JP3805077B2 - PRINT SYSTEM, SERVER DEVICE, PRINT PROCESSING METHOD, STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to printing processing in a printing system including a plurality of image processing apparatuses, client apparatuses, and server apparatuses.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network device that inputs / outputs a network device including an image input device and an image output device based on a request from a data processing device via a network, a charge is made for each use of the network device (printer, scanner, etc.). When managing image processing usage fees, user authentication information is collated, and billing balance data is managed on a memory in the image output apparatus.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, since user authentication information when outputting data with billing in a conventional network device is managed in the output device, for example, when there are a plurality of output devices, the user authentication information is set for each device. I had to do the verification process.
[0004]
In addition, when billing information according to the usage status of the user is managed in each output device, the user can obtain only billing information for each device, and billing for the entire device used by the user. There is a problem that work efficiency is lowered because information cannot be easily grasped.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to use each authentication information stored in the server device when information specifying a user is received from an arbitrary client device. Using the information related to the authorized image processing apparatus, the client apparatus is notified of the image processing apparatus having the use authority associated with the information identifying the user received by the server apparatus in order to identify the image processing apparatus authorized to print. Then, the print data and the authentication information are transmitted from the notified client device to the selected image processing device, and the image processing device that has received the transmitted print data and the authentication information receives the received authentication information. The server device, the image processing device, and the client are authenticated by transmitting to the server device and executing processing of the received print data according to the authentication result. In a printing system including a printing apparatus, the image processing apparatus can improve the required user authentication processing efficiency without providing a storage unit for individually authenticating the user, or execute a printing process for an appropriate user. It is to provide a mechanism that can permit.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printing system according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
A printing system including a plurality of image processing apparatuses, a client apparatus, and a server apparatus, wherein the first transmission means transmits authentication information for identifying a user input to the client apparatus to the server apparatus; A first receiving means for receiving the authentication information transmitted by the first transmitting means in the server apparatus; a storage means for storing in the server apparatus information relating to an image processing apparatus authorized for each authentication information; and the storage means The server apparatus determines whether there is an image processing apparatus having a usage right associated with the authentication information received by the first receiving unit using the information on the image processing apparatus having a usage right stored by First determination means that performs image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information by the first determination means If it is determined that there is, a notification unit that notifies the client device of information indicating the image processing device associated with the authentication information, and the image notified by the notification unit in the client device A second transmitting means for transmitting the authentication information and print data to an image processing apparatus corresponding to the information indicating the image processing apparatus selected from the information indicating the processing apparatus; and the authentication information transmitted by the second transmitting means. And a second receiving means for receiving the print data in the image processing apparatus, an authentication information transmitting means for transmitting the authentication information received by the second receiving means from the image processing apparatus to the server apparatus, and the use authority. The authentication information transmitted by the authentication information transmitting means using the information related to the image processing apparatus having the authentication A second determination unit that determines whether or not the image processing apparatus is associated with an image processing apparatus that is a transmission source of the report, and an image processing apparatus that is associated with the authentication information by the second determination unit. If it is determined, print processing of the print data transmitted by the second transmission unit is executed in the image processing device, and if it is not determined that there is an image processing device associated with the authentication information, the second transmission The image processing apparatus includes a print control unit that does not execute the print processing of the print data transmitted by the unit.
[0007]
The server device according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
A server device communicable with the image processing device and the client device, the receiving unit receiving authentication information for identifying a user from the client device, and information related to the image processing device authorized to use for each authentication information Whether there is an image processing apparatus having a use right associated with the authentication information received by the receiving means using information relating to the storage means to be stored and the image processing apparatus having the use right stored in the storage means And when the first determination unit determines that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information, information indicating the image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information is A notification means for notifying the client apparatus, an authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information from the image processing apparatus, and an image having the use right. Second determination means for determining whether the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means is associated with the image processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the authentication information, using the information about the processing apparatus; It has a transmission means which transmits the determination result determined by the determination means to the image processing apparatus.
