JP5234631B2 - Image forming apparatus, printing control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a printing control method, and a program.

  In recent years, companies have been required to introduce a high-security printing system in order to prevent information leakage due to a printed matter instructed to be printed from a client terminal being left on a printing apparatus.

In view of this, there has been proposed a printing system in which print data printed by a user is temporarily stored on a printing apparatus and a print request is made for the print data stored in the printing apparatus. As an example of this print system, Patent Document 1 can be cited. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a mechanism in which a multifunction peripheral has an authentication function and can print only authenticated user print data out of temporarily stored print data. With this mechanism, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being left for a long time, and it is possible to provide a secure printing system.
JP 2007-249959 A

  However, since the printing system of Patent Document 1 can only print only the print data instructed by an individual, when each individual prints a document that can be shared by a plurality of users, the following trouble is involved. .

  For example, when a document to be shared within a department matches, the person in charge digitizes the target document and distributes it to the parties concerned via e-mail or the like, and each of the parties concerned prints. Or, the person in charge has to print the documents for the number of people involved and distribute the printed paper document.

  In particular, when the number of people is not fixed immediately before a meeting or the like, useless printing has occurred because many paper documents are printed so that the person in charge does not run out.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to allow individual users to output print data that matches the user identification information obtained by authentication and print data of other user identification information used by the user who performed the authentication operation on the image forming apparatus. as Do print data, different users the print data printable, it provides a mechanism for identifiably displayed as output a printing data sharing.

User information that is connected to an information processing apparatus capable of outputting print data associated with a user via a network, and that manages user information by authenticating information input in response to a user operation Accepting means for accepting user identification information for identifying a user performing an authentication operation obtained according to the table, and other user identifications that can be used by the same user as the user performing the authentication operation according to the user identification information received by the accepting means Reference means for referring to information, bibliographic information of print data in which user identification information received by the reception means matches user identification information included in bibliographic information extracted from the print data, and other information referred to by the reference means Printing in which the user identification information of the user and the user identification information included in the bibliographic information extracted from the print data match Acquisition means for acquiring bibliographic information of print data including shared information indicating sharing of print data from a storage device, and list display means for displaying a list of the bibliographic information acquired by the acquisition means. The list display means displays the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the user identification information and the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the other user identification information as print data that can be output by the authenticated individual user. The bibliographic information of the print data including the shared information is displayed as print data that can be shared and output by a plurality of different users.
It is characterized by that.

Personal print data display mode for displaying bibliographic information of print data that can be output by the individual user, shared print data display mode for displaying bibliographic information of print data that can be shared and output by the plurality of different users, and A selection unit that selects all print data display modes for displaying all print data that can be output by the user, and the list display unit can output the individual user when the personal print data display mode is selected. Bibliographic information of the print data, and when the shared print data display mode is selected, the bibliographic information of the print data that can be shared and output by the plurality of different users is displayed. When selected, all print data that can be output by the user is displayed.

The shared information is group information, and the bibliographic information of the print data indicates the use of the print data to a plurality of users corresponding to the group information input by a printer driver provided in the information processing apparatus. The list display means displays the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the group information as print data that can be output by the plurality of different users together with the comment information.

When a print instruction is given by the list display means, print data acquisition means for acquiring print data corresponding to the bibliographic information for which the print instruction has been given from the storage device, and print data acquired by the print data acquisition means And a printing unit.

The storage device is provided in the image forming apparatus or the server.

The user information management table is provided in the image forming apparatus or server.

A printing control method for an image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus capable of outputting print data corresponding to a user via a network, wherein the image forming apparatus receives information input in response to a user operation. A reception step for receiving user identification information for identifying a user who performs authentication operation obtained according to a user information table for managing user information by authentication, and the same as the user who performs the authentication operation according to the user identification information received in the reception step A reference step for referring to other user identification information that can be used by the user, and a print data bibliography in which the user identification information received in the reception step matches the user identification information included in the bibliographic information extracted from the print data Information, other user identification information referenced in the reference step, and the print data. The bibliographic information of the print data that matches the user identification information included in the bibliographic information that has been obtained, the acquisition step of acquiring the bibliographic information of the print data including the shared information indicating that the print data is shared, and the acquisition step A list display step for displaying a list of the bibliographic information, and the list display step displays the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the user identification information and the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the other user identification information. It is displayed as print data that can be output by an authenticated individual user, and bibliographic information of the print data including the shared information is displayed as print data that can be shared and output by a plurality of different users.

A program that can be executed by an information processing apparatus capable of outputting print data associated with a user and an image forming apparatus connected via a network, the information input to the image forming apparatus in response to a user operation Receiving means for receiving user identification information for identifying a user who performs an authentication operation obtained according to a user information table managing user information, and a user performing the authentication operation according to the user identification information received by the receiving means, Referencing means for referring to other user identification information that can be used by the same user, user identification information received by the receiving means, and print data that matches user identification information included in bibliographic information extracted from the print data Bibliographic information, other user identification information referred to by the referring means, and bibliographic information extracted from the print data The bibliographic information of the print data with the same user identification information included in the report, the acquisition unit for acquiring the bibliographic information of the print data including the shared information indicating that the print data is shared, and the bibliographic information acquired by the acquisition unit The list display unit displays the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the user identification information and the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the other user identification information as the authenticated user. It is displayed as print data that can be output by an individual, and bibliographic information of the print data including the shared information is displayed as print data that can be shared and output by a plurality of different users.

