JP5458761B2 - Image forming apparatus, printing system, printing method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a printing system, a printing method, a program, and a recording medium that execute a print job stored in a server.

  An image forming apparatus that prints print data selected from a list of print data spooled after the user logs in, without immediately printing the print data received from the host computer, and spooling (accumulating) the print data in the print server It has been known.

  In a printing system including such a print server, a user first inputs a print instruction on a client PC. The client PC transmits a print job corresponding to the print instruction to the print server. The print server does not immediately transfer the print job to the image forming apparatus, but stores it in a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Thereafter, the user operates the image forming apparatus to instruct printing of the accumulated print job. In response to the instruction, the image forming apparatus acquires a print job from the print server and performs printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a printing system, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of security that a print job accumulated by each user is printed by another user. Therefore, conventionally, a user authentication process is executed when a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus. For example, when a user inputs his / her authentication information when instructing printing of an accumulated print job and is authenticated based on the authentication information, printing of the print job related to the user is permitted. . The user may store the print job in the print server without being conscious of the image forming apparatus used for printing.

  However, it is rare that all image forming apparatuses available to the user have the same model and the same options. For this reason, when print data is printed from the print server without the user being aware of the image forming apparatus, there arises a problem that printing using the option cannot be performed, for example. For example, when the user transmits a print job with stapling when accumulating in the print server, but the image forming apparatus used for printing does not support stapling, the image forming apparatus performs stapling in the print job. Ignores the specification and prints.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention considers the function of an image forming apparatus that prints print data stored in a server and the setting of the print data, an image forming apparatus that prints print data, a printing system, a printing method, a program, and An object is to provide a recording medium.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a printing system in which an image forming apparatus and a server are connected via a network, and the server authenticates a user input by a user from a client apparatus connected via the network. A print job receiving means for receiving a print job together with information, an authentication control means for requesting user authentication for the received authentication information to an authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information , A non-permission transmission unit that transmits a determination result of print non-permission to a client device when a user authentication with respect to the received authentication information is not established; and a job transmission unit that transmits the print job; An authentication information acquisition unit configured to acquire user authentication information input by a user when using the image forming apparatus; An authentication control unit that requests user authentication for the authentication information and receives an authentication result; and a job list that acquires, from the server, a job list of a print job associated with the user identification information when authentication is established An acquisition unit, a function information acquisition unit that acquires function information of a function provided by the image forming apparatus, a print job that is included in the job list acquired by the job list acquisition unit, and the function information is compared. A job determination unit that determines whether or not the job can be executed, a job display unit that displays a job list of only print jobs determined to be executable by the job determination unit, and a display unit that determines whether the job is executable. Selection accepting means for accepting selection of one or more print jobs from the job list of the selected print job; and Printing system characterized by having a printing control unit for executing the print job accepted.

  In consideration of the function of the image forming apparatus that prints the print data stored in the server and the setting of the print data, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a printing system, a printing method, a program, and a recording medium for printing the print data.

1 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system. FIG. 3 is an example of a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a print server. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of a printing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the corresponding information recorded on the corresponding information storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of a job selection screen. It is an example of the sequence diagram which shows the procedure which a printing system prints. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a stage in which a client PC accumulates a print job in a print server. It is a figure which shows an example of the authentication information input screen which comprises a print setting screen. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a user moves to a desired image forming apparatus and executes a print job. FIG. 10 is an example of a functional block diagram of a printing system (second embodiment). (Example 2) which shows an example of the sequence diagram which shows the procedure which a printing system prints. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a user moves to a desired image forming apparatus and executes a print job (second embodiment). It is an example of the flowchart figure which shows the procedure of a skip determination process. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job execution result screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 10 is an example of a functional block diagram of a printing system (third embodiment). An example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for printing by the printing system is shown (Example 3). FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a user moves to a desired image forming apparatus and executes a print job. It is an example of the flowchart figure which shows the procedure of a skip determination process & alert notification process.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment.
(1) First, the user operates the client PC 60 to store print jobs in the print server 10.
(2) Next, the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 and requests the print server 10 to display the job list of the print job registered by the user.
(3) The image forming apparatus 20 receives a job list of one or more print jobs from the print server 10.
(4) The image forming apparatus 20 extracts print conditions from the job list. Further, the image forming apparatus 20 acquires function information of functions that can be provided at the time of printing from, for example, an MIB (Management Information Base) of the image forming apparatus 20.
(5) The image forming apparatus 20 detects from the function information a print job including a print condition setting that cannot be executed according to the print condition. Note that “can print according to printing conditions” means that the image forming apparatus 20 has a function for specifying printing conditions, or a function for specifying printing conditions, and the remaining consumables necessary for the printing conditions. The amount is sufficient.
(6) The image forming apparatus 20 does not display a print job that cannot be executed according to the printing conditions on the operation panel, and displays a job list of other print jobs on the operation panel.

  By preventing print jobs that cannot be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 from being displayed on the operation panel, it is possible to prevent a user from printing a print job that uses a function that the image forming apparatus 20 does not have and to obtain an expected printed matter. can do.

〔System configuration〕
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The printing system 1 includes a print server 10, one or more image forming apparatuses 20, an authentication server 30, and one or more client PCs 60. Each device is connected by a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet. A plurality of print servers 10 and authentication servers 30 may exist.

  The client PC 60 generates data (document data, image data, etc.) to be printed by application software or the like, and print data and bibliographic conditions (including printing conditions) to be printed in response to a user input of a print instruction. And a computer that transmits a print request to the print server 10 (hereinafter, a print job includes print data, a bibliographic condition (print condition), and a print request). The user inputs authentication information (for example, a user name (or user ID) and a password) when logging in to the client PC 60 or instructing printing. The client PC 60 includes or attaches this authentication information to the print job.

  The print server 10 is a computer that stores a print job received from the client PC 60 in a storage device. The print server 10 requests the authentication server 30 for authentication processing based on the authentication information received together with the print job. The authentication server 30 is a computer that executes authentication processing. The authentication server 30 and the print server 10 are shared by the image forming apparatus 20.

  The authentication server 30 transmits an authentication result indicating whether or not user authentication has been established to the print server 10. The print server 10 accumulates the print job when the authentication is established.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is a printer that receives an operation instruction from a user, acquires a print job stored in the print server 10, and prints print data. The image forming apparatus 20 is not limited to a printer, and may be a scanner, a facsimile, and an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) equipped with one or more of these functions. Also, any one of the image forming apparatuses 20 may be shared by other image forming apparatuses 20 as the print server 10.

  A user who uses the image forming apparatus 20 inputs authentication information when logging in. The image forming apparatus 20 transmits the authentication information input by the user to the print server 10 (or may be directly transmitted to the authentication server 30). The print server 10 requests the authentication server 30 for authentication processing based on the authentication information. The authentication server 30 transmits an authentication result indicating whether or not user authentication has been established to the print server 10.

  When authentication is established, the print server 10 transmits a job list of a print job associated with the user name to the image forming apparatus 20. When the authentication is established, the image forming apparatus 20 compares the printing conditions included in the job list with the function information and determines whether printing can be performed according to the printing conditions. The image forming apparatus 20 displays a job list of print jobs on the operation panel, except for print jobs that cannot be executed.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 is an example of a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the print server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The print server 10 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, and an interface device 105 that are connected to each other via a bus B.

