JP2008049627A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus which can change a print condition such as the number of sheets of printing paper or the like, when printing is performed after the execution of authentication operation according to the authentication information acquired by mounting an IC card on an IC card reader. <P>SOLUTION: The printing apparatus which can execute user authentication by mounting the IC card on the IC card reader reads identification information from the IC card to authenticate a user who uses the printing apparatus, prints only the print data corresponding to the print execution directions by the authenticated user, and changes the printing condition of the printing data only when printing is executed by the authenticated printing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having an authentication function.

  In recent years, with the spread of networking of PCs (personal computers) and the like, the number of printers and MFPs (multifunction printers) connected to the network is also increasing. Therefore, printers and the like are shared by a plurality of PCs.

  In addition, today, as an information-oriented society, the amount of information handled has increased, and along with this, devices such as copiers and fax machines have become increasingly popular. On the other hand, security awareness is improving socially, such as protecting personal information, and more careful handling is required for handling information.

  Therefore, printers, MFPs, copiers, fax machines, etc. are equipped with a function that performs fingerprint authentication / IC card authentication, etc., and permits operations, or performs fingerprint authentication / IC card authentication, etc., and stores data for each operator. Since then, it has a function that can print data that matches the operator.

In addition, with the development of printing apparatuses, printing in various forms is possible (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
In Patent Document 1, intermediate data of a print job to be executed is held in a spool file. When this intermediate data is designated and trial printing is performed, the intermediate data is converted into a command to be sent to the printer, and the trial printing is performed. In this case, a print control method is disclosed in which the print condition of a spooled print job can be changed by subtracting one copy from the number of copies set for the print job.

  In Patent Document 2, when a plurality of print copies are specified, the print control unit stores the first print data developed by the print data processing unit in the print data storage unit and outputs it to the printer engine. When printing of the first copy is completed, printing is temporarily stopped, and the continuation and cancellation of the second and subsequent copies can be selected and displayed on the operation / display section, and the number of copies can be changed. In other words, a printing apparatus has been disclosed in which, when a plurality of copies are printed with the same data, printing can be continued after confirming the printing state.

There is also a system for taking security measures by attaching an authentication device to a PC (personal computer) and a printer.
JP 2001-158159 A JP-A-11-212401

  However, in the conventional example, it is possible for a person other than the printer to change the print settings. Also, in a system where security measures are taken by the authentication device, if there are not enough copies after the print instruction, the printer who has come to the printer to return to the printer returns to the PC again to give the print instruction. It was necessary to go back to the printer again and perform authentication.

If the number of copies to be printed is too large, it is necessary to cancel all print data by the printer and perform reprinting, or discard the extra copies after printing.
In view of the above problems, in the present invention, when an IC card is placed on an IC card reader and an authentication operation based on authentication information is performed and printing is performed, a printing apparatus that can change printing conditions such as the number of copies to be printed I will provide a.

  According to the present invention, a printing apparatus that performs authentication printing using a medium in which a circuit in which unique identification information is stored is incorporated, reads out the identification information from the medium, controls the reading means, Read control means for reading the identification information from the medium, authentication means for authenticating a user who uses the printing apparatus based on the read identification information, and the authentication based on the authentication result An authentication printing unit that prints only print data corresponding to a print execution instruction by the user, and a printing condition changing unit that can change a printing condition of the print data only during printing by the authentication printing unit. It is characterized by that.

  With this configuration, when an IC card or the like is placed on a card reader and an authentication operation using authentication information is performed for printing (security printing), printing conditions such as the number of copies can be changed. .

In the printing apparatus, the printing condition changing unit changes the number of copies as a printing condition of the print data.
With this configuration, the number of copies can be changed during security printing.

  The printing apparatus further compares the number of printed copies after the change with the number of printed copies before the change when the number of printed copies is changed by the printing condition changing unit, and prints the unprinted page portion or the number of unprinted copies. An authentication printing control unit that controls the authentication printing unit to perform printing is provided.

By configuring in this way, it is possible to print only the newly added number of copies or the unprinted portion, so that the printing efficiency is improved.
In the printing apparatus, the print condition changing unit further sets, as print conditions for the print data, whether or not to print in units of copies, paper feed port settings, paper discharge port settings, printing on both sides or one side This is characterized in that the setting of whether to print or the condition of how many pages to print per page is changed.

  With this configuration, various setting items of the printer driver can be changed as the changeable setting items in addition to the number of print copies.

