JP2004272672A - System, program, and method for managing printing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new printing management system, a program for the same, and a method for the same which are capable of performing precise printing management only with a printer. <P>SOLUTION: Contents of a printing request directly made by a user to a printer P are analyzed. An integrated value of an amount of printing for every user or every group including the user from an amount of printing of consumable supplies when the printing has been performed, the integrated value and a predetermined allowed amount of printing for every user or every group are compared with each other, and a specified notification is given in accordance with the comparison result. Thus, it is possible to perform precise printing management only with the printer P without using a server S. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【００３７】
次に、ユーザ情報記憶手段２０は、この印刷リクエストに対して実際に印刷があったか否かを判断し（ステップＳ１１４）、印刷が行われなかったとき（ＮＯ）はそのまま処理を終了するが、印刷が行われたとき（ＹＥＳ）は、情報取得部２２がその印刷で行われた印刷量、すなわちその印刷によって実際に消費した消耗品の消費量を取得した後、これを記憶部２４に記憶する（ステップＳ１１６）と共にさらにその印刷量を過去の印刷量に積算し、その積算値を同じく記憶部２４に記憶（ステップＳ１１８，Ｓ１２０）してから処理を終了する。
【００３８】
例えば、以下の表２の例では、「Ｂａｒ」というグループに所属する「Ｆｏｏ」というユーザは、１１月に７８枚の印刷を行い、その際に消費したインク量は「シアン」、「マゼンタ」、「イエロー」、「ブラック」がそれぞれ１００、９０、７０、１７０であり、その使用量を積算した合計の使用量は、総プリント枚数：１５５０枚、それぞれの使用開始からの使用量の積算値は、「シアン」、「マゼンタ」、「イエロー」、「ブラック」がそれぞれ６８０、７８０、５７０、１９８０という積算値が求められる。また、さらに必要に応じて最近３０日のプリント枚数や総紙使用枚数等の細かい情報をも正確に知ることができる。
【００３９】
【表２】

【００４０】
次に、このプリンタＰの印刷量予測手段３０は、図４に示すように同じくその印刷リクエスト検知部３４がネットワークＮ上を流れる信号を監視して自己を指定した印刷リクエストがあるかどうかを判断（ステップＳ２００、Ｓ２０２）し、印刷リクエストがあると判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、印刷量算出部３２がその印刷リクエストの内容を解析し（ステップＳ２０４）、その印刷リクエストを完了するのに要する予測印刷量を算出する（ステップＳ２０６）。
【００４１】
次に、このようにしてユーザ情報とその印刷リクエストに要する予測印刷量が求められたならば、図５に示すように、同じくその印刷管理システム１０の比較手段４０がネットワークＮ上を流れる信号を監視して自己を指定した印刷リクエストがあるかどうかを判断（ステップＳ３００、Ｓ３０２）し、印刷リクエストがあったと判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）はそのユーザＩＤから印刷リクエストを行ったユーザを判別し（ステップＳ３０４）、その後、このようにして特定されたユーザの許容印刷量情報と過去の実印刷の積算量に関する情報をユーザ情報記憶手段２０から取得する（ステップＳ３０６）。
【００４２】
そして、このようにして取得したその過去の積算印刷量に、その印刷リクエストを実行した際の予測印刷量を積算して新たな積算印刷量を算出し（ステップＳ３０８）、その新たな積算印刷量と許容印刷量とを比較する（ステップＳ３１０）。
その結果、新たな積算印刷量が許容印刷量を越えると判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、通知手段５０がその旨をユーザや管理者に通知し（ステップＳ３１２）、反対に、新たな積算印刷量が許容印刷量に達しないと判断したとき（ＮＯ）は、特に何も通知することなく処理を終了することになる。尚、この通知手段における具体的な通知方法及びその内容としては特に限定されるものではないが、例えば、プリンタＰの筐体上に設置された表示パネルや印刷指示端末Ｔのモニター上等にその旨のメッセージを表示する方法が一般的なものと考えられる。
【００４３】
さらに、この印刷管理システム１０は、その後、通常の印刷が行われた場合は勿論、そのユーザに対して許容印刷量を超える旨の通知を行ったにも拘わらず、そのユーザが強制印刷を行うとする場合は、図６に示すような適当な処理を実行することになる。
すなわち、図６に示すように、新たな積算印刷量が許容値を超えない場合（ＮＯ）はそのまま印刷部７０に対して印刷リクエスト通りの印刷を実行するように指示する（ステップＳ４０６）が、新たな積算印刷量が許容値を超えて（ＹＥＳ）その旨をユーザに通知（ステップＳ４００、Ｓ４０２）した後も引き続き印刷実行指示の有無を監視（ステップＳ４０４）し、ユーザに通知した場合にも拘わらず、ユーザから強制的な印刷実行指示があった場合（ＹＥＳ）には、印刷部７０に対してその印刷リクエストを実行すべく印刷実行を指示（ステップＳ４０６）し、その後、その印刷で消費した実際の印刷量を算出して過去の印刷量に積算（ステップＳ４０８）してこれをユーザ情報記憶部２０に記憶させる。これによって強制的に印刷が実行された場合にもその消費量がユーザ情報記憶部２０に反映されるため、常に正確な印刷量を把握することができる。
【００４４】
