JP5094689B2 - Printer driver, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention places an excessive burden on the user even when there is a waiting preceding print job when attempting to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through remote operation from a user terminal via a network. The present invention relates to a printer driver, a program, and a recording medium capable of avoiding leakage of confidential information without incurring the burden.

  Conventionally, a plurality of information processing apparatuses (hereinafter sometimes referred to as user terminals) and an image forming apparatus serving as a print server are connected via a network. There is a printing system that sends print data to a forming apparatus and requests printing. In such a printing system, a printer having a confidential printing function has appeared to meet various needs of users.

  An example of a printing system having such a confidential printing function is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. Here, the confidential printing function refers to a function that enables a print job related to a document to be performed while maintaining confidentiality. Specifically, for example, in a printing system configured by connecting a plurality of user terminals and an image forming apparatus serving as a print server via a network, a confidential document or When an instruction to print confidential documents, such as confidential documents, is sent to the image forming apparatus together with the setting to turn on confidential printing, the confidential printing job is not processed immediately. After the authentication operation by the password input of the user who came to the same apparatus and the like, the user operates to permit the output of the job related to the confidential printing. According to this confidential printing function, it is possible to prevent mistakes in taking documents from the stack of output materials and information leakage from documents that are left on the stack tray being exposed to third parties. A document printing environment with a security function can be constructed.

However, in the conventional confidential printing technology, when a new print job relating to a confidential document is performed through remote operation from a user terminal via a network, each user terminal side waits until the start of its own print job. Information on time cannot be easily grasped. Therefore, immediately after sending print data from the user terminal to the image forming apparatus via the network and requesting the execution of a new print job related to a confidential document, the user who came to the apparatus performs authentication operation and performs his confidential operation. When there is a waiting preceding print job when trying to output a job related to printing, there is a risk that an excessive burden is placed on the user in order to avoid leakage of confidential information. That is, when there is a waiting preceding print job, in the related art, after the preceding print job is output, the print job related to its own confidential document is usually executed. Under such circumstances, in order to avoid leakage of confidential information, the user cannot leave the periphery of the device at any time because it is not known when a print job related to his confidential document is output. . Therefore, as a result of significantly constraining the user's behavior, there is a possibility that an excessive burden is placed on the user.
JP 2005-335281 A

  The problem to be solved is that, in the prior art, when an attempt is made to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through remote operation from a user terminal via a network, there is a confidential print job if there is a waiting preceding print job. If an attempt is made to avoid leakage of information, there is a possibility that an excessive burden is placed on the user.

The present invention places an excessive burden on the user even when there is a waiting preceding print job when attempting to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through remote operation from a user terminal via a network. A plurality of user terminals having a display device capable of displaying a print dialog on a display screen and an image forming apparatus serving as a print server for the purpose of avoiding leakage of confidential information without incurring Is a printer driver that is installed in each user terminal and has a function of controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus, and is used for a new print job. An operation information transmission unit that transmits the operation information to the image forming apparatus, and an operation related to the new print job from the operation information transmission unit. From the image forming apparatus which has received the distribution, and the waiting time acquiring unit that acquires a waiting time when it is assumed that execution of the new print job by the presence of the preceding print job is started, confidential print-on to the new print job A confidential printing by referring to the waiting time by the user, comprising: a display control unit that performs control to display the inquiry screen related to the necessity of setting on the display unit together with the information related to the waiting time acquired by the waiting time acquisition unit It is characterized in that it is possible to additionally perform an input operation related to the on setting required .