[0008]
A print processing method according to the present invention is a print processing method in a printing system including a plurality of image processing apparatuses, a client apparatus, and a server apparatus, and authentication information for identifying a user input to the client apparatus. A first transmitting step for transmitting to the server device; a first receiving step for receiving the authentication information transmitted in the first transmitting step at the server device; and authentication information stored in a storage means provided in the server device. The server apparatus determines whether there is an image processing apparatus having a use authority associated with the authentication information received in the first reception step, using information regarding an image processing apparatus having a use authority for each. An image associated with the authentication information by the determination step and the first determination step When it is determined that there is a processing device, a notification step of notifying the client device of information indicating the image processing device associated with the authentication information from the server device, and the notification step in the client device A second transmission step of transmitting the authentication information and print data to an image processing device corresponding to the information indicating the image processing device selected from the information indicating the image processing device; and the second transmission step. A second receiving step for receiving the authentication information and the print data in the image processing device; and an authentication information transmitting step for transmitting the authentication information received in the second receiving step from the image processing device to the server device; The authentication information transmission step is performed using information related to the image processing apparatus having the right to use. A second determination step in which the server device determines whether or not the authentication information transmitted by the network device is associated with the image processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the authentication information, and the authentication information and the authentication information by the second determination step. When it is determined that there is an associated image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus executes print processing of the print data transmitted by the second transmission step in the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information If it is not determined that there is a print control step, the image processing apparatus does not execute the print processing of the print data transmitted in the second transmission step.
Also, a print processing method in a server device capable of communicating with an image processing device and a client device, the receiving step for receiving authentication information for specifying a user from the client device, and the authentication information stored in the storage means A first determination step for determining whether there is an image processing apparatus having a use right associated with the authentication information received in the reception step, using information on the image processing apparatus having a use right for each; A notification step of notifying the client device of information indicating the image processing device associated with the authentication information when it is determined in one determination step that there is an image processing device associated with the authentication information; An authentication information receiving step for receiving authentication information from the apparatus; and an image processing apparatus having the use authority. A second determination step that determines whether the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step is associated with an image processing apparatus that is a transmission source of the authentication information, and the second determination step. And a transmission step of transmitting the determination result determined by the above to the image processing apparatus.
[0009]
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to the present invention is an authentication for specifying a user input to a client device in a printing system including a plurality of image processing devices, a client device, and a server device. A first transmission step for transmitting information to the server device; a first reception step for receiving the authentication information transmitted in the first transmission step at the server device; and storage means provided in the server device. The server apparatus determines whether there is an image processing apparatus having a usage right associated with the authentication information received in the first reception step by using information on the image processing apparatus having a usage right for each authentication information. A first determination step and the authentication by the first determination step A notification step of notifying the client device of information indicating the image processing device associated with the authentication information from the server device when it is determined that there is an image processing device associated with the information; A second transmission step of transmitting the authentication information and print data to an image processing device corresponding to information indicating the image processing device selected from the information indicating the image processing device notified by the notification step; A second receiving step for receiving in the image processing apparatus the authentication information and print data transmitted in the second transmitting step; and transmitting the authentication information received in the second receiving step from the image processing apparatus to the server apparatus. Authentication information transmission step, and information on the image processing apparatus with the use right A second determination step for determining in the server device whether or not the authentication information transmitted in the authentication information transmission step is associated with an image processing device that is a transmission source of the authentication information; and the second determination step. When it is determined that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information, the print processing of the print data transmitted by the second transmission step is executed in the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus is associated with the authentication information. When it is not determined that there is an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus includes a print control step in which the print processing of the print data transmitted in the second transmission step is not executed in the image processing apparatus.
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to the present invention includes: a receiving step of receiving authentication information for specifying a user from the client device in a server device capable of communicating with the image processing device and the client device; And whether there is an image processing apparatus having a use right associated with the authentication information received by the reception step using information on the image processing apparatus having a use right for each authentication information stored in the storage unit. And when the first determination step determines that there is an image processing device associated with the authentication information, information indicating the image processing device associated with the authentication information is A notification step for notifying the client device, and authentication information for receiving authentication information from the image processing device. Using the reception step and information related to the image processing apparatus having the right to use, it is determined whether the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving step is associated with the image processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the authentication information. And a transmission step of transmitting the determination result determined in the second determination step to the image processing apparatus.
[0020]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network device capable of performing authentication processing and billing processing in accordance with use of a data processing device when communicating with a plurality of image processing devices via a predetermined communication medium to execute image input / output processing. The present invention relates to a data processing method for a network device and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image processing system to which the network apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. A network apparatus IM and a server apparatus S that performs billing processing communicate via a network NET. It corresponds to the case where it is configured to be possible.
[0023]
In the network device IM, reference numeral 21 denotes a central processing unit that controls the entire system based on a control program loaded from an external storage device 25 to a main storage device 22 composed of a RAM or the like.
[0024]
Reference numeral 23 denotes a display device which displays information input from the input device 24, files read from the external storage device 25, data, system status, and the like. A printing apparatus 26 prints various edited figures, images, characters, etc. on a recording medium. An image reading device 27 reads a document image and outputs it to the central processing unit 21.
[0025]
A network communication device 28 performs communication processing with each data processing device or other printing device via a network NET such as Ethernet.