  A program 110 for realizing processing in the print server 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 on which the program 110 is recorded is set in the drive device 100, the program 110 is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100. However, the program 110 may be distributed by downloading from a computer (not shown) in addition to being distributed by the recording medium 101.

  The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program 110 and also stores necessary files and data. The auxiliary storage device 102 is a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

  The memory device 103 reads the program 110 from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program 110. The memory device 103 is, for example, a DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module), an SO-DIMM, or the like. The CPU 104 executes functions related to the print server 10 in accordance with the program 110 stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is an interface (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) network card) for connecting to a network.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, a network I / F 204, an image output unit 205, an image processing unit 206, an external device I / F 207, a display unit 208, an operation unit 209, and the like.

  A program 81 that realizes functions in the image forming apparatus 20 is recorded (installed) in a nonvolatile auxiliary storage device 203 such as an HDD. The auxiliary storage device 203 stores the installed program 81 and also stores necessary files and data. The memory 202 reads the program 81 from the auxiliary storage device 203 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program 81. The CPU 201 implements functions related to the image forming apparatus 20 according to the program 81 stored in the memory 202. The network I / F 204 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  The display unit 208 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays an operation screen, a message, and the like. The operation unit 209 is configured with hardware buttons (keys), and receives an operation input by the user. The display unit 208 includes a touch panel, and the display unit 208 and the operation unit 209 are integrally configured as an operation panel.

  The image processing unit 206 executes various types of image processing required when outputting (printing) image data. The image output unit 205 outputs (prints) image data.

  The external device I / F 207 is an interface for connecting to the card reader 40 used for inputting authentication information, and includes, for example, a USB port (USB host interface) or a serial board. The card reader 40 is a so-called card reader (card reader) 40 that reads information from the card 50 and includes a hardware interface (for example, a USB connector or a serial interface) that can be connected to the external device I / F 207. However, the card reader 40 may be built in the image forming apparatus 20. The card reader 40 may be either a contact type or a non-contact type. The card 50 is not limited to an IC card, and may be a magnetic card or the like that can record a card ID (card number) unique to at least each card. The card ID is generally referred to as a Universal ID or a Card Serial Number. Specific examples of the card 50 include a proximity card, a mifare card, a Java (registered trademark) card, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the card 50 is distributed to each user. However, a single card 50 may be shared by a plurality of users according to the level of security required for operation. Note that the card 50 distributed to each user may not be limited to one type. As described above, the card reader 40 can be easily connected to the image forming apparatus 20 by USB or the like. Accordingly, a plurality of card readers 40 may be simultaneously connected to the image forming apparatus 20 according to the type of card 50 (Proximity card, Mifare card, Java (registered trademark) Card, etc.). In this case, a plurality of types of cards 50 can be used simultaneously.

  A recording medium mounting unit 19 is connected to the external device I / F 207. The recording medium mounting unit 19 loads the recording medium 120, reads data stored in the recording medium 120, and transmits the data to the CPU 201 or the memory 202. The recording medium 120 is, for example, a USB memory, an SD card memory, a CD-ROM, or the like.

  A program 81 is stored in the recording medium 120, and when the user mounts the recording medium 120 in the recording medium mounting unit 19, for example, the CPU 201 receives an interrupt or a user operation, and the CPU 201 stores in the recording medium 120. The executed program 81 is executed. By executing this program 81, the image forming apparatus 20 provides a printing method (extended confidential printing) of the following embodiment. The recording medium 120 and the card 50 may be integrated, and the program 81 may be recorded on the card 50.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the printing system 1. The client PC 60 includes a print instruction reception unit 61, a print data generation unit 62, a print request transmission unit 63, a non-permission notification unit 64, and the like. Each of these units is basically realized by a process that a program installed in the client PC 60 causes the CPU of the client PC 60 to execute.

  The print instruction accepting unit 61 accepts designation of document data to be printed. The print instruction receiving unit 61 also displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as “print setting screen”) for setting print attribute information (also referred to as a print condition or a print setting item) on the display device of the client PC 60, and print setting. The setting of print attribute information and the input of a print instruction are accepted via the screen.

  The print instruction accepting unit 61 further accepts input of user authentication information via the print setting screen. The authentication information only needs to correspond to the authentication method in the authentication server 30. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user name and password are used.

  The print data generation unit 62 generates print data for document data to be printed based on print attribute information. The print data is data described in PDL (Page Description Language) and includes print attribute information. Further, the print data generation unit 62 includes the authentication information received by the print instruction reception unit 61 in the print data (or adds it to the print data). The print request transmission unit 63 transmits a print job including print data to the print server 10. The non-permission notification unit 64 executes a process for notifying the user that printing according to the print job is not permitted (cannot be performed) based on information transmitted from the print server 10 based on the print job.

  Note that the print instruction reception unit 61 and the print data generation unit 62 are realized by, for example, a printer driver. The printer driver may be installed in the client PC 60 or may be installed in another computer such as the print server 10. In the latter case, a printer sharing mechanism provided by an OS (Operating System) may be used.

  The print server 10 includes a print request reception unit 11, a print permission / rejection determination unit 12, a non-permission transmission unit 13, a job recording unit 14, a job storage unit 15, a job transfer unit 16, a result reception unit 17, a report creation unit 18, and the like. Have. Each of these units is realized by processing executed by the CPU 104 by the program 110 installed in the print server 10.

  The print request receiving unit 11 receives a print job transmitted from the client PC 60. The printing permission / rejection determination unit 12 determines whether printing is permitted or not based on authentication information extracted from the print data. Specifically, the print permission determination unit 12 transmits authentication information to the authentication server 30, and causes the authentication server 30 to execute authentication based on the authentication information. When the authentication server 30 determines that authentication is not established, the print permission / rejection determination unit 12 determines that printing is not permitted. When the authentication server 30 determines that the authentication is successful, the authentication permission determination unit determines that printing is permitted. The non-permission transmission unit 13 transmits the determination result of the print non-permission by the authentication permission / rejection determination unit to the client PC 60. The client PC 60 that is the transmission destination of the determination result is determined based on, for example, identification information (IP address or the like) included in the IP header when transmitting the print job.

  The job recording unit 14 generates a job ID of the job (print job) when the print permission determination unit 12 determines the print permission, and associates the bibliographic information and print data included in the print job with the job ID. To the job storage unit 15. The job recording unit 14 extracts part or all of the print attribute information from the print data, and records the extracted information in the job storage unit 15 in association with the job ID as the bibliographic information of the job. For example, bibliographic information includes user name, number of pages, printing conditions (whether color printing or monochrome printing is used, double-sided printing, consolidated printing, and staple position and punch when using staples. Includes a punch position and the like.

  The job storage unit 15 is a storage area (for example, a table or a folder) for storing print data, bibliographic information, and the like in the auxiliary storage device 102.

  The job transfer unit 16 transfers a print job stored (recorded) in the job storage unit 15 to the image forming device 20 in response to a request from the image forming device 20. The job transfer unit 16 extracts the print job stored in the job storage unit 15 using the user name received from the image forming apparatus 20 as a key. The job transfer unit 16 can selectively read information in the job storage unit 15 such as extracting only bibliographic information, extracting only print data, and extracting bibliographic information and print data.

