JP2010097350A - Printing system, printer driver and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure security in accordance with confidentiality of data, to effectively use limited capacity of a storage device, and to provide a user with convenience in reprinting. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system includes: a controller having a confidential level reception part receiving setting of a confidential level of print data, and a print instruction control part outputting the received confidential level and a print instruction of the print data; and a printer having an input part for inputting the print instruction and the confidential level, a storage part for storing the data, and a print storage control part executing print processing based on the print data related preventing the print data from being stored in the storage part after the print processing when the input confidential level is not less than a prescribed level, and executing the print processing based on the print data and keeping the print data stored in the storage part until a predetermined storage period elapses after the print processing when the confidential level is less than the predetermined level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printer driver, and a printing apparatus.

There are printers that incorporate a storage device (storage) represented by a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage device is used to temporarily store print data when a plurality of copies (copy printing) is performed using the same print data in the printer. Further, as a technique for using such a storage device, if it is selected before printing processing that image data is stored in a predetermined storage area and the image data is deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed after printing processing, There is known an image forming apparatus that erases the stored image data when a predetermined time elapses after the data printing process ends (see Patent Document 1).
JP 11-225255 A

  When printing with a printer based on print data, the safety (security) of information protection becomes a problem. Until now, when the number of copies has been printed, the print data used for the printing is erased from the storage device, a specific password is requested when the storage device is accessed from the outside, Security was strengthened by encrypting data. On the other hand, as described in the above-mentioned document, there is a document that stores data (image data) for a certain period even after printing is completed.

  Here, there are various types of data, such as data that is highly confidential, such as confidential data, and data that is less sensitive even if it is leaked to the outside. Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology that effectively uses the limited capacity of the storage device while ensuring the security that is truly necessary for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and effectively uses the limited capacity of a storage device while ensuring security according to the confidentiality of data, and provides the user with convenience during reprinting. It is an object to provide a printing system, a printer driver, and a printing apparatus that can be provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention includes a confidentiality receiving unit that receives a setting of the confidentiality of print data, and a printing instruction control unit that outputs the received confidentiality and a print instruction for the printing data. A control unit including: an input unit for inputting the print instruction and sensitivity; a storage unit for storing data; and the input when the input sensitivity is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. When the print processing based on the print data according to the print instruction is executed, the print data is not stored in the storage unit after the print processing, and the confidentiality is lower than the predetermined degree, the print data Print storage control unit that executes a printing process based on the above and maintains the state in which the print data is stored in the storage unit until a predetermined storage period elapses after the printing process It is constituted comprising, a printing device comprising a. According to the present invention, if the density of a certain print data received from the user by the user is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the print data is prevented from remaining in the printing apparatus after the printing process, while the machine received from the user. If the density is lower than the predetermined degree, the print data is stored in the storage unit in the printing apparatus for a predetermined period after the printing process. For this reason, print data that requires high confidentiality for the user is not exposed to the risk of information leakage after the printing process (printing process including printing of copies), and print data that does not require high confidentiality for the user is Even after the printing process, it becomes a target of reprinting by a direct operation on the printing apparatus of the user.

  The control device includes a storage period reception unit that receives a setting of a storage period of the print data when the confidentiality received by the confidentiality reception unit is lower than the predetermined degree, and the print instruction control unit In the printing apparatus, when the input unit inputs the information indicating the storage period together with the print instruction and the confidentiality, the print storage control unit prints the print data. The state stored in the storage unit may be maintained after the processing until the input retention period elapses. According to this configuration, the user can set the storage period of the print data and store the print data in the storage unit in the printing apparatus only when the set confidentiality is lower than a predetermined degree.

  Each of the control device and the printing device constituting the printing system is grasped as one invention. Further, the invention of a computer-readable program (printer driver or the like) or method for realizing the processing executed by the control device, the computer-readable program for realizing the processing executed by the printing device, Each method invention is also understood as one invention. For example, the printer driver has a function of accepting the setting of the confidentiality of the print data, and if the accepted confidentiality is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the print process is executed based on the print data, and after the print process When the printing apparatus is instructed to prohibit the retention of the print data and the received confidentiality is lower than the predetermined degree, the print process is executed based on the print data, and after the print process, The computer can be configured to execute a function of instructing the printing apparatus to hold the print data until the storage period elapses.

