JP3385258B2 - Printed paper resource management system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print paper resource management system for managing the number of printed sheets of computer users in an environment where a large number of people use computers to print, and more particularly, The present invention relates to a print paper resource management system that distributes print tokens, which are data representing the right to execute printing of a fixed number of sheets, and manages the print sheet number of each person by the printable sheet number data included in the print tokens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, a large number of computers are used in companies, government offices, etc., and users of the computers perform various kinds of printing using printers connected to the computers.

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

However, even though the paperless system is a tool for saving paper consumption, it is not a tool for directly limiting paper consumption. Therefore, for example, it is easily output to paper before being digitized, and in reality, it is often not effective in suppressing paper consumption.

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

[0006] For example, in a company, the target value of the paper consumption amount of each department is set, the employee makes an effort to achieve the target value by the in-house exercise, etc., and the actual paper consumption amount is counted to achieve the result. Checking is being done.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional method is intended to directly limit the amount of paper consumption, but is not a tool or system for directly limiting the amount of paper consumption.

That is, the method of setting the target value for the consumption amount of paper does not directly suppress the act of printing, but it is merely a restriction on the mental aspect of the person who uses the paper. For this reason, it is empirically known that after a period such as an in-house exercise, the awareness of saving paper decreases, and the consumption of paper gradually increases.

A system is also conceivable in which the consumption of paper in each department is managed by a computer, totaled, and a warning message is issued when the consumption of paper reaches a certain value. Although this system has been made into a tool and system, it is essentially the same as management by humans and does not directly suppress the act of printing.

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

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

[0012]

A print paper resource management system according to claim 1 of the present application has a management server for setting and managing the number of prints, and a plurality of computers connected to the management server by communication lines. The management server is a token generation unit that generates a print token, which is data representing a right to execute printing of a predetermined number of sheets, and includes a unique ID, usage environment data, and printable sheet number data. A token database having the computer or a use domain provided in the computer, print allocation number data set corresponding to each computer or use domain, and current token issuable number data of each computer or use domain; Can view and update the token database Includes a token management means for requesting generation of print token for the token generating unit, a management server communication means, said computer,
A control unit, a printer driver, a print management unit, a print token storage unit, a computer side communication unit,
The token management means of the management server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing to acquire the print allocation number data or token issuable number data for the computer or the used domain, and to the token generation means. Requesting generation of a print token within the range of the number of sheets, transmitting the print token generated by the token generation means to each computer by the management server side communication means, and in the computer,
A print management unit stores the print token received by the computer-side communication unit in the token storage unit, a print command is sent from the control unit to the printer driver, and the printer driver manages the print management. When a print permission signal is requested to the means, the print token stored in the print token storage means is referred to, and the number of sheets of paper to be printed is equal to or less than the number of printable sheet data of usable print tokens. In this case, in the print paper resource management system that outputs a print permission signal to the printer driver and updates the printable sheet number data so as to reduce the number of sheets used in the printing, in the computer, the computer includes plain paper, recycled paper and backing paper. Printer driver storing means having the printer identification code of the printer using If you, the print management unit, to reduce the number of printable sheets data issues a printing permission signal in response to a request print permission signal from a predetermined printer driver,
The printer driver storage means is referred to, and the printable sheet number data is updated so that the number of sheets used for printing is reduced by multiplying it by a predetermined coefficient according to the printer identification code.

A printed paper resource management system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a management server that sets and manages the number of prints, and a plurality of computers connected to the management server by communication lines. Token generation means for generating a print token, which is data representing the right to execute printing of a predetermined number of sheets, including a unique ID, usage environment data, and printable sheet number data, the computer or the computer The use domain provided in, the print quota number data set corresponding to each computer or use domain,
A token database having data on the current number of tokens that can be issued for each computer or used domain;
The computer includes a token management unit that can refer to and update the token database and that requests the token generation unit to generate a print token, and a management server-side communication unit. A printer driver, a print management unit, a print token storage unit, and a computer-side communication unit. The token management unit of the management server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing, The print allocation number data or the token issuable number data for the used domain is acquired, the token generation unit is requested to generate a print token within the range, and the print token generated by the token generation unit is communicated to the management server side. By sending to each computer by means of In the computer, the print management unit stores the print token received by the computer-side communication unit in the token storage unit, the control unit sends a print command to the printer driver, and the printer driver When the print permission signal is requested to the print management unit, the print token stored in the print token storage unit is referred to, and the number of sheets of paper to be printed is the printable sheet number data of the usable print token. In a print paper resource management system that outputs a print permission signal to the printer driver when the number of sheets is equal to or smaller than the number of sheets and updates the printable sheet number data so as to reduce the number of sheets used in the printing, a document digitizing device is connected to the computer In addition, the user digitizes the document by providing electronic pre-processing means. At this time, the computerization pre-processing means is activated, the number of pages of the document digitized by the document computerization device is counted and output to the print management means, and the print management means prints from the print token storage means. It is characterized in that a token is acquired, and the number of pages of the document digitized by the document digitizing device is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient and added to the printable sheet number data of the print token.