このように本発明はプリンタＰに備えられた印刷管理システムが各ユーザ毎及びグループ毎の印刷状況を正確に把握することができるため、サーバを介さない印刷リクエストによる、いわゆるすり抜け印刷の禁止や、すり抜け印刷を行うユーザに対して確実に所定の通知を行うことができる。
また、このような印刷管理システムを備えることにより、ネットワークＮ上のサーバＳによる印刷管理が不要あるいは大幅に軽減されるため、サーバＳ自体を省略したり、サーバＳの規模や性能を低く抑えることも可能となる。
【００４５】
尚、上記実施の形態では、許容印刷量を超える場合に所定の通知を行うようにしたものであるが、許容印刷量を超えない場合でも印刷リクエストの受付け時、あるいは実行時に適当な通知を行うようにしても良い。例えば、印刷リクエストを受け付けた時に、その印刷リクエストを実行することによって許容印刷量の何％に達する等の現在のトータルの積算量をも表示するようにすれば、ユーザ自身が現在の積算量を正確に把握できると共に将来の印刷計画等を的確に実施することが可能となる。
【００４６】
さらに、通知を行ったにもかかわらず強制印刷を行う場合には、図７に示すように、印刷部７０に対して印刷自体を禁止する指示を送ったり、図８に示すように、消費量が少ない印刷モードで印刷を実行する指示を送るようにしても良い。
すなわち、図７の処理は、図示するように積算量の判断とユーザへの通知（ステップＳ５００，Ｓ５０２）を行ったにも拘わらず、ユーザから印刷の強制実行指示（ステップＳ５０４）があったとき（ＹＥＳ）は、印刷部７０に対して印刷禁止を指示（ステップＳ５０６）し、強制的な印刷が行われないようにしたものである。
【００４７】
これによって通知や警告を無視した印刷が確実に回避され、許容量を越える印刷が回避される。尚、ステップＳ５００において印刷リクエストが許容量に達しない場合には、図６の処理と同様にそのまま印刷部７０に対して印刷実行を指示すると共に、消費した印刷量を積算する処理を実行する（ステップＳ５０８、Ｓ５１０）。
【００４８】
一方、図８の処理は、同じくこのように積算量の判断とユーザへの通知（ステップＳ６００，Ｓ６０２）を行ったにも拘わらず、強制的な印刷実行指示（ステップＳ６０４）があったと判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、印刷部７０に対して省消費モード印刷を指示（ステップＳ６０８）するようにしたものである。すなわち、ステップＳ６００において印刷リクエストが許容量に達しない場合には、図６の処理と同様にそのまま印刷部７０に対して通常の印刷実行を指示する（ステップＳ６０６）が、本実施の形態では、印刷自体を禁止するのではなく、消耗量を抑制する省消費印刷モードで印刷を指示するようにしたものである。
【００４９】
これによって、印刷を許可しつつ、印刷に要する消耗品の消費量を抑制することが可能となる。また、本実施の形態の変形例として、省消費印刷モードに代えて、あるいはこの省消費印刷モードと共に印刷用紙上にその旨を注記するウォーターマーク等を同時に印刷するようにしても良い。
また、許容印刷量は一人のユーザ毎、あるいはグループ毎に設定する他に、１つのグループ単位を構成する各ユーザ毎に設定することもできる。例えば、図９に示すように複数のユーザからなるグループの場合では、各ユーザ毎の使用状況（割合）を把握し、その割合をグラフィカルに示したものを各ユーザの印刷指示端末Ｔ等に表示したり、さらに許容印刷量を越えるユーザに対して図１０に示すような警告を行うようにしても良い。
【００５０】
また、許容印刷量を決定する要因としてインクや印刷用紙の消耗品の実際の使用量の他に、その消耗品の金額で許容印刷量を決定するようにしても良い。例えば、高価な消耗品を多く消費する高画質写真印刷等を行っている場合には、安価な文書印刷等に比べて印刷枚数自体は少なくとも全体のコストが高くなる場合が多い。
【００５１】
従って、このような場合にはサーバ等から消耗品に関する金銭的な情報を取得し、その金銭情報を利用して例えば以下の表３に示すように許容印刷量を金額単位で設定すれば、無駄な高コスト印刷が抑制され、全体のコスト削減に貢献することが可能となる。
【００５２】
【表３】

【００５３】
また、本発明のシステム等は、ネットワークを介して多数のユーザに共用されるプリンタに限られず、独立した状態、すなわち１台の印刷指示端末とペアとなってその端末も多数のユーザに共用されるような形態の場合でも同様にその印刷管理を各ユーザ毎に的確に実施することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】印刷管理システムを適用するネットワークを示す図である。
【図２】印刷管理システム及びこれを備えたプリンタを示すブロック図である。
【図３】ユーザ記憶情報の流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図４】予測印刷量の算出の流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図５】積算量と許容量との比較及び通知の流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図６】比較・通知から印刷量の積算までの流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図７】比較・通知から印刷量の積算までの流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図８】比較・通知から印刷量の積算までの流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図９】通知方法及び内容の一例を示す図である。
【図１０】警告方法及び内容の一例を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…印刷管理システム、２０…ユーザ情報記憶手段、２２…情報取得部、２４…記憶部、３０…印刷量予測手段、３２…印刷量算出部、３４…印刷リクエスト検知部、４０…比較手段、５０…通知手段、６０…通信部、７０…印刷部、Ｔ…印刷指示端末、Ｐ…プリンタ、Ｎ…ネットワーク。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print management system, a print management program, and a print management method provided for a printer shared by a plurality of users, such as a network printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, when one or several printers are shared by a plurality of users via a network, a usable amount (allowable print amount) that can be used for each user or each group is set, and unnecessary printing is performed. In many cases, print management is performed for each user or group so that printing is not performed.