  The result receiving unit 17 receives a job execution result (information indicating success or failure of the job) from the image forming apparatus 20 and deletes the print job stored in the job storage unit 15. Based on the bibliographic information stored in the job storage unit 15, the report creation unit 18 generates (aggregates) information (report) indicating the usage status for each user, for example.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes an extended confidential printing unit 80, a correspondence information storage unit 23, and an MIB 33. The extended confidential printing unit 80 includes a card ID acquisition unit 21, an authentication control unit 22, a job acquisition unit 24, an attribute value acquisition unit 27, a job determination unit 28, a job display unit 29, a selection reception unit 34, and a print control unit 25. And a result transmitting unit 26. The extended confidential printing unit 80 is realized by the CPU 201 executing the program 81 stored in the recording medium 120. The administrator may install the program 81 in the image forming apparatus 20 in advance, or the image forming apparatus 20 may copy the program 81 from the recording medium 120 to the auxiliary storage device 203.

  The card ID acquisition unit 21 acquires the card ID read by the card reader 40 from the card 50 from the card reader 40. The authentication control unit 22 acquires the user name and password corresponding to the card ID from the corresponding information storage unit 23, and causes the authentication server 30 to perform authentication based on the acquired user name and password. The correspondence information storage unit 23 is a storage area (for example, a table) for storing correspondence information between a card ID, a user name, and a password in the auxiliary storage device 203.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information recorded in the correspondence information storage unit 23. As shown in the figure, in the correspondence information storage unit 23, a user name, a card ID, and a password are recorded in association (associated) for each user.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the job acquisition unit 24 acquires a print job stored in the job storage unit 15 of the print server 10. The print job may be acquired by acquiring a print job job list (for example, only bibliographic information) or by including print data. The job list is obtained by extracting only necessary information (for example, user name, file name, number of pages, etc.) from the bibliographic information for each print job.

  The attribute value acquisition unit 27 reads the function information of the image forming apparatus 20 from the MIB 33. The MIB 33 registers whether double-sided printing is possible, whether consolidated printing is possible, whether color printing is possible, whether stapling is possible, whether punching is possible, and the like. The job determination unit 28 compares the printing conditions included in the bibliographic information acquired by the job acquisition unit 24 with the function information of the image forming apparatus 20 acquired by the attribute value acquisition unit 27, and for each print job, this image It is determined whether or not the forming apparatus 20 can execute the print job according to the printing conditions. For example, if the print condition includes an instruction for color printing and the function information does not register that color printing is possible, the job determination unit 28 excludes the print job from the print target (for example, Erasing or adding a bit indicating that printing is not possible to the print data). The job determination unit 28 notifies the job display unit 29 of the file name of the print job excluded from the print target and the number of print jobs.

  For example, when the print condition includes an instruction for color printing and the fact that color printing is possible is registered in the function information, the job determination unit 28 leaves this print job as a print target. . The job determination unit 28 sends the job ID and bibliographic information of this print job to the job display unit 29.

  The job display unit 29 displays a job list of print jobs acquired as print targets from the job determination unit 28 on the display unit 208. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the job selection screen 501. The job selection screen 501 includes a message 505 “Which job will be executed?”, A display field 502 for displaying a job list of print jobs determined by the job determination unit 28, and “Note: Cannot be executed by this printer”. A message 503 indicating that “three jobs have been excluded from the target” and an OK button 504 are included. The display field 502 displays the file name of the print job. When the user selects a file name and presses an OK button 504, the selection receiving unit 34 receives the print job. Therefore, the user can execute printing without inputting printing conditions. The job display unit 29 may display details of the printing conditions on the display unit 208 by a user operation.

  Further, the user visually recognizes the message “Note: Three jobs that cannot be executed by this printer have been excluded from the target” and recognizes that there is a print job that cannot be printed by the operating image forming apparatus 20. it can. Note that the file name of the print job that is determined not to be executable by the job determination unit 28 may be displayed according to the user's operation or regardless of the presence / absence of the user's operation.

  The job acquisition unit 24 transmits the print data of the print job accepted by the selection accepting unit 34 to the print server 10. As a result, the print server 10 can transmit only the print data of the print job to be executed to the image forming apparatus 20.

  The print control unit 25 causes the image output unit 205 to execute the print data acquired by the job acquisition unit 24 according to the printing conditions. The result transmission unit 26 transmits the execution result of the print job to the print server 10.

  The authentication server 30 includes an authentication processing unit 31, a user DB 32, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that a program installed in the authentication server 30 causes the CPU of the authentication server 30 to execute.

  In response to an authentication request from the print server 10 or the image forming apparatus 20, the authentication processing unit 31 performs authentication processing using authentication information registered in advance in the user DB 32 for each user. The user DB 32 is a database in which authentication information is recorded for each user. The user DB 32 may record user attribute value information in addition to the authentication information. For example, authority information related to the function of the image forming apparatus 20 may be recorded for each user.

[Operation procedure of printing system 1]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for printing by the printing system 1. In FIG. 7, there are a stage in which the client PC 60 stores a print job in the print server 10 and a stage in which the image forming apparatus 20 executes the print job.

<Stage where client PC 60 stores print job in print server 10>
First, the user operates the client PC 60 to store print jobs in the print server 10. The client PC 60 requests that the print job be stored in the print server 10 (S100).

  The print server 10 requests user authentication from the authentication server 30 (S200). The authentication server 30 determines whether user authentication is established based on the authentication information received together with the authentication request (S300). The authentication server 30 transmits the authentication result to the print server 10 (S400).

  When the print server 10 receives the authentication result indicating that the authentication has been established, the print server 10 accumulates the print job and transmits the accumulation result to the client PC 60 (S500).

  FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart for explaining in more detail the stage in which the client PC 60 stores the print job in the print server 10. The step numbers shown in FIG. 8 correspond to the step numbers in FIG. In the figure, the user operates the client PC 60.

  In step S <b> 101, the print instruction accepting unit 61 accepts selection of document data to be printed, and displays a print setting screen on the display device of the client PC 60. The print instruction reception unit 61 receives input of print attribute information and authentication information (user name and password) via the print setting screen. Note that the screen for inputting the print attribute information and the authentication information may be different. That is, the print setting screen here may be a set of a plurality of screens.

  For example, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authentication information input screen 601 constituting the print setting screen. In the figure, an authentication information input screen 601 has a user name input area 602, a password input area 603, and the like. The print instruction accepting unit 61 accepts input of a user name and password via the authentication information input screen 610.

  Subsequently, the print data generation unit 62 generates print data of document data to be printed according to the print attribute information, and records the input user name and password in the print data (S102). Subsequently, the print request transmission unit 63 transmits a print job including the generated print data to the print server 10 (S103). Note that the identification information (for example, IP address) of the print server 10 to which the print data is sent is recorded in advance in the storage device of the client PC 60.

  The print job is received by the print request receiving unit 11 in the print server 10 (S201). The print permission / rejection determination unit 12 extracts authentication information from the print data included in the print job, and transmits an authentication request including the extracted authentication information to the authentication server 30 (S202). The identification information (for example, IP address) of the authentication server 30 that is the authentication request destination is recorded in the auxiliary storage device 102 in advance.

