JP2001100960A - Printing paper resource management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing paper resource management system as a tool which can directly limit an act of consuming paper. SOLUTION: This system has a managing sever 2 which sets and manages the number of prints, a communication line 3, and a plurality of computers 4. The managing server 2 is equipped with a token generating means 8 which generates a print token representing the right to print, a token database 9, and a token managing means 7. A computer 4 is equipped with a print token storage means 13 which stores the print token and a printing managing means 14 which allows or disallows a printer driver 15 to print by referring to the print token stored in the print token storage means 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print paper resource management system which manages the number of prints of a computer user in an environment where many people print using a computer. The present invention relates to a print paper resource management system that distributes a print token, which is data representing a right to execute a predetermined number of prints, and manages the number of prints for each person based on printable number data included in the print token.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a large number of computers are used in companies, government offices, and the like, and computer users perform various printings by printers connected to the computers.

Recently, various measures have been taken to reduce the paper consumed by printing from the viewpoint of environmental protection. For example, attempts have been made to reduce paper consumption by introducing a paperless system and converting information to be printed on paper into electronic data.

[0004] However, a paperless system is not a tool for directly limiting paper consumption, even though it is a tool for saving paper consumption. For this reason, for example, output to paper is easily performed before digitization, and in many cases, it is not practically effective for suppressing paper consumption.

On the other hand, in order to directly limit paper consumption, a target value is set for paper consumption.

For example, in a company, a target value of paper consumption in each section is set, employees make an effort to achieve the target value by in-house exercise and the like, and the actual paper consumption is counted. It is done to make sure.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional method aims at directly limiting the paper consumption, but is not a tool or system for directly limiting the paper consumption.

That is, the method of setting the target value for the paper consumption does not directly suppress the printing operation, but merely suppresses the mental side of the person who uses the paper. For this reason, it has been empirically known that after the period of the in-house exercise or the like elapses, the consciousness of saving paper decreases, and the consumption of paper gradually increases.

A system is also conceivable in which the paper consumption of each department is managed by a computer, tabulated, and a warning message is issued when the paper consumption reaches a certain value. Although such systems are tooled and systemized, they are essentially the same as human management, and do not directly suppress the act of printing.

[0010] On the other hand, as described above, the paperless system is a tool for saving paper, and is not a tool for suppressing the act of printing. Therefore, unless a mechanism for fully utilizing the paperless system is constructed, After all, paper consumption cannot be suppressed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of directly restricting the act of printing and, as a result, suppressing and managing paper consumption as a whole.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print paper resource management system comprising: a management server for setting and managing the number of prints; and a plurality of computers connected to the management server via a communication line. , The management server is a token generating unit that generates a print token, which is data representing a right to execute printing of a predetermined number of sheets, and is data including a unique ID, use environment data, and printable number data. A use database provided in the computer or the computer, a print allocation number data set corresponding to each computer or the use domain, a token database having current token issue number data of each computer or the use domain, and Browse and update the token database A token management unit that requests the token generation unit to generate a token; and a management server-side communication unit. The computer includes a control unit, a printer driver, a print management unit, and a print token storage unit. And a computer-side communication means, wherein the token management means of the management server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing, and prints print number data or token issue number data for the computer or use domain. Acquired,
Requesting the token generation unit to generate a print token within the number range, transmitting the token generated by the token generation unit to each computer by the management server side communication unit, and in the computer, the print management unit The print token received by the computer-side communication unit is stored in the token storage unit, a print command is sent from the control unit to the printer driver, and the printer driver permits the print management unit to print. When a signal is requested, the print token stored in the token storage unit is referred to, and the number of papers to be printed is less than the number of printable data of the print token. Then, a print permission signal is sent to the printer driver, and the In updating the print number data so as to reduce the number of sheets used.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print resource management system according to the first aspect, the computer has a printer identification code of a printer that uses plain paper, recycled paper, and back paper. A printer driver storage unit, wherein the print management unit refers to the printer driver storage unit when receiving a request for a print permission signal from a predetermined printer driver and issuing a print permission signal to reduce the printable number data. The number of sheets used for printing is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient according to the printer identification code, and the number is reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print paper resource management system according to the first aspect, wherein the computer has a use environment data opening means and a use environment data entry means, When the user intends to transfer the print token, the use environment data open unit is activated, and after the authentication processing, the use environment data of the print token is updated, and the use environment data can be updated. When the user who has received the print token in the state attempts to use the print token on a new computer or a use domain, the use environment data entry means is activated, and the user is given new use environment data of the print token. Input.