[0003]
Such print management is generally performed by a printer server or the like provided on the same network as shown in the following patent document, and the server constantly monitors the usage status of the user. However, if the usage is too large, the user or network administrator is notified to that effect, or a necessary warning is issued.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-333749
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-160875 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent high-performance printers, it is possible for a user to send a print request directly to a printer and execute complicated printing without going through a printer server.
Therefore, if print management is performed only by the printer server, it is not possible to prevent such bypass use, and it is becoming difficult to perform accurate print management.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has been devised in order to effectively solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a novel print management system and print management system capable of performing accurate print management without using a server. A program and a print management method are provided.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[Invention 1]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a print management system according to Invention 1 is provided.
A print management system provided in a printer shared by a plurality of users and a group including the users,
User information storage means for storing the permissible print amount for each user and each group and the integrated value of the actual print amount for each user and each group;
A print amount predicting unit that analyzes the content of the print request directly requested by each of the users and calculates a predicted print amount when the printing is performed;
The print amount calculated by the print amount prediction means is integrated with the past print amount to obtain an integrated value, and the integrated value is compared with the user or group allowable print amount obtained by the user information storage means. Means of comparison;
And notifying means for giving a predetermined notification according to the comparison result by the comparing means.
[0008]
With such a configuration, the print management system provided in the printer can grasp the printing for each user and for each group. However, the predetermined notification can be reliably performed.
In addition, by providing such a print management system, print management by the server on the network is unnecessary or greatly reduced, so that the server itself becomes unnecessary, and the size and performance of the server can be reduced. Become.