  By using the present invention, when an IC card is placed on an IC card reader and an authentication operation is performed using authentication information, printing conditions such as the number of copies can be changed.

  A printing apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the present invention specifies, for example, the number of copies (usually printing from a client PC) within a predetermined period of time during which authentication is performed by placing an IC card or the like on a reader. The information is controlled so that it can be changed when the output operation is performed.

  That is, according to the present invention, in a printing apparatus in which security measures have been taken by the authentication apparatus, when it is desired to increase or decrease the number of copies after a printing instruction from the PC, the authentication apparatus recognizes the authentication information at the printer when performing printing. The space can be changed.

  Here, the authentication printing (security printing) function generally stores print data in a storage unit of a printing apparatus, and inputs a personal identification number from a numeric keypad, or performs printing by authenticating with an RFID device such as an IC card. Refers to the function.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a printing apparatus that performs authentication printing using a medium (for example, an IC card) in which a circuit storing unique identification information is incorporated is a reading unit, a reading control unit, an authentication unit, and authentication printing. Means and a printing condition changing means.

The reading means reads the identification information from the medium (IC card or the like), and corresponds to the IC card reader 5 in the following embodiment.
The read control means controls the read means so as to read the identification information from the medium, and corresponds to the IC card device controller 31 in the following embodiment.

  The authentication unit authenticates a user who uses the printing apparatus based on the read identification information, and corresponds to an authentication process by the MFP control unit 34 in the following embodiment.

  The authentication printing unit prints only print data corresponding to a print execution instruction by the authenticated user based on the authentication result, and corresponds to a security printing function in the following embodiment.

  The printing condition changing unit can change the printing condition of the print data only during printing by the authentication printing unit. In the following embodiment, the printing condition is changed only in the case of security printing. This corresponds to control processing by the MFP control unit 34.

  With this configuration, when an IC card or the like is placed on a card reader and an authentication operation using authentication information is performed for printing (security printing), printing conditions such as the number of copies can be changed. .

  The printing condition changing unit may change the number of copies as a printing condition of the print data. With this configuration, the number of copies can be changed during security printing.

  The printing apparatus further includes an authentication print control unit. When the number of copies is changed by the printing condition changing unit, the authentication printing control unit compares the number of printed copies after the change with the number of printed copies before the change, and prints the unprinted page portion or the unprinted number of copies. The authentication printing unit is controlled so as to perform the above, and corresponds to a control process by the MFP control unit 34 in this embodiment. By configuring in this way, it is possible to print only the newly added number of copies or the unprinted portion, so that the printing efficiency is improved.

  Further, the printing condition changing means further sets, as the printing condition of the print data, whether or not to print in copies, paper feed port setting, paper discharge port setting, whether to print on both sides or one side This is characterized in that the setting or the condition for how many pages per page can be changed can be changed. With this configuration, various setting items of the printer driver can be changed as the changeable setting items in addition to the number of print copies.

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a network configuration of a printing system in the present embodiment. The printing system 1 is constructed from a PC 2, a printing device 4, and a network 6 that connects these devices. In the present embodiment, a LAN (Local Area Network) is used as an example of the network 6, but a communication network such as the Internet, WAN, dedicated line, wired, and wireless may be used.

  The PC 2 includes a PC 2a to which the IC card reader 3 is connected and a PC 2b to which the IC card reader 3 is not connected. An IC card reader 5 is also connected to the printing apparatus 4. The printing apparatus 4 is, for example, a printer or an MFP (multifunction printer). In the present embodiment, an MFP is used as an example.

  FIG. 2 shows an external configuration of the MFP 4 in the present embodiment. In the figure, an operation panel (operation panel, display operation unit) 12 is located at the upper front of the MFP 4. By operating the operation panel 12, various settings such as setting of the number of printed sheets, density setting, and size setting can be performed.

  A plurality of stages of paper feed cassettes 16 are provided at the lower front of the MFP 4 so that the paper feed cassettes 16 can be pulled out with corresponding handles. A discharge tray 17 is provided in the middle part of the MFP 4, and printing paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 16. The printing paper on which image formation has been performed is output to the paper discharge tray 17.

  A scanner unit 20 is provided above the MFP 4. When the original platen cover of the scanner unit 20 is opened, an original is placed on the original platen, and a predetermined button on the key unit 15 is pressed, the original is scanned and an image (original data) is read. Note that the MFP 4 can also send and receive faxes, as will be described later.