  In addition, the printing apparatus includes an input unit for inputting print data confidentiality and a print instruction for the print data, a storage unit for storing data, and the input confidentiality is a predetermined level or more. When the print processing based on the print data according to the input print instruction is executed, the print data is not stored in the storage unit after the print processing, and the sensitivity is lower than the predetermined degree A print storage control unit that executes a print process based on the print data and maintains the state in which the print data is stored in the storage unit until a predetermined storage period elapses after the print process; can do. In addition, when the input unit inputs information indicating a storage period of the print data set in relation to the confidentiality together with a confidentiality lower than the predetermined degree, the print storage control unit The state in which the print data is stored in the storage unit may be maintained until the input storage period elapses after the printing process.

  The print storage control unit may execute print processing based on the print data stored in the storage unit when a print instruction is received during the storage period. According to this configuration, the user can easily obtain a print result based on the print data stored in the storage unit of the printing apparatus by directly issuing a printing instruction to the printing apparatus.

  When the storage period has elapsed, the print storage control unit outputs a display asking whether to erase the print data stored in the storage unit to a predetermined display unit, and When the print data is instructed to be erased, the print data is erased from the storage unit. When the display is instructed to maintain the print data, the print data is stored in the storage unit. It is also possible to further maintain the state stored in. According to this configuration, the user can extend the storage period of the print data in the storage unit of the printing apparatus by giving an instruction to the display.

The print storage control unit outputs the display after the storage period has elapsed and outputs the display when the confidentiality is lower than the predetermined degree and lower than an intermediate degree lower than the predetermined degree. When the processing is performed according to the instruction and the sensitivity is lower than the predetermined level and equal to or higher than the intermediate level, the display is not stored and is stored in the storage unit after the storage period has elapsed. The print data may be deleted. According to this configuration, security measures for print data can be executed in more detail according to sensitivity.
In the above description, the printing apparatus has been described as a part of the configuration of the printing system. However, all the functions of the printing system may be executed by the printing apparatus alone.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 10 according to the present embodiment. The printing system 10 includes a computer 20, a printer 30, and the like that are connected with a communication cable 50 so that bidirectional communication is possible. The computer 20 corresponds to a control device, and the printer 30 corresponds to a printing device. The computer 20 is, for example, a personal computer (PC) having a general configuration, and in this embodiment, a printer driver 21 for controlling the drive of the printer 30 is installed. The computer 20 includes a display 22 and an input receiving unit 23 including a mouse and a keyboard. The computer 20 appropriately displays an image on the display 22 and receives an input from the user via the input receiving unit 23.

  The printer 30 is, for example, a page printer including an operation panel 31, a control unit 32, and a printing mechanism unit 33. The operation panel 31 is a unit for receiving various instructions from the user and presenting the state of the printer 30 to the user. The operation panel 31 is a unit composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an LED, a push button switch SW, and the like. The printing mechanism unit 33 is a unit (so-called printing engine) for performing printing on paper based on print data. The control unit 32 is a unit including a CPU 34, a control ASIC 35, a host I / F 36, an HDD 37, a RAM 38, a ROM 39, an RTC (real time clock) 40, and the like for controlling each unit of the printer 30. The control ASIC 35 is an ASIC (an ASIC developed for the printer 30) that performs control of data transfer between various devices (CPU 34, host I / F 36, etc.).

  The HDD 37 corresponds to an example of a storage unit included in the printer 30. In the present embodiment, print data is stored in the storage unit as necessary. However, as the storage unit provided in the printer 30, various storage devices such as a flash memory card and an SD memory card can be employed in addition to the HDD.

  FIG. 2 is an example of the print setting screen 24 of the printer driver 21 that the computer 20 displays on the display 22 in the present embodiment. When printing a file (print target file) such as an arbitrarily selected image or document, the user operates the input receiving unit 23 to display the print setting screen 24 on the display 22. As shown in FIG. 2, a confidentiality setting column 24 a is provided in the print setting screen 24. The user can arbitrarily select one sensitivity from a plurality of sensitivity in the sensitivity setting field 24a by operating the input receiving unit 23. The confidentiality mentioned here is the confidentiality of a print target file (corresponding to print data described later).