A print paper resource management system according to claim 3 of the present application connects a management server for setting and managing the number of prints, a plurality of computers, and a print server for processing a print request of the computer via a communication line. The management server is a token generation unit that generates a print token, which is data representing a right to execute printing of a predetermined number of sheets, including a unique ID, usage environment data, and printable sheet number data, and A token database having a computer or a use domain provided in the computer, print allocation number data set corresponding to each computer or use domain, current token issuable number data of each computer or use domain, and the token Reference to database Performing an updating includes a token management means for requesting generation of print token for the token generating unit, a management server communication means, said computer includes a control unit, and a computer-side communication means,
The print server includes a control unit, a print management unit, a print token storage unit that stores a print token of each computer or a use domain, a printer driver, and a print server-side communication unit. The token management means of the management server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing to acquire the print allocation number or token issuable number data for the computer or the used domain, and the token generation means sets the number within the number range. Requesting generation of a print token, transmitting the print token generated by the token generation means to the print server by the management server side communication means, and in the print server, the print management means is received by the print server side communication means. Said print The token is stored in the print token storage means, and when a print command is sent from a predetermined computer and the printer driver requests a print permission signal from the print management means, the print token storage means is referred to. If the number of paper sheets to be printed is less than or equal to the printable sheet data of the print token, the print permission signal is output to the printer driver by referring to the print token of the computer or the domain used to send the print command. In the print paper resource management system for updating the printable sheet number data so as to reduce the number of sheets used in the printing, the print server has a printer identification code of a printer using plain paper, recycled paper and backing paper. The print management means has a driver storage means, and the print management means When a request for a print permission signal is received from the driver, the printer driver storage unit is referred to, and when the print permission signal is issued to reduce the printable sheet number data, the number of sheets used for printing is changed according to the printer identification code. It is characterized in that the printable sheet number data is updated so as to be reduced by multiplying by a predetermined coefficient.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print paper resource management system in which a management server for setting and managing the number of prints, a plurality of computers, and a print server for processing print requests of the computers are connected by a communication line. The management server is a token generation unit that generates a print token, which is data representing a right to execute printing of a predetermined number of sheets, including a unique ID, usage environment data, and printable sheet number data, and A token database having a computer or a use domain provided in the computer, print allocation number data set corresponding to each computer or use domain, current token issuable number data of each computer or use domain, and the token Reference to database Performing an updating includes a token management means for requesting generation of print token for the token generating unit, a management server communication means, said computer includes a control unit, and a computer-side communication means,
The print server includes a control unit, a print management unit, a print token storage unit that stores a print token of each computer or a use domain, a printer driver, and a print server-side communication unit. The token management means of the management server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing to acquire the print allocation number or token issuable number data for the computer or the used domain, and the token generation means sets the number within the number range. Requesting generation of a print token, transmitting the print token generated by the token generation means to the print server by the management server side communication means, and in the print server, the print management means is received by the print server side communication means. Said print The token is stored in the print token storage means, and when a print command is sent from a predetermined computer and the printer driver requests a print permission signal from the print management means, the print token storage means is referred to. If the number of paper sheets to be printed is less than or equal to the printable sheet data of the print token, the print permission signal is output to the printer driver by referring to the print token of the computer or the domain used to send the print command. In a print paper resource management system for updating the printable sheet number data so as to reduce the number of sheets used in the printing, a document digitizing device is connected to the computer, and a digitizing preprocessing means is provided, so that the user can print the document. When computerizing the document, the computerization preprocessing means is activated, and the document computerization device It was sent with the request of the print token update the print server to count the number of pages coca and documents, in the print server receiving the print token update request,
The print management means obtains a corresponding print token from the print token storage means, multiplies the number of electronic pages of the document by a predetermined coefficient, and adds it to the printable number data of the print token. Is.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a "printed paper resource management system" according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings attached to the application.

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

The print paper resource management system of this embodiment is a system in which computers perform distributed printing. That is, it is a system in which a printer is connected to a computer and a printer driver is installed in each computer.