  Upon receiving the authentication request (S301), the authentication processing unit 31 of the authentication server 30 performs authentication by comparing the authentication information included in the authentication request with the authentication information recorded for each user in the user DB 32. (S302). Subsequently, the authentication processing unit 31 returns an authentication result (information indicating the success or failure of authentication) to the print server 10 (S303).

  When receiving the authentication result (S203), the print permission / rejection determination unit 12 of the print server 10 determines whether printing is permitted or not based on the success or failure of the authentication (S204). That is, if authentication is established, it is determined that printing is permitted (Yes in S204), and the determination result (print permission determination result) is input to the job recording unit 14. The job recording unit 14 generates a job ID according to the determination result, and records the print job in the job storage unit 15 in association with the job ID (S205). Further, the job recording unit 14 extracts print attribute information from the print job, and records the extracted print attribute information in the job storage unit 15 in association with the job ID as bibliographic information of the print job.

  On the other hand, if the authentication fails, the print permission / rejection determination unit 12 determines that printing is not permitted (No in S204), and inputs the determination result (determination result of printing non-permission) to the non-permission transmission unit 13. The non-permission transmission unit 13 transmits the determination result of print non-permission to the client PC 60 (S206).

  Upon receipt of the print non-permission determination result, the non-permission notification unit 64 of the client PC 60 displays an error message indicating that printing is not permitted on the display device of the client PC 60 (S104). Accordingly, when the user inputs a print instruction on the client PC 60, the user can recognize whether printing is permitted (or not). As a result, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of noticing that printing is not permitted after visiting the image forming apparatus 20.

  Further, by avoiding accumulation of print data and the like that are not permitted to be printed, useless consumption of the storage area of the job accumulation unit 15 can be suppressed. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized data from being input by a malicious user.

  In the above description, the print permission / rejection determination unit 12 determines whether or not to allow printing based only on the success or failure of authentication. However, the print permission / rejection determination unit 12 determines whether or not to allow printing in consideration of the authority for the print attribute indicated by the print attribute information. You may make it do. In this case, for example, if the authentication processing unit 31 of the print server 10 succeeds in the authentication in step 303, the authority information of the user who succeeds in the authentication is acquired from the user DB 32, and the authority information together with the authentication result is acquired from the print server. 10 to send. The authority information is information indicating the presence / absence of the use authority for each item (function) corresponding to the print attribute information. The print permission / rejection determination unit 12 compares the authority information and the print attribute information, and if the user has authority for all the print conditions (for example, color printing) designated as the use target in the print attribute information, the print permission is permitted. Judgment. On the other hand, when there is no authority for all the print attributes, the print permission / rejection determination unit 12 determines that printing is not permitted even if the authentication is successful. The authority information may be recorded in the auxiliary storage device 203 of the print server 10.

  As described above, when accumulating print jobs, by determining whether printing is permitted in consideration of the authority to use the printing attributes, when the user operates the image forming apparatus 20, printing cannot be performed due to lack of authority. Such inconveniences can be avoided.

  After accumulating the print job, the user moves to the desired image forming apparatus 20. That is, since the image forming apparatus 20 that is the output destination (printing destination) is not specified when the print job is stored, any image forming apparatus 20 that is compatible with the print server 10 can be conveniently used for the image forming apparatus. 20 can be selected as an output destination.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the stage in which the image forming apparatus 20 executes a print job will be described.

<Step in which image forming apparatus 20 executes print job>
The user attaches the card 50 to the card reader 40. Further, the user mounts the recording medium 120 on the recording medium mounting unit 19, and the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 20 executes the program 81 read by the recording medium mounting unit 19 to activate the extended confidential printing unit 80.

  The attribute value acquisition unit 27 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 requests functional information from the MIB 33 (S600). It is assumed that the MIB 33 has a structure in which a predetermined program and a table in which function information is registered are integrated. The MIB 33 sends the function information to the attribute value acquisition unit 27 (S700).

  The authentication control unit 22 requests user authentication from the authentication server (S800). The authentication server 30 determines whether user authentication is established based on the authentication information received together with the authentication request (S900). The authentication server 30 transmits the authentication result to the image forming apparatus 20 (S1000).

  When receiving the authentication result indicating that the authentication has been established, the job acquisition unit 24 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 requests the job list from the print server 10 (S1100).

  The print server 10 reads a print job associated with the user name from the job storage unit 15 and transmits the job list to the image forming apparatus 20 (S1200).

  The job determination unit 28 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 compares the print conditions of the print jobs listed in the job list with the function information, and determines a print job that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 (S1300).

  The job display unit 29 displays on the display unit 208 a job list of print jobs that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 according to the printing conditions (S1400). As a result, the job list is transmitted to the display unit (S1402), and a job selection screen 501 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  The user selects a desired print job from the job selection screen 501 (S1500). Then, the user inputs execution of the print job from the operation unit 209 (S1600). The selection accepting unit 34 accepts selection of a print job designated by a job ID or the like (S1700).

  The job acquisition unit 24 requests the print server 10 for a print job specified by the job ID or the like (S1800). The print server 10 transmits the print job specified by the job ID or the like to the image forming apparatus 20 (S1900).

  Then, the image forming apparatus 20 prints the print data included in the print job under the print conditions specified by the bibliographic information (S2000).

  FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when the user moves to a desired image forming apparatus 20 and executes a print job.

  When the user sets the card 50 in the card reader 40 for the purpose of logging in to the image forming apparatus 20, the card reader 40 transmits the read program 81 to the memory 202 (S401). The CPU 201 executes the program 81 stored in the memory 202 and starts a series of processes related to printing.

  First, the card ID acquisition unit 21 acquires a card ID read by the card reader 40 from the card 50 (hereinafter referred to as “current card ID”) from the card reader 40 and records it in the memory 202. The card 50 being inserted into the card reader 40 means that the card reader 40 can read the information recorded on the card 50, such as inserting the card 50 into the card reader 40 or tricking the card 50. To do.

  Subsequently, the authentication control unit 22 converts the current card ID into user authentication information (user name and password) using the correspondence information recorded in the correspondence information storage unit 23 (S402).

  Therefore, the authentication control unit 22 acquires the user name and password associated with the current card ID from the correspondence information storage unit 23, thereby converting the card ID into the user name and password.

  Subsequently, the attribute value acquisition unit 27 acquires function information from the MIB 33 (S403). Based on the function information, the job determination unit 28 can specify printing conditions that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 20. The function information may be acquired until the job determination unit 28 determines whether the print job can be executed.

  Subsequently, the authentication control unit 22 transmits an authentication request including the converted authentication information to the authentication server 30 (S404). The identification information (for example, IP address) of the authentication server 30 that is the authentication request destination is recorded in the auxiliary storage device 203 in advance. In the figure, the image forming apparatus 20 requests authentication directly from the authentication server 30, but actually requests authentication via the print server 10. As illustrated, the image forming apparatus 20 may directly request authentication from the authentication server 30.

  In response to the authentication request, the authentication server 30 executes an authentication process similar to the process at the time of storing the print job, and returns an authentication result to the image forming apparatus 20 (S301 to S302). The same authentication server 30 does not necessarily have to be used for authentication for login of the image forming apparatus 20 and authentication for determining whether printing is permitted in the print server 10. However, by using the same authentication server 30 for both authentications, it is possible to increase the possibility that the determination result of whether printing is permitted and the determination result of whether the image forming apparatus 20 can log in match. That is, it is possible to improve the reliability of the determination result of whether printing is permitted in the print server 10.