In the printer driver according to the present invention, the operation information transmission unit transmits operation information related to the new print job to the image forming apparatus. Next, it is assumed that the waiting time acquisition unit starts execution of the new print job due to the presence of the preceding print job from the image forming apparatus that has received the operation information related to the new print job from the operation information transmission unit. Get the waiting time when In response to this, the display control unit controls the display unit to display the inquiry screen related to the necessity of confidential print on setting for the new print job together with the information related to the standby time acquired by the standby time acquisition unit. Do. The user on the user terminal side who sees the inquiry screen display can determine whether or not to additionally perform an input operation related to the confidential print on setting necessity by referring to the standby time.
For example, when it is determined that a relatively long time is required until the execution of the new print job is performed by referring to the waiting time of the new print job, an input operation related to the confidential print on setting necessity is additionally performed. Become. In other words, when a user tries to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through remote operation from the user terminal via the network, if there is a waiting preceding print job, the leakage of confidential information can be avoided. Consideration is given so as not to place an excessive burden on the user who acts as an attempt to leave the periphery of the device at any time. In other words, in such a case, even if the ON setting related to confidential printing is not performed in the initial job setting, at the time when the operation information related to its own new print job is input, it is possible to determine whether the confidential printing ON setting is necessary. Based on the presentation of information related to the waiting time of the new print job, which is a judgment material, confidential print on setting related to the new print job can be additionally performed.
Therefore, when a user tries to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through a remote operation from a user terminal via a network, even if there is a waiting preceding print job, an excessive burden is placed on the user. It is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that can avoid leakage of confidential information without incurring it.

  When a user tries to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through a remote operation from a user terminal via a network, an excessive burden is placed on the user even if there is a waiting preceding print job. The operation information transmission unit that transmits operation information related to a new print job to the image forming apparatus, and the new print from the operation information transmission unit, for the purpose of making it possible to avoid leakage of confidential information in advance. A waiting time acquisition unit that acquires a waiting time when it is assumed that execution of the new print job is started from the image forming apparatus that has received the operation information related to the job, and confidential print on setting required for the new print job A display control unit for performing control to display the inquiry screen relating to the failure on the display unit together with the information relating to the standby time acquired by the standby time acquisition unit. It was realized by the printer driver to be made.

  Hereinafter, a printer driver, a program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the operation of the image forming apparatus that is the operation control target of the printer driver according to the present invention is transmitted to an information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a user terminal) such as a personal computer connected to the apparatus via a network. An example of controlling by an installed printer driver will be described.

[Schematic configuration around the image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a printing system configured by connecting a user terminal in which a printer driver according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed and an image forming apparatus serving as a print server via a network. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram and FIG. 2 is an external view of an operation panel unit in the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus serving as a print server requests each user in the apparatus to input user identification information and a password (authentication information) to a user who requests login to the apparatus via a network. Allow use of the function.

  This device can use various functions including, for example, a copy job, a fax transmission job, a print job, or a network transmission (email transmission or data transmission) job, and includes a microcomputer and a dedicated hardware circuit. It is controlled by the main control unit 11. As an input / output device connected to the main control unit 11 and responsible for various functions, this apparatus includes a scanner unit 21, an image processing unit 31, an engine unit 41, an operation panel unit 51, a facsimile communication unit 61, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 63. A network I / F (interface) unit 65, and an IC card communication unit 67.

  The main control unit 11 includes a scanner controller 13 that performs operation control for realizing a scanner function, a facsimile controller 15 that performs operation control for realizing a facsimile function, and a printer controller that performs operation control for realizing a printer function. 17 and a copy controller 19 for controlling the operation for realizing the copy function are incorporated, and the overall operation of the apparatus is controlled.

