JP2012138815A - Printing system, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for allowing multiple specified users to output the same facsimile data by specifying the multiple users to perform printing when the facsimile data is received, and also reducing useless printing by preventing the other users from outputting the same facsimile data when the facsimile data has been output.SOLUTION: A print server 102 receives user IDs and print data from a FAX server 102, manages the received print data in association with the user IDs, manages identification information for identifying whether the print data has been printed or not, outputs the print data to a multifunction peripheral 106 in accordance with a printing request when the printing request is received from the multifunction peripheral 106, and, when the print data is output, changes print data being the same as the print data into the data that has been printed already in order to prevent the printing by the other users.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system for printing facsimile data, a control method therefor, and a program.

  In general, in a FAX system, paper is received by a FAX apparatus and paper is automatically output. The receiving user visually confirms that the paper is out and recognizes FAX reception.

  In this case, the user who should receive the fax only needs to be able to collect the paper immediately after receiving the target fax. However, if a single fax machine is shared among multiple users, such as in a company, the user who should not receive the fax There are security concerns.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses means and a method for a user to appropriately print FAX reception data under an arbitrary printing condition, and means and a method for ensuring the security of FAX reception data.

JP 2006-191473 A

  In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when user operation is performed after the reception of FAX data is received, the input of the password is accepted, and if the passwords match, the FAX data is printed to enhance security. Yes.

  However, in the system of Patent Document 1, any user who knows the password can print, so when sharing a FAX machine among a plurality of users, the user who can output is specified from the viewpoint of security. There is a need to.

  There is a task of receiving an application form by FAX, determining whether or not it is possible to apply for the application, and responding (for example, credit service). In such a business, a plurality of persons in charge select and process an application form to be answered, but are in charge of FAX data so that the plurality of persons in charge can output the received FAX data (application form). When the system is configured to generate and output for each person, there is a problem that even though someone has output it, another person in charge outputs it again and performs confirmation work.

  In addition, it is possible to solve the above problem by notifying the person in charge who does business without generating FAX data for the person in charge that there is unoutput FAX data. If the data is output, the person other than the person in charge who has output the data has confirmed the FAX data in front of the FAX machine, but the notified FAX data does not exist. There was a problem in that it was necessary to ask the person in charge whether or not the answer was surely answered to the data, which caused additional work and reduced work efficiency.

  Therefore, the present invention specifies a plurality of users to be printed when receiving facsimile data, enables the specified plurality of users to output the same facsimile data, and outputs the same facsimile when the facsimile data is output. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for reducing unnecessary printing by suppressing data from being output by other users.

  To achieve the object of the present invention, a facsimile server capable of receiving facsimile data, a print server storing print data corresponding to the facsimile data, and an image forming apparatus capable of printing the print data The facsimile server includes a facsimile data receiving unit that receives facsimile data, a user specifying unit that specifies a user who prints the facsimile data according to the facsimile data, and print data from the facsimile data. Print data generation means for generating the print data, and print data transmission means for transmitting the print data to the specified user so that the facsimile data can be printed by the specified user. , Said faxi Identification data for managing whether the received print data is associated with the user ID and identifying whether or not the print data has been printed. A print data management means for managing; a print request receiving means for receiving a print request from the image forming apparatus; an output means for outputting the print data to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the print request; and And changing means for changing the same print data as the print data to the printed state in order to suppress printing from other users, and the image forming apparatus corresponds to the user ID logged into the image forming apparatus. In order to print the print data, a print request means for requesting the print server to print, and according to the print request means, It characterized in that it comprises a printing means for printing print data received from the print server.

  The print server includes facsimile data determination means for determining whether the print data output from the output means is print data corresponding to facsimile data, and print data corresponding to facsimile data by the facsimile data determination means. The print data specifying means for specifying the print data generated from the same facsimile data, and the print data to be changed to printed by the changing means is specified by the print data specifying means. It is print data.