On the image forming apparatus, print data that matches the user identification information obtained by authentication and print data of other user identification information that is used by the user who performed the authentication are different as print data that can be individually output by the user. The print data that can be printed by the user can be displayed as identifiable print data that can be shared and output .

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

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print system to which a client PC 100 (information processing apparatus), an authentication server 200, and a multifunction machine 300 (image forming apparatus) according to the present invention can be applied. The print management server 500 and the print server 600 shown in FIG. 1 are configured in the case of a print system having a print server configuration that stores print data in the server.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the print system according to the present embodiment includes one or a plurality of client PCs 100 (for example, for each user), one or a plurality of multifunction peripherals 300, a print management server 500, an authentication server 200, and a print server 600. It is connected via a local area network (LAN) 700 and is configured to transmit and receive information.

  A printer driver is installed in the client PC 100, and the printer driver can create print data based on data received from the application program and transmit the print data to the multifunction device 300. In the case of a print server configuration, print data is transmitted to the print server 600.

  The multifunction device 300 can receive print data from the client PC 100 and store it in the HDD 304. After receiving the print data, the print module operating in the MFP 300 acquires the bibliographic information data of the print data, stores it in the RAM 302, and is authenticated by the authentication module operating on the MFP 300 and logged in. The print data of the logged-in user and the shared print data information of the department to which the user belongs can be displayed on the operation unit 308 of the multifunction peripheral 300, and printing can be executed and print data can be deleted by user operation.

  The authentication server 200 stores a user information table that holds user information for managing users including user names. The authentication module searches for the user according to the card information (card number) transmitted from the multi-function device 300, and returns the user information to the multi-function device 300 if the user exists. In this embodiment, the authentication server 200 and the multifunction device 300 are configured as separate units. However, the function of the authentication server may be performed in the multifunction device 300. In this case, the user information table is stored in the HDD 304 of the multifunction machine 300.

  The print management server 500 stores the bibliographic information of the print data stored in the print server 600, and the document list (print data list) corresponding to the user from the print module operating on the multifunction machine 300 by the print management module. When an information acquisition request is transmitted, the corresponding document (print data) is searched based on the user information (user name), and the document list (print data list) information is returned.

  The print server 600 stores the print data sent from the client PC 100, and transmits the bibliographic information acquired from the print data by the print module of the print server 600 to the print management server. When a print request is issued from the print module on the multifunction device 300, the print data to be printed is read and output to the multifunction device 300.

  In the present embodiment, the user authentication is performed by holding the card over the card reader 319 of the MFP 300. However, the user authentication is performed using the user name and password obtained by the user's operation input. May be. It is also possible to configure to perform user authentication using fingerprint authentication or finger vein authentication. In any authentication, the MFP 300 is logged in using user identification information (for example, a user name) for identifying the user, and a list of print data that can be printed by the user is displayed using the user identification information. Can be displayed.

  Hereinafter, a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 100, the authentication server 200, the print management server 500, and the print server 600 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 100, the authentication server 200, the print management server 500, and the print server 600 illustrated in FIG.

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

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

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

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

  A communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 700 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

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

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

  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 300 (printer) shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 300 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner unit 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 700 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line ( (WAN) (for example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The display unit has different display performance depending on the printer (multifunction device). The printer (multifunction device) can be operated via a touch panel. It simply has a liquid crystal screen and displays a character string (displays the print status and the name of the document being printed). The present invention is constituted by a printer (multi-function machine) that is simply allowed to be).

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

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

  With the configuration described above, the multi-function device 300 can transmit the image data read from the scanner unit 314 to the LAN 700 and print out the print data received from the LAN 700 using the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 314 can be fax-transmitted on the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by FAX from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Hereafter, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are functional block diagrams showing an example of functions in each terminal in the present embodiment. Details of processing of each function will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 14 described later.

  The client PC 100 includes a print data generation unit 111 and is a function executed by a printer driver stored in the external memory 211 of the client PC 100.

  The print data generation unit 111 generates print data in a language in which document data generated by an application can be interpreted by the multi-function device 300. The print data generation unit generates document information such as the user name of the user who has logged into the client PC 100, the document ID of the print data, and the creation date, and transmits the document information together with the print data to the MFP 300.

  The authentication server 200 includes a first multifunction device communication unit 212 and a user information management unit 213, and each function unit is a function executed by an authentication service stored in the external memory 211 of the authentication server 200.

  The first MFP communication unit 212 receives the authentication packet transmitted from the authentication server communication unit 422, acquires card information (card number) from the received authentication packet, and associates it with the card information (card number). The user information is searched from the user information table managed by the user information management unit 213. In addition, a response packet including user information including the user name obtained as a result of the search is returned to the authentication server communication unit 422.

  In the user information search, information on the user name 602, the mail address 603, the department ID 604, the department password 605, and the expiration date 606 is searched from the user information management table of FIG. 6 using the card number 601 as a key. When the response packet transmitted to the MFP 300 is associated with the card information (card number) acquired from the authentication packet and there is user information, the user information of the user (602 to 606 and a result indicating successful authentication). A response packet including information is transmitted, and if there is no user information associated with the acquired card information (card number), a response packet including result information indicating an authentication failure is transmitted.