  In addition, the main control unit 11 acquires an operation information acquisition unit 71 that acquires various operation information related to image formation, and operation information related to a new print job execution command from the user terminal via the operation information acquisition unit 71. Each time the standby status acquisition unit 73 that acquires the standby status of the preceding print job in the image forming apparatus and the standby status of the preceding print job are acquired via the standby status acquisition unit 73, the acquired standby status is set. Based on the waiting time calculation unit 74 for calculating the waiting time when it is assumed that the execution of the new print job is started, and the panel operation related to the execution of the new print job related to the confidential print on setting Authentication information for authenticating whether or not authentication has been performed by an authorized user is stored in association with each new print job related to confidential print on setting. When the operation information relating to the confidential print ON setting requirement for the new print job is acquired via the storage unit 75 and the operation information acquisition unit 71, the storage contents of the authentication information storage unit 75 and the operation information acquisition unit 71 are used. The waiting time calculation unit 74 calculates an authentication unit 77 that performs authentication related to the legitimacy of the access user based on the operation information acquired in step S3 and a inquiry screen related to the necessity of confidential print on setting for a new print job. In addition to the information related to the waiting time, the display control unit 79 that performs control to display on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53, and the operation information related to the confidential print on setting necessary for the new print job are acquired via the operation information acquisition unit 71. When this is done, the print control unit 81 performs control to send the permission to execute the new print job to the engine unit 41 after waiting for the authentication operation related to the job. It is configured to include a. The display control unit 79 displays a prompt screen for prompting an authentication operation related to the new print job on the display screen in the touch panel unit 53 when the operation information related to the confidential print on setting necessary for the new print job is acquired. It also has a function to make it. Each time operation information related to a new print job is transmitted from the user terminal, the main control unit 11 obtains a standby time related to the new print job in the standby time calculation unit 74, and the standby time thus obtained is obtained. Such information is returned to the corresponding user terminal. The waiting time for a new print job is a time that is assumed to be required from when a print job processing request is sent to this apparatus until the processing of the job is started.

  The scanner unit 21 includes an image irradiation lamp 23 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 25 constituting a scanner (not shown). The scanner unit 21 irradiates the document with the image irradiation lamp 23, receives the reflected light with the CCD sensor 25, reads an image from the document, and outputs image data corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 31. .

  The image processing unit 31 includes a correction unit 33, an image processing unit 35, and an image memory 37. The image processing unit 31 processes the image data read by the scanner unit 21 with the correction unit 33 and the image processing unit 35 as necessary, and stores the processed image data in the image memory 37, the engine unit 41, Output to the facsimile communication unit 61 or the like. The correction unit 33 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and gamma correction on the image data read by the scanner unit 21. The image processing unit 35 performs various types of processing such as image data compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, an engine unit 41 that performs a print job includes a sheet transport unit 43 including a sheet cassette and a sheet feed roller (not shown), a photosensitive drum (not shown), an exposure device, and a developing device. The image forming unit 45 includes a transfer unit 47 including a transfer roller (not shown), and a fixing unit 49 including a fixing roller (not shown). The engine unit 41 includes image data read by the scanner unit 21, document or image data transmitted from a client PC (personal computer) or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network) via the network I / F unit 65, facsimile communication An image is printed on paper using image data such as fax data received from an external facsimile machine or the like using the unit 61. Specifically, the paper transport unit 43 transports the paper to the image forming unit 45, the image forming unit 45 forms a toner image corresponding to the image data, the transfer unit 47 transfers the toner image to the paper, The fixing unit 49 fixes the toner image on a sheet to form an image.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation panel unit 51 includes a touch panel unit 53 and a function key unit 55. The operation panel unit 51 is used for a user to perform operations related to a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like, and gives an operation command and the like by the user to the main control unit 11.

  The touch panel unit 53 includes a touch panel unit that combines a touch panel and a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various operation screens, for example, information regarding the document size, copy size, number of copies, and the like when executing the copy function. In addition, operation buttons for inputting various operation commands are displayed by the user touching the corresponding part. When the standby status of the preceding print job is acquired via a standby status acquisition unit 73 described later, the touch panel unit 53 displays a inquiry screen related to whether or not confidential print on setting is required for a new print job, a standby time calculation unit 74 described later. When displaying together with information related to the standby time calculated in step 1, or when operation information related to a performance command for a new print job requiring confidential print on setting is acquired, a prompt screen prompting an authentication operation related to the new print job Is used when displaying on the display screen.