[0026]
The central processing unit 21 controls the main storage device 22, the display device 23, the input device 24, the external storage device 25, the printing device 26, the image reading device 27, and the network communication device 28, and performs four arithmetic operations. . The main storage device 22 stores information necessary for the data processing device to perform information processing, and can retrieve it as necessary. The display device 23 displays the processed results of figures, characters, etc., and includes a CRT, a liquid crystal, a touch panel, etc., and the input device 24 performs various inputs to the central processing unit 21, and includes a keyboard, mouse, card reader. And touch panels. The external storage device 25 stores various information and includes a magnetic storage device (hard disk), a magneto-optical device (MO), and the like. The printing device 26 prints the result of processing such as graphics and characters. The image reading device 27 converts a paper document into electronic information.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, an auto feeder for automatically reading a plurality of documents is attached to the image reading device 27. The network communication device 28 connects the computer network and the hardware.
[0028]
In the server apparatus S, reference numeral 31 denotes a central processing unit, which loads a control program stored in the external storage device 35 into the main storage device 32 and controls each part in an overall manner. Reference numeral 33 denotes a display device that displays a result of processing a figure, a character, and the like, and includes a CRT, a liquid crystal, a touch panel, and the like. Reference numeral 34 denotes an input device that performs various inputs to the central processing unit 31, and includes a keyboard, a mouse, a card reader, a touch panel, and the like.
[0029]
A network communication device 36 performs communication processing with each data processing device or other printing device via a network NET such as Ethernet. The external storage device 35 of the server device S includes a database that holds user authentication information and billing information.
[0030]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data processing system including a server device having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and a plurality of network devices. For example, an image as a plurality of data processing devices via a network NET. This corresponds to the case where the processing devices 41 and 42 can communicate with the server device 43 and the server device 43 manages the billing information of the image processing devices 41 and 42. The server device 43 and the image processing devices 41 and 42 each have the configuration shown in FIG.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a database holding user authentication information and billing information stored in the external storage device 35 shown in FIG.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the display device 23 shown in FIG.
[0033]
The characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0034]
A network device capable of communicating with the server device 43 and a plurality of image processing devices 41 and 42 for performing predetermined image processing via a predetermined communication medium (network NET) configured as described above, and for a predetermined user An input means (input device 24) for inputting authentication information, and a first transfer means (network communication device 28) for transferring the predetermined user information input from the input means to the server device 43 and requesting authentication. Determination means for obtaining and determining the authentication result of the predetermined user information requested by the first transfer means from the server device 43 (the central processing unit 21 stores it in the external storage device 25 or a memory resource not shown) The control program to be executed is executed to determine whether or not the predetermined image processing apparatus can be used based on the determination result of the determination unit. Control means (the central processing unit 21 executes a determination program by executing a control program stored in the external storage device 25 or a memory resource (not shown)) is provided in each of the image processing devices 41 and 42, so that the user can perform arbitrary image processing. Even if image processing is requested from the device, user information authentication processing can be centrally managed on the server device 43 side, so that memory resources on the image processing device side can be saved and the number of image processing devices can be flexibly increased and decreased. A corresponding network system can be constructed.
[0035]
Further, when the central processing unit 21 determines that the authentication is successful, the second transfer means (the central processing unit 21 is connected to the external storage device 25) that transfers the image processing execution results by the image processing units 41 and 42 to the server unit 43. Or the control program stored in a memory resource (not shown) is executed in each image processing device 41, 42. Therefore, the server can be used regardless of which image processing device the user uses to execute image processing. The device 43 can manage the billing information of the image processing devices 41 and 42 for each user.
[0036]
Further, a storage unit (external storage device 35) that stores, for each user, authentication information for authenticating a user who uses each of the image processing devices 41 and 42 and billing information associated with execution of the image processing, and each of the image processing devices 41 and 42. Authentication means for authenticating by collating the transferred user information and authentication information stored in the storage means (the central processing unit 31 executes a control program stored in the external storage device 35 or a memory resource not shown) Authentication processing), notification means for notifying the requested image processing apparatus of the authentication result by the authentication means, and charging for each user based on the image processing execution result transferred from each of the image processing apparatuses 41 and 42 Update means for updating information (the central processing unit 31 executes a control program stored in the external storage device 35 or a memory resource (not shown) 35, the user management database (see FIG. 3) secured in the server 35 is provided in the server device 43, so that even if the number of image processing devices increases or decreases, authentication processing for each user for each image processing device It is possible to efficiently manage the charging status management of each image processing apparatus for each user, and easily recognize the charging information for each user in the entire system regardless of which image processing apparatus is used by the user. .
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure of the network device according to the present invention. In addition, (1)-(10) shows each step.
