further, by storing the print data in the information processing apparatus until a print instruction is input, the print data is centrally managed and the security is improved.
(5) A print data forming apparatus that forms print data sets a user who can issue a print instruction, and print data based on the set content (instructible user identification information) and instructed user identification information. By reading out and printing, the user who has instructed the formation of the print data can set the user who can issue the print instruction, and the convenience and security can be improved. Further, it is possible to print a plurality of print data associated with the instructable user identification information indicating the user who has given the print instruction, and it is possible to improve the convenience for the user.
(6) The information processing apparatus stores the print data transmission / reception history and / or the print history, thereby managing the flow of the print data and improving the security. In particular, by storing the instructing user identification information as a history, it is possible to leave information indicating which user has printed what print data, and the like, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the printing apparatus.
(7) The information processing apparatus (or the printing apparatus) deletes the print data to be printed and / or the print data that has been left for a predetermined period or more from the print data storage unit, so that the print data Prevents leakage and improves security.
(8) By providing the print data formed by the print data forming means to a plurality of printing devices, the user can go to any printing device of the plurality of printing devices and check whether it can be used. In addition, printing can be performed, and user convenience can be improved.
(9) It is possible to improve security by performing printing when the printing apparatus authenticates a user who issues a print instruction based on the input authentication information.
(10) When the printing apparatus inputs the authentication information from the portable information storage medium, the user can easily verify the validity of the print instruction, and the convenience is improved.
(11) The print data forming apparatus authenticates the user based on the authentication input from the portable information storage medium, thereby restricting the user instructing the formation of the print data and improving the security. Similarly to the case of authenticating a user who issues a print instruction, by inputting authentication information from the portable information storage medium, the user can use one portable information storage medium to instruct print data formation. Therefore, it is possible to give a print instruction and improve convenience.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation and printing method of the printing apparatus and printing system according to the present invention, and shows print data provision processing for providing print data from the PC 10A-1 to the printer management apparatus 30. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining exchange of print data via the LAN 50. Hereinafter, the processing of the CPU 11A of the PC 10A-1 and the CPU 31 of the printer management apparatus 30 will be mainly described.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the PC 10A-1 forms print data (S400 to S440) in the same manner as the processing of the PC 10-1 in the first embodiment (S100 to S140 in FIG. 3). The user selects and designates a user who can instruct printing, and the PC 10A-1 sets instructable user identification information (S450). For example, the user selects the user and the user B by operating the input unit 15 in accordance with the display on the display unit 16 so that the user who can print the created file is the user and the user B. The attribute information generation unit 112A generates print data attribute information including the instructable user identification information (S460). The print data transmission unit 112 transmits print data, print data attribute information, and the like to the printer management apparatus 30 (S470, # 10 in FIG. 8), and the PC 10A-1 ends the processing (S480).

Claims (22)

A print instruction input means for inputting a user's print instruction;
Print data acquisition means for acquiring print data from one or a plurality of information processing devices connected via a network in response to the print instruction when the print instruction is input by the print instruction input means;
Printing means for performing printing based on the print data acquired by the print data acquisition means;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The print instruction input means includes target print data identification information input means for inputting target print data identification information for identifying print data to be printed.