  The operation key unit 55 includes a plurality of operation keys for receiving user operation inputs. Specifically, for example, a start key 57 and a numeric keypad that are operated when performing an instruction operation related to execution of a copy function or a scanner function are provided. The plurality of operation keys are used when the user selectively executes a key input operation of a required function from various functions such as a facsimile function, a copy function, a printer function, and a scanner function. Specifically, for example, it is used when a user performs a numeric key input operation for selecting a key related to a password when using the confidential printing function.

  The facsimile communication unit 61 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The facsimile communication unit 61 transmits image data of a document read by the scanner unit 21 to a facsimile apparatus or the like via a telephone line, or receives image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus or the like.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 63 temporarily stores image data read by the scanner unit 21 or electronic data relating to a document transmitted from the client PC via the network I / F unit 65. The image data stored in the HDD or the electronic data related to the document is not only used in the image forming apparatus, the program, and the recording medium, but also if necessary, via a network I / F unit 65, a client PC, etc. Or may be transferred to a predetermined folder such as a client PC or FTP server.

  The network I / F unit 65 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like to control transmission / reception of various data to / from a user terminal 91 such as a client PC connected via a LAN. Specifically, the network I / F unit 65 receives, for example, a standby time request signal transmitted from the user terminal 91 and transfers the received signal to the main control unit 11, while the main control unit 11 The information related to the waiting time returned from is received, and the received information is transferred to the user terminal 91.

  The IC card communication unit 67 has a function of detecting the access of the card key 69 such as an IC tag possessed by the user, reading the user identification information stored in the card key 69, and transferring it to the main control unit 11. I have.

  By the way, when a user tries to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through a remote operation from a user terminal via a network, an excessive burden is placed on the user even if there is a waiting preceding print job. The user terminal 91 is provided with a display device 93 in order to avoid leakage of confidential information without losing it. The user terminal 91 is installed with a printer driver 101 as a program having the following functions. Specifically, the printer driver 101 receives an operation information transmission unit 95 that transmits operation information related to a new print job to the image forming apparatus, and an operation information related to the new print job from the operation information transmission unit 95. A standby time acquisition unit 97 for acquiring a standby time when it is assumed that execution of the new print job is started from the image forming apparatus, and a inquiry screen regarding whether or not confidential print on setting is required for the new print job, The display control unit 99 includes a display control unit 99 that controls the display device 93 to display the information related to the standby time acquired by the standby time acquisition unit 97.

[Operation of User Terminal Installed with Printer Driver According to the Present Invention]
Next, the operation of the user terminal installed with the printer driver according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the user terminal, and FIG. 4 shows a design example of a print dialog related to the operation status display.

  When a user who desires to execute a new print job related to a confidential document performs an input operation of user identification information and a personal identification number (authentication information) via the user terminal 91, the main control unit 11 inputs the user identification information input. And the like are compared with user identification information registered in advance in a user management database (not shown) to perform login authentication related to whether or not the logged-in user is a valid user. As a result of the login authentication, when it is recognized that the login user is a valid user (step S11), the operation information transmission unit 95 transmits operation information related to the new print job to the image forming apparatus (step S12). .

  Next, the standby time acquisition unit 97 makes a reply request for the standby time when assuming that execution of the new print job is started to the main control unit 11 via the network I / F unit 65. Then, information related to the standby time is acquired (step S13). The reply request related to the waiting time in step S13 is made at the timing when the user activates the print dialog (specifically, “property” of the printer) related to the image forming apparatus on the user terminal side.

  Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 99 displays the inquiry screen 103 related to whether or not confidential print on setting is necessary for a new print job together with information about the standby time acquired by the standby time acquisition unit 97. Control to display on the display screen 93 is performed (step S14). In addition to the information related to the waiting time (“5 minutes and 30 seconds” in the example of FIG. 4) and the content related to “Would you like to turn on confidential printing?” If the confidential printing is set to ON, a new print job is started after waiting for the user's authentication operation after the waiting preceding print job is finished. It may be configured to display automatically. The user on the user terminal side who has viewed the inquiry screen 103 in step S14 executes the new print job by referring to the waiting time of the new print job, which is an important judgment material regarding whether or not confidential print on setting is necessary. When it is determined that a relatively long time is required until the start, an input operation related to the confidential print ON setting is additionally performed.