  The user information management unit 213 reads and updates user information from the user information management table in FIG.

  The card reader 319 includes a card information reading unit 320, and each function unit is a function executed by the card reading module.

  The card information reading unit 320 is communicable with the multifunction device 300 via a USB connection or the like, detects that the card is held by a user operation, and if the card is held, the card information (card number) is displayed. read. Further, when the card information (card number) is read, the card information (card number) is notified to the card information acquisition unit 421 of the authentication module.

  The multifunction device 300 includes a first print data management unit 411 and an output control unit 412, and each function unit is a function executed by a print module stored in the HDD 304 of the multifunction device 300. In addition, a card information acquisition unit 421, an authentication server communication unit 422, and an authentication processing unit 423 are provided, and each function unit is a function executed by an authentication module stored in the HDD 304 of the multifunction machine 300.

  The first print data management unit 411 acquires the print data generated by the print data generation unit 111 of the client PC 100 and stores the acquired print data in the HDD 304. Further, the first print data management unit 411 extracts bibliographic information (corresponding to 701 to 711 and 713 in FIG. 7) including document information of print data and print setting data, and stores the extracted bibliographic information in the RAM 302.

  The output control unit 412 includes a display control unit that displays a list of print data that can be printed by the user who has logged in through the operation unit 308, and a print control unit that instructs the printer unit 312 to print the print data selected in the list.

  The display control unit obtains the user name and department ID of the login user accepted from the authentication processing unit 423 when logged in to the multifunction machine 300. Based on the acquired user name and department ID, print data information corresponding to the user name is acquired from the bibliographic information managed by the first print data management unit 411, and the information is sent to the operation unit 308 of the MFP 300. Display a list.

  The print control unit selects print data to be printed from the list displayed by the display control unit by the user, and when printing is instructed, reads the print data stored in the HDD 304 and instructs the printer unit 312 to print. .

  In the case of the print server configuration, the display control unit transmits a user document list (print data list) information acquisition request to the print management server 500 based on the user name of the login user. The user's document list (print data list) information transmitted from the print management server 500 as a response to the request is received and displayed on the operation unit 308 of the MFP 300. The print control unit sends a print request for print data selected by the user in the list display to the print management server 500, and the print request is sent to the print server storing the print data instructed to print via the print management server 500. Made. Then, the print data received from the print server is acquired, and the printer unit 312 issues a print instruction to print.

  The card information acquisition unit 421 controls communication with the card reader 319 connected via USB, receives the card information of the card held over the card reader 319, and transmits the card information to the authentication server communication unit 422.

  The authentication server communication unit 422 receives the card information from the card information acquisition unit 421, and acquires the card information as an authentication request to the first MFP communication unit 212 of the authentication server 200 in order to acquire user information associated with the card information. An authentication request packet including information is generated, and the generated authentication packet is transmitted to the authentication server 200. In response to the transmitted authentication request packet, a response packet including user information is received from the first MFP communication unit 212 of the authentication server 200, and if the authentication is successful, the user information including the user name is notified to the authentication processing unit 423. To do.

  The authentication processing unit 423 stores user information including the user name received by the authentication server communication unit 422, notifies the OS (operating system) stored in the HDD 304 of the multi-function device 300 (login instruction), and notifies the multi-function device 300. Perform login process to. In addition, the user information including the user name is notified to the first print data management unit 411 that the authentication is successful.

  The print management server 500 includes a print server communication unit 511, a third multi-function peripheral communication unit 512, and a bibliographic information management unit 513. Each functional unit is executed by a print management module stored in the external memory 211 of the print management server 500. It is a function to do.

  The print server communication unit 511 receives bibliographic information sent from the print server 600 and notifies the bibliographic information management unit 513. Further, when a print request is received from the multi-function apparatus 300, an output request for print data to be printed is transmitted to the print module of the print server 600.

  The third MFP communication unit receives a document list (print data list) request sent from the MFP 300, and based on the bibliographic information managed by the bibliographic information management unit 513 based on the login user name included in the request. The bibliographic information of the user is acquired and transmitted to the MFP 300 as document list information.

  The bibliographic information management unit 513 performs management such as storing the bibliographic information received by the print server communication unit 511 in the external memory 211 and reading out from the external memory 211. The received bibliographic information may be managed by a database or the like.

  The print server 600 includes a second multifunction device communication unit 611, a print management server communication unit 612, and a second print data management unit 613. Each functional unit is executed by a print module stored in the external memory 211 of the print server 600. It is a function.

  The second MFP communication unit 611 receives print data transmitted from the MFP 300 and stores the print data in the external memory 211 of the print server 600.

  The print management server communication unit 612 transmits the bibliographic information of the print data to the print management server 500 and receives an output request from the print management server 500.

  The second print data management unit 613 acquires the print data received by the second multifunction device communication unit 611. Also, bibliographic information of the print data is extracted and the print data is managed. Further, the print data requested to be output is read and output to the multi-function device 300.

  Next, the user information table in FIG. 6 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information table stored in the external memory 211 of the authentication server 200.

  The user information table includes, for each user, a card number 601 (for example, a card manufacturing number) of a card carried by the user, a user name 602 of the user carrying the card, an email address 603, a department ID 604 of a department to which the user belongs, A department password 605 and an expiration date 606 are stored. The department ID 604 corresponds to a plurality of users for each department ID. For example, the department ID represents a section code, and a user who belongs to the section code stores the same section code as the section ID 604.