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

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

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

The printer 5 may be a single printer or a plurality of printers. Further, although not shown, a plurality of computers may share the printer. In FIG. 1, a case where a printer 5a that uses plain paper, a printer 5b that uses recycled paper, and a printer 5c that uses backing paper are connected to the computer 4 and one of these printers can be selected and used is illustrated. There is.

The document digitizing device 6 is, like the printer,
There may be one or a plurality, or a plurality of computers may use a common document digitizing device.

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

The print paper resource management system according to the present invention limits the number of printable papers for each computer 4 or for each area called "use domain" provided in the computer. The management server 2 sets and manages the number of printable sheets in each computer 4 or used domain.

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

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

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

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

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

The ID is identification data of each print token. For example, it may be a number or the like added in the order of print token generation.

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

If necessary, the usage environment data is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, it has the secret information of the user who can use the print token.

When the print token is transferred, the user password information enables only the user corresponding to the user password information, that is, the owner of the print token, to update (open) the use environment data. It is a thing. It should be noted that this user password information can be omitted when the transfer of the print token is not considered, or when the user authentication is performed by the means for opening the usage environment data.

The use environment data is preferably encrypted by a predetermined algorithm. This is to prevent the function of managing the number of printed sheets by the print token from being disabled by falsifying the usage environment data or copying the print token. The algorithm for decrypting the encrypted use environment data and the algorithm for re-encrypting the use environment data are provided on the means side for referring / updating the use environment data.

The use environment data open flag of the print token shown in FIG. 2 is data indicating whether or not the use environment data can be updated. Only the print token in a state in which this usage environment data open flag is set can write usage environment data. In addition,
The usage environment data open flag shown in FIG. 1 is conceptual, and is actually encrypted by a predetermined encryption algorithm to prevent tampering, and is calculated as a result of a predetermined decryption algorithm. It is preferable that this value becomes the usage environment data open flag.

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

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

The printable sheet number data usually decreases in proportion to the amount of paper consumed. However, as described above, when the paper saving operation is performed, for example, when a printer using recycled paper or backing paper is used for printing. The rate of decrease decreases. Also,
The number will also increase if it contributes to paperlessness by digitizing documents.

It is preferable that the printable sheet number data is encrypted by a predetermined algorithm, like the usage environment data. This is to prevent the print paper resource management system from becoming ineffective by copying the print token and falsifying the printable sheet number data, like the usage environment data.

The algorithm for decrypting the encrypted printable number data and the algorithm for re-encrypting are:
The printable sheet number data should be provided on the side of the reference / update unit. The decryption algorithm and the re-encryption algorithm can be interchanged.

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

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

On the other hand, the computer 4 has a computer side communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a print token storage unit 13, a print management unit 14, and a printer driver 1.
5, printer driver storage means 16, computerization preprocessing means 17, interface means 18, use environment data open means 19, and use environment data entry means 20.
have.

The functions and contents of each component of the management server 2 are outlined below.

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

The token generation means 8 is means for generating a print token. When encrypting the content of the print token, the token generation means 8 has an encryption algorithm and encrypts the generated print token. The encryption algorithm can be exchanged.

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

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

The functions and contents of each component of the computer 4 are outlined below.

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

The control unit 12 is a CP of an ordinary computer.
It corresponds to U and can perform various processes by controlling an application program, and manages and controls peripheral devices of a computer.

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

Further, the print token storage means 13 is
Keep a record of the usage of each print token. The print token usage record is a record of the number of sheets of paper already consumed by the print token specified by the ID. The print token usage record is used to prevent the same print token from being duplicated and used in the same usage environment (computer 4 or usage domain) by copying the same print token.

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

When the paper is consumed by printing, the print management means 14 reduces the printable sheet number data in proportion to the consumed paper, and conversely, when an operation such as paper saving is performed. The printable number data is increased at a constant rate.

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

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

The printer driver storage means 16 is means for storing the printer driver 15 and the identification code of the printer driven by each printer driver 15.

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

The computerization pre-processing means 17 is a means which must be activated before the interface means 18 is activated. The computerization pretreatment means 17
The number of sheets of paper digitized by the document digitizing device 6 is counted, and the information is sent to the print managing means 14.

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

The use environment data opening means 19 is means for making the use environment data of the print token updatable. Note that making the usage environment data updatable is referred to as opening here.

The use environment data opening means 19 ensures that the use environment data is opened by a legitimate user when opening the use environment data.
Performs authentication processing to confirm that the user attempting to open is the current print token holder.

In this personal authentication processing, when the user password information is included in the usage environment data of the print token, the user password information is collated with the password information of the user who is going to open. If the user password information is not included in the usage environment data of the print token, the password information of a valid computer user must be entered to activate the usage environment data opening means 19 itself. To do.