[0038]
First, the user inputs authentication information from the input device 24 of the network device IM (1). Note that the authentication information may be configured such that the user inserts a card as a memory medium in which a user ID and a password are recorded into a card reader.
[0039]
Next, the user ID and password input to the network device IM are collated with a database related to user authentication of the server device 43 via the network NET (2). The server apparatus 43 holds a database having fields as shown in FIG. 3, for example, and determines whether or not the user having the collated user ID has the right to use the network apparatus IM. Here, if it is determined that the user has the right to use the network device IM, the network device IM is notified of the success of user authentication, and otherwise the user authentication failure. Upon receiving the notification, the network device IM determines whether to continue or cancel the operation based on the success or failure of the user authentication (3). If it is determined that the user authentication has failed and the operation is to be stopped, the display is displayed. A message indicating that the user authentication has failed is displayed on the device 23 (4), and the subsequent work is terminated.
[0040]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the user authentication is successful and the operation is continued, an area (setting screen) for setting copying is displayed on the display device 23 (5). At this time, for example, a setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display device 23.
[0041]
Here, the user places a document on an auto-feeder (not shown) of the image reading device 27 of the network device IM, and instructs the printer 26 of the network device IM to output a copy of the document (6).
[0042]
The output setting is performed on the setting screen for setting the output instructed to the display device 23 in step (5). Here, copying is started by pressing the start button SB.
[0043]
At this time, the data output counter in the network device IM (provided in the main storage device 22) is set to “0”.
[0044]
Then, only one original is drawn from the auto feeder of the image reading device 27 to read the image, and one copy of the read image is output from the printing device 26 (7). Then, every time one copy is output, “1” is added to the data output counter in the network device IM (8). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a document that has not yet been read on the image reading device 27 (9). If it is determined that there is a document that has not been read, there is a document that has not been read from step (7). Repeat until it runs out.
[0045]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (9) that there is no unread document, the number of output pages recorded in the data output counter is notified to the server device 43 in step (8) (10), and the process ends. To do.
[0046]
The server device 43 that has been notified of the number of output pages sets the total number of page outputs (for example, the network device IM) output by the users registered in the database shown in FIG. 3 as the number of output pages in the corresponding field. Add and manage centrally.
[0047]
Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.
[0048]
A data processing method for a network device, in which a server device 43 and a plurality of image processing devices 41 and 42 for performing predetermined image processing can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium (network NET) configured as described above. Or a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a network device capable of communicating with a plurality of image processing devices 41 and 42 that perform predetermined image processing with the server device 43 via a predetermined communication medium. An input step (step (1) in FIG. 5) for inputting predetermined user authentication information, and a first request for authentication by transferring the predetermined user information input in the input step to the server device 43. A transfer process (step (2) in FIG. 5) and an authentication result of the predetermined user information requested in the first transfer process are sent to the server device. A determination step (step (3) in FIG. 5) acquired and determined from 43, and a determination step (step (3 in FIG. 5) for determining whether or not the predetermined image processing apparatus can be used based on the determination result in the determination step. ) To step (4) or step (5) to determine the process from step (5)), even if the user requests image processing from an arbitrary image processing device, user information authentication processing is performed by the server device. Since it is possible to perform centralized management and processing on the 43 side, it is possible to save memory resources on the image processing apparatus side and to construct a network system that can flexibly cope with the increase or decrease of the image processing apparatus.
[0049]
Further, a second transfer step (step (10) in FIG. 5) of transferring the image processing execution result by each of the image processing devices 41 and 42 to the server device 43 when it is determined that the authentication is successful by the determination step. ) Is provided in each image processing device 41, 42, so that no matter which image processing device is used by the user to execute image processing, the server device 43 obtains charging information for each image processing device 41, 42 for each user. Can be managed.
[0050]
[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the data input device and the output device are the same network device IM. However, the data input is performed from the client device connected via the computer network, and the data output is connected via the computer network. It can also be a printing device. The embodiment will be described below.
[0051]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing system to which the network device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
[0052]
In the figure, reference numerals 101 and 102 denote printing apparatuses that function as image processing apparatuses, and are configured to be able to communicate with a client apparatus 104 and a server apparatus 103 via a network NET.
[0053]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the printing apparatuses 101 and 102 illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0054]
In the figure, reference numeral 91 denotes a central processing unit, which loads a control program stored in an external storage device 95 into the main storage device 92 and controls each part in an overall manner. Reference numeral 93 denotes a display device that displays a result of processing a figure, a character, or the like, and includes a CRT, a liquid crystal, a touch panel, or the like. An input device 94 performs various inputs to the central processing unit 91, and includes a keyboard, a mouse, a card reader, a touch panel, and the like.