  In the example of FIG. 2, “high” and “low” are provided as the sensitivity in the sensitivity setting field 24a. The user selects either “high” or “low”. Further, a storage period setting field 24b is provided in the print setting screen 24. The computer 20 can accept the user's input in the retention period setting field 24b when the sensitivity “low” is selected in the sensitivity setting field 24a. That is, in the print setting screen 24, when there is no input to the sensitivity setting field 24a and when the sensitivity “high” is selected in the sensitivity setting field 24a, the input to the retention period setting field 24b is invalidated. (The retention period setting field 24b is grayed out). Therefore, in this embodiment, the confidentiality “high” corresponds to a predetermined degree in the claims.

  The user can arbitrarily set a storage period (number of days or hours) in the storage period setting field 24 b by operating the input receiving unit 23. The storage period referred to here is a storage period for a file to be printed (corresponding to print data described later), and means a period during which printing processing is executed by the printer 30 and then stored in the HDD 37 in the printer 30. . In addition to the settings for the sensitivity setting field 24a and the storage period setting field 24b, the user can make various settings such as the number of copies setting via the print setting screen 24 (for example, the number of copies printing is “basic setting”). ”In the input field for the number of copies displayed. The user operates the print execution button (OK button) 24c after making such various settings. As a result, the printer driver 21 accepts various settings (such as sensitivity, storage period, and number of copies) input via the print setting screen 24, and converts the print target file into print data in a predetermined page description language format. The printer driver 30 converts the print data and print instruction (print command) including information indicating the received various settings to the printer 30.

  As described above, the computer 20 includes the confidentiality receiving unit and the storage period receiving unit in that the setting of the confidentiality and the storage period can be received via the confidentiality setting field 24a and the storage period setting field 24b. In other words, it can be said that the printer driver 21 includes a print instruction control unit in that the printer driver 21 outputs a print instruction to the printer 30 as described above. Further, when the density is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the print instruction instructs the printer 30 to execute the print process based on the print data and prohibit the retention of the print data after the print process. When the density is lower than a predetermined level, it can be said that the printer 30 is instructed to execute the printing process based on the print data and hold the print data after the printing process until the storage period elapses.

3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the processing on the printer 30 side where the print instruction is input. This process is mainly realized by the control unit 32 executing the predetermined program stored in the ROM 39 by the CPU 34 while using the RAM 38 as a work area. The control unit 32 corresponds to a print storage control unit in that the process is executed.
In step S (hereinafter, “step” notation is omitted) 100 in FIG. 3, the control unit 32 inputs a print instruction from the computer 20 via the host I / F 36. In this way, it can be said that the printer 30 includes an input unit in that a print instruction is input from the computer 20.

In S <b> 102, the control unit 32 analyzes the input print instruction and determines whether or not the information indicating the confidentiality included in the print instruction indicates the confidentiality “high”. When the sensitivity is “high”, the control unit 32 proceeds to S104, and when the sensitivity is lower than “high” (when the sensitivity is “low”), the control unit 32 proceeds to S118 (FIG. 4).
In S104, it is determined whether or not the print instruction includes a copy number print instruction. That is, if the number of copies to be printed is set to 1 in the print instruction, the control unit 32 proceeds to S106, whereas if the number of copies to be printed is instructed (when the number of copies to be printed is set to 2 or more). Proceed to S110.

In S106, the control unit 32 starts the printing process based on the print data included in the print instruction. That is, the control unit 32 converts the print data in the predetermined page description language format into image data in units of pages, and transmits the image data to the printing mechanism unit 33, so that the printing mechanism unit 33 receives the paper. Execute printing on.
In S108, the control unit 32 determines whether or not printing by the printing mechanism unit 33 (one set of printing) has been completed, and when it is determined that the printing has been completed, the flowchart ends. Note that the print data (or image data after conversion from the print data; the same applies hereinafter) is not stored in the storage unit such as the HDD 37 during the processing of S106 and S108.