  The image forming apparatus includes: a list request unit that requests the print server for a list of print data corresponding to a user ID of a logged-in user; and a print data list acquisition unit that acquires a list of print data according to the list request. Printing determination means for determining whether there is print data including information indicating that printing has been performed by another user in the acquired print data list; and printing to other users by the print determination means When it is determined that there is print data including information indicating that the print data has been displayed, the print data further includes list display means for displaying a list of print data so as to be distinguishable from other print data in order to suppress printing of the print data. The print server receives a request for a list of print data corresponding to a user ID of a user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus. A request receiving means for, in accordance with reception of the list request, characterized in that the list of print data corresponding to the user ID further comprises a list transmitting unit that transmits to the image forming apparatus.

  The list of print data includes an output user ID or output date and time, and the image forming apparatus further includes a specifying unit that specifies print data from a list of print data displayed by the list display unit, The display means displays the output user ID or output date and time corresponding to the designated print data when the print data is designated by the designation means.

  Further, the facsimile server and the print server are separate bodies.

  According to the present invention, when facsimile data is received, a plurality of users to be printed are specified, the specified plurality of users can output the same facsimile data, and the same facsimile is output when the facsimile data is output. By preventing the data from being output by other users, unnecessary printing can be reduced.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the FAX server 101, the print server 102, the directory server 103, and the client PC 105 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 106 illustrated in FIG. 1. 2 is a functional block diagram of a hardware control unit of the FAX server 101, the print server 102, the directory server 103, the client PC 105, and the multifunction peripheral 106 shown in FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database of telephone book data 2012, bibliographic data 2023, and login information 2032. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of FAX data reception processing. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print job notification and deletion processing. 6 is a flowchart of print processing of a print job. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job list screen of the multifunction peripheral. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a local area network (LAN) in which one or more FAX servers 101, one or more print servers 102, one or more directory servers 103, one or more client PCs 105, and one or more MFPs 106 are included. It is configured to be connected via 104.

  The FAX server 101 receives FAX data from an external FAX apparatus via a FAX line, and stores the FAX data as a print job in the print server 102 in order to print the received FAX data. The print server specifies a user who prints the stored print job and manages the print job (bibliographic information registration). In the present embodiment, the configuration is shown in which the FAX server 101 directly receives FAX data from an external FAX apparatus. However, after the FAX apparatus (multifunction device or the like) receives FAX data, the FAX server receives the FAX data. A configuration in which FAX data is transferred to the terminal 101 may be used.

  The user makes an authentication request to the directory server 103 by holding the IC card over the card reader of the multifunction device 106 or inputting a user ID and password. When authentication is successful with the authentication request, the MFP 106 logs in to the multifunction device 106 (for example, a user ID), makes a print job list request to the print server 102, and the print server logs in according to the user ID. Sends a list of print jobs that can be printed. The multifunction device 106 designates a print job to be printed from the list and makes a print request to the print server 102. The print server 102 that has received the print request prints the requested print job (for example, LPR printing) to the multifunction peripheral 106 that has made the print request.

  Also, in order to prevent other users from accidentally printing later and to be able to grasp who printed and processed the print server 102, the same print job as the other user prints. The print status of the bibliographic information (bibliographic data) of a possible print job is printed, and the printed user ID and output time (output date and time) are written.

  Note that, when FAX data is received and registered in the print server 102 as a print job, it may be configured to notify the printable user's client PC 105.

  The directory server 103 includes hardware resources such as servers and clients existing on the network, attributes of users who use them (for example, Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) login user names and passwords), access rights, and the like. Information is centrally stored and managed. For example, it is a server equipped with an active directory function. The directory server 103 can be rephrased as an authentication server used for authentication when logging in to the multifunction peripheral 106 or the client PC.

  The printing system according to the present embodiment includes one or more FAX servers 101, one or more print servers 102, one or more directory servers 103, one or more client PCs 105, and one or more client PCs 105 configured as described above. The multi-function device 106 may be connected via one or a plurality of WANs.

  In the present embodiment, each server is described as a separate enclosure. However, servers that can be the same enclosure may be the same enclosure. For example, the FAX server 101 and the print server 102.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the FAX server 101, the print server 102, the directory server 103, the client PC 105, and the multifunction peripheral 106 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

  2A explains the hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the FAX server 101, print server 102, directory server 103, and client PC 105 shown in FIG.