  User authentication processing is performed with reference to this user information table. More specifically, if there is a card number that matches the card number transmitted from the multifunction device in the user information table, it is determined that the authentication is successful, and user information including the user name is acquired and transmitted to the multifunction device 300. .

  Next, the bibliographic information management table in FIG. 7 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bibliographic information management table stored in the RAM 302 of the multifunction peripheral 300 or stored in the external memory 211 of the print management server 500.

  The bibliographic information management table stores information on items 701 to 712 for each print data.

  A document ID 701 is identification information for uniquely specifying print data, and is information given when the print data is stored in the multi-function device 300 or the print management server 500. The creator 702 stores the user name of the user who logged in and printed on the client PC 100 included in the print data.

  The department ID 703 stores the department ID set by the printer driver of the client PC 100 included in the print data. Note that the department ID 703 does not have a value when document sharing is not set in FIG.

  The document type 704 is information stored depending on the presence / absence of the sharing setting set in the printer driver of the client PC 100 included in the print data. If the check is made in 1601 in FIG. 16, “shared” is stored. , 1601 is not checked, “individual” is stored.

The creation date 705 stores the date and time printed by the client PC 100. The print date may be the date when the print data is generated by the client PC or the date when the MFP 300 or the print server 600 receives the print data. The document name 706 is generated by the application of the client PC 100. The document name assigned at the time is stored. This document name is included in the print data. Acquired from the print data and stored.

  The paper size 707 and the number of pages 708 store information acquired from the print data.

  The usage 713 stores the character string (comment information) input in 1603 in FIG. 16 of the printer driver of the client PC 100. This application is included in the print data and is acquired from the print data and stored. The usage 713 does not include a value when the document sharing setting is not made in FIG.

  The color information 709, duplex printing information 710, and Nup information 711 store print settings set by the printer driver of the client PC 100. This print setting is included in the print data, and is acquired from the print data and stored.

  The print server host name 712 is information stored in the case of a print server configuration, and stores the IP address of the print server 600. When the print server 600 generates bibliographic information, the bibliographic information including the IP address of its own print server is transmitted to the print management server 500 and stored.

  Next, the user group table in FIG. 8 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user group table stored in the HDD 304 of the multifunction peripheral 300 or stored in the external memory 211 of the print management server 500.

  The user group table stores a plurality of user names (user 1 of 802, user 2 of 803, user 3 of 804) corresponding to the login user name 801. This user group table is configured to display the document list of FIG. 15 also for print data instructed to be printed by a user other than the user name of the user who has logged in to the MFP 300.

  For example, in normal business, the user 1 logs in to the client PC 100 and prints, but in the development work, there is a business form in which another user logs in and prints. In this case, since the user name is “User1” and “User1X”, since they are the same person, a list of print data corresponding to a plurality of user names is displayed on the operation unit 308 of the MFP 300. This eliminates the need to log in with a plurality of user names, thereby reducing the printing load on the user.

  Next, the print data storing process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The processing of steps S901 to S904 is processing of the client PC 100 and is executed by the CPU 201. Further, the processing of steps S905 to S908 is processing of the multi-function device 300 and is executed by the CPU 301.

  Note that the processing of steps S901 to S904 is executed by the functions of the printer driver of the client PC 100, and steps S905 to S908 are executed by the functions of the printing module of the multifunction machine 300.

  First, in step S901, document data to be printed by a document creation application is generated, and a printer driver UI for performing print settings and the like is displayed when printing, and various print settings are set. At this time, the settings related to document sharing (1601 to 1603) are performed on the screen of FIG. 16 of the printer driver UI. When a check is made in 1601, the setting information “shared”, the department ID input with the department ID of 1602, and the character string input for the purpose of 1603 are included in the print data generated in step S904. . If no check is made in 1601, the setting information “person” is included in the print data, and the other information input in 1602 and 1603 is a NULL value.

  In step S <b> 902, after a print setting including a setting related to document sharing in the printer driver UI, when there is a user print instruction, document data is acquired from the OS (operating system) of the client PC 100.

  In step S903, print settings including settings relating to document sharing set in the printer driver UI are acquired. In step S904, the print data generation unit 111 generates print data according to print settings including settings related to document data and document sharing. This print data is, for example, data converted into PDL (page description language) that can be interpreted by the printer. The generated print data is transmitted by the printer driver to the multi-function apparatus 300 designated by the application.

  In step 905, the first print data management unit 411 receives print data from the client PC 100. In step S906, the received print data is stored in the HDD 304.

  In step S907, bibliographic information for managing print data is extracted from the print data stored in the first print data management unit 411. In step S908, the bibliographic information extracted by the first print data management unit 411 is stored in the bibliographic information management table of FIG. The bibliographic information to be extracted is information corresponding to 701 to 711 and 713 in FIG. 7, and this is configured by information included in the print data and information provided by the multifunction device 300.

  Next, an authentication process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The processes in steps S1001 to S1002 and S1006 to S1007 are processes of the multifunction machine 300 and are executed by the CPU 301. Further, the processing of steps S1103 to S1105 is processing of the authentication server 200 and is executed by the CPU 201.

  Note that the processes of steps S1001 to S1002 and S1006 to S1007 are executed by each function of the authentication module of the multifunction peripheral 300, and the processes of steps S1103 to S1105 are executed by each function of the authentication service of the authentication server 200.