  In S110, the control unit 32 starts the printing process based on the print data included in the print instruction, and stores the print data in the HDD 37 in S112, as in S106. That is, the control unit 32 temporarily stores the print data in the HDD 37 in order to perform printing according to the instructed number of copies, and performs the second and subsequent copies based on the stored print data.

In S114, the control unit 32 determines whether or not printing (copying of the number of copies) by the printing mechanism unit 33 is completed. If it is determined that the printing is completed, the control unit 32 proceeds to S116.
In S116, the control unit 32 deletes the print data stored in the HDD 37 in S112 and ends the flowchart. That is, in the present embodiment, when the sensitivity for the print instruction input by the printer 30 is set to “high”, the print data is temporarily stored in the HDD 37 in order to perform the number of copies printing. In this case, the print data is deleted immediately after the number of copies is printed.

Next, the processing after S118 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
In S118, the control unit 32 determines whether a storage period is set in the input print instruction. Specifically, when the information indicating the storage period included in the print instruction indicates the storage period = 0, the control unit 32 substantially sets the storage period while the user selects the sensitivity “low”. If not set), the process proceeds to S104 (FIG. 3). In other words, in the present embodiment, if there is no storage period even if the confidentiality of the print data is “low”, the print data is handled in the same manner as when the confidentiality is “high”.

  On the other hand, if the storage period is set in the input print instruction (storage period> 0), the control unit 32 proceeds to S120. In S120, similarly to S106 and S110, the control unit 32 starts a printing process based on the print data included in the print instruction. In S122, the control unit 32 stores the print data in the HDD 37. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the confidentiality is “low” and the storage period is set for print data related to a certain print instruction, the print data is output regardless of whether or not the number of copies is printed. Save to the HDD 37. In S122, together with the print data, various information such as a storage period and confidentiality of the print data, a job name (file name) of the print data, and an IP address of the print data transmission source (computer 20) are also combined. save.

Of course, when the number of copies is to be printed after the start of the printing process in S120, the control unit 32 performs the second and subsequent copies based on the print data stored in the HDD 37 in S122.
In S124, the control unit 32 determines whether printing by the printing mechanism unit 33 has been completed, and proceeds to S126 if it is determined that printing has been completed.
In S126, the control unit 32 resets the elapsed time T from the end of printing to “0”, and starts measuring the elapsed time T in S128. The measurement can be performed based on the time acquired from the RTC 40, for example.

  After the measurement of the elapsed time T is started, the control unit 32 determines whether or not a reprint instruction is input (S130), and the elapsed time T is set for the print data that is the target of the print processing in S120. The determination (S134) of whether or not the stored storage period (for example, 3 days) has been reached is repeatedly executed. The reprint instruction is an instruction for print processing based on print data that has been once printed and stored in the HDD 37. By operating the operation panel 31 of the printer 30, the user can directly issue a reprint instruction to the printer 30 without using the computer 20. If the control unit 32 receives an input of a reprint instruction via the operation panel 31 before determining that the elapsed time T has reached the storage period (during the storage period), the control unit 32 proceeds from S130 to S132.

  The control unit 32 interrupts the measurement of the elapsed time T in S132 and then returns to S118. When the control unit 32 receives the reprinting instruction and returns to S118, it determines “Yes (with storage period set)” and starts the printing process corresponding to the reprinting instruction (S120). Note that after receiving the reprint instruction, the print data indicating the print target is already stored in the HDD 37, and thus the step of S122 is omitted. Next, the control unit 32 determines the end of reprinting (S124), resets the elapsed time T (S126), and starts measuring the elapsed time T (S128). However, when the measurement of the elapsed time T is started in S128 after reprinting, the control unit 32 may resume the measurement from the continuation of the elapsed time T at the time when the measurement was interrupted in the latest S132.