[0009]
[Invention 2]
Further, a print management system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes:
The user information storage means,
An information acquisition unit that acquires information on the permissible print amount for each user and each group, and integrated information of the print amount for each user and each group actually consumed by the printer;
And an information storage unit for storing these pieces of information.
[0010]
With such a configuration, information on the user, that is, information on the permissible print amount for each user and each group and the integrated information of the print amount for each user and each group actually consumed by the printer are stored. It can be obtained and stored reliably and can be called up and used when needed.
[Invention 3]
A print management system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
The print amount predicting means includes:
A print request detection unit that detects a print request directly requested from each user and specifies a user who has made the print request;
A print amount calculating unit that analyzes the content of the detected print request and calculates a print amount required to complete the print request.
[0011]
With this configuration, the content of the print request and the user who made the print request can be specified, and the amount of print required to complete the print request can be easily calculated.
[Invention 4]
The print management system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes:
Instead of or in addition to the notification means, a warning means for warning that the accumulated print amount exceeds the allowable print amount set for the user or the group is further provided.
[0012]
As a result, it is possible to surely inform a user or the like who wants to execute printing beyond the allowable print amount, and to hesitate to execute printing ignoring the notification.
[Invention 5]
A print management system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes:
Instead of the notification means or together with the notification means, a print prohibition means for prohibiting the printing is further provided.
[0013]
As a result, it is possible to surely inform a user or the like who intends to execute printing beyond the allowable print amount, and to forcibly prohibit execution of printing ignoring the notification.
[Invention 6]
Further, a print management system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes:
Instead of the notification means or together with the notification means, a printing amount suppression means for suppressing the printing amount of the consumables at the time of printing is further provided.
[0014]
As a result, it is possible to surely inform a user or the like who intends to execute printing beyond the allowable print amount, and to suppress the consumption of consumables even when performing printing ignoring the notification. Can be.
[Invention 7]
A print management system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes:
The printer is a network printer shared via a network.
[0015]
As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp the usage status of a network printer that is generally shared by a large number of users, and it is possible to effectively prevent bypass printing.
[Invention 8]
The print management program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a computer provided in a printer shared by a plurality of users and a group including the users.
User information storage means for storing the permissible print amount for each user and each group and the integrated value of the actual print amount for each user and each group;
A print amount predicting unit that analyzes the content of the print request directly requested by each of the users and calculates a predicted print amount when the printing is performed;
The print amount calculated by the print amount prediction means is integrated with the past print amount to obtain an integrated value, and the integrated value is compared with the user or group allowable print amount obtained by the user information storage means. Means of comparison;
It is characterized by functioning as a notifying means for giving a predetermined notification according to the comparison result by the comparing means.
[0016]
As a result, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained, and the computers provided in advance in many practical printers can be used as they are, eliminating the need for separately preparing dedicated hardware. Thus, each means can be realized at low cost.
[Invention 9]
A print management program according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes:
The printer is a network printer shared via a network.
[0017]
As a result, in addition to the effects of the eighth aspect, it is possible to effectively prevent pass-through printing by a network printer that is easily shared by a large number of users as in the seventh aspect.
[Invention 10]
A print management method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes:
The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with a permissible print amount predetermined for each user or each group, and a predetermined notification is made according to the comparison result.
[0018]
As a result, similarly to the first aspect of the invention, the printing can be grasped for each user and for each group by the printer, so that a predetermined notification is reliably sent to the user who performs the bypass printing by the print request without going through the server. be able to. Further, since the print management by the server on the network is unnecessary or greatly reduced, the server itself becomes unnecessary, and the size and performance of the server can be reduced.
[0019]
[Invention 11]
Further, the print management method according to Invention 11 includes:
The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with a permissible print amount predetermined for each user or each group, and when the result of the comparison exceeds the permissible print amount, a notice to that effect is given. It is.
[0020]
As a result, it is possible to reliably notify the user who made the print request of printing exceeding the allowable amount.
[Invention 12]
Further, a print management method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes:
The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with a permissible print amount predetermined for each user or each group, and if the result of the comparison exceeds the permissible print amount, a warning is issued to stop printing. It is assumed that.
[0021]
Accordingly, it is possible to hesitate a user who intends to perform printing that exceeds the allowable amount, and to suppress useless printing.