A print paper resource management system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the print paper resource management system according to the first aspect, wherein a document digitizing device is connected to the computer, and a digitizing preprocessing means is provided. When the document is digitized, the pre-digitization processing unit is activated, the document digitizing device counts the number of pages of the digitized document, and outputs the counted number to the print management unit. Obtain a print token from the print token storage means,
The document digitizing apparatus multiplies the number of pages of the digitized document by a predetermined coefficient and adds the multiplied number to the printable number data of the print token.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print paper resource management system, comprising: a management server for setting and managing the number of prints; a plurality of computers; and a print server for processing print requests from the computers, connected by a communication line. A token generating unit configured to generate a print token, which is data representing a right to execute printing of a predetermined number of sheets, including a unique ID, usage environment data, and printable number data, A computer or a use domain provided in the computer, a print allocation number data set corresponding to each computer or the use domain, a token database having current token issue number data of each computer or the use domain, Reference to the token database And a token management unit for requesting the token generation unit to generate a token, and a management server-side communication unit.The computer includes a control unit and a computer-side communication unit. The print server includes a control unit, print management means, a token storage means for storing a print token of each computer or use domain, a printer driver, and a print server side communication means. The token management means of the server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing to acquire data on the number of prints to be printed or the number of tokens that can be issued for the computer or the domain in use, and sends the print token to the token generation means within the number range. Request, and the token generated by the token generation means. The print server transmits the print token to the print server by the management server-side communication unit, and the print management unit stores the print token received by the print server-side communication unit in the token storage unit. When a print command is sent from the computer and the printer driver requests a print permission signal from the print management unit, the print command is referred to the token storage unit, and the print token of the computer or use domain that sent the print command is referred to. If the number of sheets to be printed is equal to or less than the number of printable number data of the print token, a print permission signal is issued to the printer driver, and the number of printable sheets is reduced so as to reduce the number used in the printing. Update data.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print resource management system according to the fifth aspect, the print server stores a printer identification code of a printer using plain paper, recycled paper, and back paper. Having a printer driver storage means, wherein the print management means has
When a request for a print permission signal is received from a predetermined printer driver, the printer driver storage unit is referred to, and when a print permission signal is issued to reduce the number of printable sheets data, it is used in printing according to the printer identification code. Multiplied by a predetermined coefficient.

A print paper resource management system according to claim 7 of the present application is the print paper resource management system according to claim 5, wherein the computer has use environment data open means and use environment data entry means, When the user intends to transfer the print token, the print server accesses the print server to obtain the corresponding print token, and the use environment data opening unit updates the use environment data of the print token after the personal authentication processing. When the user who has received the print token which has made the use environment data updatable and tries to use the print token on a new computer or a use domain is to be used, the use environment data entry means is activated. , The user is notified of the new usage environment data of the print token. It is inputted and transmitted to the print server by the computer-side communication means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the print paper resource management system according to the fifth aspect, a computer is connected to a document digitizing device, and a computerized preprocessing means is provided. When digitizing a document, the pre-digitization processing means is activated, and the document digitizing device counts the number of pages of the digitized document and sends it to the print server together with a print token update request. In the print server that has received the print token update request, the print management unit acquires the corresponding print token from the token storage unit, multiplies the number of pages obtained by digitizing the document by a predetermined coefficient, and Add to printable number data.

A print paper resource management system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the print paper resource management system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the print management means is a part of a print processor of an operating system or a print processor. Processing is started by a request, the printer driver writes print data from an application program to a spool,
After the writing of the print data to the spool is completed, the print management means as a part of the print processor or the print management means called from the print processor refers to the token storage means and prints the paper to be printed. 9. The print paper resource management system according to claim 1, wherein the print data is output to a printer when the number of prints is equal to or less than the printable number data of the print token.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a "printed paper resource management system" according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings attached to the application.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a print paper resource management system according to an embodiment of the present invention and the flow of processing between components.

The print paper resource management system according to the present embodiment is a system in which a computer performs printing in a distributed manner. That is, this is a system in which a printer is connected to computers and a printer driver is installed in each computer.

As shown in FIG. 1, a print paper resource management system 1 according to this embodiment includes a management server 2 for setting and managing the number of prints, and a communication line 3 connected to the management server 2.
And a computer 4 connected by the

Although only one computer 4 is shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that a plurality of computers 4 are actually connected to the communication line 3. It is assumed that those computers have the same configuration. Further, in FIG. 1, the communication line 3 is displayed as a LAN, but the communication line is not limited to the LAN, and any type of communication line can be used as long as it can exchange data.

A printer 5 and a document digitizing device 6 are connected to the computer 4.

The printer 5 may be singular or plural, and a plurality of computers may share the printer (not shown). FIG. 1 exemplifies a case where a printer 5a using plain paper, a printer 5b using recycled paper, and a printer 5c using back paper are connected to the computer 4, and any one of these printers can be selected and used. I have.

The document digitizing device 6, like a printer,
One or more computers may be used, and a plurality of computers may use a common document digitizing device.

The management server 2 is a server for setting and managing the number of prints of the whole connected computer.

The print paper resource management system according to the present invention limits the number of papers that can be printed for each computer 4 or for each area called "use domain" provided in the computer. The management server 2 sets and manages the number of prints that can be performed by each computer 4 or the domain in use.

When a plurality of people need to use one computer, the use domain separately limits the area that each person can access. The area that each person can use is the use domain.

The management server 2 issues and manages a print token that can be used in each computer 4 or use domain in order to manage the number of prints in the computer or use domain.

The print token is data representing the right to execute a predetermined number of prints, and is preferably data that can be transferred to another person to transfer the right to consume paper to another person. In addition, the print token of the present invention can increase the right to consume paper by performing an action that contributes to saving paper.

FIG. 2 conceptually shows the contents of the print token.

As shown in FIG. 2, the print token is a series of data including a unique ID, use environment data, and printable number data.

The ID is identification data of each print token. For example, the numbers may be numbers assigned in the order of print token generation.

The use environment data is data indicating a computer or a use domain that can use the print token, and is a computer ID or a use domain I that identifies the use computer or the use domain.
D.

Further, the use environment data is stored in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the password of the user who can use the print token is provided.

This user password information allows only the user corresponding to the user password information, that is, the print token owner, to transfer the use environment data to an updatable state (open) when transferring the print token. Things. The user password information can be omitted when the transfer of the print token is not considered, or when the user authentication is performed by the means for opening the use environment data.