  If the control unit 32 determines “Yes (elapsed time T has reached the storage period)” in S <b> 134, the control unit 32 proceeds to S <b> 136, and displays (warning) whether or not to erase the print data stored in the HDD 37 in S <b> 122. Display W) is output to a predetermined display unit. The display unit referred to here may be an LCD constituting the operation panel 31 or a display 22 connected to the computer 20. When the warning display W is displayed on the display 22, the control unit 32 reads the IP address stored corresponding to the print data whose elapsed time T has reached the storage time from the HDD 37, and prints the print data by the read IP address. A transmission source (computer 20) is specified, and an instruction to execute warning display W is transmitted to the specified transmission source. The computer 20 that has received the execution instruction causes the display 22 to output a warning display W in response to the execution instruction.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the warning display W output on the display 22. The warning display W asks the user whether the print data whose storage period has passed can be deleted. The user operates the input receiving unit 23 to input an instruction to the warning display W (an instruction to delete (Yes) or not (No) print data). In the warning display W, as shown in parentheses in FIG. 5, in addition to the warning message “Data storage period expires. Are you sure you want to delete?” As shown in FIG. Various information such as the file name of the print data for which printing has been completed, the confidentiality set for the print data, and the retention period set for the print data may be displayed together. When such various types of information are also displayed as the warning display W, the control unit 32 displays the job name (file name) stored from the HDD 37 corresponding to the print data whose elapsed time T has reached the storage time. ), Confidentiality, storage period, and the like are also read, and the read information is sent to the transmission source specified by the IP address.

If an instruction to delete the print data is input to the warning display W in S136, the control unit 32 proceeds to S142. When the warning display W is displayed on the display 22, the computer 20 needs to transmit an instruction for the warning display W to the control unit 32 of the printer 30.
In S142, the control unit 32 deletes the print data (and various information attached to the print data) determined that the storage time has ended in S134 from the HDD 37, and ends the flowchart.

On the other hand, if an instruction to print data non-erasing (maintaining storage) is input to the warning display W, the control unit 32 proceeds to S138.
In S138, the control unit 32 confirms the current free space of the HDD 37, and if the free space is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the control unit 32 proceeds to S140 and newly accepts the setting of the print data storage period from the user. The setting of the storage period in this case may be received via the input reception unit 23 and the display 22 or may be received via the operation panel 31.

  After accepting the setting of the print data storage period in S140, the control unit 32 returns to S126, resets the elapsed time T to “0”, and starts measuring the elapsed time T (S128). Until T reaches the storage period set in S140, monitoring of the input of the reprint instruction is continued in the same manner as described above. That is, for print data with a confidentiality of “low”, even if the storage period ends, the storage period can be updated according to the user's request. However, if the control unit 32 determines in S138 that the free space of the HDD 37 is less than the predetermined amount, the control unit 32 proceeds to S142 without accepting the setting of the storage period. That is, even when the user desires to update the storage of the print data whose storage period has expired, if the free space of the HDD 37 is small, the free space of the HDD 37 is secured for a new print job to be input in the future. In order to do this, the update is not allowed.

  In the above description, when the determination is “Yes” in S138, the control unit 32 receives a new storage period setting from the user in S140. However, instead of allowing the user to freely set the new storage period, the control unit 32 may automatically set a predetermined fixed period as the new storage period and perform the processing from S126 onward. Good.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can set the confidentiality of the print data, and the print data after the printing process can be stored in the HDD 37 only when the set confidentiality is lower than the predetermined confidentiality. And let the user set the storage period. As a result, it is prohibited to leave the print data whose confidentiality is set to be equal to or higher than the predetermined confidentiality in the printer 30 after the printing process, so that security is ensured and a limited storage area of the HDD 37 is consumed. It can be suppressed. In addition, for print data in which the confidentiality is set lower than a predetermined confidentiality, after the printing process, at least the storage period set by the user is stored in the storage unit in the printer 30, so the user must go through the computer 20. In addition, the printer 30 can be directly operated to perform reprinting based on the print data, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  The sensitivity that can be set by the user is not limited to “high” or “low” as described above. For example, the sensitivity may be set from three levels of “high”, “medium”, and “low”. (Alternatively, the sensitivity may be more than three stages). In this case, in S102, the printer 30 (control unit 32) proceeds to S104 if the density is “high”, and proceeds to S118 if the density is “medium” or “low” lower than “high”. Further, after determining “Yes” in S134, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of S136 (warning display W) in the same manner as described above when the confidentiality of the print data whose storage period has ended is “low”. On the other hand, if the confidentiality of the print data whose storage period has ended is “medium”, the process may immediately proceed to S142 without performing the process of S136. That is, even when the confidentiality is lower than “high”, the storage period can be updated or disabled according to the further classified confidentiality (sensitive “medium” or “low”). The above-mentioned sensitivity “medium” corresponds to an example of an intermediate degree in the claims.