  First, in step S1001, the card information acquisition unit 421 receives the card information (card number) acquired by the card information reading module by the user holding the card over the card reader 319. In step S1002, in order to perform user authentication, a card number is acquired from the acquired card information, and an authentication request including the card number is transmitted to the authentication server 200 by the authentication server communication unit.

  In step S1003, the first MFP communication unit 212 receives an authentication request including a card number. In step S1004, a card number is acquired from the received authentication request, and the user information management unit 213 searches the user information table in FIG. If the card number included in the authentication request is found in the user information table as a result of the search, it is determined that the authentication is successful. In the case of successful authentication, user information (for example, 602 to 606) with matching card numbers is acquired.

  In step 1005, the first multifunction device communication unit 212 transmits information on authentication success or authentication failure to the multifunction device 300. The authentication success information includes the acquired user information and an authentication success flag, and the authentication failure information includes an authentication failure flag.

  In step S <b> 1006, the authentication server communication unit 422 receives authentication success or authentication failure information from the authentication server 200. Authentication success or authentication failure is determined by the received authentication success or authentication failure information flag. If the authentication is successful, the user information is acquired, and the user name included in the user information is notified to the authentication processing unit 423. In the case of authentication failure, information indicating the authentication failure is displayed on the operation unit 308. The received user information is stored in the RAM 302.

  In step S <b> 1007, a login instruction is issued to the OS of the MFP 300 according to the user name acquired by the authentication processing unit 423. Also, the user name is notified to the printing module. When login to the MFP 300 is performed according to the login instruction and the user name is notified to the print module, the process proceeds to step S1101 in FIG.

  Next, a print data list display process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Note that the processing of steps S1101 to S1113 is processing of the multi-function device 300, and is executed by the CPU 301. Further, the processing in steps S1101 to S1113 is executed by each function of the printing module.

  In step S1101, the user name (login user name) notified to the printing module is acquired, and the department ID is acquired (accepted) from the user information stored in the RAM 302 according to the acquired user name. The user name can be restated as user identification information, and the department ID can be restated as group information. The department ID may be notified to the print module together with the user name (login user name).

  In step S1102, a document list for storing print data information is created in the RAM 302 in order to create a list of print data corresponding to the login user name. At this time, no information is stored in the document list.

In step S1103, the print data management unit acquires information on the creator 702 and the department ID 703 from the bibliographic information of one print data from the bibliographic information management table of FIG.
In step S1104, the CPU 301 determines whether the creator 702 acquired by the print data management unit matches the login user name notified to the print module. If the user names match, the process proceeds to step S1106. If the user names do not match, the process proceeds to step S1106.

  In step S1104, the user group table shown in FIG. 8 is referred to, and the user name that matches the login user name is also determined to match, and the process proceeds to step S1106.

  In step S1105, the CPU 301 determines whether the department ID 703 acquired by the print data management unit matches the department ID acquired in step S1101. If the department IDs match, the process proceeds to step S1106. If the department IDs do not match, the process proceeds to step S1007.

  In step S1006, the CPU 301 stores the bibliographic information whose user name matches in step 1004 and the bibliographic information whose department ID matches in step S1105 in the document list.

  In step S1007, it is determined whether or not the comparison has been made with the bibliographic information of all print data stored in the bibliographic information management table. If it is compared with the bibliographic information of all print data, the process proceeds to step S1108. If it is not compared with the bibliographic information of all print data, the process proceeds to step S1103 to compare with the next bibliographic information. .

  In step S1108, the output control unit 412 acquires the document type of the bibliographic information of each print data stored in the document list, and determines the document type. If the document type is “individual”, the process proceeds to step S1109. If the document type is “shared”, the process proceeds to step S1110.

  In step S1109, the icon management information of FIG. 17 stored in the HDD 304 is referred to, and an icon 1702 corresponding to the document type “person” is acquired.

  In step S1110, the icon management information in FIG. 17 stored in the HDD 304 is referred to, and an icon 1701 corresponding to the document type “shared” is acquired.

  Note that the processing of step S1109 or step S1110 is performed for each bibliographic information of each print data stored in the document list.

  In step S <b> 1111, the output control unit 412 uses the icon acquired in step S <b> 1109 or step S <b> 1110 and the bibliographic information of the document list to generate a list of print data that can be printed by the user who has logged in the MFP 300 to the operation unit 308. Displayed (FIG. 15).

  The output control unit 412 displays the login user name in 1500 and information corresponding to display items (for example, document name, number of pages, usage, date / time) from the bibliographic information stored in the document list in 1506. Is acquired and displayed as a list. Further, the icons acquired in step S1109 or step S1110 are arranged and displayed as 1504 or 1505. As a result, whether the print data is shared print data or print data output by an individual is displayed in an identifiable manner, and a print instruction is facilitated.

  In addition, since the usage stored in the bibliographic information is displayed in the usage 1503, the usage and date of printing of the shared print data can be grasped, and the printing system is easy to use.

  The control on the screen of FIG. 15 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S1112, the CPU 301 issues an instruction to output the print data selected by the user when the print button 1509 is pressed.

  In step S1113, the output control unit 412 acquires the document ID of the print data selected in FIG. 15 from the bibliographic information of the document list, and reads out the print data corresponding to this document ID from the HDD 304. The output control unit 412 outputs the print data read out for printing by the printer unit 312.