  Subsequently, the authentication control unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the authentication result (S405). If the authentication fails (No in S406), the authentication control unit 22 rejects the login. In this case, the user cannot use the image forming apparatus 20. If the authentication is successful (Yes in S406), the authentication control unit 22 accepts login. In response to the successful login, the job acquisition unit 24 designates the user name of the login user, and transmits an acquisition request for the job list of the accumulated print job to the print server 10 (S407). Identification information (for example, IP address) of the print server 10 from which the job is acquired is registered in the auxiliary storage device 203 in advance. Also, a plurality of print servers 10 can be registered, and all the print servers 10 may be used as job acquisition destinations, or the user selects a print server 10 as a job acquisition destination from among the plurality of print servers 10. You may do it.

  Upon receiving the job list acquisition request (S211), the job transfer unit 16 of the print server 10 acquires the bibliographic information of the print job related to the user name specified in the acquisition request from the job storage unit 15 (S212). . Note that there may be only one bibliographic information entry in the list. Subsequently, the job transfer unit 16 generates a job list from the acquired bibliographic information and returns it to the image forming apparatus 20 (S213). A job ID is assigned to each print job in each job list.

  The job acquisition unit 24 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 receives the job list (S408) and sends it to the job determination unit 28. The job determination unit 28 extracts bibliographic information one by one from the job list, and determines whether printing is possible according to the printing conditions of the bibliographic information based on the function information (S409). Since the printing conditions include color printing or monochrome printing, a stapling position, a punching position, and the like, the job determination unit 28 can perform color printing or stapling based on the function information. Determine whether punching is possible. The job determination unit 28 stores in the memory 202 a job list of print jobs that can be executed according to the printing conditions.

  The job display unit 29 causes the display unit 208 to display a job list of print jobs that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 using the job list stored in the memory 202 (S410).

  When the user selects a print job from the job selection screen 501, the selection receiving unit 34 receives a print job selection (S411). The selection receiving unit 34 notifies the job acquisition unit 24 of the job ID.

  The job acquisition unit 24 specifies the job ID of the selected print job and requests the print server 10 to transmit print data (S412). The entire print job may be requested.

  Upon receiving the print data transmission request (S214), the job transfer unit 16 of the print server 10 acquires the print data associated with the job ID specified in the acquisition request from the job storage unit 15 (S215). . Subsequently, the job transfer unit 16 returns the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 20 (S216).

  In the image forming apparatus 20, the job acquisition unit 24 receives the print data (S413). The print control unit 25 causes the image output unit 205 to execute printing based on the print data (S414). When printing is completed, the result transmission unit 26 specifies a job ID related to the printed print data, and transmits a message indicating the completion of printing to the print server 10 (S415).

  When receiving the message indicating the completion of printing (S217), the result receiving unit 17 of the print server 10 deletes the print data corresponding to the job ID specified in the message from the job storage unit 15 (S218). By deleting the print data upon completion of printing, an increase in the amount of consumption of the storage area in the job storage unit 15 can be suppressed. However, the deletion of the print data may be performed periodically. In this case, at the timing of step S218, flag information indicating that it is a deletion target may be added to the print data. In the periodic deletion process, the print data to which the flag information is assigned is deleted.

  Subsequently, the result receiving unit 17 updates the bibliographic information corresponding to the job ID specified in the message indicating the completion of printing (S219). For example, the result receiving unit 17 adds the date and time of printing to the bibliographic information. Thus, the extended confidential printing process by the printing system 1 is completed.

  According to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, print jobs that cannot be executed by the functions of the image forming apparatus 20 are excluded from the selection targets by the user, so that print jobs using functions that the image forming apparatus 20 does not have can be Can be prevented from being executed erroneously and failing to obtain the printed matter as expected.

  In the first exemplary embodiment, print jobs that cannot be executed by the functions of the image forming apparatus 20 are excluded from the selection targets by the user. However, in the present embodiment, the print jobs are not excluded from the selection targets, and the user can print as expected. The printing system 1 that prevents the image from being obtained will be described.

  Here, it is generally considered that only print jobs that cannot be printed are skipped without excluding print jobs that cannot be executed by the functions of the image forming apparatus 20 from the selection target by the user. However, when the user selects a plurality of print jobs and there is a print job that cannot be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 in any one of the print jobs, the image forming apparatus 20 can execute prints that can be executed in the subsequent print jobs. Even if there was a job, execution of all print jobs was canceled.

  When there is a print job that cannot be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 among a plurality of print jobs, the print system 1 of this embodiment skips the print job and executes the subsequent print jobs. Thus, when the user selects a plurality of print jobs, only the print jobs that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 can be executed.

  For example, when the print job designates A4 size paper, the A4 size paper has run out. When the next print job designates Letter size paper, the image forming apparatus 20 uses the Letter size paper. The next print job can be executed using the paper. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the print service of the image forming apparatus 20 from being stopped.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the printing system 1. 11, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the functions of the image forming apparatus 20 are the same as those in FIG.

  First, the job display unit 29 displays a job list of all print jobs received from the print server 10 by the job acquisition unit 24 on the display unit 208. When the user selects a print job from the job selection screen 501, the selection receiving unit 34 notifies the job acquisition unit 24 of the job ID of the print job selected by the user. As a result, the job acquisition unit 24 specifies a job ID and acquires a print job including print data from the print server 10.

  The attribute value acquisition unit 27 acquires function information from the MIB 33 immediately before the print control unit 25 executes one print job. Further, the attribute value acquisition unit 27 acquires a device status. The device status is managed by a system (not shown). The device status includes paper remaining amount for each paper size, toner remaining amount for each color toner, error information such as paper jam, and the like. Note that the attribute value acquisition unit 27 sorts print jobs in advance in the order of job ID or user selection. The attribute value acquisition unit 27 sends the function information, device status, and print job printing conditions to the job determination unit 28.

  The job determination unit 28 compares the function information with the printing conditions, and also compares the device status with the printing conditions, and determines whether the print job can be executed for each print job. The job determination unit 28 requests the print control unit 25 to print only the print job determined to be executable.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not each print job can be executed, so that all print jobs do not stop.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for printing by the printing system 1. In FIG. 12, the stage in which the client PC 60 stores the print job in the print server 10 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

<Step in which image forming apparatus 20 executes print job>
The user attaches the card 50 to the card reader 40. Further, the user mounts the recording medium 120 on the recording medium mounting unit 19, and the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 20 executes the program 81 read by the recording medium mounting unit 19 to activate the extended confidential printing unit 80.

  The authentication control unit 22 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 requests user authentication from the authentication server (S800). The authentication server determines whether user authentication is established based on the authentication information received together with the authentication request (S900). The authentication server transmits the authentication result to the image forming apparatus 20 (S1000).

  When receiving the authentication result indicating that the authentication has been established, the job acquisition unit 24 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 requests the job list from the print server 10 (S1100).

  The print server 10 reads the bibliographic information of the print job associated with the user name from the job storage unit 15, generates a job list, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 20 (S1200).

  The job list display unit displays the job list of all print jobs on the display unit 208 (S1400).

