JP4616980B2 - Printing management apparatus, printing management method, and recording medium storing printing management program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention centrally manages the use of a printer, a copier, a scanner connected to a network, a multifunction device (MFP) having a printer function, a copying function, and a scanner function in an integrated manner in a network environment. It is about the system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, devices have been used at the discretion of the user. The device manager could not manage the purpose of use of the device and the processing information only by predicting the outline of the usage status of the device. In the case where restrictions are set for device use, the device administrator predicts the use status of the device, calculates the limit, and notifies the user of the limit.
[0003]
Therefore, conventionally, there has been the following method for determining and managing the usable upper limit regarding the use of the printing apparatus.
[0004]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a network in which the print management server 1101 and a plurality of printing apparatuses 1102 to 1103 are connected. In the print management server 1101, a number (hereinafter referred to as a department ID) is assigned to each department, and an actual value and an upper limit value are associated with each department ID.
[0005]
The user needs to input a department ID when using a printing apparatus (for example, the printing apparatus 1102). The printing apparatus 1102 inquires of the print management server 1101 whether or not printing is possible, and the input department ID is transmitted to the print management server 1101 at the same time. If the actual value corresponding to the department ID does not exceed the upper limit, the printing apparatus can be used, and the print management server 1101 notifies the printing apparatus to 1102 that printing is possible. If it exceeds, the printing apparatus cannot be used, and the print management server 1101 notifies the printing apparatus 1102 that printing is not possible.
[0006]
When printing is performed, the print management server increases the actual value associated with the department ID by an amount using the printing apparatus. That is, when the actual value reaches the upper limit value, subsequent printing is rejected by the print management server, and the user cannot perform printing.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  UpIn the conventional example,At the timing when printing is requested by the user,Since the actual value cannot be updated when the print management server is not operating, (1) the use of the printing apparatus must be prohibited, and (2) the usage amount of the printing apparatus cannot be managed. was there.
[0009]
In addition, since communication between the printing apparatus and the print management server is necessary before the user uses the device, there is a problem that the user is awaited to use the apparatus during that time.
[0010]
  The purpose of the present invention is toAt the timing when printing is requested by the user,Regardless of whether or not the print management server is operating, the management of the printing apparatus is performed, and the waiting time for using the printing apparatus is reduced.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, a print management apparatus according to the present invention provides:Print amount and upper limit value stored in the storage area of the printing deviceBased on printingTo control whether execution is possible or notPrinting deviceAnd connected via networkA print management device,RegularlyObtaining means for obtaining a printing history of the printing apparatus; deriving means for deriving a printing amount in the printing apparatus based on the printing history obtained by the obtaining means; and a printing amount derived by the deriving means. Transfer to the printing device and the printing deviceRemembered inAnd updating means for updating the printing amount.
[0012]
  In order to solve the above problem, a print management apparatus according to the present invention provides:Print amount and upper limit value printed by the printing device stored in the storage area of the information processing deviceBased on the printingTo control whether execution is possible or notInformation processing equipmentConnected via networkA print management device,RegularlyObtained by the obtaining means for obtaining the printing history of the information processing apparatus, deriving means for deriving the printing amount of the information processing apparatus with respect to the printing apparatus based on the printing history obtained by the obtaining means, and derived by the deriving means The printed amount is transferred to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatusRemembered inAnd updating means for updating the printing amount.
[0014]
  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a print management method for realizing the print management apparatus,Its controlA recording medium storing the program is also provided.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
The present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of printing apparatuses. It goes without saying that the present invention is applied by supplying a program to a system or apparatus.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an entire print management system to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 150 denotes an Ethernet, which is a physical medium for communication between a computer and a printing device connected to the network. Reference numeral 160 denotes a client computer. When a user uses system resources (specifically, a printing device), a use request is issued to the operating system of the client computer 160. At this time, the client computer 160 acquires usage information relating to the requested system usage and transmits it to the server computer 110.
[0018]
A server computer 110 communicates with a printing device connected to a network and performs various processes. The server computer 110 receives system resource usage information from the client computer 160 and stores the usage information in a nonvolatile storage device such as an HD. Further, a system resource (specifically, a printing device) connected to the network is checked for a usage history holding function, and if there is, a usage history is acquired from the device.