The use environment data is preferably encrypted by a predetermined algorithm. This is to prevent the function of managing the number of prints by the print token from being disabled by falsification of the use environment data or copying of the print token. An algorithm for decrypting the encrypted use environment data and an algorithm for re-encrypting the use environment data are provided in the means for referring to and updating the use environment data.

The print token use environment data open flag shown in FIG. 2 is data indicating whether the use environment data is in an updatable state. Only the print token in a state where the usage environment data open flag is set can write the usage environment data. In addition,
The use environment data open flag shown in FIG. 1 is conceptual, and is actually encrypted by a predetermined encryption algorithm in order to prevent tampering, and is obtained as a result of an operation of a predetermined decryption algorithm. It is preferable that the value set as the use environment data open flag.

If the renewable state of the use environment data can be recognized without using the specific use environment data open flag, the use environment data open flag can be omitted. For example, this is a case in which it is possible to recognize that a predetermined field of the usage environment data has become blank, and that an updatable state has been entered.

The printable number data is data indicating the number of sheets that can be printed by the print token of interest.

The printable sheet number data usually decreases in proportion to the amount of paper consumed. However, as described above, the action of saving paper, for example, when printing with a printer using recycled paper or back paper, is performed. Decreases the rate of decrease. Also,
The number will increase if the digitalization of documents contributes to paperlessness.

It is preferable that the printable number data is encrypted by a predetermined algorithm, like the use environment data. As with the usage environment data, this is to prevent the print paper resource management system from being disabled by copying the print token or falsifying the printable number data.

The algorithm for decrypting the encrypted printable number data and the algorithm for re-encryption are as follows.
The means for referring to and updating the printable number data is provided. The decryption algorithm and the re-encryption algorithm can be interchanged.

The above is the description of the print token used for managing the number of printed paper sheets in the present invention. Here, the configuration of the print paper resource management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 again.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management server 2 has a token management means 7, a token generation means 8, a token database 9, and a management server side communication means 10.

On the other hand, the computer 4 includes a computer-side communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a print token storage unit 13, a print management unit 14, and a printer driver 1.
5, a printer driver storage unit 16, an electronic pre-processing unit 17, an interface unit 18, a use environment data open unit 19, and a use environment data entry unit 20
have.

The functions and contents of each component of the management server 2 are as follows.

The token management means 7 manages the generation, transmission and reception of print tokens. This token management means 7 refers to the token database 9
It can update and issue a print token generation request to the token generation means 8.

The token generating means 8 is a means for generating a print token. When encrypting the contents of the print token, the token generating means 8 includes an encryption algorithm and encrypts the generated print token. The encryption algorithms can be interchanged.

The token database 9 is a database that stores data on the number of prints of each computer 4 and the domain in use. As shown in FIG. 1, the token database 9 includes a computer 4 or a use domain, print allocation number data set corresponding to each computer or the use domain, token issued number data for each computer or the use domain, each computer or a use domain. It has the current token issuable number data of the use domain.

The management server side communication means 10 is a communication means of the management server, and is a means capable of communicating with the computer 4 via the communication line 3.

The functions and contents of each component of the computer 4 are as follows.

The computer-side communication means 11 is a communication means of the computer 4 and is a means capable of communicating with the management server 2 via the communication line 3.

The control unit 12 is a general computer CP.
U corresponds to U, and can perform various processes under the control of an application program, and performs management control of computer peripheral devices.

The print token storage means 13 is means for storing a print token.

The print token storage means 13
The use record of each print token is stored. The print token usage record is a record of the number of sheets of paper already consumed of the print token specified by the ID. The use record of the print token is to copy the same print token or the like to prevent the print token from being used repeatedly in the same use environment (computer 4 or use domain).

The print management means 14 is a means for issuing a print permission signal to the printer driver 15 with reference to the print token stored in the print token storage means 13. Further, the print management unit 14 is a unit for decreasing / increasing the printable number data of the print token. That is, the print management unit 14 can refer to and update the printable number data with reference to the use environment data of the print token.

The print management means 14 reduces the printable number data in proportion to the consumed paper when the paper is consumed by printing, and conversely, when the paper saving operation is performed. The printable number data is increased at a fixed ratio.

If the printable number data of the print token is encrypted, the print management means 14 has a decryption algorithm and a re-encryption algorithm, and decrypts the printable number data before referring to it. Update. When the printable number data is updated, it is re-encrypted. The decryption algorithm and the re-encryption algorithm for the printable number data can be switched.

The printer driver 15 is means for driving and controlling the printer in accordance with a print command from the control unit 12.
The printer driver 15 according to the present invention is configured to request a print permission signal from the print management unit 14 before executing printing. There are a plurality of printer drivers 15 corresponding to the number of normally connected printers.

The printer driver storage means 16 is a means for storing the printer drivers 15 and the identification codes of the printers driven by each printer driver 15.

Here, the printer identification code is an identification code for distinguishing the type of the printer. For example, a different identification code can be provided for each type of paper (plain paper, recycled paper, backing paper) used by the printer.

The pre-electronic processing means 17 is means which must be started before the interface means 18 is started. The electronic pre-processing means 17
The number of papers digitized by the document digitizing device 6 is counted, and the information is sent to the print management unit 14.

The interface means 18 is a means for actually driving the document digitizing device 6 and exchanging data with the document digitizing device 6. For example, there is a TWAIN driver or the like.

The use environment data opening means 19 is a means for making the use environment data of the print token updatable. Here, making the use environment data updatable is herein referred to as open.

The usage environment data opening means 19 is used to ensure that the usage environment data is opened by a valid user when opening the usage environment data.
The personal authentication processing for confirming that the user who tries to open is the current print token holder is performed.