  The operation panel 12 is used for displaying the status of the MFP 4 or for operations when a failure or the like occurs in the MFP 4, but can also set printing conditions. The operation panel 12 includes a display unit 13, an LED unit 14, and a key unit 15. The display unit 13 is an LCD (liquid crystal display), for example, and can display the setting state of the MFP 4. The display unit 13 displays scan information.

  For example, the LED unit 14 can notify the operation state of the MFP 4 by lighting ON / OFF, blinking, or the like. The key unit 15 is a plurality of key groups operated to set the MFP 4. The key unit 15 may be a touch panel LCD (liquid crystal display).

  When printing conditions are set on the operation panel 12, a menu button (a button included in the key unit 15 or a touch panel type button displayed on the LCD) may be pressed. A setting menu or the like is displayed on the display unit 13 and setting is performed by the key unit 15.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration outline of the MFP 4 in the present embodiment. The MFP 4 mainly includes a scanner unit 20, an MFP main unit 35, a printer unit 28, and a display operation unit (operation panel) 12. The scanner unit 20 includes a reading mechanism unit 21. When the reading mechanism unit 21 is driven, the document placed on the document table of the scanner unit 20 is scanned to read an image (document data), and the image data is transmitted to the MFP control unit 34.

  The MFP main unit 35 includes an MFP control unit 34, a reading mechanism control unit 22, a display operation control unit 23, a FAX communication control unit 24, a LAN communication control unit 29, an Internet communication control unit 30, an IC card device control unit 31, and a storage device. A control unit 32 and a storage device unit (HDD (hard disk drive)) 33 are included.

  The reading mechanism control unit 22 performs mechanism control of the reading mechanism unit 21 of the scanner unit 20 described above. The document data read by the scanner unit 20 is sent to the MFP control unit 34 under the control of the reading mechanism control unit 22.

  The display operation unit (operation panel) 12 can display setting information of the MFP 4. Further, the setting of the MFP 4 can be changed by pressing an operation key provided on the display operation unit 12. The display operation control unit 23 is, for example, a touch panel type LCD (liquid crystal display), and controls the display operation of the display operation unit 12, controls the display form of data output to the display operation unit 12, An operation signal based on an operation of an operation key or the like provided on the display operation unit 12 is output to the MFP control unit 34.

  The storage device control unit 32 controls data writing to the storage device unit (HDD) 33 and reading of data stored in the storage device unit 33. The storage unit 33 is a large-capacity storage device for spooling print data or temporarily storing data. The storage device unit 33 can also be configured by a storage device such as a RAM.

  The IC card device controller 31 is connected to the IC card reader 5. The IC card reader 5 is a device that reads information written on an IC chip in the IC card in a non-contact manner when the IC card is placed. The IC card device control unit 31 controls the operation of the IC card reader 5 to read the IC card as needed, and the IC card information read by the IC card reader 5 (for example, user identification for identifying the user) Information etc.) is sent to the MFP controller 34. In other words, the IC card device control unit 31 periodically reads information of the IC card read by the IC card reader 5, and the MFP control unit 34 manages the information, and each of them (display operation control unit 23, printer control unit) 26 etc.). The IC card reader 5 may be an external type or a built-in type.

  The printer unit 28 includes a paper feeding device 27, a printer control unit 26, and a printing mechanism unit 25. Based on the control processing of the printer control unit 26, the printer unit 28 drives the printing mechanism unit 25 and outputs a print result 36 on the printing paper fed by the paper feeding device 27. The printing mechanism unit 25 includes a print head and other mechanism units such as an image forming unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit.

  The MFP 4 is connected to the public line network 40, and facsimile communication is performed by the FAX communication control unit 24. The LAN communication control unit 29 is an interface for connecting the MFP 4 to the LAN 6. The Internet communication control unit 30 performs network communication using TCP / IP (transmission control protocol / internet protocol) or the like.

  PC2 (2a, 2b) is connected to LAN6. The PC 2a is a PC that can be used only by a specific person. That is, when using the PC 2a to which the IC card reader 3 is connected (software for performing authentication processing by the IC card reader is incorporated), the IC card in which the user identification code is stored by the user is loaded on the IC card reader 3. The PC 2a reads the user identification code in the IC card from the IC card reader 3 and performs an authentication check as to whether or not the user is a legitimate user. It is a specification that is allowed to be used. Therefore, in a PC having such a specification, when the operation (including a print instruction) or printing is performed, the operation (including printing) or printing cannot be performed unless authentication is performed.