The use environment data opening means 19 has a decryption algorithm so that the use environment data can be treated as meaningful data when the use environment data is encrypted. It also has an algorithm for re-encrypting the usage environment data open flag when the usage environment data is opened. The decryption algorithm and the re-encryption algorithm can be exchanged.

The use environment data entry means 20 is a means for a person who is given a print token whose use environment data is opened to enter his / her own use environment data.

When the use environment data entry means 20 has an algorithm for decrypting the encrypted use environment data open flag, and decrypts the use environment data open flag and confirms that it is in the updatable state. Only, ask the user to enter the usage environment data. The usage environment data entry means 20 has an algorithm for re-encrypting the usage environment data entered by the user. The decryption algorithm and re-encryption algorithm of the use environment data entry means 20 can be replaced.

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

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

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

The token management means 7 of the management server 2 starts to generate a print token at a predetermined timing.
The predetermined timing includes both a fixed interval such as the start of every month and an irregular case such as a request from a specific computer 4.

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

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

The specific computer 4 or the domain to be used requests the generation of the print token when the print token of the user is transferred to another user and the print token newly used by the user is requested. .

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

Upon receiving the print token generation request, the token generation means 8 generates a print token as shown in FIG. As described above, each print token includes the ID, the usage environment data, and the printable sheet number data.

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

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

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

Printer driver 15 which receives the print command
Requests a print permission signal from the print management means 14. The print management unit 14 requested for the print permission signal refers to the print token stored in the token storage unit 13, confirms that the print token is usable according to the usage environment data, and the printer driver 15 tries to print. Confirm that the number of sheets to be printed is less than or equal to the number of printable sheet data of the print token.

Here, when the print token of the same ID is copied and is about to be used in the same computer 4 or the used domain, it is determined that the print token is unusable based on the use record of the print token.

When the print token is a usable print token and the number of sheets of paper to be printed is within the range of the printable sheet number data of the print token, the print management means 14 causes the printer driver 15 to print.
To the print permission signal. At the same time, the print management unit 14 updates the printable sheet number data so as to reduce the number of sheets used for printing. As described above, the print management unit 14 decrypts and re-encrypts the print token when referring to or updating the print token.

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

That is, it is impossible to print more than the printable number data of the print token issued by the management server 2 in each computer 4 or the domain to be used. This is because the computer prohibits the printing action of the computer user directly when the number of printed sheets exceeds the planned number of sheets. Unlike the conventional one, it is possible to mechanically restrain the use of the paper more than the set number of prints.

In the print paper resource management system 1,
A message can be displayed as appropriate when the printable sheet number data approaches 0 in each computer 4 or in the used domain.

Further, the print management means 1 is requested by the user.
It is also possible to refer to the current printable sheet number data via 4.

The above is the basic print token generation, distribution, and print paper resource management processing by the print token of the print paper resource management system according to the present invention.

The print token of the present invention has not only the function of managing print paper resources, but also the function of encouraging the action of saving paper consumption.

Next, a process for changing the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens depending on the type of paper used, which is one of the functions of encouraging the action of saving paper consumption, will be described.

To change the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of printers having different kinds of papers are connected to the computer.

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

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

When the user wants to print, the printer to be used, that is, the printer driver 15
Select.

If the selected printer driver 15 requests the print permission signal from the print management means 14 and the print token is within the range of the printable number, the print is permitted and executed. The process up to here is the same as the process of the print paper resource management described above.

However, in the process of changing the reduction rate of the printable sheet number of the print token, when the print managing means 14 receives the request of the print permitting signal and outputs the print permitting signal to reduce the printable sheet number data. By referring to the printer driver storage means 16, the number of sheets used for printing is reduced by multiplying it by a predetermined coefficient according to the printer identification code. The predetermined coefficient may be appropriately determined. For example, when a backing sheet is used, the number of sheets actually used can be multiplied by 0.5 and subtracted from the printable sheet number data.

According to the processing for changing the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens, the use of the backing paper or recycled paper is promoted, and the consumption of the entire paper can be suppressed.

The processing for changing the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens has been described above. Next, the print token printing is performed by the digitization of documents, which is a function of encouraging the action of saving another paper consumption. The process of increasing the number of possible sheets will be described.

In order to perform the process of increasing the printable number of print tokens by digitizing the document, the computer 4 is connected to the document digitizing device 6 as shown in FIG.
An interface means 18 for exchanging data with the document digitizing device 6 and a computerization preprocessing means 17 are installed in the computer 4.

Since the computerization preprocessing means 17 is configured to be activated before the interface means 18 is activated as described above, when the user digitizes the document, the computerization preprocessing means 17 is used. Will start.