  2A is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the FAX server 101, print server 102, directory server 103, and client PC 105 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2A, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A memory controller 207 is connected to the hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc. via an adapter. The access to the external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 600 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Note that the FAX server 101 includes a FAX board.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 106 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2B.

  FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 106 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2B, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 600 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). ) (For example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (keyboard) 308. Further, the operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit the key information (for example, pressing of the start button) input from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to the network (LAN) 600 and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, an IC card for a portable terminal required for authentication A card reader 319 for reading (storage medium) is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card of the mobile terminal by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card of the mobile terminal. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Note that the display unit has different display performance depending on the printer, and a printer that can be operated via a touch panel, a printer that simply has a liquid crystal screen and displays a character string (displays the print status and the name of the document being printed). Is structured.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card provided in the mobile terminal under the control of the CPU 301 and notifies the CPU 301 of the read information via the external I / F 318.

  With the configuration described above, the multi-function peripheral 106 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 314 to the LAN 600 and print out the print data received from the LAN 600 by the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner 314 is fax-transmitted on the public line by the modem 306, or the image data received by FAX from the public line, or the fax data received by the FAX server 101 and stored in the print server 102. Can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Next, functional blocks showing an outline of the functions of the FAX server 101, the print server 102, the directory server 103, the client PC 105, and the MFP 106 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2C.

  FIG. 2C is a functional block diagram of hardware control units of the FAX server 101, the print server 102, the directory server 103, the client PC 105, and the MFP 106 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, 2011 is a FAX board (corresponding to the modem 306 in FIG. 2), which is connected to a public FAX line. The fax that has been sent arrives at this part first.

  The 2012 data control unit controls the received FAX data. Although this control will be described in detail in a flowchart of FIG. 4 to be described later, a print job of FAX data received in 2011 is generated.

  2013 is a database for managing telephone directory data. The FAX received using the information managed here specifies a printable user and print format.

  Communication is performed with the print server 102, the directory server 103, the client PC 105, and the MFP 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 via a communication I / F unit 2014 and a LAN (or WAN).

  A print control unit 2021 is a part that executes print output to the multifunction device for each print job (including a print job of received FAX data generated in the above 2012).

  In 2022, bibliographic data 2023 and login information 2032, which will be described later, are referred to, and the user is notified according to the conditions.

  Reference numeral 2023 denotes a database for managing bibliographic data of print jobs. Here, the print job information is managed centrally.

  Communication is performed with the FAX server 101, the directory server 103, the client PC 105, and the MFP 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 via a communication I / F unit 2024 and a LAN (or WAN).

  Reference numeral 2031 denotes a login state control unit that determines whether a user managed on login information 2032 (to be described later) is logged in to the client PC 105 and updates the status on the login information 2032.

  A database 2032 manages whether each user is logged in to the client PC 105. The information managed here will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 described later, but is used to determine the user who performs the notification.

  Communication is performed with the FAX server 101, the print server 102, the client PC 105, and the MFP 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 via a communication I / F unit 2033 and a LAN (or WAN).

  Communication is performed with the FAX server 101, the print server 102, the directory server 103, and the MFP 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 via a communication I / F unit 2051 and a LAN (or WAN).

  Reference numeral 2052 denotes a login control unit. When the user logs in to the target PC, the information is passed to the login state control unit 2031 when the user logs out. (The login state control unit 2031 then updates the login information 2032.)

  Communication is performed with the FAX server 101, the print server 102, the directory server 103, and the client PC 105 shown in FIG. 1 via a communication I / F unit 2061 and a LAN (or WAN).

  Reference numeral 2062 denotes an authentication control unit. It is assumed that when each user performs printing, a mechanism for logging in to the multifunction machine is specified in order to identify the user and from the viewpoint of security. This is the part responsible for login authentication.