  On the other hand, the PC 2b to which the IC card reader 3 is not connected has a specification that does not perform user authentication. Therefore, the user of the PC 2b can perform printing by a normal operation without requiring a special operation procedure.

  The user of the PC 2a or PC 2b can create data (print data) to be printed by using predetermined installed application software and print it on the MFP 4. At this time, the print data is transferred from the PC 2 to the MFP 4 via the LAN 6 with the data structure shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows the data structure of print data without authentication information in this embodiment. The data structure shown in the figure is the data structure of print data transferred from the PC 2b having no user authentication function to the MFP 4.

  The print data 50 includes a “print setting” field 51 and a “drawing data” field 52. The print setting field 51 stores print condition setting information for the print data 50. The drawing data field 52 stores a PDL (Page Description Language) command sequence for creating print contents (image data or text data).

The print setting field 51 includes data groups such as “print mode” 53, “resolution” 54, “paper size” 55, “paper feed port” 56, “number of copies” 57, and the like.
The “print mode” 53 stores “stack printing” or “sort printing”. In the “stack printing” mode, printing is performed for the set number of copies of the first page (hereinafter referred to as “set number of copies” and represented by a variable B), and then the second page is printed for the set number of copies. As described above, this mode is a mode in which each page is sequentially printed for the set number of copies. The “sort printing” mode is a mode in which a part of the first page to the last page is printed, and thereafter, the set number of copies is similarly printed.

  “Resolution” 54 stores the printing resolution. The “paper size” 55 stores the paper size of the printing paper. Information on which paper feed cassette 16 is used for paper feed is stored in the “paper feed slot” 56. The “number of copies” 57 stores information on how many copies are to be printed.

  FIG. 5 shows the data structure of print data with authentication information in this embodiment. The data structure shown in the figure is the data structure of print data transferred from the PC 2a having the user authentication function to the MFP 4.

  The print data 60 has a configuration in which “authentication information” 61 is added to the head of the print data 50 in FIG. The “authentication information” 61 stores the user identification code of the IC card information. As described above, the IC card information user identification code is one of the IC card information read by the client PC 2a using the IC card reader 3, and is a code for identifying the user.

  Therefore, when a print instruction is issued by the authenticated user on the PC 2a, the print data sent from the PC 2a to the MFP 4 is a print in which “authentication information” 61 is added to “print setting” 51 and “drawing data” 52. Data 60.

  On the other hand, when the user issues a print instruction on the PC 2b, the print data sent from the PC 2b to the MFP 4 is the print data 50 including the “print setting” 51 and the “drawing data” 52 and having no “authentication information” 61. .

The print data transmitted from the PC 2 (2a, 2b) can be encrypted by setting the system.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a controller of the MFP 4 in the present embodiment. First, the printing operation of the MFP 4 when receiving print data 50 without “authentication information” 61 (print data without authentication information, see FIG. 4) 50 will be described.

  First, the MFP 4 receives the print data 50 from the PC 2b by the receiving unit 71 (corresponding to the LAN communication control unit 29). The received print data 50 is temporarily stored in a data storage unit (corresponding to the HDD 33) 72.

  Next, the drawing unit 73 in the MFP control unit 34 reads the print data 50 from the data storage unit 72, analyzes the information of “print setting” 51 and “drawing data” 52 of the print data 50, and displays the image. Data 74 is created.

  When drawing for one page is completed, the drawing unit 73 registers the created image data 74 at the end of the print queue created in the data storage unit 72. When the image data 74 reaches the head of the queue, the image data 74 is transferred to the engine control unit 75 (printer control unit 26).

  Then, under the control of the engine control unit 75 (printer control unit 26), the image data information 74 is sequentially transferred to the printing mechanism unit 25 page by page, and the contents of the image data 74 are printed on the recording paper. . The received data that has been printed is deleted from the data storage unit 72.

Next, a printing operation of the MFP 4 when the print data 60 (FIG. 5) to which the “authentication information” 61 is added is received will be described.
First, the MFP 4 receives print data 60 with authentication information (see FIG. 5) from the PC 2a by the receiving unit 71 (corresponding to the LAN communication control unit 29). The received print data 60 is temporarily stored in a data storage unit (corresponding to the HDD 33) 72.

  Then, the user comes to the MFP 4 and places his own IC card on the IC card reader 5 connected to the MFP 4 (hereinafter, user authentication is performed using such an IC card for printing). Is called “security printing”.)