[Invention 13]
A print management method according to a thirteenth aspect includes:
The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with a permissible print amount predetermined for each user or each group. If the comparison result indicates that the permissible print amount is exceeded, printing by the print request is prohibited and a notification to that effect is given. It is characterized by doing so.
[0022]
As a result, similarly to the fifth aspect, it is possible to reliably notify a user or the like who intends to execute printing beyond the allowable print amount, and to forcibly prevent execution of printing ignoring the notification. can do.
[Invention 14]
Further, a print management method according to a fourteenth aspect,
The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with a permissible printing amount predetermined for each user or each group. If the comparison result indicates that the permissible printing amount is exceeded, a notification to that effect is made and the printing amount of consumables is reduced. The printing is performed in the consumption printing mode.
[0023]
As a result, as in the case of the sixth aspect, it is possible to reliably notify a user or the like who intends to execute printing beyond the permissible printing amount, and even if printing is performed ignoring the notification, the consumption of consumables is reduced. Consumption can be reduced.
[Invention 15]
A print management method according to a fifteenth aspect includes:
The printer is a network printer shared via a network.
[0024]
As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent bypass printing by a network printer which is easily shared by a very large number of users as in the seventh aspect.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a network system to which a print management system, a print management program, and a print management method according to the present invention are applied, and a plurality of (three in the example shown) print. The instruction terminals T, T, T, one shared printer P shared by the print instruction terminals, and a server S for providing various information and services related to printing are bidirectionally communicated on the same network N by a LAN or the like. Connected as possible.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, the shared printer P includes a printing unit 70 that provides a printing function, a communication unit 60 that provides a communication function with a print instruction terminal T, and the like, and a conventional paper feeding mechanism and operation panel (not shown). In addition to the basic functions inherently provided in the printer, a print management system 10 for realizing print management and the like for each user and group is provided.
[0027]
As shown, the print management system 10 mainly includes a user information storage unit 20, a print amount prediction unit 30, a comparison unit 40, and a notification unit 50.
First, the user information storage means 20 further includes an information acquisition unit 22 and a storage unit 24. The information acquisition unit 22 allows each user sharing the printer P and each group including a plurality of users. Information on the permissible printing amount for a set period of time, and integrated information of the printing amount for each user and each group actually consumed by the printer P are obtained, and the information obtained by the storage unit 24 is obtained for each information. Is to be remembered.
[0028]
Here, the function of the information acquisition unit 22 is, specifically, an information processing system originally provided for realizing the printing function or the like in the printer P or the like, that is, an information acquisition system as described later. It is realized by a computer including a ROM for storing an information acquisition program describing an algorithm, a RAM for reading the program, a CPU for executing predetermined information calculation and processing in accordance with the program, and the like. The function is realized by a storage device such as a hard disk device or a semiconductor memory which is incorporated in the printer P in advance.
[0029]
On the other hand, the print amount predicting unit 30 is further comprised of a print request detecting unit 34 and a print amount calculating unit 32. The print request detecting unit 34 detects a print request directly requested by each user, and The user who has made the print request is specified, the content of the print request detected by the print amount calculation unit 32 is analyzed, and the print amount required to complete the print request is calculated.
[0030]
Here, the respective functions of the print request detection unit 34 and the print amount calculation unit 32 are also realized by a computer originally provided in the printer P or the like, for example, as described above. In addition, fixed data necessary for calculating the print amount in the print amount calculation unit 32, for example, data such as an ink amount required for printing one A4 monochrome document, can be easily obtained from the printer server S or the like. It has become.
[0031]
The comparing means 40 calculates the integrated value by adding the print amount calculated by the print amount predicting means 30 to the past print amount, and calculates the integrated value and the user or group acquired by the user information storage means 20. It provides a function of comparing with the allowable print amount, and is also realized by a computer originally provided in the printer P or the like.
[0032]
The notifying unit 50 provides a function of giving a predetermined notification to the user or the administrator according to the comparison result by the comparing unit 40, and is also provided inherently in the printer P or the like. It is realized by a computer.
Next, a specific operation and operation of the print management system 10 according to the present invention having such a configuration, and other embodiments will be described.