  Reference numeral 2063 denotes a print control unit which controls a print command issued at the time of an investigation by a UI 5010 on the multi-function peripheral panel after each user logs in to the multi-function peripheral. Print output is executed based on information managed in the bibliographic data 2023 on the print server 102.

  Reference numeral 2064 denotes a bibliographic information control unit, which updates bibliographic information managed in the bibliographic data 2023 on the print server 102 after printing processing is executed by the multifunction peripheral.

  Note that 2014, 2024, 2033, and 2051 correspond to 208 communication I / F controllers of each device.

  Next, an example of each database managed by the printing system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database of telephone directory data 2012, bibliographic data 2023, and login information 2032.

  The 2013 phone book data DB includes FAX number, CSID, name, dial-in number, ID [1] to [5] (not limited to five), print style, and display name as items. As the FAX number, the FAX number of the target sender is registered. The CSID of the transmission source FAX machine is registered in the CSID. For the name, an arbitrary unique value (for example, customer name) is registered. The reason why the dial-in number is provided separately from the FAX number is that the dial-in number and the FAX number may be different. The received FAX matches the incoming number with this dial-in number to specify the transmission source. The CSID is used as a second search key necessary for specifying the transmission source when the incoming call number is unknown.

In the IDs [1] to [5], a user ID (for example, a user ID of a person in charge) that permits printing of a FAX sent from the target FAX transmission source is registered. The reason for providing five items is to allow a plurality of users to register. When different user IDs are registered for IDs [1] to [5], 5 users + administrators can print FAX data received from a target FAX transmission source.
The received FAX data, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, generates a print job. The print format and the job name at that time are managed by the print format and display name. Note that “FAX” is always added to the head of the display name for fax data print jobs.

  The bibliographic data DB 2023 holds items to be printed, print status, output person, and output time. With respect to the print target, whether or not the job is a fax data print job and the group of the same fax data print job are also determined based on this value. The print status, the output person, and the output time are values necessary for expressing the fact on the UI after another user prints a FAX data print job on the UI of the multifunction machine panel.

  In the login information DB 2032, notification is held as an item. Here, the status is managed such that a user who is currently logged in can be notified, logged out, or logged in, but cannot be notified when the logged-in PC is locked.

  Next, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The FAX data reception process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of FAX data reception processing.

  In S41100, FAX data is received from an external apparatus (FAX machine).

In step S41101, the FAX data received in step S41100 is converted into a file (for example, converted into a Tiff file), and a print job is generated from the file using a printer driver. When generating a print job, the transmission source is uniquely specified based on the phone book data 2013 from the received FAX number, dial-in number, or CSID.
Then, by referring to the IDs [1] to [5], the print style, and the display name described in the specified telephone directory of the transmission source, a print job for the user specified by the ID is generated. For example, if the dial-in number of the received FAX data is 093-751-3190, a print job of user AWV05501 named “From [FAX] Matsuo-san” in A4 monochrome, and “[FAX] Mr. Matsuo in A4 monochrome” The user AWV05502 print job named “From”, the user AWV05503 print job named “From [FAX] Matsuo-san” in A4 monochrome, and the user AWV05504 named “[FAX] from Matsuo-san” in A4 monochrome A print job and a print job of user AWV05505 named “[FAX] from Mr. Matsuo” in A4 monochrome are generated. The generated FAX data print job is transmitted to the print server.

  When generating a print job, instead of generating all IDs [1] to [5], an inquiry is made to the directory server 103 to identify a user who can be notified by login information, A print job may be generated so that only this user can print.

  The print job includes bibliographic information. The bibliographic information includes a user ID acquired from the phone book data, print target information for indicating a print job group, a print job name, and a print format.

  In step S41102, the FAX server 101 receives a print job including the bibliographic information of the FAX data generated in step S41101.

  In step S41103, the bibliographic information included in the received print job is registered in the bibliographic data DB 2023. The user ID included in the bibliographic information is stored in the job owner of the bibliographic data DB 2023. The user described in this job owner can output this print job.

  Next, print job notification and deletion processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing print job notification and deletion processing.

  In S42100, the periodic notification program starts. This program operates periodically, and the cycle can be set by the parameter of the secure FAX order receiving system of the present invention.