  The user selects a desired print job from the job selection screen 501 (S1500). Here, it is assumed that the user has selected a plurality of print jobs. Then, the user inputs execution of the print job from the operation unit 209 (S1600). The selection accepting unit 34 accepts selection of a print job designated by a job ID or the like (S1700).

  The job acquisition unit 24 requests print data of the print job specified by the job ID or the like from the print server 10 (S1800). The print server 10 transmits a plurality of print data to the image forming apparatus 20 (S1900).

  Next, the job determination unit 28 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 compares the print condition and function information of the print job immediately before execution, the print condition and the device status, and the image forming apparatus 20 for each print job. It is determined whether the print job can be executed in step S1300.

  For the first print job, the attribute value acquisition unit 27 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 has already acquired the function information and the device status from the MIB 33 in steps S600 and S700. The device information and device status may be acquired by the determination in step S1300.

  For example, if the first print job is to print on Letter-size paper and the A4 size paper is out of paper in the image forming apparatus 20, the job determination unit 28 can execute the first print job. judge. Therefore, the job determination unit 28 requests the print control unit 25 to execute the first print job. The print control unit 25 executes the first print job (S2010).

  Next, the attribute value acquisition unit 27 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 requests functional information from the MIB 33 (S610). The attribute value acquisition unit 27 requests a device status from a system (not shown). The MIB 33 and the system send function information and device status to the attribute value acquisition unit 27 (S710).

  If the second print job is for printing on A4 size paper, and the A4 size paper is out of paper in the image forming apparatus 20, the job determination unit 28 determines that the second print job cannot be executed. (S1310). Therefore, the job determination unit 28 skips the second print job (S2020).

  Next, the attribute value acquisition unit 27 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 requests functional information from the MIB 33 (S620). The attribute value acquisition unit 27 requests a device status from a system (not shown). The MIB 33 and the system send function information and device status to the attribute value acquisition unit 27 (S720).

  If the third print job is to print on Letter-size paper and the A4 size paper is out of paper in the image forming apparatus 20, the job determination unit 28 determines that the third print job can be executed. (S1320). Therefore, the job determination unit 28 requests the print control unit 25 to execute the third print job. The print control unit 25 executes the third print job (S2030).

  In this way, it is possible to prevent the entire print job from being stopped by skipping a print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the user moves to a desired image forming apparatus 20 and executes a print job. In FIG. 13, the process up to the determination of whether or not the authentication in step S <b> 405 is established is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S406, when the authentication is successful (Yes in S406), the authentication control unit 22 recognizes the login. In response to the successful login, the job acquisition unit 24 designates the user name of the login user, and transmits an acquisition request for the job list of the accumulated print job to the print server 10 (S407). Identification information (for example, IP address) of the print server 10 as the acquisition destination is registered in the auxiliary storage device 203 in advance. Also, a plurality of print servers 10 can be registered, and all the print servers 10 may be used as job acquisition destinations, or the user selects a print server 10 as a job acquisition destination from among the plurality of print servers 10. You may do it.

  Upon receiving the job list acquisition request (S211), the job transfer unit 16 of the print server 10 extracts the bibliographic information of the print job related to the user name specified in the acquisition request from the job storage unit 15, and the job list Is generated (S212). Note that there may be only one print job entry in the list. Subsequently, the job transfer unit 16 returns a job list to the image forming apparatus 20 (S213).

  Upon receiving the job list (S408), the job acquisition unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 displays the job list on the display unit 208 (S410). When the user selects one or more print jobs to be printed from the job list via the operation unit 209, the selection receiving unit 34 receives the selection (S411). The job acquisition unit 24 designates the job ID of the selected job and transmits a print data acquisition request to the print server 10 (S412).

  When receiving the print data acquisition request (S214), the job transfer unit 16 of the print server 10 acquires the print data associated with the job ID specified in the acquisition request from the job storage unit 15 (S215). . Subsequently, the job transfer unit 16 returns the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 20 (S216).

In the image forming apparatus 20, when print data is received by the job acquisition unit 24 (S412), the job determination unit 28 executes a skip determination process (S4000).
FIG. 14 shows an example of a flowchart showing the procedure of the skip determination process. The job determination unit 28 compares the print condition and function information of the print job, the print condition and the device status, and determines whether or not the print job can be executed for each print job (S4001). When it is determined that the job can be executed (Yes in S4001), the job determination unit 28 requests the print control unit 25 to perform printing (S4002). If it is determined that the job cannot be executed (No in S4001), the job determination unit 28 skips the print job that is determined not to be executable (S4003).

  The job determination unit 28 determines whether or not all the print jobs selected by the user have been executed (S4004). If all the print jobs have not been executed (No in S4004), the attribute information acquisition unit has the function information. Device status is acquired (S4005). Then, the job determination unit 28 repeatedly determines whether to execute the print job or skip it.

In addition, when the process of printing or skipping is completed for all print jobs selected by the user, the job determination unit 28 notifies the user of the executed print job and the skipped print job (S4006).
FIG. 15 shows an example of a job execution result screen 701 displayed on the display unit 208 of the image forming apparatus 20. The job execution result screen 701 displays a display column 702 for “executed print job” and a display column 703 for “print job that could not be executed”. The user can grasp the print job that could not be printed. Further, the reason why printing could not be performed, for example, “This image forming apparatus cannot perform color printing” may be displayed for each print job. By grasping the reason, the user can select another image forming apparatus 20 and execute a print job.

  Returning to FIG. 13, when printing is completed, the result transmission unit 26 transmits a message indicating the completion of printing to the print server 10 by designating the job ID related to the printed print data (S <b> 415). Since the subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  When there is a print job that cannot be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 in a plurality of print jobs, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment skips the print job and executes the subsequent print jobs so that the user can execute a plurality of print jobs. Even if a print job is selected and there is a print job that cannot be executed, all print jobs can be prevented from stopping. The image forming apparatus 20 can execute only executable print jobs.

  The printing system 1 according to the second embodiment skips the print job and notifies the user of the skip. If the reason for skipping the print job is a functional limitation of the image forming apparatus 20, there is no choice but to execute the print job from another image forming apparatus 20. However, since the consumables are not replenished, the print job is skipped. If so, it is preferable to replenish the consumables. However, in Europe and the United States, for example, the occupations of employees are clearly distinguished, so that if consumables need to be replenished, the consumables will not be replenished unless some notification means notifies the consumables staff. In this embodiment, a description will be given of a printing system 1 that notifies a person in charge of replenishment when replenishment of consumables is necessary.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the printing system 1. In FIG. 16, the same parts as those in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the printing system 1 is added with a supplementary charge PC 70. The replenishment person in charge PC 70 is a PC used by a person in charge of consumables replenishment. The client PC 60 may also serve as the replenishment responsible PC 70, or the replenishment responsible PC 70 may be an image forming apparatus 20 different from the image forming apparatus 20 used by the user.