[0019]
Reference numerals 120, 130, and 140 denote printing devices (copiers) having a function of printing an image read from an image reading device (scanner). The printing devices 120, 130, and 140 include an input device for a user to input a department ID, and the apparatus can be used if the actual use value of the apparatus according to the department ID does not exceed the upper limit value. The printing devices 120, 130, and 140 can also receive print data from the host computer and print an image based on the print data. At this time, the department ID is input from the input screen of the host computer and transmitted to the printing device together with the print data. The printing device has a use history holding function. The update of the job log and the actual value in the figure will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the server computer 110 and the client computer 160. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU, that is, a central processing unit, which controls the entire computer device and performs arithmetic processing. Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM, that is, a read-only memory, which is a storage area for information such as system startup programs. Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM, that is, a random access memory, which is a data storage area with no usage restrictions, and is an area where programs such as an operating system, application, device driver and communication control are loaded and executed.
[0021]
Reference numeral 204 denotes a KBC, that is, a keyboard control unit, which receives input data from the keyboard and transmits it to the CPU. Reference numeral 205 denotes a CRT, that is, a display control unit, which controls display on the display device. Reference numeral 206 denotes an HD, that is, a hard disk device, which stores programs and data. Stored programs and data are referenced or loaded into RAM as needed during execution. Instead of the HD 206, an FD, that is, a negative floppy disk device, an SRAM, that is, a nonvolatile storage device, or the like may be provided.
[0022]
A communication unit 207 performs network communication control. The communication unit 207 can communicate with other computers and peripheral devices connected to the network as described with reference to FIG. A system bus 208 is to be a data path between the above-described components.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the copying machines 120, 130, and 140. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 305 denotes a controller unit that controls the entire peripheral device. The internal configuration of the controller is as follows. Reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, that is, a central processing unit, which controls the controller and performs arithmetic processing. Reference numeral 302 denotes a ROM, that is, a read-only memory, which is a storage area for information such as system startup programs. Reference numeral 303 denotes a RAM, that is, a random access memory, which is a data storage area with no usage restrictions, and is an area where programs such as an operating system, communication control, and engine control are loaded and executed. Reference numeral 304 denotes an HD, ie, a hard disk device. Instead of the HD 304, a nonvolatile storage device such as SRAM may be provided.
[0024]
Reference numeral 306 denotes an engine unit of the apparatus, which performs a printing operation and an image reading operation under the control of the controller unit 305. A communication unit 307 controls network communication. A user operation input / output unit 308 accepts input from the user or displays information to the user. The means for displaying may be a panel having a function of displaying a character string or a display capable of displaying an arbitrary image. Reference numeral 309 denotes a system bus, which should serve as a data path between the above-described components.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map of the storage medium in the server computer 110. Reference numeral 401 denotes a basic I / O program. Reference numeral 402 denotes a memory map in a state where the operating system can be executed. Reference numeral 403 denotes a memory map in a state where the control program according to the present invention can be executed. Reference numeral 404 denotes a memory map in a state where related data can be executed. Reference numeral 405 denotes a memory map of work memory used by each program.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory map of a floppy disk (FD) in which a control program and related data according to the present invention are stored. In a recording area 500 of the floppy disk (FD), volume information 501, directory information 502, an application execution file (control program according to the present invention) 503, and a data file 504 related to the print management system are recorded.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing that a control program and related data according to the present invention are loaded into a computer. As shown in FIG. 6, the control program and related data recorded on the floppy disk (FD) 600 are loaded into the computer system 602 via the FD drive (DKC) 601. When the floppy disk (FD) 600 is set in the FD drive (DKC) 601, the control program and related data are read from the floppy disk (FD) 60 under the control of the operating system 402 and the basic I / O program 401. Is loaded into the RAM 203 and can be used.
[0028]
First, a print management system that prevents sudden use when the limit is reached and performs restriction and notification according to the current usage amount with respect to the usage record will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the print management system according to the present invention.
[0029]
Here, the client computer 160 edits a document, an image, and the like, and issues a print request, and a print function providing unit 1203 that receives a print request from the user application 1201 and outputs print information to the printer device 120. And. In this system, the print information acquisition unit 1202 acquires print information related to a print request before the print function providing unit 1203 receives the print request from the user application 1201.
[0030]
The print information includes the number of printed sheets, the number of pages, the size to be printed, the type of paper to be used, user information that issued a print request, color print information, and the like.