  In step S42101, the bibliographic data DB 2023 is searched to confirm whether there is a print job for FAX data.

  In S42102, if the result of S42101 is acquired and there is a FAX data print job, the process proceeds to the “print status” confirmation step S42103 described later. The process advances to notification program termination S42108.

  If the presence of a FAX data print job is confirmed in S42102, the bibliographic data DB 2023 is referenced in S42103 to obtain the print status of the confirmed FAX data print job.

If the result of S42103 is acquired in S42104 and the print status of the print job of the target FAX data is unprinted, the process proceeds to S42105 in the “login state” confirmation of the target user described later, and the target FAX data If the print status of the print job has been printed, the process advances to the end of a periodic notification program described later (S42108).
If the print status of the target FAX data print job is unprinted in S42104, the login information DB 2032 is referred to in S42105, and the notification status of the user (job owner) of the target FAX data print job is displayed. To get.

  In S42106, the result of S42105 is acquired, and if the notification status of the target user can be notified, the process proceeds to S42107. If the notification status of the target user cannot be notified, the regular notification program ends (to be described later) S42108 Proceed to

If the notification status of the target user can be notified in S42106, in S42107, the target user is notified by e-mail or the like that “the FAX has been received and has not been output”.
In S42108, the periodic notification program ends.

  In S42200, the periodic print job deletion program starts. This program operates periodically, and the cycle can be set by the parameter of the secure FAX order receiving system of the present invention.

  In S42201, the bibliographic data DB 2023 is searched to confirm whether there is a print job of FAX data for which the print status has already been output.

  In S42202, if the result of S42201 is acquired and there is a print job of FAX data whose status has been output, the process proceeds to delete target print job S42203, which will be described later, and printing of FAX data whose status has been output is performed. If no job exists, the process advances to the end of a periodic print job deletion program described later (S42204).

In step S42203, the target print job is deleted. Deletion can be changed according to the setting, for example, deletion of one day after the output date and time.
In step S42204, the periodic print job deletion program ends.

  Next, a print job print process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of print processing of a print job.

  In S43100, the user holds the IC card over the card reader of the multi-function peripheral 106, or inputs a user ID and password, makes an authentication request to the directory server, and determines whether or not login is possible based on the authentication result. If the authentication is successful, login is executed with the login enabled.

  In step S43101, the multi-function peripheral 106 makes a request for a list of print jobs including the user ID of the user who has logged in in step S43100 to the print server 102.

  In step S43102, the login information DB 2032 is searched with the user ID requested in step S43101, and a print job list of the target user (job owner that matches the user ID) is acquired. Return to. The search result includes a print job ID, a print job name, a print format, a print status, an output person, and an output time.

  In S43104, the value returned in S43103 is received, and in S43105, the result is reflected on the panel of the multifunction machine 106. Details of the display at this time will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S43106, a print job to be requested for printing is selected from the print job list displayed on the panel by a user operation.

  In step S43107, in order to print the selected print job, the MFP 106 issues a print request including the print job ID of the selected print job to the print server 102.

  In step S43108, the print request issued in step S43107 is received, the print job stored in the print server 102 is specified according to the print job ID included in the print request, and the print job is output in step S43109. The command is output to the multi-function device 106 that has requested printing. When a print job is output to the multi-function peripheral 106, for example, based on an IP address acquired by communication (for example, TCP / IP) when a print request is received, the print job is output for this IP address. Is output.

  In S43110, the print status, output person, and output time of the print job for which the output command is issued in S43109 on the bibliographic data DB 2023 are updated. At this time, if the print job for which the output command has been issued is a fax data print job, the records in the bibliographic data DB to be updated are bundled with the same value for the print target in the bibliographic data DB 2023 in addition to the target print job. The print status, output person, and output time of a series of print job records (records having the same print target value) are all updated with the same value. This is to display the information on the UI on the panel of the multi-function peripheral 106 as shown in FIG. 7 so that other users can also know that a print job of FAX data has been printed out by a certain user. .