  Although the above embodiment has been described on the assumption that the printing system 10 includes the computer 20 and the printer 30, all the above-described processing performed by the computer 20 (including the display 22 and the input receiving unit 23) is performed on the printer 30 side. By doing so, the present embodiment may be realized by the printer 30 alone.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a part of processing executed by a printer. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a part of processing executed by a printer. It is the figure which showed an example of the warning display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing system, 20 ... Computer, 21 ... Printer driver, 22 ... Display, 23 ... Input reception part, 24 ... Print setting screen, 24a ... Sensitivity setting column, 24b ... Storage period setting column, 24c ... Print execution button, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Printer, 31 ... Operation panel, 32 ... Control part, 33 ... Printing mechanism part, 34 ... CPU, 35 ... Control ASIC, 36 ... Host I / F, 37 ... HDD, 38 ... RAM, 39 ... ROM, 40 ... RTC, 50 ... communication cable, W ... warning display

Claims (8)

A control device including a sensitivity receiving unit that receives a setting of the sensitivity of the print data, and a print instruction control unit that outputs the received sensitivity and a print instruction of the print data;
An input unit for inputting the print instruction and sensitivity, a storage unit for storing data, and print data according to the input print instruction when the input sensitivity is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. When the print data is not stored in the storage unit after the print process and the sensitivity is lower than the predetermined level, the print process based on the print data is executed. And a printing apparatus comprising: a print storage control unit that maintains a state in which the print data is stored in the storage unit until a predetermined storage period elapses after the printing process. The control device includes a storage period reception unit that receives a setting of a storage period of the print data when the confidentiality received by the confidentiality reception unit is lower than the predetermined degree, and the print instruction control unit Output information indicating the retention period,
In the printing apparatus, when the input unit inputs information indicating the storage period together with the print instruction and confidentiality, the print storage control unit stores the input storage period after the print data is printed. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the state stored in the storage unit is maintained until elapse of time. A function that accepts the sensitivity setting of print data,
If the accepted density is equal to or higher than a predetermined degree, the printing apparatus is instructed to execute the printing process based on the print data and to hold the print data after the printing process. When the confidentiality is lower than the predetermined degree, the printing apparatus is instructed to execute the printing process based on the print data and hold the print data after the printing process until a predetermined storage period elapses. A printer driver characterized by causing a computer to execute a function to perform. An input unit for inputting the sensitivity of the print data and a print instruction for the print data;
A storage unit for storing data;
When the input confidentiality is equal to or higher than a predetermined degree, print processing based on the print data related to the input print instruction is executed, and the print data is not stored in the storage unit after the print processing If the confidentiality is lower than the predetermined degree, the print processing based on the print data is executed and the print data is stored in the storage unit until a predetermined storage period elapses after the print processing. A printing apparatus comprising: a print storage control unit that maintains a stored state.   When the input unit inputs information indicating a storage period of the print data set in relation to the confidentiality together with a confidentiality lower than the predetermined degree, the print storage control unit 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a state stored in the storage unit is maintained until the input storage period elapses after the printing process.   5. The print storage control unit, when receiving a print instruction during the storage period, executes print processing based on the print data stored in the storage unit. 5. The printing apparatus according to 5.   When the storage period has elapsed, the print storage control unit outputs a display asking whether to erase the print data stored in the storage unit to a predetermined display unit, and When the print data is instructed to be erased, the print data is erased from the storage unit. When the display is instructed to maintain the print data, the print data is stored in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further maintaining a state stored in the printer.   The print storage control unit outputs the display after the storage period has elapsed and outputs the display when the confidentiality is lower than the predetermined degree and lower than an intermediate degree lower than the predetermined degree. When the processing is performed according to the instruction and the sensitivity is lower than the predetermined level and equal to or higher than the intermediate level, the display is not stored and is stored in the storage unit after the storage period has elapsed. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the print data is erased.

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