  The user terminal 91 determines whether or not the operation information related to the confidential print on setting necessity for the new print job has been acquired by monitoring the operation information related to whether or not the confidential print on setting is necessary (step S15). ).

  As a result of the determination in step S15, when it is determined that the operation information related to the confidential print on setting required for the new print job is not acquired ("No" in step S15), the operation information transmission unit 95 turns off the confidential print off. Operation information relating to the setting job request is transmitted (step S16).

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S15, when it is determined that the operation information related to the confidential print on setting required for the new print job has been acquired (“Yes” in step S15), the operation information transmission unit 95 Operation information related to the confidential print on setting job request is transmitted (step S17).

  As described above, in the printer driver according to the present invention, the operation information transmission unit 95 transmits operation information related to a new print job to the image forming apparatus. Next, the standby time acquisition unit 97 sets the standby time when it is assumed that the execution of the new print job is started from the image forming apparatus that has received the operation information related to the new print job from the operation information transmission unit 95. get. In response to this, the display control unit 93 controls the display device 93 to display the inquiry screen related to whether or not confidential print on setting is necessary for the new print job, together with the information related to the standby time acquired by the standby time acquisition unit 97. I do. The user on the user terminal side who sees the inquiry screen display can refer to the waiting time of the new print job, which is an important judgment material regarding whether or not confidential print on setting is necessary, until the start of execution of the new print job. When it is determined that a relatively long time is required, an input operation related to the confidential print ON setting is additionally performed. That is, according to the present invention, when a user tries to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through a remote operation from a user terminal via a network, if there is a waiting preceding print job, leakage of confidential information is performed. Consideration is given so as not to place an undue burden on the user who tries to avoid the problem, such as being unable to leave the periphery of the device at any time. In other words, in such a case, even if the ON setting related to confidential printing is not performed in the initial job setting, at the time when the operation information related to its own new print job is input, it is possible to determine whether the confidential printing ON setting is necessary. Based on the presentation of information related to the waiting time of the new print job, which is a judgment material, confidential print on setting related to the new print job can be additionally performed. Therefore, when a user tries to execute a new print job related to a confidential document through a remote operation from a user terminal via a network, even if there is a waiting preceding print job, an excessive burden is placed on the user. It is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that can avoid leakage of confidential information without incurring it.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus serving as a print server will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a password input prompt screen.

  Prior to the description of this operation, the presupposed configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described. When the image forming apparatus permits execution of a print job related to confidential print on setting, the image forming apparatus executes the print job related to confidential print on setting through data exchange related to authentication information with the card key 69 possessed by the user. A card key authentication mode that permits user authentication, and a panel authentication mode that permits execution of a print job related to confidential print on setting by requesting the user to perform a key input operation of user identification information and a personal identification number (authentication information). There are two types, and in principle, it operates in the card key authentication mode. In the following embodiment, the operation of the image forming apparatus in the card key authentication mode, which is a process according to the principle, will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, for example, a user who wishes to execute a new print job related to a confidential document transmits operation information related to a print job execution command through a remote operation from the user terminal 91 via the network ( Step S51). At this time, confidential printing is not set to ON for the new print job.

  In response to the print job execution command in step S51, the standby status acquisition unit 73 acquires the standby status of the preceding print job in the image forming apparatus through monitoring a print queue (not shown), and waits for the acquisition result. It is sent to the time calculation unit 74. In response to this, the standby time calculation unit 74 assumes that the execution of the new print job is started based on the number of the preceding print jobs and the number of prints for each job among the waiting states of the preceding print jobs. The standby time is calculated (step S52), and the calculation result is sent to the display control unit 79.