[0055]
Reference numeral 96 denotes a printing apparatus (printer engine) which prints the print data developed on the main storage device 92 on a recording medium. Reference numeral 97 denotes a network communication device that performs communication processing with the server device 103, the printing devices 101, 102, and the like via a network NET such as Ethernet.
[0056]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a database holding user authentication information and billing information secured in the external storage device of the server apparatus 103 shown in FIG.
[0057]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a page setting screen displayed on the display device on the client device 104 illustrated in FIG. It is assumed that the client device 104 has a configuration in which the external storage device 35 is excluded from the server device S illustrated in FIG.
[0058]
Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0059]
A plurality of printing apparatuses 101 and 102 that perform predetermined image processing with the server apparatus 103 via a predetermined communication medium (network NET) configured as described above, and a plurality of data processing apparatuses (other than the client apparatus 104 including the client apparatus 104 are not shown) A network device capable of communicating with the client device), input means for inputting predetermined user authentication information (not shown, but provided with an input device similar to the server device 103 shown in FIG. 1), and the input means A first transfer means for transferring the predetermined user information inputted from the server apparatus to the server apparatus and requesting authentication (not shown, but comprising a network apparatus similar to the server apparatus 103 shown in FIG. 1); Determining means for obtaining and determining the authentication result of the predetermined user information requested by the transfer means from the server device 103 (FIG. Although not provided with a central processing unit similar to the server device 103 shown in FIG. 1, and control means (not shown in FIG. 1) for determining whether or not the predetermined image processing apparatus can be used based on the determination result of the determination means. The central processing unit similar to the server device 103 shown in FIG. 3) is provided in the data processing device. Therefore, even if the user requests image processing from any data processing device, the user information authentication processing is Therefore, it is possible to conserve memory resources on the printing apparatus side and to construct a network system that can flexibly cope with increase / decrease in printing apparatuses.
[0060]
In addition, each client device includes a second transfer unit that transfers the image processing execution result by the printing devices 101 and 102 to the server device 103 when the central processing device of the client device 104 determines that the authentication is successful. The server device 103 can centrally manage the charging status based on the image processing execution result executed after the user information input by the user from any data processing device is authenticated, and the charging status of each image processing device for each user can be managed. In addition to being able to manage all at once, it is possible to easily recognize billing information for each user in the entire system regardless of which image processing apparatus the user uses.
[0061]
Further, a storage unit (external storage device in the server apparatus 103) for storing authentication information for authenticating a user who uses each of the printing apparatuses 101 and 102 and billing information for executing image processing for each user, and each data processing apparatus Authentication means (by function processing of the central processing unit in the server apparatus 103) that authenticates the user information to be transferred and authentication information stored in the storage means for authentication, and an authentication result by the authentication means is requested. Update means for updating the accounting information for each user on the basis of the image processing execution result transferred from each data processing device and the notification means (by the functional processing of the network device in the server device 103) to notify the data processing device Means (depending on the function processing of the central processing unit in the server apparatus 103) are provided in the server apparatus 103, the number of printing apparatuses increases or decreases. However, the authentication processing for each user from each data processing device to each printing device and the charging status management of each printing device by each user can be efficiently managed so that any user can use any printing device. Billing information for each user in the entire system can always be easily recognized.
[0062]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure of the network device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the data processing procedure by the client device 104 shown in FIG. In addition, (1)-(8) shows each step.
[0063]
First, the user inputs authentication information from the input device 34 of the client device 104 and logs in to the client device 104 (1). At this time, the authentication information is also collated from the client device 104 with the database relating to the user authentication of the server device 103 via the network NET (2).
[0064]
Next, the server apparatus 103 holds a database having fields as shown in FIG. 8 and investigates which printing apparatus the user having the collated user ID has the right to use. Here, if it is determined that there is a printing apparatus having the right to use, the printing apparatus (the printing apparatus 101 and the printing apparatus 102 in the present embodiment) having the right of user authentication and the right to use is set as the client apparatus 104. Notice. In other cases, the user authentication failure is notified. Upon receiving the notification, the client device 104 determines whether or not the user authentication has succeeded (3). When it is determined that the user authentication has failed, the client device 104 indicates that the user authentication has failed on the display device 33 of the client device 104. A message is displayed (4), and the process is terminated.
[0065]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the user authentication is successful, the user instructs the application of the client device 104 to print data (5). The printing instruction here is given from the input device 34.
[0066]
Next, an area (page setting screen (see FIG. 9)) for setting printing when instructing data printing is displayed on the display device 33 (6). Then, the user sets printing on the setting screen on the display device 33 displayed in step (6) (7). Note that a list for selecting a printing apparatus for printing data is displayed on the screen for setting printing (a printing apparatus having a right to be used by the user notified when the database is collated in step (2)). Is also displayed.