  In the present embodiment, the description has been made with respect to two types of document types: shared and individual. However, a document type such as company-wide may be provided in addition to shared and individual.

  For example, when the department ID 1602 in FIG. For example, if “X” is a wild card, “00XX” is input as the department ID 1602, and “00XX” is stored as the department ID 703 as bibliographic information, the document type 704 is stored as “company”. In the case of this entire company, other icons such as an icon 1701 indicating sharing and an icon 1702 indicating individual are displayed.

  Next, display control processing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Note that the processing in steps S <b> 1201 to S <b> 1203 is processing of the multifunction peripheral 300 and is executed by the CPU 301. Further, the processing of steps S1201 to S1203 is executed by the display control unit of the output control unit 412.

  In step S1202, the pull-down button 1502 is pressed to accept specification of the document type.

  In step S1202, the designated document type is acquired. In step S1203, the document type of the bibliographic information of each print data in the document list is acquired, and bibliographic information that matches the acquired document type is determined.

  In step S1204, the bibliographic information of the print data having the same document type is displayed in a list on the screen 1506 in FIG. That is, if all are selected in 1502, bibliographic information of shared print data and bibliographic information of personal print data are displayed together as shown in FIG. 15, and bibliographic information of personal print data is displayed when 1502 is selected. When sharing is selected in 1502, bibliographic information of shared print data is displayed.

  Next, processing of the print server configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the case of a print server configuration, print data is stored in the print server 600, and bibliographic information for managing the print data is stored in the print management server 500. The bibliographic information stores the model name of the multifunction device that can be output, and print data can be printed from any multifunction device of the same model.

  First, the print data storing process in the print server configuration according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The processing of steps S1301 to S1304 is processing of the client PC 100 and is executed by the CPU 201 of the client PC 100. Further, the processing of steps S1305 to S1308 is processing of the print server 600 and is executed by the CPU 201 of the print server 600. Further, the processing of steps S1309 to S1310 is processing of the print management server 500, and is executed by the CPU 201 of the print management server 500.

  Note that the processing of steps S1301 to S1304 is executed by each function of the printer driver of the client PC 100, the processing of steps S1305 to S1308 is executed by each function of the print module of the print server 600, and the processing of steps S1309 to S1310 is printing. It is executed by the print management module of the management server 500.

  First, in step S1301, document data to be printed by a document creation application is generated, and a printer driver UI for performing print settings and the like is displayed when printing, and various print settings are set. At this time, the settings related to document sharing (1601 to 1603) are performed on the screen of FIG. 16 of the printer driver UI. If the check is made in 1601, the setting information “shared”, the department ID input with the department ID of 1602 and the character string input for the purpose of 1603 are included in the print data generated in step S1304. . If no check is made in 1601, the setting information “person” is included in the print data, and the other information input in 1602 and 1603 is a NULL value.

  In step S <b> 1302, after a print setting including a setting related to document sharing in the printer driver UI, when there is a user print instruction, document data is acquired from the OS (operating system) of the client PC 100.

  In step S1303, print settings including settings related to document sharing set in the printer driver UI are acquired. In step S1304, the print data generation unit 111 generates print data according to print settings including settings related to document data and document sharing. This print data is, for example, data converted into PDL (page description language) that can be interpreted by the printer. The generated print data is transmitted to the print server 600 by the printer driver. The printer driver port is set to be output to the print server.

  In the case of a print server configuration, an application is used so that the generated print data can be printed from any multifunction device if it is the same model as the multifunction device specified by the application at the time of printing or a similar model. The printer driver name (model name) of the multifunction device specified in is included.

  In step 1305, the second print data management unit 613 receives print data from the client PC 100. In step S1306, the received print data is stored in the external memory 211 of the print server 600.

  In step S1307, bibliographic information for managing print data is extracted from the print data stored in the second print data management unit 613. In step S1308, the print management server communication unit 612 transmits the bibliographic information extracted by the second print data management unit 613 to the print management server. The extracted bibliographic information is information corresponding to 701 to 713 in FIG. 7, and is configured by information included in the print data and information provided by the print server 600.

  In step S1309, the print server communication unit 511 receives the bibliographic information transmitted from the print server 600. In step S1310, the bibliographic information received by the bibliographic information management unit 513 is stored in the bibliographic information management table of FIG.

  Next, print data list display processing in the print server configuration according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Note that the authentication process when a card is held over the card reader 319 is the same as the process in FIG. 10, so the description is omitted, and the process after the authentication is successful and the MFP 300 is logged in is described. To do.

  The processes of steps S1401 to S1402, S1406 to S1409, and S1414 are processes of the multifunction machine 300 and are executed by the CPU 301. Further, it is executed by each function of the printing module of the multifunction machine 300.

  The processes of steps S1403 to S1405 and S1410 to S1411 are processes of the print management server 500, and are executed by the CPU 201 of the print management server 500. Further, it is executed by each function of the print management module of the print management server 500.

  Processing in steps S1412 to S1413 is processing of the print server 600. It is executed by the CPU 201 of the print server 600. Further, it is executed by each function of the print module of the print server 600.