In the personal authentication processing, when the user environment information is included in the use environment data of the print token, the user environment information is compared with the user environment information to be opened. If the user environment information is not included in the usage environment data of the print token, it is necessary to input the security information of a legitimate computer user in order to activate the usage environment data opening unit 19 itself. I do.

The use environment data opening means 19 has a decryption algorithm so that when the use environment data is encrypted, the use environment data can be handled as meaningful data. Further, it has an algorithm for re-encrypting the use environment data open flag when the use environment data is opened. The decryption algorithm and the re-encryption algorithm can be interchanged.

The use environment data entry means 20 is a means for a person who has been transferred the print token in which the use environment data is opened to enter his / her use environment data.

The use environment data entry means 20 has an algorithm for decrypting the encrypted use environment data open flag, and decrypts the use environment data open flag to confirm that it can be updated. Only, let the user fill in the usage environment data. The usage environment data entry means 20 has an algorithm for re-encrypting the usage environment data entered by the user. The decryption algorithm and the re-encryption algorithm of the use environment data entry means 20 can be switched.

The above is the management server 2 and the computer 4
Are the functions and contents of each component means. Next, various processes by the management server 2 and the computer 4 will be described below.

First, processing of print token generation, distribution, and print paper resource management by the print token will be described.

The print token is generated by the management server 2
It is performed in.

The token management means 7 of the management server 2 starts generating a print token at a predetermined timing.
The predetermined timing includes, for example, both a case of a fixed interval such as the beginning of every month and an irregular period such as a request from a specific computer 4.

The token management means 7 which has started the generation of the print token first accesses the token database 9 to check the printable number data which can be described in the print token.

As described above, the token database 9 registers data on the number of prints allocated and the number of tokens that can be issued for each computer 4 or use domain. When a new print token is issued to all the computers 4 or the use domains, the token management means 7 acquires data of the number of prints allocated to each computer 4 or the use domain from the token database 9. When a request to generate a print token is received from a specific computer 4 or use domain, the token management means 7 acquires data on the number of issued tokens of the computer 4 or use domain.

The specific computer 4 or the use domain requests the generation of a print token in a case where its own print token is transferred to another user and a new print token to be used is requested. .

Next, the token management means 7 sends a print token generation request to the token generation means 8 together with the printable number data. The printable number data is data within the range of the number of prints allocated from the token database 9 or the number of printable tokens.

The token generating means 8 having received the print token generation request generates a print token as shown in FIG. As described above, each print token includes the ID, the use environment data, and the printable number data.

Next, the print token is sent to the management server side communication means 10 by the token generation means 8, and is sent from the management server side communication means 10 to each computer 4 or use domain.

In the computer 4 receiving the print token, the print management means 14 temporarily stores the print token received by the computer-side communication means 11 in the token storage means 13.

When printing is performed using the computer 4, a print command is sent from the control unit 12 to the printer driver 15.

The printer driver 15 receiving the print command
Requests the print management unit 14 for a print permission signal. The print management unit 14 that has received the print permission signal refers to the print token stored in the token storage unit 13, confirms that the print token is usable according to the usage environment data, and the printer driver 15 attempts to print. Confirm that the number of sheets to be printed is equal to or less than the number of printable number data of the print token.

Here, when a print token having the same ID is copied and used in the same computer 4 or the use domain, it is determined that the print token is unusable from the use record of the print token.

If the print token is a usable print token and the number of sheets to be printed is within the printable number data of the print token, the print management means 14
Transmits a print permission signal to the printer. At the same time, the print management means 14 updates the printable number data so as to reduce the number used in printing. Note that the decryption and re-encryption when the print management unit 14 refers to and updates the print token is as described above.

With the above processing, the number of sheets that can be printed by each computer 4 or the domain used is accurately managed.

That is, in each computer 4 or use domain, it is impossible to print more than the printable number data of the print token issued by the management server 2. In this method, when the number of prints exceeds a predetermined number, the printing operation of the computer user is directly prohibited by the computer. Unlike the conventional one, it is possible to mechanically suppress the use of paper more than the set number of prints.

In the print paper resource management system 1,
When the printable number data approaches 0 in each computer 4 or use domain, a message can be displayed as appropriate.

[0092] Further, the print management means 1
4, the current printable number data can be referred to.

The above is the basic processing of generating and distributing print tokens and managing print paper resources using print tokens in the print paper resource management system according to the present invention.

The print token of the present invention has a function of encouraging the action of saving paper consumption as well as the management of print paper resources.

Next, a description will be given of a process of changing the rate of reduction in the number of printable print tokens according to the type of paper used, which is one of the functions for encouraging an act of saving paper consumption.

To change the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens, a plurality of printers using different types of paper are connected to the computer as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the computer 4 is connected to a printer 5a that uses plain paper, a printer 5b that uses recycled paper, and a printer 5c that uses back paper (paper with one side already printed).

The printer driver 15 includes the printers 5a and 5
A plurality of devices for driving b and 5c are installed. The printer driver storage means 16 stores printer type identification codes corresponding to the respective printer drivers of the printers 5a, 5b and 5c.

When the user intends to perform printing, the printer to be used, that is, the printer driver 15 is used.
Select

The selected printer driver 15 requests the print management unit 14 for a print permission signal. If the print token is a printable token and is within the printable number, the print is permitted and executed. The process up to this is the same as the above-described print paper resource management process.