  Then, the MFP control unit 34 acquires authentication information in the IC card by the IC card reader 5. The MFP control unit 34 searches the received data stored in the data storage unit 72 for print data 60 having “authentication information” 61 that matches the acquired authentication information. If there is no print data 60 that matches the authentication information, the MFP controller 34 does nothing.

  When the print data 60 that matches the authentication information is found, the drawing unit 73 in the MFP control unit 34 reads the print data from the data storage unit 72, and prints “print setting” 51 and “drawing data” of the print data 60. "52" is analyzed to generate image data 74.

  When drawing for one page is completed, the drawing unit 73 registers the created image data 74 at the end of the print queue created in the data storage unit 72. When the image data 74 reaches the head of the queue, the image data 74 is transferred to the engine control unit 75 (printer control unit 26).

  Then, under the control of the engine control unit 75 (printer control unit 26), the image data information 74 is sequentially transferred to the printing mechanism unit 25 page by page, and the contents of the image data 74 are printed on the recording paper. . The received data that has been printed is deleted from the data storage unit 72.

  Next, an example of the LCD display screen in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the user executes authenticated printing by the PC 2a, the print data 60 is transmitted to the MFP 4. Thereafter, the user comes in front of the MFP 4 and places an IC card owned by the user on the card reader 5 of the MFP 4 for authentication. After the authentication, printing of the print data 60 is started, and the screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the contents displayed on the display unit 13 during execution of printing in the present embodiment. The display unit 13 includes a “print job name” display field 81, a “number of copies” display field 82, and a “page” display field 83. The “print job name” display field 81 displays the print job name, that is, the name of the print data being printed. The “number of copies” display field 82 displays the number of copies (NN) currently printed for the set number of copies (MM). In the “page” display field 83, the currently printed page (nn) with respect to the total page (mm) is displayed.

  Assume that after the authentication is started and printing is started, it is necessary to change the printing conditions (for example, the number of copies to be printed) set by the user on the PC 2a. Therefore, the user operates the operation panel 2 of the MFP 4 to change the set number of copies displayed in the “number of copies” display field 82.

  In the example of FIG. 7, only the “print job name” display field 81, the “number of copies” display field 82, and the “page” display field 83 are displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. Printer driver setting items such as a paper feed port, a paper discharge port, double-sided / single-sided printing, and how many pages to print per page may be displayed, and settings may be changed on the operation panel.

FIG. 8 shows a flow when the number of copies to be printed is changed by a key operation when printing is executed in the present embodiment. When executing printing, the MFP controller 34 performs the following processing.
First, the MFP control unit 34 determines whether or not the currently executed printing process is “security printing” (step 1; hereinafter, step is referred to as “S”). Whether or not the printing is security printing can be confirmed by “ON / OFF” of a “security flag” described later.

  In the case of “security flag = OFF” (printing in the normal mode, not during security printing) (proceeding to “NO” in S1), the MFP controller 34 ends this flow. That is, the number of copies cannot be changed.

  If “security flag = ON” (security printing is in progress) (proceed to “YES” in S1), the MFP controller 34 determines whether or not an IC card is placed on the IC card reader 5 (S2). When the IC card is not placed (the process proceeds to “NO” in S2), the MFP control unit 34 ends this flow. That is, the number of copies cannot be changed.

  When the IC card is placed (the process proceeds to “YES” in S2), the MFP control unit 34 acquires the IC card authentication information via the IC card reader 5 (S3). The MFP control unit 34 compares the authentication information acquired in S3 with the “authentication information” 61 of the print data 60 being printed (S4), and determines whether or not they match (S5).

If the authentication information does not match in S5 (YES in S5), the MFP controller 34 ends this flow. That is, the number of copies cannot be changed.
When the authentication information matches in S5 (proceed to “NO” in S5), the MFP controller 34 performs a key receiving process (S6) and determines whether or not the key input is confirmed (S7). The key receiving process is a process of receiving the input key when the user presses the operation key 15 such as a numeric keypad.

  When it is determined that the key input has not been confirmed (for example, when the key input is not performed) (proceed to “NO” in S7), the MFP control unit 34 ends this flow. That is, the number of print copies is not changed.

  When it is determined that the key input has been confirmed (proceed to "YES" in S7), the MFP controller 34 determines whether or not the input key is an instruction to change the number of copies (S8). When it is determined that the input key does not instruct to change the number of copies (for example, when a key other than the numeric keypad is selected) (proceed to “NO” in S8), the MFP controller 34 ends this flow. To do. That is, the number of print copies is not changed.