  In step S43111, the print job output in step S43109 is received and output from the printer unit 312. In step S43112, the print job output flow ends.

  Next, a print job list screen displayed on the operation unit (display panel) of the multifunction machine 106 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job list screen of the multifunction machine 106.

  FIG. 7 is a print job list screen displayed on the panel of the multi-function peripheral 106 in step S43105. As indicated by 5012, FAX data together with normal print jobs (print jobs output from the client PC via the printer driver) is displayed. The print jobs are also displayed in the list. At this time, a print job record of FAX data whose print status has been printed on the bibliographic data DB 2023 is displayed in a gray scale state. When focusing on this gray scaled record (selecting), 5011 displays “Target FAX is already output at ** hour ** minutes”. Here, Mr. XX and ** hour ** minutes respectively display the output person and output time values on the bibliographic data DB 2023. In addition, when a general user selects a print job of FAX data that has been printed out with grayscale, the print button cannot be pressed (a print job of FAX data that has already been output cannot be output again), and the administrator It is possible to instruct reprint output only from another screen.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the FAX server 101 (facsimile server) capable of receiving FAX data (facsimile data), the print server 102 that stores print data corresponding to the facsimile data, and the print data. A printing system capable of communicating with a multifunction peripheral 106 (image forming apparatus) capable of printing, wherein the facsimile server receives facsimile data (facsimile data reception) and prints the facsimile data according to the facsimile data. A user is specified (user specification), print data is generated from the facsimile data (print data generation), and the user ID of the specified user and the print data are set so that the specified user can print the facsimile data. (Print data The print server receives the user ID and the print data from the facsimile server (print data reception), manages the received print data in association with the user ID, and the print data is printed. Managing identification information for identifying whether or not the printing is completed (print data management), receiving a print request from the image forming apparatus (accepting a print request), outputting the print data to the image forming apparatus according to the print request, When the print data is output, the same print data as the print data is changed to printed in order to suppress printing from other users, and the image forming apparatus uses the user ID logged in to the image forming apparatus. In order to print the corresponding print data, a print request is made to the print server and received from the print server according to the print request. Only print data is a printing system for printing a.

  The print server determines whether the print data to be output is print data corresponding to facsimile data (facsimile data determination), and if it is determined that the print data corresponds to facsimile data, the same facsimile data The print data generated from the above is specified (print data specification), and the print data to be changed to printed is the specified print data.

  The image forming apparatus requests the print server to obtain a list of print data corresponding to the user ID of the logged-in user (list request), and obtains a list of print data according to the list request (acquire print data list). ), It is determined whether there is print data including information indicating that printing has been performed by another user in the acquired list of print data (print determination), and information indicating that printing has been performed by another user When it is determined that there is print data including the print data, a list of print data is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other print data in order to suppress printing of the print data (list display), and the print server displays the image formation A request for a list of print data corresponding to a user ID of a user who has logged into the image forming apparatus is received from the apparatus (request reception). According to the reception of the list request, Sending a list of print data corresponding to the serial user ID to the image forming apparatus (list transmission).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when facsimile data is received, a plurality of users to be printed are specified, and the specified plurality of users can output the same facsimile data, and the facsimile data is output. By suppressing the same facsimile data from being output by other users, unnecessary printing can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that allows a computer to execute the processing methods of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, and the storage medium according to the present invention is a program that allows the computer to execute the processing methods of FIGS. 4 to 6. Is remembered. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each apparatus in FIGS.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk, solid state drive, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

101 FAX Server 102 Print Server 103 Directory Server 104 Network 105 Client PC
106 MFP 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
301 CPU
302 RAM
303 ROM

Claims (7)