[0031]
In addition, the usage notification restriction unit 1204 performs notification based on the usage record and usage conditions of the user at the time of printing, or cancels the designated print command. The notification may be displayed on the screen of the client computer, may be a log file, or may be indirectly notified like an email. The client computer 160 also has a function for the user to select from a plurality of notification methods.
[0032]
The server computer 2 includes a storage device 1216 for storing user information 1217, device information 1218, print history information 1220, and notification restriction information 1219. Further, a user information management unit 1210, a device information management unit 1211, a print history management unit 1213, and a notification restriction information management unit 1212 for managing each information are provided. The administrator sets information for managing use in the user management unit 1210, the device information management unit 1211, and the notification restriction information management unit 1212.
[0033]
The user information 1217 includes a computer login name and a network login name of a user who uses the device, and provides information for specifying a user who uses the device. The device information 1218 includes a device printing speed, color information, a network address, and the like. The notification restriction information 1219 is a ratio of the usage record with respect to the user's use upper limit value as a notification condition and a ratio of the upper limit value with respect to the device use record. These can be notified at a certain ratio, a plurality of ratio values, and can be limited by a plurality of ratio values. For example, notification is made at 80% and printing is stopped at 100%.
[0034]
When the user outputs a print request in the user application 1201, the print information acquisition unit 1202 acquires the print information in detail. The acquired print information is transmitted to the print history management unit 1214 on the server computer 110. The print history management unit 1214 on the server computer adds the received print information to the print history information 1220.
[0035]
Further, the print history management unit 1214 requests history information from the device 120 having the history information 1230 in the device, acquires the history information, and adds the history information to the print history information 1220 existing in the storage device 1216. . This processing may be performed periodically, or may be performed from the device side when the capacity of the area storing the history information 1230 in the device is reduced.
[0036]
When the user issues a print request in the user application 1201, the usage notification restriction unit 1204 obtains print information from the print information acquisition unit 1204, and the notification restriction management unit 1213 of the server computer 110 determines whether printing can be executed. Inquire whether or not notification is required. If it is necessary to apply a restriction, the print command is canceled. If notification is necessary, the user is notified.
[0037]
The notification restriction management unit 1213 on the server computer determines whether notification is necessary based on the user information 1217, device information 1218, notification restriction information 1219, and print history information 1220 in the storage device. If there is, a notification command is issued to the notification unit 1205 on the user's client computer. The notification unit 1205 may be a dedicated message display program, or the notification itself may be combined with a mail program when the mail function is used.
[0038]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation on the client computer. In this process, when the limit is reached, it cannot be used suddenly, but all information related to the use of the device is managed in detail, and detailed notifications and restrictions on the current usage amount for the usage record are performed.
[0039]
First, in step S1300, print designation of a document to be printed is performed. The print designation means designation of an output printer, designation of an output range, the number of output copies, and the like. After printing is specified, actual printing is executed. In step S1301, it is determined whether there is a print request based on the print designation content in step S1300.
[0040]
In step S1302, print information, that is, the number of printed sheets and user information is acquired in order to perform appropriate print management. In step S1303, the print information acquired in the above step is transmitted to the server computer. Whether the server computer needs to notify the user based on the received print information, stored print history information, user information, device information, and notification conditions, or whether the print request should be restricted Judging. Then, the determination result is transmitted to the client computer. In S1304, the client computer acquires this information.
[0041]
In step S1305, it is checked whether or not the print request exceeds the limit. If the request is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S1308 to notify the user that the limit has been exceeded and the print processing is terminated. If the limit is not exceeded, the process proceeds to step S1306.
[0042]
In step S1306, it is determined whether there is information to be notified to the user regarding the print request. If notification is necessary, the process proceeds to step 1309 to perform notification. The case where notification is necessary is a case where a print request exceeds a predetermined amount and approaches a limit. Thereafter, if the user does not cancel the printing process, the process advances to step S1307 to transmit print data. If notification is not required, the process proceeds to step 1307 and print data is transmitted.
[0043]
As described above, the user's convenience is improved by preventing sudden use when the limit is reached, and performing restriction and notification according to the current usage amount with respect to the usage record.
[0044]
In the above example, when the client computer transmits print data, the server computer is inquired of whether printing is possible. However, if the server computer is not operating, it is not possible to make an inquiry about whether printing is possible. Hereinafter, a print management system capable of performing print management even when the server computer is not operating at the time of a print request will be described.
[0045]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copiers 120, 130, and 140 in the print management system according to the present invention.