In step S1401, the user name (login user name) notified to the printing module is acquired, and the department ID is acquired from the user information stored in the RAM 302 according to the acquired user name. The department ID may be notified to the print module together with the user name (login user name).
In step S1402, a document list (print data list) request including the user name, department ID, and model name of the multifunction device 300 is transmitted to the print management server 500 in order to obtain a list of print data corresponding to the user name.

  In step S1403, the third MFP communication unit 512 receives a document list (print data list) request from the MFP 300.

  In step S <b> 1404, the bibliographic information management unit 513 generates and acquires a print data document list that can be printed by the user who has logged in to the multifunction peripheral 300 according to the user name and department ID included in the document list (print data list) request. To do.

  The processing in step S1404 is the same as the processing in steps S1101 to S1107 in FIG. 11 and will not be described. However, in the case of a print server configuration, print data that can be printed by other models is not stored in the document list. Therefore, print data that matches the model name included in the document list (print data list) request and the printer driver name (model name) (not shown) stored in the bibliographic information management table of FIG. Is stored.

  In step S1405, the third MFP communication unit 512 transmits the document list acquired in step S1404 to the MFP 300.

  In step S 1406, the print management server communication unit 612 receives a document list from the print management server 500.

  In step S 1407, the document list received by the output control unit 412 is displayed on the operation unit 308. The document list display processing is the same as the processing in steps S1108 to S1111 in FIG.

  In step S1408, when the print button 1509 is pressed, the CPU 301 issues an output instruction for print data selected by the user.

  In step S1409, in accordance with the output instruction, the output control unit 412 transmits a print request including the document ID of the print data selected by the user and the IP address of the MFP 300 to the print management server.

  In step S1410, the third MFP communication unit 512 receives the print request. In step S1411, the print server host name 712 of the print server storing the print data is acquired from the document ID included in the print request. The print server communication unit 511 transmits a print request including the IP address and document ID of the MFP 300 included in the print request to the print server 600 having the print server host name.

  In step S <b> 1412, the print management server communication unit 612 receives a print request from the print management server 500. In step S1413, print data to be transmitted is acquired from the external memory 211 of the print server 600 using the document ID included in the print request. The second MFP communication unit transmits the acquired print data according to the IP address (output destination) of the MFP 300 included in the print request.

  In step S <b> 1414, print data is received from the print server 600, and the output control unit 412 outputs the received print data for printing by the printer unit 312.

  Next, a document list (print data list) display will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a document list (print data list) displayed in the embodiment according to the present invention.

  The display in FIG. 15 is an area that is displayed on the operation unit 308 of the multifunction peripheral 300 and displays a list of print data that can be printed by the multifunction peripheral logged in by the user who has logged in 1506.

  Reference numeral 1500 denotes an area for displaying the user name of the user who has logged in to the MFP 300, and reference numeral 1501 denotes a check box for indicating a selection state when print data is selected by the user.

  Reference numeral 1502 denotes a pull-down button of a list box for designating print data to be displayed in the area 1506 according to the document type, and the document type can be selected by pressing the pull-down button 1502 by a user operation.

  An area 1503 displays a character string (comment information) of the usage 1603 set in the printer driver UI, and an icon image 1504 indicates print data for which print data is set to be shared.

  Reference numeral 1505 denotes an icon image for indicating print data in which the document type of the print data is not shared (the document type is personal). 1504 and 1505 are configured to be able to identify whether the document type is shared print data or not.

  Reference numerals 1507 and 1508 denote user names of users printed by the client PC 100, and are displayed for each print data. In FIG. 15, the user name is not displayed in the print data with the shared document type, but it can be displayed.

  Reference numeral 1509 denotes a print button for instructing printing. When print data is selected in 1506 and the print button 1509 is pressed, the print data selected in the multi-function peripheral 300 can be printed.

  Next, a printer driver UI (user interface) of the client PC 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver UI (user interface) according to the present invention, which is stored in the HDD 304 of the multifunction machine 300.

  A setting item 1601 can set whether to share a document to be printed. The document type of the print data output when the check is turned on is stored as a share in the bibliographic information management table. If the check is turned off, the document type of the output print data is stored as an individual in the bibliographic information management table.

  The department ID 1602 and the usage 1603 are items to be input when the check is turned ON in 1601, and when the check is turned ON, input to the text box is possible. The department ID and usage 1603 are input by the user, and the input department ID and usage are stored in the bibliographic information management table.

  Note that the information 1601 to 1603 is included in the print data, and is transmitted to the MFP 300 or the print server 600.

  Next, icon management information will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of icon management information according to the present invention, which is stored in the HDD 304 of the multifunction machine 300.

  The icon management information is managed in association with the document type and the icon image, and is read according to the document type of the bibliographic information of each print data when the list of print data in FIG. 15 is displayed.

  Reference numeral 1701 denotes an icon image with a shared document type, which is an image displayed at 1504 in FIG. Reference numeral 1702 denotes an icon image whose document type is an individual, and is an image displayed at 1505 in FIG.

  As described above, the print data instructed by the individual and the print data that has been instructed to be printed by a plurality of users can be identified by displaying the print data that has been printed for sharing by a plurality of users. Can be easily grasped. It is also possible to confirm the use of print data that can be printed by a plurality of users.

  In particular, for example, since it is possible to confirm on the multi-function peripheral materials that must be printed and brought to the meeting, it is possible to perform printing without having to start up a personal computer.