  When it is determined that the input key is an instruction to change the number of copies (for example, when an appropriate value is input by operating the numeric keypad) (proceed to “YES” in S8), the MFP control unit 34 The input value is set to a parameter (notification copy number T) for notifying "key input confirmation / setting copy number update process" (described later in FIG. 11) (S9). The notification of “there was a key input” is sent to the “number of copies update process”, and this flow ends.

  In this way, while the IC card is placed on the IC card reader and the print data whose print conditions are to be changed exists in the HDD 33 (that is, until the print job is completed), The user can reset the print conditions of the print data.

Next, the overall printing flow controlled by the MFP control unit 34 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 shows a print control flow in this embodiment. First, the MFP control unit 34 checks whether an IC card is placed on the IC card reader 5 (S11). When the IC card is not placed on the IC card reader 5 (the process proceeds to “NO” in S11), the MFP controller 4 shifts the control to the normal data printing process (the process after S18).

  When an IC card is placed on the IC card reader 5 (proceeding to “YES” in S11), the MFP controller 34 reads and acquires the authentication information of the IC card by the IC card reader 5 (S12).

  Then, the MFP controller 34 searches the received data stored in the HDD 33 for the print data 60 having “authentication information” 61 that matches the authentication information acquired in S12 (S13). It is determined whether there is print data 60 having authentication information (S14).

  If there is no print data 60 having the matching authentication information (the process proceeds to “NO” in S14), the MFP control unit 34 shifts the process to normal data print control (the process after S18).

  If there is print data 60 having the matching authentication information (proceeding to “YES” in S4), printing of the print data is secure printing, so the MFP control unit 34 sets “security print flag” to “ON”. (S15) and print processing is performed (S16). This printing process (S16) will be described later.

When the printing process (S16) ends, the MFP control unit 34 sets the “security print flag” to “OFF” (S17), and returns to S11.
Whether the processing of S11 to S17 is determined that there is no IC card in the IC card reader 5 (the process proceeds to “NO” in S11), or the printing process for all the print data that matches the authentication information is completed (“ Repeat until “NO”.

  Next, when it is determined in S11 that there is no IC card in the IC card reader 5 (proceeding to "NO" in S11), or in S14, the print processing for all the print data with the matching authentication information is completed (in S14). The process proceeds to “NO”.

  In this case, the MFP controller 34 first searches for whether or not the authentication data-less print data 50 exists in the HDD 33 (S18). If the authentication data-less print data 50 does not exist in the HDD 33 (the process proceeds to “NO” in S19), the MFP control unit 34 ends the print control.

  If the authentication data-less print data 50 exists in the HDD 33 (proceed to "YES" in S19), the MFP controller 34 sets the "security print flag" to "OFF" (S20) and performs the printing process (S20). S21). This printing process (S21) will be described later.

  At the end of the printing process (S21), the MFP controller 34 returns to the search (S18) for the print data 50 without authentication information. The MFP control unit 34 performs print processing for all the print data 50 without authentication information (loop processing of S18 to S21).

Next, the printing process (S16, S21) will be described with reference to the printing process flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 10 shows a flow of the printing process in S16 and S21 in FIG. In this flow, when a plurality of copies are designated, control differs depending on ON / OFF of the “copy printing flag”. When the print data is read for print processing, if the “print mode” 53 of the print data 50, 60 is “stack printing”, the MFP control unit 34 sets “copy-by-copy flag = OFF” and “ In the case of “sort printing”, “copy printing flag = ON” is set.

  Here, “stack printing” mode means printing for the set number of copies of the first page (hereinafter referred to as “set number of copies” and represented by variable B), and then printing the second page for the set number of copies. In this mode, printing is performed sequentially for each set number of copies for each page. The “sort printing” mode is a mode in which a part of the first page to the last page is printed, and thereafter, the set number of copies is similarly printed. Now, the flow will be described.

  First, the MFP control unit 34 determines whether or not the unit printing flag is ON / OFF (S31). When the copy unit printing flag is set to OFF (proceeding to “No” in S31), the MFP control unit 34 sets a pointer at the head of the print data (S32). At this time, a variable X representing the number of printed pages is initialized with zero.

Then, the MFP control unit 34 performs drawing processing to create one page image (S33). At this time, a counter C1 representing the number of printed pages for each page is initialized to zero.
Then, the MFP controller 34 sends the created image to the printer engine (printing mechanism unit 25), and prints one page (S34). When the printing is completed, the MFP controller 34 increments the number of printed sheets C1 (S35).