  The replenishment person in charge PC 70 includes an alert reception unit 71 and an alert notification unit 72. The alert receiving unit 71 receives an alert indicating that a consumable item should be replenished from the alert transmitting unit 35 of the image forming apparatus 20. The alert notification unit 72 notifies the supplementary person in charge of the received alert. Notification methods include sending an e-mail to a person in charge of replenishment, displaying on the display of the PC 70 in charge of replenishment, transferring an e-mail, and the like. The e-mail address and IP address are stored in the image forming apparatus 20 in advance.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 20 includes an alert transmission unit 35. The alert transmission unit 35 detects a status error (out of consumables) among print jobs that the job determination unit 28 has determined that cannot be executed, and transmits an alert to the replenisher. The alert includes information such as the status error itself, consumables to be replenished, identification information of the image forming apparatus 20, and a user name.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for printing by the printing system 1. In FIG. 17, the same parts as those of FIG. In FIG. 17, after step S <b> 1900, as in the second embodiment, for example, the first print job is printed on Letter-size paper, and the A4 size paper is out of paper in the image forming apparatus 20. In this case, the job determination unit 28 determines that the first print job can be executed (S1300). Therefore, the job determination unit 28 requests the print control unit 25 to execute the first print job. The print control unit 25 executes the first print job (S2010).

  Next, the attribute value acquisition unit 27 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 requests functional information from the MIB 33 (S610). The attribute value acquisition unit 27 requests a device status from a system (not shown). The MIB 33 and the system send function information and device status to the attribute value acquisition unit 27 (S710).

  If the second print job is for printing on A4 size paper, and the A4 size paper is out of paper in the image forming apparatus 20, the job determination unit 28 determines that the second print job cannot be executed. (S1310). Therefore, the job determination unit 28 skips the second print job (S2020).

  Then, the alert transmission unit 35 transmits an alert to the supplementation charge PC 70 (S2100). The alert receiving unit 71 of the replenishment person in charge PC 70 receives the alert, and the alert notification part 72 notifies the replenishment person in charge of the alert (S2110).

  Next, the attribute value acquisition unit 27 of the extended confidential printing unit 80 requests functional information from the MIB 33 (S620). The attribute value acquisition unit 27 requests a device status from a system (not shown). The MIB 33 and the system send function information and device status to the attribute value acquisition unit 27 (S720).

  If the third print job is to print on Letter-size paper and the A4 size paper is out of paper in the image forming apparatus 20, the job determination unit 28 determines that the third print job can be executed. (S1320). Therefore, the job determination unit 28 requests the print control unit 25 to execute the third print job. The print control unit 25 executes the third print job (S2030).

  FIG. 18 shows an example of a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a user moves to a desired image forming apparatus 20 and executes a print job. In FIG. 18, the “skip determination process & alert notification process” in step S4000 is different from the second embodiment.

<S4000 Skip Determination Process & Alert Notification Process>
In the image forming apparatus 20, when the print data is received by the job acquisition unit 24 (S411), the job determination unit 28 executes a skip determination process & alert notification process (S4000).
FIG. 19 shows an example of a flowchart showing a procedure of skip determination processing & alert notification processing. The job determination unit 28 compares the function information with the printing conditions, the device status with the printing conditions, and determines whether the print job can be executed for each print job (S4001). When it is determined that the job can be executed (Yes in S4001), the job determination unit 28 requests the print control unit 25 to perform printing (S4002).

  If it is determined that the job cannot be executed (No in S4001), the job determination unit 28 skips the print job that is determined not to be executable (S4003). Then, the alert transmitter 35 transmits an alert to the replenishment person in charge PC 70 (S4007). The e-mail address and IP address of the replenishment PC 70 are registered in the image forming apparatus 20.

  When the alert reception unit 71 of the replenishment person in charge PC 70 receives the alert (S5001), the alert notification part 72 notifies the replenishment person in charge of the alert (S5002). The content of the alert described in the e-mail may be opened by the user with e-mail software, or the alert transmission unit 35 may pop up a message notifying that the icon or the consumable is out of service on the task bar.

  Returning to the processing of the image forming apparatus 20, the job determination unit 28 determines whether or not all the print jobs selected by the user have been executed (S4004), and when all the print jobs have not been executed (No in S4004). ), The attribute information acquisition unit acquires the function information and the device status (S4005). Then, the job determination unit 28 repeatedly determines whether to execute the print job or skip it.

  In addition, when the process of printing or skipping is completed for all print jobs selected by the user, the job determination unit 28 notifies the user of the executed print job and the skipped print job (S4006).

  Returning to FIG. 18, when printing is completed, the result transmission unit 26 specifies a job ID related to the printed print data, and transmits a message indicating the completion of printing to the print server 10 (S <b> 415). Since the subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the printing system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, there is a print job that cannot be executed by the image forming apparatus 20 due to a shortage of consumables among a plurality of print jobs. If the print job is skipped, the image forming apparatus 20 replenishes the consumables. Can be requested from the replenisher. Therefore, even in Europe and the United States where the user cannot replenish the consumables, the consumables can be replenished at an early stage.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print system 10 Print server 11 Print request receiving part 12 Print permission determination part 13 Non-permission transmission part 14 Job recording part 15 Job storage part 16 Job transfer part 17 Result receiving part 18 Report creation part 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Card ID acquisition part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 Authentication control part 23 Corresponding information storage part 24 Job acquisition part 25 Print control part 26 Result transmission part 27 Attribute value acquisition part 28 Job discrimination | determination part 29 Job display part 30 Authentication server 31 Authentication processing part 32 User DB
33 MIB
34 Selection receiving part 35 Alert sending part 60 Client PC
61 Print instruction reception unit 62 Print data generation unit 63 Print request transmission unit 64 Non-permission notification unit 70 Replenishment responsible PC
71 Alert Accepting Unit 72 Alert Notifying Unit 80 Extended Confidential Printing Unit 81 Program 100 Drive Device 101 Recording Medium 102 Auxiliary Storage Device 103 Memory Device 104 CPU
105 Interface device
110 program 201 CPU
202 Memory 203 Auxiliary Storage 204 Network I / F
205 Image output unit 206 Image processing unit 207 External device I / F
208 Display unit 209 Operation unit B Bus

JP 2007-200284 A

Claims (12)