However, in the process of changing the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens, the print management means 14 outputs a print permission signal in response to a request for a print permission signal and reduces the printable number data. Then, referring to the printer driver storage means 16, the number of sheets used for printing is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient and reduced according to the printer identification code. The predetermined coefficient may be determined as appropriate. For example, when backing paper is used, the number of actually used papers may be multiplied by 0.5 and subtracted from the printable number data.

According to the process of changing the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens, the use of back paper or recycled paper is encouraged, so that the overall paper consumption can be suppressed.

The above is the processing for changing the reduction rate of the number of printable print tokens. Next, the printing of print tokens is performed by digitizing a document, which is a function for encouraging another action of saving paper consumption. Processing for increasing the number of possible sheets will be described.

In order to increase the number of print tokens that can be printed by digitizing a document, a document digitizing device 6 is connected to the computer 4 as shown in FIG.
An interface unit 18 for exchanging data with the document digitizing device 6 and a pre-digitization processing unit 17 are installed in the computer 4.

As described above, the electronic pre-processing means 17 is activated before the interface means 18 is activated. Therefore, when the user digitizes a document, the electronic pre-processing means 17 is activated. Starts.

Preferably, the digitizing pre-processing means 17 displays a list of the document digitizing devices 6 connected to the user and confirms that the purpose of driving the document digitizing device 6 is to digitize the document. I do.

After activation of the pre-digitization processing means 17, the interface digitization processing of the document is performed by the interface means 18.
The digitizing pre-processing means 17 counts the number of pages of the digitized document.

When the user has finished digitizing the document,
The electronic pre-processing unit 17 outputs the counted number of pages to the print management unit 14. The print management unit 14 that has received the number of pages of the digitized document from the digitization pre-processing unit 17 acquires the print token from the print token storage unit 13 and reduces the number of pages of the document digitized by the document digitizing device 6. The result is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient and added to the printable number data of the print token.

The above is the processing for increasing the printable number of print tokens by digitizing the document. According to this processing, the digitization of the document is automatically promoted, and eventually the total paper consumption is suppressed. You can do it.

Next, the transfer function of the print token will be described.

The print token transfer function is a function that saves the number of prints of one's own and allows the print token whose printable number has been surplus to be transferred to another person.

In order to realize the transfer function of the print token, the use environment data open means 19 and the use environment data entry means 20 are installed in the computer 4 as shown in FIG.

When a user intends to transfer a print token, the use environment data opening means 19 is activated.

The use environment data opening means 19 performs a personal authentication process when opening the use environment data. In the personal authentication process, when the print token includes the user's personal identification information of the owner, the use environment data opening means 19 allows the user to open the user's personal identification information, And the user password information of the owner included in the print token.

When the two user passwords match,
The use environment data opening unit 19 opens the use environment data of the print token. Opening the usage environment data, as described above, means that it is possible to identify that the usage environment data is in an updatable state, such as setting a usage environment data open flag.

If the print token does not include the owner's user password, the use environment data opening means 19 allows the user to input the user password of the legitimate user of the computer. Open the usage environment data of the print token only.

The use environment data opening means 19
Has a decryption / re-encryption algorithm, and when opening the usage environment data of the print token,
Data is decrypted and re-encrypted by these decryption and re-encryption algorithms. That is, the content of the print token cannot be falsified by simply copying the print token.

Next, the open print token is transferred to a new user to be transferred.

When the user who has received the renewable print token attempts to use the print token in a new computer or use domain, the user first activates the use environment data entry means 20.

The use environment data entry means 20 decrypts the print token and confirms that it is in an updatable state. If the print token can be updated, the usage environment data entry means 20 allows a new user to input new usage environment data and, if necessary, user password information of the user. As a result, the print token becomes usable, and can be used in a new use environment.

The above is the processing for realizing the transfer function of the print token.

Since the print token has the transfer function, the print token has a kind of value, and can be traded between departments or between individuals for a fee. For this reason, the user will make an autonomous effort to reduce the use of paper, and as a result, the overall consumption of paper can be suppressed.

Note that the user who has transferred the print token can have the management server 2 issue a new print token to be used by himself. At this time, data is sent from the management server 2 and the token issued number data is displayed on the user's computer screen to inform the user of the paper consumption status and call attention to reduction of the consumption amount. The above-mentioned irregular print token generation request from the computer 4 is issued in such a case.

The above is a print paper resource management system in a case where a computer performs printing in a distributed manner.

Next, an embodiment of a print paper resource management system in which a predetermined print server performs intensive printing will be described.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an embodiment of a print paper resource management system for performing printing intensively by a predetermined print server and the flow of processing between the components. In FIG. 3, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 for easy understanding, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the print paper resource management system 21 according to the present embodiment includes a management server 2, a computer 22, a print server 23, and a management server 2.
And a communication line 3 for connecting the computer 22 and the print server 23.

The management server 2 is the same as the management server 2 shown in FIG. 1, and is a server for setting and managing the number of prints of the whole connected computer.

The management server 2 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, that is, the token management means 7, the token generation means 8, the token database 9, and the management server side communication means 1.
It has 0.

The computer 22 is obtained by removing components for executing printing, such as a printer and a printer driver, from the components of the computer 4 shown in FIG. This is because printing is executed intensively by the print server 23. Needless to say, a printer connected to the computer 22 so that printing can be performed locally is also included in the present embodiment.

Although only one computer 22 is shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of computers 22 are actually connected.

In the case where one computer 22 is used by a plurality of users, the computer 22 is provided with a use domain that can be used only by each user, as in the case of FIG.

Each computer 22 has a document digitizing device 6
(6a, 6b ...) are connected. The document digitizing device 6 is similar to the document digitizing device 6 shown in FIG.