  In addition, if the same person is working with multiple user names, print data for multiple user names can be displayed in a list, so you can log in multiple times with multiple user names. The load of printing can be reduced. Further, as indicated by 1507 and 1508 in FIG. 15, it is possible to display with which user name the print data is instructed to print, and it is possible to easily select the print data to be printed.

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

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

  Further, the program in the present invention is a program that can execute the processing method of FIGS. 9 to 14, and the storage medium of the present invention stores a program that can execute the processing method of FIGS. 9 to 14. ing. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each device in FIGS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration that implements a print system according to an embodiment of the present invention It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus (client PC, authentication server, print management server, print server) of embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function of client PC of the embodiment of this invention, an authentication server, a multifunction machine, and a card reader. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function of the printing management server of embodiment of this invention, and a print server. It is a figure which shows an example of the user information table of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the bibliographic information management table of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user group table of embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data storage processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the authentication process of embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a print data list display according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the display control process of embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data storage processing in the print server configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data list display processing in the print server configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the document list (print data list) display of embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a printer driver UI according to the embodiment of this invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the icon management information of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 client PC
200 Authentication Server 300 Multifunction Device 319 Card Reader 500 Print Management Server 600 Print Server 700 LAN

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus connected via a network to an information processing apparatus capable of outputting print data associated with a user,
The authentication information input in accordance with a user operation, and accepting means for accepting user identification information for identifying a user of the authentication operation is obtained according to the user information table for managing the user information,
Reference means for referring to other user identification information that can be used by the same user as the user performing the authentication operation according to the user identification information received by the reception means;
Bibliographic information of print data in which the user identification information received by the reception unit and the user identification information included in the bibliographic information extracted from the print data match, the other user identification information referred to by the reference unit, and the print data Acquisition means for acquiring, from the storage device , bibliographic information of print data that matches user identification information included in the bibliographic information extracted from the storage device , and bibliographic information of print data including shared information indicating sharing of the print data ;
A list display means for displaying a list of bibliographic information acquired by the acquisition means,
The list display means displays the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the user identification information and the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the other user identification information as print data that can be output by the authenticated individual user, An image forming apparatus, wherein bibliographic information of print data including the shared information is displayed as print data that can be shared and outputted by a plurality of different users. Wherein the individual print data display mode in which an individual user to view the bibliographic information of the print data can be output, and shared print data display mode to the multiple different users to view the bibliographic information of the print data that can be output to share the A selection means for selecting all print data display modes for displaying all print data that the user can output;
The list display means displays bibliographic information of print data that can be output by the individual user when the personal print data display mode is selected, and the different plurality of different display data when the shared print data display mode is selected. The bibliographic information of print data that can be shared and output by a user is displayed, and all print data that can be output by the user when the all print data display mode is selected is displayed. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The shared information is group information,
The bibliographic information of the print data includes comment information for indicating a use of the print data for a plurality of users corresponding to the group information input by a printer driver provided in the information processing apparatus,
The list display means, together with the comment information, according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the group information the different users bibliographic information of the print data matching is characterized that you display as output a printing data Image forming apparatus. Print data acquisition means for acquiring print data corresponding to the bibliographic information instructed to be printed from the storage device when a print instruction is given by the list display means;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a printing means for printing the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is provided in the image forming apparatus or the server. The user information management table, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises in the image forming apparatus or the server. A printing control method for an image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus capable of outputting print data associated with a user via a network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
The authentication information input in accordance with a user operation, the reception step of receiving user identification information for identifying a user of the authentication operation is obtained according to the user information table for managing the user information,
Referring to other user identification information that can be used by the same user as the user performing the authentication operation according to the user identification information received in the reception step;
Bibliographic information of print data in which the user identification information received in the reception step and the user identification information included in the bibliographic information extracted from the print data match, the other user identification information referred to in the reference step, and the print data Obtaining from the storage device bibliographic information of the print data matching the user identification information included in the bibliographic information extracted from the storage device , and bibliographic information of the print data including shared information indicating sharing of the print data ;
Performing a list display step of displaying a list of the bibliographic information acquired in the acquisition step;
The list display step displays the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the user identification information and the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the other user identification information as print data that can be output by the authenticated individual user, A print control method, wherein bibliographic information of print data including the shared information is displayed as print data that can be shared and output by a plurality of different users. A program that can be executed by an image forming apparatus connected via an information processing apparatus capable of outputting print data associated with a user via a network,
The image forming apparatus;
By the authentication information that is input in response to user operation, and accepting means for accepting user identification information for identifying a user of the authentication operation is obtained according to the user information table for managing the user information,
Reference means for referring to other user identification information that can be used by the same user as the user performing the authentication operation according to the user identification information received by the reception means;
Bibliographic information of print data in which the user identification information received by the reception unit and the user identification information included in the bibliographic information extracted from the print data match, the other user identification information referred to by the reference unit, and the print data Acquisition means for acquiring, from the storage device , bibliographic information of print data that matches user identification information included in the bibliographic information extracted from the storage device , and bibliographic information of print data including shared information indicating sharing of the print data ;
Function as a list display means for displaying a list of bibliographic information acquired by the acquisition means,
The list display means displays the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the user identification information and the bibliographic information of the print data that matches the other user identification information as print data that can be output by the authenticated individual user, A program for displaying bibliographic information of print data including the shared information as print data that can be shared and output by a plurality of different users.

Images