Preferably, the computerization preprocessing means 17 displays a list of the document computerization devices 6 connected to the user, and confirms that the purpose of driving the document computerization device 6 is computerization of the document. To do.

After the computerization preprocessing means 17 is activated, the interface means 18 performs the computerization processing of the document.
The computerization preprocessing means 17 counts the number of pages of the computerized document.

When the user has finished digitizing the document,
The computerization preprocessing means 17 outputs the counted number of pages to the print management means 14. The print management means 14, which has received the number of pages of the digitized document from the digitization preprocessing means 17, acquires the print token from the print token storage means 13 and sets the number of pages of the digitized document by the document digitizing device 6. It is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient and added to the printable sheet number data of the print token.

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

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

The transfer function of the print token is a function which allows the print token having a surplus printable number to be transferred to another person by saving the number of printable sheets.

In order to realize the transfer function of the print token, as shown in FIG. 1, the use environment data opening means 19 and the use environment data writing means 20 are installed in the computer 4.

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

The use environment data opening means 19 performs a personal authentication process when the use environment data is opened. In the personal authentication process, when the print token includes the user password information of the owner, the use environment data opening means 19 causes the user who wants to open the password to input the user password information, and the input user password information. And the user token of the owner contained in the print token.

[0115] When the above user password information matches,
The usage environment data opening means 19 opens the usage environment data of the print token. Opening the usage environment data means, as already described, making it possible to identify that the usage environment data is in an updatable state, such as setting a usage environment data open flag.

When the print token does not include the user password information of the owner, the use environment data opening means 19 causes the user password information of the legitimate user of the computer to be input, and when the user password information is correct. Open the usage environment data of the print token only.

The use environment data open means 19
Has a decryption / re-encryption algorithm, and when opening the usage environment data of the print token,
Data is decrypted / re-encrypted by the decryption / re-encryption algorithm. That is, the contents of the print token cannot be tampered with even by simply copying it.

Next, this open print token is passed to the new user who is going to transfer.

The user who receives the print token in the updatable state first activates the use environment data entry means 20 when using the print token in a new computer or a use domain.

The use environment data entry means 20 decrypts the print token and confirms that it is in the updatable state. If the print token can be updated, the usage environment data entry unit 20 causes a new user to enter new usage environment data and, if necessary, user password information of the user. As a result, the print token is ready for use and can be used in a new usage environment.

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

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

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

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

Next, an embodiment of a print paper resource management system in which a predetermined print server centrally prints will be described.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an embodiment of a print paper resource management system for performing intensive printing by a predetermined print server and the flow of processing between the respective components. Note that in FIG. 3, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

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

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

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

The computer 22 is the same as the components of the computer 4 shown in FIG. 1 except for the elements for executing printing, such as a printer and a printer driver. This is because printing is intensively executed by the print server 23. Needless to say, a printer connected to the computer 22 to enable local printing is also included in this embodiment.

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

As in the case of FIG. 1, when one computer 22 is used by a plurality of persons, the computer 22 is provided with a use domain which can be used only by each user.

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

The computer 22 includes a computer side communication means 11, a control section 12, a use environment data opening means 19, a use environment data writing means 20, a computerization preprocessing means 17, and an interface means 18. Have Since the components of these computers are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, their explanations are omitted here.

The print server 23 is a server that distributes print jobs to each printer and prints intensively in response to a print request from the computer 22 connected to the communication line 3.

The printer 5 (5
a, 5b, 5c, ...) Are connected. The number of printers 5, the type of paper used, and the like are not limited, but FIG.
Shows a printer 5a that uses plain paper, a printer 5b that uses recycled paper, and a printer 5c that uses backing paper.

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

Functions of each component of the print server 23
The contents are outlined below.

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

The control unit 25 corresponds to the CPU of the server and can perform various processes by controlling the application program. Here, the control unit 25 is mainly a unit for managing print jobs.

The print token storage means 26 is a means for centrally storing print tokens of each computer 22 or used domain.

Further, the print token storage means 26 is
The use record of each stored print token should be stored. Use record of print token is ID
Is a record of the number of sheets of paper already consumed for the print token specified by. The use record of the print token prevents the same print token from being duplicated and used.

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

The print management means 27 is the printer driver 2
When a print permission inquiry is received from 8, the print permission signal is issued to the printer driver 28 with reference to the print token.

Further, the print management means 27 decreases / increases the printable sheet number data of the print token.

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

The printer driver 28 is means for driving and controlling the printer 5 in response to a print command from the controller 25. The print server 23 performs a print job for all the computers 22, and therefore usually has a plurality of printer drivers 28 that drive a plurality of printers 5.