The print data acquisition means acquires one or more print data corresponding to the target print data identification information input by the target print data identification information input means from the one or more information processing apparatuses;
A printing apparatus characterized by the above. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The print data acquisition unit includes a target print data identification information transmission unit that transmits the target print data identification information input by the target print data identification information input unit to the information processing apparatus, and a target print data identification information transmission unit. A target print data receiving unit configured to receive print data corresponding to the transmitted target print data identification information from the information processing apparatus;
A printing apparatus characterized by the above. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
Print data storage means for storing print data;
Target print data identification information receiving means for receiving target print data identification information transmitted from another printing apparatus according to claim 3 connected via a network;
Determining means for determining whether print data corresponding to the target print data identification information received by the target print data identification information receiving means is stored in the print data storage means;
A target print data transmission unit configured to transmit print data corresponding to the target print data identification information to the printing apparatus according to claim 3, when the determination unit determines affirmative;
A printing apparatus characterized by the above. A plurality of printing apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a print data forming apparatus connected to the plurality of printing apparatuses via a network, and formed by the print data forming apparatus A printing system in which the printing apparatus performs printing based on the printed data,
The print data forming apparatus has print data forming means for forming print data in accordance with a user instruction,
Print data providing means for providing print data formed by the print data forming apparatus to an information processing apparatus connected to the network;
The information processing apparatus has print data storage means for storing print data provided by the print data providing means,
The print data acquisition unit of the printing apparatus that has input the print instruction by the print instruction input unit acquires print data from the information processing apparatus in response to the print instruction;
A printing system featuring. The printing system according to claim 5, wherein
The information processing apparatus is received by the target print data identification information receiving means for receiving the target print data identification information transmitted by the target print data identification information transmitting means of the printing apparatus, and the target print data identification information receiving means. Target print data reading means for reading out print data corresponding to target print data identification information from the print data storage means, and print data read by the print data reading means as a transmission source of the target print data identification information Having a target print data transmission means for transmitting to the apparatus,
A printing system featuring. In the printing system according to claim 5 or 6,
The print data forming apparatus includes a print instruction enable user setting unit for setting a user who can issue a print instruction for the print data formed by the print data forming unit,
The print data providing unit associates the print data formed by the print data forming unit with the instructable user identification information for identifying the user set by the print instructable user setting unit to the information processing apparatus. Offer to,
The print data storage unit of the information processing apparatus stores the print data provided by the print data providing unit in association with the instructable user identification information,
The printing instruction input means of the printing apparatus includes instruction user identification information input means for inputting instruction user identification information for identifying a user who issues a printing instruction or an attribute thereof,
The target print data identification information transmitting unit of the printing apparatus transmits the instruction user identification information input by the instruction user identification information input unit to the information processing apparatus,
The target print data identification information receiving means of the information processing apparatus receives the instruction user identification information transmitted from the printing apparatus,
The target print data reading unit of the information processing apparatus is based on the instruction user identification information received by the target print data identification information reception unit and the instructable user identification information stored in the print data storage unit, Reading one or more print data,
A printing system featuring. In the printing system according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The information processing apparatus includes a print history storage unit that stores the transmission / reception history of the print data and / or the print history of the printing apparatus;
A printing system featuring. In the printing system according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
The information processing apparatus has print data erasing means for erasing print data that has been printed by the printing apparatus and / or print data that has been left for a predetermined period of time from the print data storage means;
A printing system featuring. In a printing system in which a print data forming apparatus and a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected via a network, and the printing apparatus performs printing based on print data formed by the print data forming apparatus,
The print data forming apparatus has print data forming means for forming print data in accordance with a user instruction,
Print data providing means for providing the print data formed by the print data forming means to the plurality of printing apparatuses;
The printing apparatus receives a print instruction from the print data storage means for storing the print data provided by the print data providing means, a print instruction input means for inputting a user's print instruction, and the print instruction input means. Printing means for performing printing based on the print data stored in the print data storage means,
A printing system featuring. The printing system according to claim 10.
The print instruction input means includes target print data identification information input means for inputting target print data identification information for identifying print data to be printed.
The printing apparatus includes a print data reading unit that reads out print data corresponding to the target print data identification information input by the target print data identification information input unit from the print data storage unit;
The printing means performs printing based on the print data read by the print data reading means;
A printing system featuring. The printing system according to claim 11.