[0067]
Here, in other words, by pressing the OK button on the page setting screen shown in FIG. 9, the data to be printed is transmitted to the selected printing device (printing device (printing device 101 in FIG. 6) in this embodiment). (8), the process is terminated. At this time, user authentication information is also transmitted together with the print data.
[0068]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure of the network device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the printing processing procedure by the printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. In addition, (1)-(8) shows each step.
[0069]
When print data is received by the printing apparatus 101 according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 11, first, the print data and user authentication information are received (1). The user authentication information includes a user ID and a password.
[0070]
Next, the user ID and password input to the printing apparatus 101 are collated with a database related to user authentication of the server apparatus 103 via the computer network (2). At this time, the server apparatus 103 holds a database having the fields shown in FIG. 8 and determines whether or not the user having the collated user ID has the right to use the printing apparatus 101. If it is determined that the user has the right to use the printing apparatus 101, the printing apparatus 101 is notified of the success of user authentication, and otherwise the user authentication failure is notified.
[0071]
Upon receiving the notification, the printing apparatus 101 determines whether to continue or cancel the operation based on the success or failure of the user authentication (3). If it is determined that the user authentication has failed and the operation is to be canceled, the client device 104 is notified of this (8), the subsequent operation is stopped, and the process is terminated.
[0072]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the user authentication is successful and the operation is continued, the data output counter secured on the main storage device 92 in the printing apparatus 101 is set to “0”, One page of print data is printed from the printing device 96 (4). In step (4), every time one page of data is output from the printer 96, "1" is added to the data output counter in the printer 101 (5). Thereafter, it is determined whether there is a page that has not yet been printed in the print data (6). If it is determined that there is a page that has not yet been printed, the process returns to step (4) to repeat the same processing.
[0073]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that there is no unprinted page, the number of output pages recorded in the data output counter is notified to the server apparatus 103 (7), and the process is terminated.
[0074]
The server apparatus 103 notified of the number of output pages adds the number of output pages to the field of the total number of pages (printing apparatus 1) of the user who has output the database shown in FIG.
[0075]
Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS.
[0076]
A plurality of printing apparatuses 101 and 102 that perform predetermined image processing with the server apparatus 103 via a predetermined communication medium (network NET) configured as described above, and a plurality of data processing apparatuses (including the client apparatus 104, not shown) A plurality of printing apparatuses 101 and 102 that perform predetermined image processing with a server apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, and a plurality of data processing apparatuses. Is a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a network device capable of communicating with the computer, and an input step (step (1) in FIG. 10) for inputting predetermined user authentication information and an input by the input step A first transfer step of transferring the predetermined user information to the server device and requesting authentication (FIG. 10). Step (2)), a determination step (step (3) in FIG. 10) for obtaining and determining an authentication result of the predetermined user information requested by the first transfer step from the server device, A determination step (step from step (3) to step (4) or step (5) in FIG. 10) for determining whether or not the predetermined image processing apparatus can be used based on the determination result of the determination step. Therefore, even if the user requests image processing from an arbitrary data processing apparatus, user information authentication processing can be centrally managed on the server apparatus side, so that memory resources on the printing apparatus side can be saved and the printing apparatus can be saved. It is possible to construct a network system that can flexibly cope with increase / decrease.
[0077]
In addition, since it is provided with a second transfer step (step (7) in FIG. 11) for transferring the image processing execution result by the printing device to the server device when it is determined that the authentication is successful by the determination step, the user can The server device can centrally manage the charging status based on the image processing execution result executed after the user information input from any data processing device is authenticated, and collectively manage the charging status of each printing device for each user In addition, it is possible to easily recognize the charging information for each user in the entire system regardless of which printing apparatus the user uses.
[0078]
[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a case has been described in which a database that stores user authentication information is stored on the server apparatus 103. However, by storing the database in one of the network apparatus or printing apparatus in the network. A configuration in which a database-dedicated device is removed from the system may be adopted.
[0079]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read out by an image processing system to which the network device according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0080]
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read out by an image processing system to which the network device according to the present invention can be applied.
[0081]
Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.
[0082]
Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0083]
The functions shown in FIGS. 5, 10, and 11 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.
[0084]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0085]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0086]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM, or the like is used. it can.