  Thereafter, the MFP control unit 34 performs a key input confirmation / setting copy number update process (S36). The key input confirmation / setting copy number update processing (S36) is processing corresponding to the case where the setting copy number B is changed by the user during the security printing as described in FIG. In this key input confirmation / set number update process (S36), the changed number of copies is reset as “set number of copies” B, and “hold set number of copies” (hold set number of copies H = changed set number of copies B−before set) The set number of copies B) is updated. This key input confirmation / setting copy number update process (S36) will be described with reference to FIG.

  After the key input confirmation / setting copy number update processing in S36, the MFP control unit 34 compares the setting copy number B with the print number C (S37). If the number of printed sheets C1 is smaller than the set number of copies B (proceed to "YES" in S37), the MFP controller 34 returns to the process of S34 to perform printing on the next sheet.

  If the number of printed sheets C is equal to or larger than the set number of copies B (proceeding to “NO” in S37), since the first page has been printed, the MFP controller 34 increments the number of printed pages X (S38).

  Next, the MFP controller 34 determines whether there is a next page in the print data (S39). When there is a next page in the print data (proceed to “YES” in S39), the MFP controller 34 returns to S33 and starts processing the next page in the same manner as the first page.

  After printing all pages of the print data (proceed to “NO” in S39), when the number of copies is set as the reserved set number of copies H (that is, when H> “0”), the MFP controller 34 sets the number of copies. The value of the hold setting number H is reflected in B (S40). Then, the MFP control unit 34 clears the hold setting number of copies H and the number of prints C1, and returns to S32 (goes to “NO” in S41).

  If the number of copies is not set as the hold setting number of copies (that is, if H = “0”), the printing is finished (the process proceeds to “YES” in S41), and the MFP controller 34 deletes the print data from the HDD 33 ( S42).

  Next, when the copy unit printing flag is set to ON (going to “Yes” in S31), the MFP control unit 34 initializes a counter C2 representing the number of copies to 0. Thereafter, the MFP controller 34 sets a pointer at the head of the print data (S43).

  Then, the MFP control unit 34 performs drawing processing to create one page image (S44). The MFP control unit 34 sends the created image to the printer engine (printing mechanism unit 25) and prints one sheet (S45).

  The MFP controller 34 determines whether there is a next page in the print data (S46). When there is a next page in the print data (proceed to “YES” in S46), the MFP control unit 34 returns to S44 to create an image of the next page.

After printing all pages of the print data (S46: NO), the MFP controller 34 increments the number of copies C2 (S47).
Thereafter, the MFP control unit 34 performs a key input confirmation / setting copy number update process (S48) similar to S36. This key input confirmation / setting copy number update process (S48) will be described with reference to FIG.

  The MFP control unit 34 compares the set number of copies B with the number of printed copies C2 (S49). If the number of copies C2 is smaller than the set number of copies B (proceed to "YES" in S49), the MFP controller 34 returns to S43 to perform the next unit printing.

  If the number of copies C2 is equal to or larger than the set number of copies B (proceed to “NO” in S49), the set number of copies B has been printed, so the MFP controller 34 deletes the print data from the HDD 33 (S42). .

Next, the key input confirmation / print number update processing (S36, S48) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a flow of the key input confirmation / print number update process in S36 and S48 of FIG. If there is no key input notification in S9 of the key input confirmation flow in FIG. 8 (the process proceeds to “YES” in S51), the MFP control unit 34 does nothing.

  When there is a key input notification in S9 of the key input confirmation flow in FIG. 8 (proceeding to "NO" in S51), the MFP controller 34 determines whether or not printing is performed in unit printing (step S51). S52).

  When printing is performed by copy printing, that is, when “copy print flag = ON” (proceed to “YES” in S52), the MFP control unit 34 sets the number of copies B to be notified from the key input. Update with the value of (notification number T) (S55). That is, when the number of copies printed in the printing process is smaller than the newly set number of copies, printing is performed up to the newly set number of copies. When the current print end number of copies is larger than the newly set number of copies, it is determined that the print processing is ended by the print process end determination (S49 in FIG. 10) at the end of the partial printing currently being printed. At this time, the number of copies actually printed is the number of copies printed before the set number of copies is updated.

  When printing is not performed by copy printing, that is, when “copy print flag = OFF” (proceed to “NO” in S52), the MFP control unit 34 copies the number of copies notified from the key input from the set number of copies B. It is determined whether or not (the number of notification copies T) is small (S53).