The print data forming apparatus includes a print instruction enable user setting unit for setting a user who can issue a print instruction for the print data formed by the print data forming unit,
The print data providing unit associates the instructable user identification information for identifying the user set by the print instructable user setting unit with the print data formed by the print data forming unit, and the plurality of printing apparatuses To provide
The print data storage unit of the printing apparatus stores the print data provided by the print data providing unit in association with the instructable user identification information,
The printing instruction input means of the printing apparatus includes instruction user identification information input means for inputting instruction user identification information for identifying a user who issues a printing instruction or an attribute thereof,
The print data reading means of the printing apparatus may be one or more based on the instruction user identification information input by the instruction user identification information input means and the instructable user identification information stored in the print data storage means. Reading the print data of
A printing system featuring. The printing system according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
The printing apparatus includes print data erasing means for erasing print data to be printed and / or print data left for a predetermined period or more from the print data storage means;
A printing system featuring. The printing system according to any one of claims 5 to 13,
The printing apparatus authenticates a user who issues a print instruction based on authentication information input means for inputting authentication information for authenticating a user who issues a print instruction, and authentication information input by the authentication information input means. Authentication determination means for determining whether or not,
The printing unit of the printing apparatus performs printing when the authentication determination unit determines affirmative;
A printing system featuring. The printing system according to claim 14, wherein
A portable information storage medium carried by the user,
Authentication information input means of the printing apparatus inputs authentication information for authenticating a user who issues a print instruction from the portable information storage medium;
A printing system featuring. The printing system according to claim 15, wherein
The print data forming apparatus is input by a forming user authentication information input unit that inputs authentication information for authenticating a user instructing formation of print data from the portable information storage medium, and the forming user authentication information input unit. Forming user authentication means for authenticating a user instructing formation based on the authentication information obtained,
A printing system featuring. A program for causing a printing apparatus to execute printing based on print data,
A print instruction input procedure for inputting a user's print instruction;
Print data acquisition procedure for acquiring print data from one or a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to the printing apparatus via a network when a print instruction is input in the print instruction input procedure When,
A printing procedure for performing printing based on the printing data acquired in the printing data acquisition procedure,
A program characterized by The program according to claim 17, wherein
The print instruction input procedure includes a target print data identification information input procedure for inputting target print data identification information for identifying print data to be printed.
The print data obtaining procedure obtains one or more print data corresponding to the target print data identification information input in the target print data identification information input procedure from the one or more information processing apparatuses;
A program characterized by The program according to claim 18, wherein
The print data acquisition procedure includes a target print data identification information transmission procedure for transmitting the target print data identification information input in the target print data identification information input procedure to the information processing apparatus, and a transmission in the target print data identification information transmission procedure. A target print data receiving procedure for receiving print data corresponding to the target print data identification information from the information processing apparatus;
A program characterized by The program according to claim 19, wherein
A target print data identification information receiving procedure for receiving target print data identification information transmitted from another printing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus via a network;
A determination procedure for determining whether or not print data corresponding to the target print data identification information received in the target print data identification information reception procedure is stored in the printing apparatus;
A target print data transmission procedure for transmitting print data corresponding to the target print data identification information to the other printing device when it is determined to be affirmative in the determination procedure;
A program characterized by Printing that includes a plurality of printing apparatuses and a print data forming apparatus connected to the plurality of printing apparatuses via a network, and the printing apparatus performs printing based on print data formed by the print data forming apparatus In the method
A print data forming step in which the print data forming apparatus forms print data in accordance with a user instruction;
Providing the print data formed in the print data forming step to an information processing apparatus connected to the network; and
A print data storing step in which the information processing apparatus stores the print data provided in the print data providing step;
A printing instruction input step in which the printing apparatus inputs a printing instruction of a user;
When the printing apparatus inputs a printing instruction in the printing instruction input step, a printing data acquisition step of acquiring printing data from the information processing apparatus according to the printing instruction;
The printing apparatus includes a printing step of performing printing based on the print data acquired in the print data acquisition step;
A printing method characterized by the above. Printing that includes a plurality of printing apparatuses and a print data forming apparatus connected to the plurality of printing apparatuses via a network, and the printing apparatus performs printing based on print data formed by the print data forming apparatus In the method
A print data forming step in which the print data forming apparatus forms print data in accordance with a user instruction;
A print data providing step of providing the print data formed in the print data forming step to the plurality of printing apparatuses;
A printing data storing step in which the printing device stores the printing data provided in the printing data providing step;
A printing instruction input step in which the printing apparatus inputs a printing instruction of a user;
A printing step for performing printing based on the print data stored in the print data storage step when the printing apparatus inputs a print instruction in the print instruction input step;
A printing method characterized by the above.

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