[0087]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0088]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or 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.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a printing system including a server device, an image processing device, and a client device, the user authentication processing required without the image processing device having a storage unit for individual user authentication. It is possible to provide a mechanism that can improve the efficiency and allow an appropriate user to execute the printing process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image processing system to which a network device showing a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data processing system including a server device having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and a plurality of network devices.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a database holding user authentication information and billing information stored in the external storage device shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a diagram showing an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the display device shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure of the network device according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system to which a network device according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6;
8 is a diagram showing an example of a database that holds user authentication information and billing information secured in an external storage device of the server device shown in FIG. 6;
9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a page setting screen displayed on the display device on the client device shown in FIG. 8. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure of the network device according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure of the network device according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an image processing system to which the network device according to the present invention can be applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
21 Central processing unit
22 Main memory
23 Display device
24 input devices
25 External storage
26 Printing device
27 Image reader
28 Network communication equipment
31 Central processing unit
32 Main memory
33 Display device
34 Input device
35 External storage
36 Network communication equipment
NET network

Claims (23)

A printing system comprising a plurality of image processing devices, client devices and server devices,
First transmission means for transmitting authentication information for identifying a user input to the client device to the server device;
  First receiving means for receiving at the server device the authentication information transmitted by the first transmitting means;
Storage means for storing in the server device information relating to an image processing apparatus that is authorized to use for each authentication information;
The server determines whether there is an image processing apparatus having a use right associated with the authentication information received by the first receiving means using information on the image processing apparatus having a use right stored in the storage means. First determination means for determining in the apparatus;
When the first determination unit determines that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information, the server apparatus notifies the client apparatus of information indicating the image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information. Notification means;
  In the client device, a second transmission for transmitting the authentication information and print data to an image processing device corresponding to information indicating the image processing device selected from the information indicating the image processing device notified by the notification means. Means,
Second receiving means for receiving authentication information and print data transmitted by the second transmitting means in the image processing apparatus;
Authentication information transmitting means for transmitting the authentication information received by the second receiving means from the image processing apparatus to the server apparatus;
In the server apparatus, whether or not the authentication information transmitted by the authentication information transmitting means is associated with the image processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the authentication information using the information related to the image processing apparatus that is authorized to use. A second determination means for determining;
When it is determined by the second determination means that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information, the image processing apparatus executes print processing of print data transmitted by the second transmission means, and the authentication A printing system comprising: a print control unit that does not execute the print processing of the print data transmitted by the second transmission unit in the image processing device when it is not determined that there is an image processing device associated with the information. . An output result transmitting means for transmitting output result information from the image processing apparatus to the server apparatus when a print process is executed by the print control means;
2. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising charging information storage means for storing charging information based on the output result information transmitted by the output result transmitting means in the server device.   The storage means is an image processing apparatus authorized to use for each authentication information as information relating to the image processing apparatus authorized to use, and information on an output result in the authorized image processing apparatus transmitted by the output result transmitting means. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is stored as a single unit. The storage means stores the authentication information and the image processing apparatus authorized to use for each authentication information and the output result information in the image processing apparatus authorized to use in one table for each authentication information. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein: The first transmission means transmits authentication information input at the time of login to the client device from the client device to the server device according to a login process,
When the first determination unit determines that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information transmitted by the first transmission unit, the notification unit performs the authentication according to a login process for the client device. Informs the client device of information indicating the image processing device associated with the information;
Said second transmission means, 1 to claim, characterized in a Turkey to send the authentication information and print data to the image processing apparatus corresponding to the information indicating the image processing apparatus selected by the client device 5. The printing system according to any one of 4 above.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information includes information for identifying a user and password information. A server device capable of communicating with an image processing device and a client device,
Receiving means for receiving authentication information for identifying a user from the client device;
Storage means for storing information relating to an image processing apparatus authorized to be used for each authentication information;
First determining whether there is an image processing apparatus having a use right associated with the authentication information received by the receiving means, using information on the image processing apparatus having a use right stored in the storage means A determination means;
A notification unit that notifies the client device of information indicating the image processing device associated with the authentication information when the first determination unit determines that there is an image processing device associated with the authentication information;
Authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information from the image processing apparatus;
Second determination for determining whether the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit is associated with the image processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the authentication information, using the information related to the image processing apparatus that is authorized to use. Means,
A server apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a determination result determined by the second determination unit to the image processing apparatus. An output result receiving means for receiving output result information when a printing process is executed in the image processing apparatus;