The printer driver 28 inquires of the print management means 27 whether or not printing is possible, before making the printer 5 execute printing. That is, the printer 5 is configured not to execute printing unless it receives a print permission signal from the print management unit 27.

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

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

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

The print token is generated by the management server 2.
Done in. This print token generation processing is similar to that of the print paper resource management system 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG.

That is, the token management means 7 of the management server 2 refers to the token database 9 at a predetermined timing, acquires the print allocation number or token issuable number data for each computer 22 or used domain, and the token generation means 8 is generated. To generate a print token within that number range.

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

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

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

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

The print management means 27 that has received the print permission signal from the printer driver 28 is in the token storage means 26.
To the print token of the computer 22 that sent the print command or the used domain. When referring to the print token, the print management unit 2
7 also checks the print token usage record to prevent duplicate print token usage.

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

When the print permitting signal is issued, the print managing means 27 updates the printable sheet number data of the print token so as to reduce the number of sheets used in the printing.

When the printable sheet number data of the print token does not reach the number of sheets of paper to be printed, the print server 23 sends a print impossible message to the computer 22 which issued the print request, and the print job is canceled. It

As described above, also in the print paper resource management system 21, the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by each computer 22 or use domain is mechanically managed, and the consumption of paper is kept below the number of prints assigned to each computer 22. It can be surely suppressed.

It is preferable that the print server 23 sends a warning message to the computer 22 or the used domain when the printable sheet number data of each computer 22 or the used domain approaches 0.

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

Another process of the print paper resource management system 21 will be described below.

The print paper resource management system 21 of the present embodiment has a function of encouraging the action of saving paper consumption, like the print paper resource management system 1 of the above-described embodiment.

A process of changing the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens according to the type of paper used, which is one of the functions of encouraging the action of saving paper consumption, will now be described.

The process of changing the reduction rate of the printable number of print tokens according to the type of paper used is the same as the process of the print paper resource management system 1 described above, so that the print server 23 performs the same process. Here's a brief explanation.

The computer 22 is connected to the print server 23.
Specifies the printer or printer type to use when issuing a print request to.

Print management means 27 of print server 23
When the printer driver 28 requests a print permission signal, the printer driver storage unit 29 refers to
When printing is executed by the printer identification code of the printer driver 28, the number of sheets used for printing is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient according to the printer identification code so as to be reduced.

As a result, the user comes to use the backing paper or recycled paper in order to effectively use the print token, and is encouraged to reuse the paper, and as a result, the consumption of the entire paper can be suppressed. You can do it.

Next, another document digitization process for realizing the function of encouraging the action of saving paper consumption will be described.

This process is similar to the process for increasing the printable number of print tokens by digitizing the print paper resource management system 1 as described above.

However, in the print paper resource management system 21 of this embodiment, since the print token is centrally managed by the print server 23, the computer 2
The number of pages of the digitized document counted by the digitization preprocessing means 17 of 2 is sent to the print server 23, and the print server 2
The print managing means 27 of No. 3 obtains the corresponding print token from the token storing means 26, multiplies the number of pages of the digitized document by a predetermined coefficient, and adds it to the printable sheet number data of the print token.

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

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

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

The process is exactly the same as that of the above-described print paper resource management system 1, except that the new owner transmits the print token to the print server 23 after receiving and transferring the print token from the print server 23.

That is, when a user wants to transfer the print token, the print server is accessed to obtain the corresponding print token, and the use environment data opening means 19 performs the print token after the personal authentication processing. The usage environment data of is made updateable.

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

When trying to use the print token in which the usage environment data is updated, the user who is the new owner transmits the print token to the print server 23 by the computer side communication means 11, and the print token storage means 26. To memorize. As a result, the subsequent processing is performed in the same manner as the normal print paper resource management processing, and the print token is used.

Since the print token has the transfer function, the print token has a kind of value, and the user voluntarily endeavors to reduce the use of paper, and eventually the total consumption of paper is reduced. As described above, the amount can be suppressed.