The computer 22 includes the computer-side communication unit 11, the control unit 12, the use environment data open unit 19, the use environment data entry unit 20, the computerization pre-processing unit 17, and the interface unit 18. Have. The components of these computers are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The print server 23 is a server that distributes a print job to each printer and performs intensive printing in response to a print request from the computer 22 connected to the communication line 3.

The printer 5 (5
a, 5b, 5c,...) are connected. The number of printers 5 and the type of paper used are not limited.
Exemplifies a printer 5a using plain paper, a printer 5b using recycled paper, and a printer 5c using back paper.

As shown in FIG. 3, the print server 23 has a print server side communication unit 24, a control unit 25, a print token storage unit 26, a print management unit 27, a printer driver 28, and a printer driver storage unit 29. I have.

Function of each component of print server 23
The details are outlined below.

The print server side communication means 24 is a communication means of the print server 23, and is a means capable of communicating with each computer 22 via the communication line 3.

The control unit 25 corresponds to the CPU of the server, and can perform various processes under the control of application programs. Here, it is a means for mainly managing print jobs.

The print token storage means 26 is a means for centrally storing the print token of each computer 22 or the domain in use.

Further, the print token storage means 26
The use record of each stored print token is stored. Use record of print token is ID
Is a record of the number of sheets of paper already consumed for the print token identified by. The use record of the print token prevents the same print token from being used repeatedly by copying or the like.

The print management means 27 corresponds to the print management means 14 of each computer 4 in FIG.

[0144] The print management means 27 includes the printer driver 2
In response to the inquiry about whether or not printing is possible from the printer driver 8, the printer driver 28 issues a print permission signal to the printer driver 28 with reference to the print token.

The print management means 27 decreases or increases the printable number data of the print token.

If the printable number data of the print token is encrypted, the print management means 27
Has a decryption algorithm and a re-encryption algorithm, decrypts printable number data, refers to and updates the data, and re-encrypts the data. The point that the decryption / re-encryption algorithm is replaced is the same as in the case of FIG.

The printer driver 28 is means for controlling the driving of the printer 5 in accordance with a print command from the control unit 25. Since the print server 23 performs a print job for all the computers 22, it usually has a plurality of printer drivers 28 for driving a plurality of printers 5.

Before causing the printer 5 to execute printing, the printer driver 28 inquires of the print management means 27 whether or not printing is possible. That is, the printer 5 is configured not to execute printing unless a print permission signal is received from the print management unit 27.

The printer driver storage means 29 stores a list of the printer drivers 28 and identification codes of the types of printers (plain paper printers, recycled paper printers, back paper printers) driven by each printer driver 28. It is a means to keep.

The above is the description of the configuration of the print paper resource management system 21. Next, the processing of the print paper resource management system 21 will be described.

First, processing of print token generation, distribution, and print paper resource management by the print token will be described.

The print token is generated by the management server 2
It is performed in. This print token generation process is the same as that of the print paper resource management system 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG.

That is, the token management means 7 of the management server 2 refers to the token database 9 at a predetermined timing, acquires data on the number of prints allocated or the number of tokens that can be issued for each computer 22 or use domain, and generates the token generation means 8 Causes a print token to be generated within the number range.

However, in this embodiment, the generated print token is transmitted to the print server 23 by the management server side communication means 10.

The print token is exactly the same as that shown in FIG. 2, and has an ID, use environment data, and printable number data.

In the print server 23 having received the print token, the print management means 27 stores the received print token in the print token storage means 26.

When a print command is sent from a predetermined computer 22 to the print server 23, the control unit 25 sends the print job to the printer driver 28, and the printer driver 28 requests a print permission signal from the print management unit 27. I do.

The print management means 27 which has received the print permission signal from the printer driver 28
, And refers to the computer 22 that sent the print command or the print token of the domain in use. When referring to the print token, the print management unit 2
7 also checks the use record of the print token and prevents the use of the duplicate print token.

As a result, when the number of sheets to be printed is equal to or less than the printable number of the corresponding print token,
A print permission signal is sent from the print management unit 27 to the printer driver 28, and printing is performed.

When a print permission signal is issued, the print management means 27 updates the printable number data of the print token so as to reduce the number used in the printing.

If the printable number data of the print token is less than the number of sheets to be printed, a print disable message is sent from the print server 23 to the computer 22 that issued the print request, and the print job is canceled. You.

As described above, also in this print paper resource management system 21, the number of papers that can be printed by each computer 22 or the use domain is mechanically managed, and the consumption of paper is less than the number of prints allocated to each computer 22. It can be suppressed reliably.

Preferably, when the printable number data of each computer 22 or the use domain approaches 0, a warning message is transmitted from the print server 23 to the computer 22 or the use domain.

In the print paper resource management system 21, the computer 22 inquires of the print server 23 about the number of printable print tokens of its own, receives its own print token, or
You can send a print token that you can use.

Next, other processes of the print paper resource management system 21 will be described below.

The print paper resource management system 21 of this embodiment has a function of encouraging an action of saving paper consumption, similarly to the print paper resource management system 1 of the above-described embodiment.

Here, a process of changing the rate of decrease in the number of printable print tokens according to the type of paper used, which is one of the functions for encouraging the act of saving paper consumption, will be described.

Since the process of changing the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens according to the type of paper used is the same as the process of the print paper resource management system 1 described above, the print server 23 performs this process. Here is a brief description.

The computer 22 includes a print server 23
When a print request is issued to the user, the printer or the type of the printer to be used is designated.