[0046]
In step S701, when the user inputs a department ID at the user operation input / output unit 308, the copying machine acquires the department ID input by the user. Alternatively, the print data is received from the host computer, and the department ID added to the print data is acquired.
[0047]
In step S702, the actual value associated with the acquired department ID is acquired from the HD 304. In step S703, the upper limit value associated with the acquired department ID is acquired from the HD 304. In step S704, it is determined whether the actual value exceeds the upper limit value. If it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S705, and if not, the process proceeds to step S706.
[0048]
In step S705, the user operation input / output unit 308 is notified that "the actual value exceeds the upper limit value and cannot be used", and the process ends. In addition, the host computer is notified that “the actual value exceeds the upper limit value and cannot be used”, and the host computer receives the notification and displays the notification on the display screen.
[0049]
On the other hand, in step S706, the copying process is performed in accordance with the user operation. Alternatively, print processing is performed based on print data received from the host computer. In step S707, the device usage record in S706 is recorded in the HD 304 as a job log.
[0050]
Next, an example of a job log is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an example of a job log. A job log is generated for each job and stored in the HD 304. The job log records a job number, department ID, processing type, paper size, number of sheets, number of sheets, sheet type (plain paper, glossy paper, OHP paper, etc.), usage amount, and processed flag. The amount used is the number of sheets or the number of sheets (one is counted for each of the front and back sides of the sheet), and the coefficient can be changed depending on the sheet size and the sheet type. For example, when A4 paper is set to 1, A3 paper can be set to 2, and when plain paper is set to 1, glossy paper can be set to 2. The processing type is recorded as copying in the case of copying processing and printing in the case of printing processing.
[0051]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the server computer 110. This process is periodically performed at regular intervals.
[0052]
In step S901, all the copiers in the network are listed and recorded in the RAM. The enumeration method may enumerate copiers registered in advance by a network administrator, or broadcast a message on the network, receive a reply to the message from the copier, and send a reply. You may list the machines. Thereafter, processing is sequentially performed for all the copying machines recorded (enumerated) in the RAM.
[0053]
In step S902, it is determined whether scanning of all copying machines has been completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to step S903. In step S903, the job number of the newest job among the processed jobs is acquired from the job log of a certain copying machine. Here, let it be M. Whether or not it has been processed can be determined by referring to the processed flag (FIG. 8) in the job log of each job.
[0054]
In step S904, the job number of the latest job is acquired from the job log of the copying machine. Here, it is N. In step S905, job logs from M + 1 to N are acquired from the copying machine.
[0055]
In step S906, the total amount of use of the acquired job log is obtained. In step S907, the actual value of the copying machine is acquired from the copying machine, and the sum of S906 is added to the actual value of the copying machine. In step S908, the actual value of the copying machine is updated to the actual value calculated in S907.
[0056]
Note that the actual value of the copying machine may be the number of prints or the number of prints. Further, it may be the number of printed sheets or the number of times of printing by processing a print job from the host computer. Further, it may be the sum of the number of printed sheets by copying in the copying machine and the number of printed sheets by processing of the print job, or the sum of the number of printing times by copying in the copying machine and the number of printing by processing of the print job.
[0057]
As described above, the server computer connected to the network periodically acquires job logs in the printing device and updates the actual values of a plurality of printing devices connected to the network. It is possible to manage the use of a plurality of printing devices on the network without holding values. Even when the server computer is not operating, the user can use the printing device.
[0058]
In the above description, the printing device holds the actual value and the upper limit value. However, the present invention is effective even when the printing device does not hold the actual value and the upper limit value.
[0059]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of the entire second print management system. A server computer 1010 communicates with a client computer connected to a network and performs various processes. Reference numerals 1060, 1070, and 1080 denote client computers. A printing apparatus 1020 receives print data input from 1102, 1103, and 1104 and performs printing.
[0060]
In the client computers 1060, 1070, and 1080, the control program according to the present invention is operating, and the actual value and the upper limit value are held as in the above-described copying machine. When transmitting print data to the printing apparatus 1020, the control program analyzes the print data to create a job log similar to that shown in FIG. Then, the client computer performs the same processing as the above copying machine.
[0061]
In other words, the client computer compares the actual value and the upper limit value before sending the print data, and can send the print data only when the actual value does not exceed the upper limit value. Disable. Further, when print data is transmitted, the details are recorded as a job log. The server computer periodically acquires a job log from each client computer, and updates the actual value of each client computer based on the job log.