[0033]
In the print management system 10, first, the user information storage unit 20 monitors a signal flowing on the network N as shown in FIG. 3 to monitor whether there is a print request designating itself (step S100, If it is determined that there is a print request (S102), the user who made the print request is determined from the user ID sent together with the print request and the like (step S104), and that the user is a new user. Is determined (step S106).
[0034]
Here, when it is determined that the user is not a new user (NO), that is, when it is determined that the user is not registered in the storage unit 24, the process jumps to step S114, but when it is determined that the user is a new user (YES), Then, it is determined whether the user has a valid print permission (step S108). Whether or not there is a legitimate print permission can be easily known by confirming the presence or absence of the administrator's ID and password sent together with the print request and the like.
[0035]
As a result, when it is determined that there is a legitimate print permission (YES), as shown in Table 1 below, for example, information about the user, for example, a user ID, a group name to which the user belongs, etc. And registers the same in the storage unit 24, and also obtains a predetermined allowable print amount allowed for the user and the group to which the user belongs, and similarly registers this in the storage unit 24. In the example of Table 1 below, a new user is given a target user ID of “Foo”, a group to which the user belongs is given a group ID of “Bar”, and the usage per month The allowable number of prints is “300”, and the ink consumption per month is “Cyan”, “Magenta”, “Yellow” 150 each, and “Black” 200 each. get.
[0036]
[Table 1]

[0037]
Next, the user information storage unit 20 determines whether or not printing has actually been performed in response to the print request (step S114). If printing has not been performed (NO), the processing is terminated as it is. Is performed (YES), the information acquisition unit 22 acquires the amount of printing performed in the printing, that is, the amount of consumables actually consumed by the printing, and stores this in the storage unit 24. Along with (Step S116), the print amount is further integrated with the past print amount, and the integrated value is similarly stored in the storage unit 24 (Steps S118, S120), and the process is terminated.
[0038]
For example, in the example of Table 2 below, a user “Foo” belonging to a group “Bar” prints 78 sheets in November, and the amount of ink consumed at that time is “cyan” and “magenta”. , “Yellow”, and “black” are 100, 90, 70, and 170, respectively, and the total usage amount obtained by adding up the usage amounts is the total number of prints: 1550, and the integrated value of the usage amount from the start of each use. Is obtained as an integrated value of 680, 780, 570, and 1980 for "cyan", "magenta", "yellow", and "black", respectively. Further, if necessary, detailed information such as the number of prints and the total number of sheets used in the last 30 days can be accurately known.
[0039]
[Table 2]

[0040]
Next, the print amount predicting means 30 of the printer P monitors the signal flowing on the network N to determine whether there is a print request designating itself as shown in FIG. (Steps S200 and S202) If it is determined that there is a print request (YES), the print amount calculation unit 32 analyzes the contents of the print request (step S204) and predicts the time required to complete the print request. The print amount is calculated (step S206).
[0041]
Next, when the user information and the estimated print amount required for the print request are obtained in this way, the comparison means 40 of the print management system 10 similarly sends a signal flowing on the network N as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not there is a print request that has been monitored to designate itself (steps S300 and S302). If it is determined that there is a print request (YES), the user who made the print request is determined from the user ID (step S300). (S304) Then, the allowable print amount information of the user specified in this way and information on the integrated amount of past actual printing are acquired from the user information storage unit 20 (step S306).
[0042]
Then, a new integrated print amount is calculated by adding the estimated print amount obtained when the print request is executed to the past integrated print amount obtained in this way (step S308), and the new integrated print amount is calculated. Is compared with the allowable printing amount (step S310).
As a result, when it is determined that the new integrated print amount exceeds the allowable print amount (YES), the notifying unit 50 notifies the user or the administrator of the fact (step S312). If it is determined that does not reach the permissible print amount (NO), the process ends without any particular notification. The specific notification method and the content of the notification means are not particularly limited. For example, the notification method may be a display panel installed on the housing of the printer P or a monitor of the print instruction terminal T. It is considered that a method of displaying a message to the effect is general.