The print management means 27 of the print server 23
Refers to the printer driver storage means 29 when a print permission signal is requested from the printer driver 28,
When printing is performed by the printer identification code of the printer driver 28, the number of sheets used for printing is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient and reduced according to the printer identification code.

As a result, the user uses back paper or recycled paper in order to effectively use the print token, and is encouraged to reuse the paper. As a result, it is possible to suppress the entire paper consumption. You can.

Next, another document digitizing process for realizing a function of encouraging an action of saving paper consumption will be described.

This process is similar to the process of increasing the number of print tokens that can be printed by digitizing documents in the print paper resource management system 1 described above.

However, in the print paper resource management system 21 of this embodiment, since the print token is centrally managed by the print server 23, the computer 2
The number of pages of the digitized document counted by the digitizing preprocessing means 17 is sent to the print server 23, and
The third print management unit 27 obtains the corresponding print token from the token storage unit 26, multiplies the number of pages of the digitized document by a predetermined coefficient, and adds the multiplied number to the printable number data of the print token.

As described above, it is urged to digitize the document, and as a result, the entire paper consumption is suppressed as described above.

Next, the transfer function of the print token in the print paper resource management system 21 of the present embodiment will be described.

In the print paper resource management system 21 of the present embodiment, since the print token is centrally managed by the print server 23, a user who intends to transfer the print token acquires his or her own print token from the print server 23. After being opened using its own computer 22, it is transferred to another user, and the transferred user writes new use environment data on his own computer 22, and then transmits it to the print server 23.

The processing is exactly the same as that of the print paper resource management system 1 described above, except that the print owner receives the print token from the print server 23 and transfers the print token to the print server 23 after the transfer.

That is, when a user intends to transfer a print token, the user accesses the print server to obtain a corresponding print token, and the usage environment data opening means 19 executes the print token after the personal authentication processing. To make the usage environment data available for updating.

The user who has received the print token in which the use environment data can be updated activates the use environment data entry means 20 on a new computer or use domain. The usage environment data entry unit 20 confirms that the usage environment data of the print token is in an updatable state, and causes the user to input new usage environment data of the print token.

To use the print token whose use environment data has been updated, the user who is the new owner transmits the print token to the print server 23 by the computer-side communication means 11 and the print token storage means 26 To memorize. As a result, the subsequent processing is performed in the same manner as the normal processing of print paper resources, and the print token is used.

With the transfer function of the print token, the print token has a kind of value, and the user autonomously strives to reduce the use of paper, and eventually the entire paper consumption. As described above, the amount can be suppressed.

Finally, a case where the print management means 14, 27 and the print token storage means 13, 26 operate on an operating system will be described. FIG. 4 shows the printer drivers 15 and 2 described with reference to FIGS.
4 (FIG. 4 (a)), and the print management units 14, 27 which process in response to a print processor on an operating system described below (FIG. 4 (a)). b)) and FIG. The print management units 14 and 27 in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when a print request is made from an application program, the printer driver 15
Before writing the print data to the spool (storage means for writing the print data in a queue), the print management unit 1
The print token storage means 13 and 26 are checked by 4, 27, and writing of print data to the spool is started only when there is a sufficient print token. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide the printer drivers 15 and 28 with a function of inquiring the print management units 14 and 27 themselves. On the other hand, in the case of the print management units 14 and 27 that perform processing in response to the print processor on the operating system, as shown in FIG. , 28 write all print data to the spool. When the writing is completed, the print processor activates the print management means 14 and 27, checks the print token storage means 13 and 26, and sends print data to the printer only when there is a sufficient print token. The advantage of this embodiment is that there is no need to modify various printer-specific printer drivers, and if a function (print management means 14, 27) for checking whether the print token is sufficient or not is added to the print processor on the operating system, That is, it can be used for various types of printers in general.

[0184]

As is apparent from the above description, the "printed paper resource management system" according to the present invention provides a tool for directly limiting paper consumption. In addition, it is possible to reliably limit the consumption of paper that exceeds the number of prints assigned in advance.

Further, the print paper resource management system according to the present invention introduces data called a print token, and performs an action of saving paper, such as reusing paper or digitizing a document, to thereby obtain a print token printable number data. Is configured to increase. With such a configuration, an action motivation for saving paper, such as reusing paper or digitizing a document, is given, and as a result, paper consumption can be suppressed.

Further, since the print paper resource management system according to the present invention has a configuration in which the print token can be transferred to a third party, the print token can have a certain value, and therefore, each user can save his or her own paper. As a result, the consumption amount is controlled independently, and the overall paper consumption amount can be greatly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration and a processing flow of a print paper resource management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing a data structure of a print token.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration and a processing flow of a print paper resource management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a comparison between a process flow in the case of a print management unit that performs responsive processing with a printer driver and a process flow in the case of a print management unit that performs responsive processing with a print processor of an operating system. flowchart.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print paper resource management system 2 Management server 3 Communication line 4 Computer 5 Printer 6 Document digitizing device 7 Token management means 8 Token generation means 9 Token database 10 Management server side communication means 11 Computer side communication means 12 Control part 13 Print token storage Means 14 Print management means 15 Printer driver 16 Printer driver storage means 17 Electronic preprocessing means 18 Interface means 19 Usage environment data opening means 20 Usage environment data entry means 21 Print paper resource management system 22 Computer 23 Print server 24 Print server Side communication means 25 control unit 26 print token storage means 27 print management means 28 printer driver 29 printer driver storage means