  In response to this, the display control unit 79 displays the inquiry screen 103 related to the necessity of setting confidential print on for the new print job together with information related to the standby time calculated by the standby time calculation unit 74, for example, as in FIG. Control to display on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53 is performed (step S53). In addition to the information related to the waiting time (“5 minutes and 30 seconds” in the example of FIG. 4) and the content related to “Would you like to turn on confidential printing?” If the confidential printing is set to ON, a new print job is started after waiting for the user's authentication operation after the waiting preceding print job is finished. It may be configured to display automatically. The user who viewed the inquiry screen 103 in step S53 is relatively informed until the start of execution of the new print job by referring to the waiting time of the new print job, which is a powerful judgment material regarding whether or not confidential print on setting is necessary. When it is determined that a long time is required, an input operation related to the confidential print ON setting is additionally performed.

  Now, the main control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation information related to the confidential print on setting necessity for the new print job has been acquired by monitoring the operation information sent via the operation information acquisition unit 71. (Step S54).

  As a result of the determination in step S54, when it is determined that the operation information related to the confidential print on setting necessity for the new print job is not acquired ("No" in step S54), the main control unit 11 performs the processing flow. While jumping to step S56, when it is determined that the operation information related to the confidential print on setting necessity has been acquired ("Yes" in step S54), a confidential print flag representing the confidential print on setting is set. To do. Further, the main control unit 11 prompts the user to perform an authentication operation similar to user authentication in steps S59 to S60 described later in order to associate the new print job with the user related to the new print job (step S59 to S60). S55). As a result, the authentication information storage unit 75 stores association information for associating the user identification information transferred from the IC card communication unit 67 with the new print job. This association information is utilized in the authentication step in step S60, which relates to whether or not the access user is a valid user.

  The standby status acquisition unit 73 acquires the standby status of the preceding print job in the image forming apparatus through monitoring of the print queue, and sends the acquisition result to the main control unit 11. In response to this, the main control unit 11 determines whether or not all of the waiting preceding print jobs have been completed (step S56).

  As a result of the determination in step S56, when it is determined that all the waiting preceding print jobs have been completed ("Yes" in step S56), the main control unit 11 determines that all waiting preceding printing jobs have been completed. Notification of the completion is sent to the corresponding user via an appropriate means such as e-mail. As a result, the relevant user can know in real time that his / her new print job can be executed, which is particularly convenient for users who want to output their new print job as soon as possible. Can be provided.

  Next, the main control unit 11 determines whether or not confidential printing for the new print job is set to ON by checking whether or not the confidential printing flag is set in step S55 (step S58).

  As a result of the determination in step S58, when it is determined that confidential printing for the new print job is not set on ("No" in step S58), the main control unit 11 moves the process flow to step S61. On the other hand, when it is determined that confidential printing for the new print job is set to ON ("Yes" in step S58), the fact is sent to the display control unit 79. Receiving this, the display control unit 79 displays a prompt screen related to the authentication operation on the display screen in the touch panel unit 53 (step S59). Here, as described above, since the card key authentication mode is employed in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the IC card key 69 possessed by the user is displayed on the prompt screen in step S59 in the image forming apparatus. A message prompting the user to set the IC card reader / writer (not shown) is displayed. When the panel authentication mode is employed, a message screen 105 that prompts the user to perform a key input operation of a password (authentication information) is displayed in addition to the user identification information (see, for example, FIG. 6). . The user who viewed the prompting screen in step S19 sets the card key 69 possessed by the user in the IC card reader / writer according to the instruction on the prompting screen.

  The IC card communication unit 67 constantly monitors the access of the IC card key 69. At this time, when the user viewing the prompting screen in step S19 sets the card key 69 possessed by the user in the IC card reader / writer according to the instruction on the prompting screen, the IC card communication unit 67 accesses the IC card key 69. And the user identification information stored in the IC card key 69 is read, and the read user identification information of the IC card key 69 is transferred to the authentication unit 77.