  When the notification copy number T is smaller than the set copy number B (including B = T) (proceed to "YES" in S53), the setting copy number B is updated with the value of the notification copy number T (S55). Pages that have already been printed are printed with the set number of copies before the update, but the subsequent pages are printed with the number of copies after the update.

When the notification copy number T is larger than the set copy number B (proceed to “NO” in S53), the MFP control unit 34 determines whether the printed page number X is “0” (S54).
When “the number of printed pages X = 0” (proceed to “YES” in S54), the MFP control unit 34 updates the set number of copies B with the value of the number of notification copies T (S55). All pages are printed with the updated number of copies.

When “the number of printed pages X> 0” (proceeding to “NO” in S54), the MFP control unit 34 stores the value of “notification number of copies T−set number of copies B” in the reserved set number of copies H (S56).
In this way, in FIG. 10, the printing of all pages is completed with the set number of copies B, and then the number of copies changed during printing is updated by updating the set number of copies B with the reserved set number of copies H (S40). The shortage is printed from one page.

  In addition to the above-described IC card, the authentication device and information may be a system based on personal biological information such as fingerprints, veins, and irises, or authentication information using a portable device such as a USB memory. A system in which a print authority can perform the same operation by using print authority information as authentication information is also possible. In addition to the number of copies, the printer driver setting items such as copy unit setting, paper feed port, paper discharge port, duplex / single-sided printing, and how many pages to print per page can be set as changeable setting items.

  According to the present embodiment, when the number of copies to be printed is increased or decreased after a printing instruction from the PC, it can be operated by the printer, and operations such as additional printing, job cancellation, and reprinting on the PC side become unnecessary. .

  In the embodiment, the IC card is placed on the IC card reader 5 for authentication, but a mobile terminal such as a Felica (registered trademark) -compatible mobile phone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is placed. May be.

As described above, in a system in which an authentication device is attached to a PC or printer, printing conditions such as the number of copies can be changed while an authentication operation using authentication information is performed during printing.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can take various configurations or forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 shows an example of a network configuration of a printing system in the present embodiment. 2 shows an external configuration of an MFP 4 in the present embodiment. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of an MFP 4 in the present embodiment. 2 shows a data structure of print data without authentication information in the present embodiment. 2 shows a data structure of print data with authentication information in the present embodiment. 2 is a schematic diagram of a controller of the MFP 4 in the present embodiment. FIG. An example of display contents of the display unit 13 at the time of execution of printing in the present embodiment will be shown. The flow in the case of changing the number of copies to be printed by a key operation at the time of printing execution in the present embodiment is shown. 2 shows a print control flow in the present embodiment. The flow of the printing process of S16 and S21 of FIG. 9 is shown. FIG. 10 shows a flow of key input confirmation / print number update processing in S36 and S48 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printing system 2 (2a, 2b) PC
3, 5 IC card reader 4 MFP
6 LAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Operation panel 13 Display part 14 LED part 15 Key part 16 Paper feed cassette 17 Paper discharge tray 20 Scanner part 21 Reading mechanism part 22 Reading mechanism control part 23 Display operation control part 24 FAX communication control part 25 Printing mechanism part 26 Printer control part 27 Paper Feeder 28 Printer Unit 29 LAN Communication Control Unit 30 Internet Communication Control Unit 31 IC Card Device Control Unit 32 Storage Device Control Unit 33 Storage Device Unit (HDD)
34 MFP control section 35 MFP main section 36 Print result 37 Client PC
39 LAN
40 Public network

Claims (4)

In a printing apparatus that performs authentication printing using a medium in which a circuit in which unique identification information is stored is incorporated,
Reading means for reading the identification information from the medium;
Read control means for controlling the read means to read the identification information from the medium;
Authentication means for authenticating a user using the printing apparatus based on the read identification information;
Authentication printing means for printing only print data corresponding to a print execution instruction by the authenticated user based on the authentication result;
A printing condition changing unit capable of changing a printing condition of the print data only during printing by the authentication printing unit;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition changing unit changes the number of copies as a printing condition of the print data. The printing apparatus further includes:
When the number of printed copies is changed by the printing condition changing unit, the authentication is performed so that the number of unprinted page portions or the number of unprinted copies is printed by comparing the number of printed copies after the change with the number of unprinted copies. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an authentication print control unit that controls the print unit. The print condition changing means further includes, as print conditions for the print data, a setting as to whether or not to print in copies, a paper feed port setting, a paper discharge port setting, a setting for printing on both sides or one side, The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a condition of how many pages are printed per page is changed.