A printing system capable of communicating with a facsimile server capable of receiving facsimile data, a print server for storing print data corresponding to the facsimile data, and an image forming apparatus capable of printing the print data,
The facsimile server is
Facsimile data receiving means for receiving facsimile data;
User specifying means for specifying a user who prints the facsimile data according to the facsimile data;
Print data generation means for generating print data from the facsimile data;
In order to enable printing of the facsimile data to the specified user, the print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data and a user ID of the specified user,
The print server
Print data receiving means for receiving the user ID and the print data from the facsimile server;
Print data management means for managing the received print data in association with the user ID and managing identification information for identifying whether the print data has been printed;
A print request receiving means for receiving a print request from the image forming apparatus;
Output means for outputting the print data to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the print request;
A change unit that changes the same print data as the print data to be printed in order to suppress printing from other users when the print data is output;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print request means for requesting printing to the print server to print the print data corresponding to the user ID logged into the image forming apparatus;
A printing system comprising: printing means for printing print data received from the print server according to the print request means. The print server
Facsimile data determination means for determining whether the print data output by the output means is print data corresponding to facsimile data;
Print data specifying means for specifying print data generated from the same facsimile data when the facsimile data determining means determines that the print data corresponds to the facsimile data;
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print data changed to printed by the changing unit is print data specified by the print data specifying unit. The image forming apparatus includes:
List request means for requesting a list of print data corresponding to the user ID of the logged-in user to the print server;
Print data list acquisition means for acquiring a list of print data in accordance with the list request;
Print determination means for determining whether there is print data including information indicating that printing has been performed by another user in the acquired print data list;
When it is determined by the print determination means that there is print data including information indicating that printing has been performed by another user, the print data can be distinguished from other print data so as to suppress printing of the print data. A list display means for displaying a list;
The print server
Request receiving means for receiving a request for a list of print data corresponding to a user ID of a user who has logged into the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus;
A printing system, further comprising: a list transmission unit that transmits a list of print data corresponding to the user ID to the image forming apparatus in response to receiving the list request. The list of print data includes the output user ID or output date and time,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Further comprising designation means for designating print data from a list of print data displayed by the list display means;
4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein when the print data is designated by the designation means, the list display means displays the output user ID or output date corresponding to the designated print data. .   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile server and the print server are separate bodies. A control method of a printing system capable of communicating with a facsimile server capable of receiving facsimile data, a print server storing print data corresponding to the facsimile data, and an image forming apparatus capable of printing the print data. ,
The facsimile server is
A facsimile data receiving step for receiving facsimile data;
A user specifying step of specifying a user who prints the facsimile data according to the facsimile data;
A print data generation step for generating print data from the facsimile data;
Executing a print data transmission step of transmitting the print data and a user ID of the specified user in order to enable printing of the facsimile data to the specified user;
The print server is
A print data receiving step of receiving the user ID and the print data from the facsimile server;
A print data management step of managing the received print data in association with the user ID and managing identification information for identifying whether the print data has been printed;
A print request receiving step for receiving a print request from the image forming apparatus;
An output step of outputting the print data to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the print request;
Executing the change step of changing the same print data as the print data to printed in order to suppress printing from other users when the print data is output;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A print requesting step for requesting printing to the print server in order to print the print data corresponding to the user ID logged into the image forming apparatus;
And a printing step of printing the print data received from the print server in accordance with the print requesting step. A program executable by a printing system capable of communicating with a facsimile server capable of receiving facsimile data, a print server storing print data corresponding to the facsimile data, and an image forming apparatus capable of printing the print data. There,
The facsimile server,
Facsimile data receiving means for receiving facsimile data;
User specifying means for specifying a user who prints the facsimile data according to the facsimile data;
Print data generation means for generating print data from the facsimile data;
In order to allow the specified user to print the facsimile data, the user ID of the specified user and the print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data are caused to function.
The print server,
Print data receiving means for receiving the user ID and the print data from the facsimile server;
Print data management means for managing the received print data in association with the user ID and managing identification information for identifying whether the print data has been printed;
A print request receiving means for receiving a print request from the image forming apparatus;
Output means for outputting the print data to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the print request;
When the print data is output, in order to suppress printing from other users, the same print data as the print data is made to function as a change unit that changes to printed,
The image forming apparatus;
Print request means for requesting printing to the print server to print the print data corresponding to the user ID logged into the image forming apparatus;
According to the print request unit, a program that functions as a print unit that prints print data received from the print server.

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