A printing system in which an image forming apparatus and a server are connected via a network,
The server includes a print job receiving unit that receives a print job together with user authentication information input by a user from a client device connected via a network;
An authentication control means for requesting user authentication for the received authentication information to an authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information;
A non-permitted transmission means for transmitting a determination result of printing non-permission to the client device when user authentication with respect to the received authentication information is not established;
Job transmission means for transmitting the print job,
The image forming apparatus includes an authentication information acquisition unit that acquires user authentication information input by a user when using the image forming apparatus;
Authentication control means for requesting the authentication means to authenticate a user for the authentication information and receiving an authentication result;
Job list acquisition means for acquiring a job list of a print job associated with the user identification information from the server when authentication is established;
Function information acquisition means for acquiring function information of functions provided by the image forming apparatus;
Job determination means for comparing the printing conditions included in the job list acquired by the job list acquisition means with the function information to determine whether the print job can be executed;
Job display means for displaying on the display means a job list of only print jobs determined to be executable by the job determination means;
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of one or more print jobs from the job list of the print jobs determined to be executable;
Print control means for executing a print job accepted by the selection accepting means;
A printing system comprising: A printing system in which an image forming apparatus and a server are connected via a network,
The server includes a print job receiving unit that receives a print job together with user authentication information input by a user from a client device connected via a network;
An authentication control means for requesting user authentication for the received authentication information to an authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information;
A non-permitted transmission means for transmitting a determination result of printing non-permission to the client device when user authentication with respect to the received authentication information is not established;
Job transmission means for transmitting the print job,
The image forming apparatus includes an authentication information acquisition unit that acquires user authentication information input by a user when using the image forming apparatus;
Authentication control means for requesting the authentication means to authenticate a user for the authentication information and receiving an authentication result;
Job list acquisition means for acquiring a job list of a print job associated with the user identification information from the server when authentication is established;
A job display means for displaying a list of print jobs acquired by the job list acquisition means on a display means;
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of one or more print jobs from the job list;
Print control means for executing a print job;
Function information acquisition means for acquiring function information of functions provided by the image forming apparatus and / or consumable shortage information each time the print control means executes one print job;
Compare the print condition included in the print job with the function information and / or the print condition and the consumables shortage information, and cause the print control unit to execute the print job determined to be executable and execute Job determination means for skipping execution of a print job determined to be impossible;
A printing system comprising: An alert sending means for sending an alert to a predetermined person in charge when the reason why the job judging means skips the execution of the print job is due to lack of consumables;
The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising: The job display means displays on the display means that the job determination means has skipped execution, and a job list of the skipped print jobs.
The printing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The server includes a print information recording unit that stores the print job in the storage unit in association with user identification information only when authentication is established by the authentication control unit.
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: When the authentication unit determines that user authentication is established using the authentication information, the authentication unit determines whether the user authority information transmitted from the client device satisfies a print job print condition,
When it is determined that the authority information does not satisfy the printing condition of the print job, the non-permission transmission unit transmits a determination result of non-permission of printing to the client device;
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A printing method in which an image forming apparatus executes a print job stored in a server,
In the server, a print job receiving unit receives a print job together with user authentication information input by a user from a client device connected via a network; and
The authentication control means requesting authentication of the user for the received authentication information to the authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information;
A non-permitted transmission unit, when the authentication of the user with respect to the received authentication information is not established, a step of transmitting a determination result of printing non-permission to the client device;
A job transmission means for transmitting the print job,
In the image forming apparatus, an authentication information acquisition unit acquires user authentication information input by the user when using the image forming apparatus;
An authentication control means for requesting the authentication means to authenticate a user for the authentication information and receiving an authentication result;
A step of acquiring a job list of a print job associated with the user identification information from the server when the job list acquisition means is authenticated;
A function information obtaining unit obtaining function information of a function provided by the image forming apparatus;
Comparing the print condition included in the job list acquired by the job list acquisition means with the function information, and determining whether the job determination means can execute the print job;
A step of displaying, on the display means, a job list of only print jobs determined by the job display means to be executable by the job determination means;
A step of receiving selection of one or more print jobs from the job list of the print jobs determined to be executable by the selection receiving unit;
And a step of causing the print control means to execute the print job accepted by the selection accepting means. A printing method in which an image forming apparatus executes a print job stored in a server,
In the server, a print job receiving unit receives a print job together with user authentication information input by a user from a client device connected via a network; and
The authentication control means requesting authentication of the user for the received authentication information to the authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information;
A non-permitted transmission unit, when the authentication of the user with respect to the received authentication information is not established, a step of transmitting a determination result of printing non-permission to the client device;
A job transmission means for transmitting the print job,
In the image forming apparatus, an authentication information acquisition unit acquires user authentication information input by the user when using the image forming apparatus;
An authentication control means for requesting the authentication means to authenticate a user for the authentication information and receiving an authentication result;
A step of acquiring a job list of a print job associated with the user identification information from the server when the job list acquisition means is authenticated;
A job display means for displaying a list of print jobs acquired by the job list acquisition means on the display means;
A step of receiving a selection of one or more print jobs from the job list;
Each time the print control unit executes one print job, the function information acquisition unit acquires the function information and / or the consumables shortage information of the function provided by the image forming apparatus;
A step of determining whether or not the print job is executable by comparing the print condition included in the print job with the function information and / or the print condition and the consumables shortage information;
A job determination unit causing the print control unit to execute a print job that can be executed, and causing the print control unit to skip execution of a print job that is not executable;
A printing method characterized by comprising: Print job receiving means for receiving a print job together with user authentication information input by a user from a client device connected via a network;
An authentication control means for requesting user authentication for the received authentication information to an authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information;
Print information recording means for storing the print job in the storage means in association with the user identification information when the user authentication for the received authentication information is established;
A non-permitted transmission means for transmitting a determination result of printing non-permission to the client device when user authentication with respect to the received authentication information is not established;
Authentication information acquisition means for acquiring user authentication information input by the user when using the image forming apparatus;
Authentication control means for requesting the authentication means to authenticate a user for the authentication information and obtaining an authentication result;
A job list acquisition unit that acquires a job list of a print job associated with the user identification information from the storage unit when authentication is established;
Function information acquisition means for acquiring function information of functions provided by the image forming apparatus;
Job determination means for comparing the printing conditions included in the job list acquired by the job list acquisition means with the function information to determine whether the print job can be executed;
Job display means for displaying on the display means a job list of only print jobs determined to be executable by the job determination means;
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of one or more print jobs from the job list of the print jobs determined to be executable;
Print control means for executing a print job accepted by the selection accepting means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Print job receiving means for receiving a print job together with user authentication information input by a user from a client device connected via a network;
An authentication control means for requesting user authentication for the received authentication information to an authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information;
A print job stored in association with the user identification information in a server having a non-permission transmission unit that transmits a determination result of print non-permission to the client device when user authentication with respect to the received authentication information is not established In the computer of the image forming apparatus that executes
Obtaining user authentication information input by the user when using the image forming apparatus;
Requesting the authentication means to authenticate a user for the authentication information and receiving an authentication result;
If authentication is established, obtaining a job list of print jobs associated with the user identification information from the server;
Acquiring function information of functions provided by the image forming apparatus;
A job determination step for comparing the print condition included in the acquired job list with the function information to determine whether the print job can be executed;
Displaying a job list of only print jobs determined to be executable by the job determination step on a display unit;
Receiving a selection of one or more print jobs from the job list of print jobs determined to be executable;
A step of executing a received print job;
A program that executes Print job receiving means for receiving a print job together with user authentication information input by a user from a client device connected via a network;
An authentication control means for requesting user authentication for the received authentication information to an authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information;
A print job stored in association with the user identification information in a server having a non-permission transmission unit that transmits a determination result of print non-permission to the client device when user authentication with respect to the received authentication information is not established In the computer of the image forming apparatus that executes
Obtaining user authentication information input by the user when using the image forming apparatus;
Requesting the authentication means to authenticate a user for the authentication information and receiving an authentication result;
A job list acquisition step of acquiring a job list of a print job associated with the user identification information from the server when the authentication is established;
Displaying a list of print jobs acquired by the job list acquisition step on a display means;
Receiving a selection of one or more print jobs from the job list;
Acquiring the function information and / or the consumables shortage information of the function provided by the image forming apparatus every time the printing unit executes one print job;
Comparing the print condition included in the print job with the function information and / or comparing the print condition with the consumable shortage information to determine whether the print job can be executed;
Causing the print control means to execute a print job that is executable, and causing the print control means to skip execution of a print job that is not executable;
A program that executes The computer-readable storage medium which memorize | stored the program of Claim 10 or 11 .

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