Finally, a case where the print management means 14 and 27 and the print token storage means 13 and 26 operate on the operating system will be described. FIG. 4 shows the printer drivers 15 and 2 as described with reference to FIGS.
8 (FIG. 4 (a)) and the print management means 14 and 27 that responds to the print processor on the operating system described below (FIG. 4 (a)). b)) is shown in comparison. The print management means 14 and 27 shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when a print request is issued from the application program, the printer driver 15,
The print management unit 1 before the 28 writes the print data to the spool (a storage unit that writes the print data in a queue)
The print token storage means 13 and 26 are checked by 4, 27 and writing of print data to the spool is started only when there are sufficient print tokens. However, in this case, the printer drivers 15 and 28 themselves need to have a function of making an inquiry to the print management means 14 and 27. On the other hand, in the case of the print management means 14 and 27 that performs a response process with the print processor on the operating system, as shown in FIG. , 28 writes all print data to the spool. When the writing is completed, the print processor activates the print management means 14 and 27, checks the print token storage means 13 and 26, and sends the print data to the printer only when there are sufficient print tokens. The advantage of this embodiment is that it is not necessary to modify the printer driver unique to various printers, and if the print processor on the operating system is provided with a function (print management means 14 and 27) for checking whether the print token is insufficient or insufficient. It is possible to support various types of printers in a general purpose.

[0184]

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

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

Further, since the print paper resource management system according to the present invention is configured so that the print token can be transferred to a third party, the print token can have a kind of value, and therefore each user can save his or her own paper stock. The consumption amount is voluntarily suppressed, and the consumption amount of the paper as a whole can be greatly suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Printed paper resource management system 2 Management server 3 communication lines 4 computers 5 printers 6 Document digitization device 7 token management means 8 token generation means 9 token database 10 Management server side communication means 11 Computer-side communication means 12 Control unit 13 Print token storage means 14 Print management means 15 Printer driver 16 Printer driver storage means 17 Electronic pretreatment means 18 Interface means 19 Use environment data open means 20 Use environment data entry means 21 Print paper resource management system 22 Computer 23 Print server 24 Communication means on print server side 25 Control unit 26 print token storage means 27 Print management means 28 Printer driver 29 printer driver storage means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-8-36470 (JP, A) JP-A-10-161823 (JP, A) JP-A-9-293036 (JP, A) JP-A-11- 123859 (JP, A) JP-A-10-232967 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12 G06F 13/00 357