8. The server apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising billing information storage means for storing billing information based on the output result information received by the output result receiving means.   The storage means is an image processing apparatus authorized to use for each authentication information as information relating to the image processing apparatus authorized to use, and information on an output result in the authorized image processing apparatus transmitted by the output result transmitting means. 9. The server apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the server device is stored in one.   The storage means stores the authentication information and the image processing apparatus authorized to use for each authentication information and the output result information in the image processing apparatus authorized to use in one table for each authentication information. The server device according to claim 9, wherein the server device is characterized by: The receiving means receives authentication information input at the time of login to the client device,
When the first determination unit determines that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information received by the reception unit, the notification unit is associated with the authentication information according to the login process. The server apparatus according to claim 7, wherein information indicating an image processing apparatus is notified to the client apparatus. A printing processing method in a printing system including a plurality of image processing apparatuses, a client apparatus, and a server apparatus,
A first transmission step of transmitting authentication information for identifying a user input to the client device to the server device;
A first receiving step of receiving at the server device the authentication information transmitted by the first transmitting step;
Image processing with use authority associated with the authentication information received in the first reception step using information on the image processing apparatus with use authority for each authentication information stored in the storage means provided in the server device A first determination step of determining whether there is a device in the server device;
When it is determined in the first determination step that there is an image processing device associated with the authentication information, information indicating the image processing device associated with the authentication information is notified from the server device to the client device. A notification step;
In the client device, a second transmission for transmitting the authentication information and print data to an image processing device corresponding to information indicating the image processing device selected from the information indicating the image processing device notified in the notification step. Steps,
A second receiving step of receiving the authentication information and print data transmitted in the second transmitting step in the image processing apparatus;
An authentication information transmitting step of transmitting the authentication information received in the second receiving step from the image processing device to the server device;
In the server apparatus, whether or not the authentication information transmitted in the authentication information transmission step is associated with the image processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the authentication information, using the information related to the image processing apparatus that is authorized to use. A second determination step for determining;
When it is determined in the second determination step that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information, the image processing apparatus executes a print process of the print data transmitted in the second transmission step, and the authentication A printing process comprising: a printing control step that does not execute the printing process of the print data transmitted by the second transmission step in the image processing apparatus when it is not determined that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the information Method. An output result transmitting step of transmitting output result information from the image processing device to the server device when the printing process is executed by the print control step;
13. The print processing method according to claim 12, wherein billing information based on the output result information transmitted in the output result transmitting step is stored in a billing information storage unit included in the server device.   The storage means includes, as information about the image processing apparatus having the use right, an image processing apparatus having the use right for each authentication information, and output result information in the image processing apparatus having the use right transmitted by the output result transmitting step. 14. The print processing method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the two are stored together as one.   The storage means stores the authentication information and the image processing apparatus authorized to use for each authentication information and the output result information in the image processing apparatus authorized to use in one table for each authentication information. The print processing method according to claim 14, wherein the print processing method is characterized in that: The first transmission step transmits authentication information input at the time of login to the client device from the client device to the server device according to a login process;
When it is determined in the first determination step that there is an image processing device associated with the authentication information transmitted in the first transmission step, the notification step is performed according to a login process for the client device. Informs the client device of information indicating the image processing device associated with the information;
16. The second transmission step of transmitting the authentication information and print data to an image processing apparatus corresponding to information indicating an image processing apparatus selected by the client apparatus. The print processing method according to any one of the above.   The print processing method according to claim 12, wherein the authentication information includes information for identifying a user and password information. A print processing method in a server device capable of communicating with an image processing device and a client device,
A receiving step of receiving authentication information for identifying a user from the client device;
It is determined whether there is an image processing apparatus having a use right associated with the authentication information received in the reception step by using information on the image processing apparatus having a use right for each authentication information stored in the storage unit. A first determination step,
A notification step of notifying the client device of information indicating the image processing device associated with the authentication information when it is determined in the first determination step that there is an image processing device associated with the authentication information;
An authentication information receiving step for receiving authentication information from the image processing apparatus;
A second determination for determining whether the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step is associated with the image processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the authentication information, using the information related to the image processing apparatus that is authorized to use. Steps,
A print processing method comprising: a transmission step of transmitting the determination result determined in the second determination step to the image processing apparatus. When print processing is executed in the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus includes an output result receiving step for receiving information on an output result,
19. The print processing method according to claim 18, wherein billing information based on the output result information received in the output result receiving step is stored in a billing information storage unit.   The storage means includes, as information about the image processing apparatus having the use right, an image processing apparatus having the use right for each authentication information, and output result information in the image processing apparatus having the use right transmitted by the output result transmitting step. The print processing method according to claim 18, wherein the two are stored together as one.   The storage means stores the authentication information and the image processing apparatus authorized to use for each authentication information and the output result information in the image processing apparatus authorized to use in one table for each authentication information. The print processing method according to claim 20, wherein The receiving step receives authentication information input at the time of login to the client device,
When it is determined in the first determination step that there is an image processing apparatus associated with the authentication information received in the reception step, the notification step is associated with the authentication information according to the login process. The print processing method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein information indicating an image processing device is notified to the client device.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the print processing method according to claim 12 or 18.

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