[0062]
By doing so, it is possible to manage the use of printing devices from a plurality of client computers on the network without the server computer holding the actual value. Even when the server computer is not operating, the user can perform processing.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above, according to the present invention,At the timing when printing is requested by the user,Regardless of whether the print management server is running or not, it is possible to manage the use of the printing device and reduce the waiting time for using the printing device. Improved operability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an entire print management system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a server computer and a client computer.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the copying machine.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map of a storage medium in the server computer.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory map of a floppy disk (FD) in which a control program and related data are stored.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating that a control program and related data are loaded into a computer.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine in the print management system.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job log.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the server computer.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the entire second print management system.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a network in which a print management server and a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a print management system.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the print management system.
[Explanation of symbols]
110 Print management server
120 Printing equipment
130 Printing equipment
140 Printing equipment
150 LAN
160 Client computer

Claims (13)

A print management device connected via a network to the printing device for controlling whether printing can be executed or not based on a printing amount and an upper limit value stored in a storage area of the printing device,
Acquisition means for periodically acquiring the printing history of the printing device;
Derivation means for deriving a printing amount in the printing apparatus based on the print history acquired by the acquisition means;
A printing management apparatus comprising: an updating unit configured to transfer a printing amount derived by the deriving unit to the printing device and update a printing amount stored in the printing device. Before SL updating means in response to the printing history of the printing device is acquired by the acquisition unit, the print management device according to claim 1, characterized in that updating the printing of the printing apparatus. The print management apparatus manages a plurality of printing apparatuses, and in each printing apparatus, the acquisition unit acquires a print history,
The deriving means derives a print amount;
Print management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the update means and updates the print quantity. Connected via a network to the information processing device that controls whether or not printing can be performed based on the print amount and upper limit value printed by the printing device stored in the storage area of the information processing device A print management device,
Obtaining means for periodically obtaining a print history of the information processing apparatus;
Derivation means for deriving a printing amount of the information processing apparatus with respect to a printing apparatus based on the print history acquired by the acquisition means;
A print management apparatus comprising: an update unit configured to transfer a print amount derived by the deriving unit to the information processing apparatus and update a print amount stored in the information processing apparatus. Before SL updating means in response to the printing history of the information processing apparatus is acquired by the acquisition unit, the print management device according to claim 4, characterized in that updating the printing of the information processing apparatus. The print management apparatus manages a plurality of information processing apparatuses, and in each information processing apparatus,
The acquisition unit acquires a print history,
The deriving means derives a print amount;
It said updating means print management device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that updates the print quantity. A print management method in a print management apparatus connected via a network to the printing apparatus for controlling whether or not printing can be executed based on a printing amount and an upper limit value stored in a storage area of the printing apparatus. And
An acquisition step of periodically acquiring a printing history of the printing apparatus;
A derivation step of deriving a printing amount in the printing device based on the print history acquired in the acquisition step;
A printing management method comprising: an update step of transferring a printing amount derived by the deriving step to the printing device and updating a printing amount stored in the printing device. Before SL updating step, according to the printing history of the printing device is acquired by the acquisition step, the print management method according to claim 7, characterized in that updating the printing of the printing apparatus. The print management device manages a plurality of printing devices, and in each printing device,
The acquisition step acquires a print history,
The derivation step derives the printing amount,
The print management method according to claim 7, wherein the update step updates a print amount. Connected via a network to the information processing device that controls whether or not printing can be performed based on the print amount and upper limit value printed by the printing device stored in the storage area of the information processing device A print management method in a print management apparatus,
An acquisition step of periodically acquiring a print history of the information processing apparatus;
A derivation step of deriving a print amount of the information processing apparatus with respect to a printing device based on the print history acquired by the acquisition step;
A print management method comprising: an update step of transferring the print amount derived in the derivation step to the information processing device and updating the print amount stored in the information processing device. Before SL updating step, according to the printing history of the information processing apparatus is acquired by the acquisition step, the print management method according to claim 10, characterized in that updating the printing of the information processing apparatus . The print management apparatus manages a plurality of information processing apparatuses, and in each information processing apparatus,
The acquisition step acquires a print history,
The derivation step derives the printing amount,
The print management method according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the update step updates a print amount. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for realizing the print management method according to claim 7 or 10 by a computer.

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