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A management server for setting and managing the number of prints, and a plurality of computers connected to the management server via a communication line, wherein the management server has data representing a right to execute a predetermined number of prints. And
A token generating means for generating a print token which is data including a unique ID, use environment data, and printable number data, and a use domain corresponding to the computer or use domain provided in the computer or the computer. A token database having data on the number of prints to be allocated set in advance, data on the current number of tokens that can be issued for each computer or domain in use, and referencing and updating of the token database; A token management unit for requesting generation, and a management server side communication unit, wherein the computer comprises: a control unit, a printer driver, a print management unit, a print token storage unit, and a computer side communication unit. The management server The token management unit refers to the token database at a predetermined timing, acquires print allocation number data or token issuable number data for the computer or the use domain, and sends the token generation unit a print token within the number range. Requesting generation of the token, and transmitting the token generated by the token generation unit to each computer by the management server-side communication unit. In the computer, the print management unit replaces the print token received by the computer-side communication unit with the token. When the print command is sent from the control unit to the printer driver and the printer driver requests a print permission signal from the print management unit, the print command is stored in the token storage unit. Print token If the print token is an available print token and the number of papers to be printed is equal to or less than the number of printable number data of the print token, a print permission signal is issued to the printer driver, and the print token is used. A print paper resource management system characterized by updating printable sheet number data so as to reduce the number of sheets. 2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein said computer has a printer driver storage unit having a printer identification code of a printer using plain paper, recycled paper, and backing paper, and said print management unit transmits a print permission signal from a predetermined printer driver. When a print permission signal is issued in response to the request and the printable number data is reduced, the number of printable sheets is reduced by multiplying the number used in printing by a predetermined coefficient according to the printer identification code by referring to the printer driver storage means. The print paper resource management system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The computer has a use environment data open means and a use environment data entry means, and when a user intends to transfer a print token,
The usage environment data opening means is activated, and after the authentication processing, the usage environment data of the print token is updated, and the user who receives the print token in which the usage environment data can be updated is newly updated. 2. The use environment data entry means is activated when an attempt is made to use the print token in a computer or use domain, and the user is caused to input new use environment data of the print token. Printed paper resource management system. 4. A computer which is connected to a computer for converting a document into a document and further comprises means for pre-digitization. When the user digitizes the document, said means for pre-digitization is activated and said document is digitized. The apparatus counts the number of pages of the digitized document and outputs it to the print management unit.The print management unit obtains a print token from the print token storage unit, and the document digitization device digitizes the page of the document. 2. The print paper resource management system according to claim 1, wherein a number is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient and the result is added to printable number data of the print token. 5. A management server that sets and manages the number of prints, a plurality of computers, and a print server that processes print requests from the computers are connected by a communication line, and the management server executes a predetermined number of prints. Data representing the right to
A unique ID, usage environment data, token generation means for generating a print token which is data including printable number data, a use domain provided in the computer or the computer, and a correspondence to each computer or use domain. A token database having data on the number of prints to be assigned, and data on the current number of tokens that can be issued for each computer or domain in use, and referencing and updating the token database; The computer includes a control unit and a computer-side communication unit, and the print server includes a control unit and a print management unit. Means and each computer or domain used And a printer driver, and a print server side communication unit.The token management unit of the management server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing, and refers to the computer or The print allocation number or token issuable number data for the use domain is obtained, the token generation unit is requested to generate a print token within the number range, and the token generated by the token generation unit is transmitted by the management server side communication unit. The print server transmits the print token to the print server, the print management unit stores the print token received by the print server side communication unit in the token storage unit, and a print command is sent from a predetermined computer, The printer driver When the server requests a print permission signal to the print management unit, the print management unit refers to the token storage unit, refers to the print token of the computer or use domain that has sent the print command, and determines the number of sheets to be printed. When the number of printable number data of the print token is equal to or less than the number of printable number data,
A print paper resource management system, wherein a print permission signal is issued to the printer driver, and printable sheet number data is updated so as to reduce the number of sheets used in the printing. 6. The print server has printer driver storage means having a printer identification code of a printer using plain paper, recycled paper, and back paper, and the print management means receives a print permission signal from a predetermined printer driver. When the request is received, the printer driver storage unit is referred to and a print permission signal is issued to reduce the printable number data. The print paper resource management system according to claim 5, wherein the number is reduced. 7. The computer has a use environment data opening means and a use environment data entry means, and when a user intends to transfer a print token,
The print server is accessed to obtain a corresponding print token, and the use environment data opening unit makes the use environment data of the print token updatable after the personal authentication processing, and updates the use environment data. When the user who has received the print token in the enabled state intends to use the print token on a new computer or a use domain, the use environment data entry means is activated, and the user is given a new use environment for the print token. 6. The print paper resource management system according to claim 5, wherein data is input and transmitted to said print server by said computer-side communication means. 8. A computer for connecting a document digitizing device to the computer and providing a computerized pre-processing means. When a user digitizes a document, the computerized pre-processing means is activated and the document computerized. The apparatus counts the number of pages of the digitized document and sends it to the print server together with a print token update request.In the print server that has received the print token update request, the print management unit reads the token from the token storage unit. 6. The print paper resource management system according to claim 5, wherein a corresponding print token is obtained, and the number of pages obtained by digitizing the document is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient and added to the print token printable number data. 9. The print management means starts processing in response to a request from a part of a print processor of an operating system or a print processor, and the printer driver writes print data from an application program to a spool. After the writing of the print data to the spool is completed, the print management unit as a part of the print processor or the print management unit called from the print processor refers to the token storage unit and prints the paper to be printed. 9. The print paper resource management system according to claim 1, wherein the print data is output to a printer when the number of print data is equal to or less than the number of printable data of the print token.