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A management server for setting and managing the number of prints, and a plurality of computers connected to the management server by a communication line, wherein the management server is data representing the right to execute a predetermined number of prints. And
A unique ID, usage environment data, token generation means for generating a print token which is data including printable sheet number data, a computer or a use domain provided in the computer, corresponding to each computer or use domain Print token number data set by the above, a token database having the current token issuable token number data of each computer or used domain, and the token database can be referenced and updated, and the token generation means can print tokens. And a management server-side communication unit, wherein the computer includes a control unit, a printer driver, a print management unit, a print token storage unit, and a computer-side communication unit. Having the management server The token management means of the bank refers to the token database at a predetermined timing to acquire the print allocation number data or token issuable number data for the computer or the used domain, and prints the token generation means within the number range. Requesting generation of a token, transmitting the print token generated by the token generation means to each computer by the management server side communication means, and in the computer, the print management means receives the print token by the computer side communication means. Is stored in the token storage means, the print command is sent from the control unit to the printer driver, and the print token is sent when the printer driver requests a print permission signal from the print management means. Stored in storage means If the number of sheets of paper to be printed is less than or equal to the number of printable sheets of usable print token, the print permission signal is output to the printer driver and the number of sheets used for the printing is referred to. In the print paper resource management system for updating the printable sheet number data so as to reduce the printable number, the computer has a printer driver storage unit having a printer identification code of a printer using plain paper, recycled paper and backing paper, The management unit refers to the printer driver storage unit when receiving a request for a print permission signal from a predetermined printer driver and outputting the print permission signal to reduce the printable sheet number data, and uses it in printing according to the printer identification code. The number of printable sheets is updated so that it is reduced by multiplying the number of printed sheets by a predetermined coefficient. Print paper resource management system that. 2. A management server for setting and managing the number of prints, and a plurality of computers connected to the management server by a communication line, wherein the management server is data representing the right to execute a predetermined number of prints. And
A unique ID, usage environment data, token generation means for generating a print token which is data including printable sheet number data, a computer or a use domain provided in the computer, corresponding to each computer or use domain Print token number data set by the above, a token database having the current token issuable token number data of each computer or used domain, and the token database can be referenced and updated, and the token generation means can print tokens. And a management server-side communication unit, wherein the computer includes a control unit, a printer driver, a print management unit, a print token storage unit, and a computer-side communication unit. Having the management server The token management means of the bank refers to the token database at a predetermined timing to acquire the print allocation number data or token issuable number data for the computer or the used domain, and prints the token generation means within the number range. Requesting generation of a token, transmitting the print token generated by the token generation means to each computer by the management server side communication means, and in the computer, the print management means receives the print token by the computer side communication means. Is stored in the token storage means, the print command is sent from the control unit to the printer driver, and the print token is sent when the printer driver requests a print permission signal from the print management means. Stored in storage means If the number of sheets of paper to be printed is less than or equal to the number of printable sheets of usable print token, the print permission signal is output to the printer driver and the number of sheets used for the printing is referred to. In a print paper resource management system for updating the printable sheet number data so as to reduce the number of printable sheets, a document digitizing device is connected to the computer, and a digitizing preprocessing means is provided, and when the user digitizes the document, The computerization pre-processing means is activated, the number of pages of the document digitized by the document digitizing device is counted and output to the print management means, and the print management means acquires a print token from the print token storage means. , Multiplying the number of pages of the document digitized by the document digitizing device by a predetermined coefficient and adding it to the printable sheet number data of the print token Printing paper resource management system, wherein the door. 3. A management server that sets and manages the number of prints, a plurality of computers, and a print server that processes a print request of the computer are connected by a communication line, and the management server executes a predetermined number of prints. Data representing the right to
A unique ID, usage environment data, token generation means for generating a print token which is data including printable sheet number data, a computer or a use domain provided in the computer, corresponding to each computer or use domain Print token number data set by the above, a token database having the current token issuable token number data of each computer or used domain, and the token database can be referenced and updated, and the token generation means can print tokens. And a management server-side communication unit, the computer includes a control unit and a computer-side communication unit, and the print server includes a control unit and a print management unit. Means and each computer or computer A print token storage unit for storing a main print token; a printer driver; and a print server side communication unit, wherein the token management unit of the management server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing, The print allocation number of sheets or the token issuable number of sheets data for the computer or the domain to be used is acquired, and the token generation unit is requested to generate the print token within the range of the number of sheets. The print token is transmitted to the print server by a communication unit, and in the print server, the print management unit stores the print token received by the print server-side communication unit in the print token storage unit.
When a print command is sent from a predetermined computer and the printer driver requests a print permission signal to the print management means, the print token storage means is referred to, and the computer that sent the print command or the print of the domain to be used is printed. When the number of sheets of paper to be printed is less than or equal to the number of printable sheets of the print token by referring to the token, a print permission signal is output to the printer driver and printing is performed to reduce the number of sheets used for the printing. In the print paper resource management system for updating the possible number of sheets data, the print server has a printer driver storage unit having a printer identification code of a printer using plain paper, recycled paper and backing paper, and the print management unit, When a request for a print permission signal is received from a predetermined printer driver, When the print enable signal is output and the printable number data is reduced by referring to the linter driver storage means, the printable number data is reduced by multiplying the number used in printing by a predetermined coefficient according to the printer identification code. A print paper resource management system characterized by updating. 4. A management server that sets and manages the number of prints, a plurality of computers, and a print server that processes a print request of the computer are connected by a communication line, and the management server executes a predetermined number of prints. Data representing the right to
A unique ID, usage environment data, token generation means for generating a print token which is data including printable sheet number data, a computer or a use domain provided in the computer, corresponding to each computer or use domain Print token number data set by the above, a token database having the current token issuable token number data of each computer or used domain, and the token database can be referenced and updated, and the token generation means can print tokens. And a management server-side communication unit, the computer includes a control unit and a computer-side communication unit, and the print server includes a control unit and a print management unit. Means and each computer or computer A print token storage unit for storing a main print token; a printer driver; and a print server side communication unit, wherein the token management unit of the management server refers to the token database at a predetermined timing, The print allocation number of sheets or the token issuable number of sheets data for the computer or the domain to be used is acquired, and the token generation unit is requested to generate the print token within the range of the number of sheets. The print token is transmitted to the print server by a communication unit, and in the print server, the print management unit stores the print token received by the print server-side communication unit in the print token storage unit.
When a print command is sent from a predetermined computer and the printer driver requests a print permission signal to the print management means, the print token storage means is referred to, and the computer that sent the print command or the print of the domain to be used is printed. When the number of sheets of paper to be printed is less than or equal to the number of printable sheets of the print token by referring to the token, a print permission signal is output to the printer driver and printing is performed to reduce the number of sheets used for the printing. In a print paper resource management system for updating possible sheet number data, the computerization apparatus is connected to the computer, and a computerization preprocessing unit is provided, and when the user digitizes the document, the computerization preprocessing unit is provided. Is started, the number of pages of the document digitized by the document digitizing device is counted, and the print token is updated. In the print server that has transmitted the request to the print server together with the request, and the print server receives the print token update request, the print management unit obtains the corresponding print token from the print token storage unit and digitizes the document. A print paper resource management system, wherein the number is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient and added to the printable sheet number data of the print token.