[0043]
Further, the print management system 10 performs the forced printing in spite of notifying that the user exceeds the allowable print amount, as well as the normal printing thereafter. In this case, an appropriate process as shown in FIG. 6 is executed.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the new integrated print amount does not exceed the allowable value (NO), the print unit 70 is instructed to execute printing as requested by the print request (step S406). Even after notifying the user of the fact that the new accumulated print amount exceeds the allowable value (YES) (steps S400 and S402), the system continuously monitors the presence or absence of a print execution instruction (step S404), and notifies the user. Regardless, if the user instructs to execute the printing (YES), the printing unit 70 is instructed to execute the printing request to execute the printing request (step S406), and then the printing unit 70 consumes the printing. The calculated actual print amount is calculated, integrated with the past print amount (step S408), and stored in the user information storage unit 20. As a result, even when the printing is forcibly executed, the consumption amount is reflected in the user information storage unit 20, so that the accurate printing amount can be always grasped.
[0044]
As described above, according to the present invention, since the print management system provided in the printer P can accurately grasp the print status of each user and each group, the so-called pass-through printing can be prohibited by a print request that does not go through a server, A predetermined notification can be reliably sent to a user who performs pass-through printing.
In addition, by providing such a print management system, print management by the server S on the network N is unnecessary or greatly reduced, so that the server S itself can be omitted or the size and performance of the server S can be reduced. Is also possible.
[0045]
In the above-described embodiment, a predetermined notification is made when the allowable print amount is exceeded. However, even when the print amount does not exceed the allowable print amount, an appropriate notification is made when a print request is accepted or executed. You may do it. For example, when a print request is received, by executing the print request, the current total integrated amount, such as a percentage of the allowable print amount, is displayed, so that the user himself / herself can display the current integrated amount. It is possible to accurately grasp and accurately execute a future printing plan and the like.
[0046]
Further, when forced printing is performed despite the notification, as shown in FIG. 7, an instruction to prohibit printing itself is sent to the printing unit 70, or as shown in FIG. An instruction to execute printing in a print mode with few prints may be sent.
That is, the processing in FIG. 7 is performed when the user has issued a compulsory print execution instruction (step S504) despite the judgment of the integrated amount and the notification to the user (steps S500 and S502) as illustrated. (YES) is to instruct the printing unit 70 to prohibit printing (step S506) so that forced printing is not performed.
[0047]
As a result, printing ignoring the notice or warning is reliably avoided, and printing exceeding the allowable amount is avoided. If the print request does not reach the permissible amount in step S500, the print unit 70 is instructed to execute printing as it is in the process of FIG. 6, and the process of integrating the consumed print amount is executed (step S500). Steps S508 and S510).
[0048]
On the other hand, in the process of FIG. 8, it is determined that there has been a forced print execution instruction (step S604) despite the determination of the integrated amount and the notification to the user (steps S600 and S602). At this time (YES), the printing unit 70 is instructed to perform the power saving mode printing (step S608). That is, if the print request does not reach the allowable amount in step S600, the normal printing execution is instructed to the printing unit 70 as it is in the process of FIG. 6 (step S606). Instead of prohibiting printing itself, printing is instructed in a low-consumption printing mode in which the amount of consumption is reduced.
[0049]
This makes it possible to suppress the consumption of consumables required for printing while permitting printing. Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, a watermark or the like notifying the effect may be simultaneously printed on the printing paper instead of or in addition to the power saving printing mode.
In addition, the allowable print amount can be set for each user or for each group, as well as for each user or each group. For example, in the case of a group consisting of a plurality of users as shown in FIG. 9, the usage status (ratio) of each user is grasped, and the ratio is graphically displayed on the print instruction terminal T of each user or the like. Alternatively, a warning as shown in FIG. 10 may be given to a user who exceeds the allowable print amount.
[0050]
As a factor for determining the allowable printing amount, the allowable printing amount may be determined based on the amount of the consumables in addition to the actual usage of the ink or printing paper consumables. For example, when high-quality photo printing or the like that consumes a large amount of expensive consumables is performed, at least the overall cost of the number of prints is often higher than that of inexpensive document printing or the like.
[0051]
Therefore, in such a case, if financial information on consumables is acquired from a server or the like and the financial information is used to set the allowable print amount in monetary units as shown in Table 3 below, for example, High-cost printing is suppressed, and it is possible to contribute to the overall cost reduction.