  In response to this, the authentication unit 77 collates the user identification information transferred from the IC card communication unit 67 with the user identification information registered in advance in the authentication information storage unit 75 (see step S55). User authentication is performed to determine whether the user who has accessed via card key authentication is a legitimate user (step S60). Note that a login management function based on a password may be added for user authentication.

  As a result of the user authentication in step S60, if the access user is approved as an authorized user, the authentication unit 77 transfers the fact to the print control unit 81. In response to this, the print control unit 81 sends permission to perform the new print job to the engine unit 41. As a result, a new print job is started after an authorized user authentication operation (step S61).

  During the processing of the new print job in step S61, the standby status acquisition unit 73 acquires the standby status related to the print queue and sends the acquisition result to the main control unit 11. In response to this, the main control unit 11 determines whether or not the new print job has been completed (step S62). As a result of this determination, when it is determined that the new print job has ended ("Yes" in step S62), the main control unit 11 ends the flow of all processing.

[Others]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention read from the claims and the entire specification or the technical idea, and a printer driver accompanying such a change Is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus operating in the card key authentication mode has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the user identification information and the password The present invention is also applicable to an image forming apparatus that is operating in a panel authentication mode that permits use of the apparatus by requesting a user to perform a key input operation.

  In addition, the “user” in the present invention naturally includes an individual user, and includes, for example, a department user that collectively means a member of a certain department.

  Furthermore, the user terminal (information processing apparatus) in which the printer driver according to the present invention is installed is a concept including, for example, a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and the like. .

  By the way, the present invention can take an embodiment as a program or a recording medium. That is, for example, the printer control function in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention can be applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external recording medium via a network. Can be applied as is.

  In addition, a recording medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code in the recording medium. The object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Furthermore, 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. A mode in which part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  In addition, after the program code read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. A mode in which 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 is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, the system or apparatus enjoys the function according to the present invention by downloading and reading out the program represented by the software for achieving the present invention from the server, database, etc. on the network by the communication program. Needless to say, it becomes possible.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system configured by connecting a user terminal in which a printer driver according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed and an image forming apparatus serving as a print server via a network. is there. FIG. 3 is an external view of an operation panel unit in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart figure with which it uses for operation | movement description of a user terminal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a inquiry screen which concerns on the necessity for confidential printing ON setting. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a password input prompting screen.

Explanation of symbols

11 Main control part 41 Engine part 53 Touch panel part (display part)
71 Operation Information Acquisition Unit 73 Standby Status Acquisition Unit 74 Standby Time Calculation Unit 75 Authentication Information Storage Unit 77 Authentication Unit 79 Display Control Unit 81 Print Control Unit 91 User Terminal 93 Display Device 95 Operation Information Transmission Unit 97 Standby Time Acquisition Unit 99 Display Control Part 101 Printer driver

Claims (3)

A printing system configured by connecting a plurality of user terminals including a display device capable of displaying a print dialog on a display screen and an image forming apparatus serving as a print server via a network, A printer driver installed on each user terminal and having a function of performing operation control of the image forming apparatus;
An operation information transmission unit for transmitting operation information relating to a new print job to the image forming apparatus;
A standby time when it is assumed that the execution of the new print job is started due to the presence of the preceding print job is acquired from the image forming apparatus that has received the operation information related to the new print job from the operation information transmission unit. A waiting time acquisition unit;
A display control unit that performs control to display on the display unit the information related to the standby time acquired by the standby time acquisition unit, the inquiry screen related to the necessity of confidential print on setting for the new print job,
Whether or not to additionally perform an input operation related to the confidential print on setting required by referring to the waiting time by the user,
A printer driver characterized by that.   A program for causing the user terminal to realize the function of the printer driver according to claim 1.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 2 is recorded.