[0052]
[Table 3]

[0053]
Further, the system and the like of the present invention are not limited to printers shared by a large number of users via a network, but are in an independent state, that is, paired with one print instruction terminal, and the terminal is also shared by a large number of users. Even in such a case, the print management can be appropriately performed for each user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network to which a print management system is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a print management system and a printer including the same.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of user storage information.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of calculating an estimated print amount.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of comparing and notifying an integrated amount and an allowable amount.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow from comparison / notification to integration of a print amount.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow from comparison / notification to print amount integration.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow from comparison / notification to integration of a print amount.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification method and contents.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a warning method and contents.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Print management system, 20 ... User information storage means, 22 ... Information acquisition part, 24 ... Storage part, 30 ... Print amount prediction means, 32 ... Print amount calculation part, 34 ... Print request detection part, 40 ... Comparison means, 50: notification means, 60: communication unit, 70: printing unit, T: printing instruction terminal, P: printer, N: network.

Claims (15)

A print management system provided in a printer shared by a plurality of users and a group including the users,
User information storage means for storing the permissible print amount for each user and each group and the integrated value of the actual print amount for each user and each group;
A print amount predicting unit that analyzes the content of the print request directly requested by each of the users and calculates a predicted print amount when the printing is performed;
The print amount calculated by the print amount prediction means is integrated with the past print amount to obtain an integrated value, and the integrated value is compared with the user or group allowable print amount obtained by the user information storage means. Means of comparison;
Notification means for performing a predetermined notification according to the comparison result by the comparison means,
A print management system comprising: The print management system according to claim 1,
The user information storage means,
An information acquisition unit that acquires information on the permissible print amount for each user and each group, and integrated information of the print amount for each user and each group actually consumed by the printer;
An information storage unit that stores these pieces of information;
A print management system comprising: The print management system according to claim 1, wherein
The print amount predicting means includes:
A print request detection unit that detects a print request directly requested from each user and specifies a user who has made the print request;
A print amount calculating unit that analyzes the content of the detected print request and calculates a print amount required to complete the print request;
A print management system comprising: The print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A print management system, further comprising a warning unit for giving a warning that the accumulated print amount exceeds an allowable print amount set for the user or group, instead of or together with the notification unit. The print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A print management system, further comprising a print prohibition unit for prohibiting printing in place of the notification unit or together with the notification unit. The print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A print management system, further comprising a print amount suppressing unit that suppresses a print amount of consumables during printing instead of or together with the notifying unit. The print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A print management system, wherein the printer is a network printer shared via a network. A computer provided in a printer shared by a plurality of users and a group including the users,
User information storage means for storing the permissible print amount for each user and each group and the integrated value of the actual print amount for each user and each group;
A print amount predicting unit that analyzes the content of the print request directly requested by each of the users and calculates a predicted print amount when the printing is performed;
The print amount calculated by the print amount prediction means is integrated with the past print amount to obtain an integrated value, and the integrated value is compared with the user or group allowable print amount obtained by the user information storage means. Means of comparison;
Notification means for performing a predetermined notification according to the comparison result by the comparison means,
A print management program characterized by functioning as a function. The print management program according to claim 8, wherein
A print management program, wherein the printer is a network printer shared via a network. The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. A print management method comprising: comparing a value with an allowable print amount predetermined for each user or each group, and performing a predetermined notification according to the comparison result. The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with an allowable print amount predetermined for each user or each group, and when the result of the comparison exceeds the allowable print amount, a notification to that effect is given. Management method. The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with a permissible print amount predetermined for each user or each group, and if the result of the comparison exceeds the permissible print amount, a warning is issued to stop printing. Print management method. The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with a permissible print amount predetermined for each user or each group. If the comparison result indicates that the permissible print amount is exceeded, printing by the print request is prohibited and a notification to that effect is given. And a print management method. The contents of the print request directly requested from the user to the printer are analyzed, and the integrated value of the print amount for each user or each group including the user is obtained from the print amount of the consumables when the print is executed. The value is compared with a permissible printing amount predetermined for each user or each group. If the comparison result indicates that the permissible printing amount is exceeded, a notification to that effect is made and the printing amount of consumables is reduced. A print management method, wherein printing is performed in a consumption print mode. 15. The print management method according to claim 10, wherein the printer is a network printer shared via a network.

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