JP5573357B2 - Image processing apparatus, print control apparatus, print control system, print control method, print control program, and recording medium recording the program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs accumulation printing (pull printing), and a print control apparatus that controls accumulation printing of the image processing apparatus, and in particular, a plurality of users (users) share the same print job and accumulate printing. It is related to the technology to perform.

  When a user sends a print job to a printer from a PC (Personal Computer) or the like and stores it, and gives a print instruction via the operation screen of the printer, a system that can execute the stored print job is Already known.

  Normally, in such a system, stored print jobs and users are managed in a one-to-one relationship in the printer. However, in the case of a print job such as a conference material, there are cases where it is desired to share the accumulated print job among a plurality of users (conference participants).

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of users are collectively managed as one group, and in addition to the user's own print job, the print jobs of other users belonging to the same group can be executed, and the accumulated print jobs are stored. A system that can be shared by multiple users is disclosed.

  However, in the conventional system, since a user belonging to a group can execute print jobs of all users belonging to the same group, there is a concern that information leaks to a third party. That is, the conventional system has a problem that even if a print job can be shared by a plurality of users, the confidentiality (security) of information in the image processing apparatus is lowered.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art. An image processing apparatus, a print control apparatus, a print control system, and print control capable of sharing a print job among a plurality of users while maintaining confidentiality of information. A method, a print control program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention prints a user managed by user information management means that manages user information including at least user identification information for identifying a specific user. An image processing apparatus that can be set as a user to be used for a job,
Data analysis means for analyzing the received print job and obtaining user setting information for setting a plurality of users using the print job;
User specifying means for specifying the plurality of users to be used for the print job based on the acquired user setting information;
A print job duplicating unit for duplicating the received print job corresponding to each of a plurality of specified users;
Print job holding means for storing and holding a duplicated print job in association with user identification information for identifying each of the plurality of users;
Corresponding information held in the print job holding means based on the result of collation between the user identification information of the user who requested execution of the print job and the user identification information associated with the print job requested to be executed A printing means for executing a print job;
I have a,
The user specifying unit specifies the specific user as a user to be used for the print job when the specific user is set in the user setting information, and the user setting When a guest user is set in the information, the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job,
When the specific user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the print job holding unit associates the duplicate print with the user identification information of the specific user. When the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print job is associated with user identification information for identifying the guest user. Remember,
The user setting information is information that can set the specific user and guest user as a plurality of users who use the print job .

  With such a configuration, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention enables a print job based on setting information obtained by analyzing data of a received print job, in which execution conditions (print job execution conditions) of the shared print job are set. A user (shared user) is identified, print jobs are duplicated by the number of identified shared target users, and the shared print jobs are managed on a user basis.

  Thus, in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, since the print job data to be shared is managed in units of users, not in groups, who executed the print job to be shared and which print job Whether it was executed by data can be specified. As a result, it is possible to share a print job among a plurality of users while maintaining the confidentiality of information held in the device.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing control method according to the present invention prints a user managed by user information management means that manages user information including at least user identification information for identifying a specific user. A print control method in an image processing apparatus that can be set as a user to be used for a job ,
A data analysis procedure for analyzing the received print job and obtaining user setting information for setting a plurality of users using the print job;
A user specifying procedure for specifying the plurality of users to be used for the print job based on the acquired user setting information;
A print job duplication procedure for duplicating the received print job corresponding to each of a plurality of users identified by the user identification procedure;
A print job that stores a print job copied by the print job duplication procedure in a predetermined storage area of a storage device included in the image processing apparatus in association with user identification information for identifying each of the plurality of users Storage procedure;
Based on the collation result between the user identification information of the user who requested execution of the print job and the user identification information associated with the print job requested to be executed, the corresponding stored in the print job storage procedure possess a printing procedure for executing the print job, the,
The user specifying procedure specifies the specific user as a user to be used for the print job when the specific user is set in the user setting information, and sets the user setting If the guest user has been set in the information to identify the guest user as the user to be utilized subject of the print job,
In the print job storage procedure, when the specific user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print is associated with the user identification information of the specific user. When the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print job is associated with user identification information for identifying the guest user. Remember,
The user setting information is information that can set the specific user and guest user as a plurality of users who use the print job .

  Through such a procedure, the print control method according to the present invention is based on the setting information obtained from the data analysis of the received print job and in which the execution condition (print job execution condition) of the shared print job is set. The user (sharing target user) is specified, the print job is duplicated by the number of the specified sharing target users, and the shared print job is managed in units of users.

  Thus, the print control method according to the present invention can provide an environment in which a plurality of users can share a print job while maintaining the confidentiality of information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to identify the user to be shared with the print job from the analysis result of the received print job, and to duplicate and store the print job as many as the number of users to be shared, and to manage the information confidentially. An image processing apparatus, a print control apparatus, a print control system, a print control method, a print control program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded can be provided in which a print job can be shared among a plurality of users. .

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing control function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data of a print job according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job execution condition setting screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the user information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when generating accumulated data from a print job according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of storage of the accumulation | storage data which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data example (the 1) of the accumulation | storage information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data example (the 2) of the accumulation | storage information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence example of the data storage which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of accumulated printing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing control function which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing control system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the printing control apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing control function which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job execution condition setting screen according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the print job which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data example (the 1) of the accumulation | storage information which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data example (the 2) of the accumulation | storage information which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence example of the data storage which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process sequence of the storage printing which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 100 and one or a plurality of PCs 200 ₁ to 200 _n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “PC 200”) are connected to a data transmission path N such as a network (for example, “LAN: Local Area Network”). An example of a system configuration to be connected is shown.

  The image processing apparatus 100 is a device having an image processing function. Examples of the image processing function include document reading and printing. On the other hand, the PC 200 is a device having an information processing function. The information processing function includes, for example, print job generation / editing and print job transmission.

  In the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the following accumulated printing process is executed by these components. For example, when a print job shared by a plurality of users is transmitted from the PC 200 to the image processing apparatus 100, the image processing apparatus 100 duplicates the received print job by the number of shared users, and the apparatus Print jobs that are stored in a storage device and shared are managed in units of users. As a result, the shared users go to the image processing apparatus 100, select stored data stored as a print job belonging to the shared user, and make a print job execution request to obtain a print result.

  As described above, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment can provide a printing service capable of accumulating and printing print jobs shared by a plurality of users in units of users with the above-described system configuration.

  In the above description, a configuration example in which the image processing apparatus 100 and the PC 200 have a 1-to-N configuration has been described. For example, a configuration having a plurality of image processing apparatuses 100 and PCs 200 may be used.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a controller 110, an operation panel 120, a plotter 130, a scanner 140, and the like, which are connected to each other via a bus B.

  The operation panel 120 includes an input unit and a display unit, and is an input / display device that provides various types of information such as device information to the user and receives various types of user operations such as operation settings and operation instructions. The plotter 130 is a printing apparatus that includes an image forming unit and forms an output image on a sheet. Examples of a method for forming an output image include an electrophotographic process and an ink jet method. The scanner 140 is a reading device that optically reads a document and generates a read image.

  The controller 110 is a control board including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a storage device 112, a network I / F 113, an external storage I / F 114, and the like, and each is connected to each other via a bus B.

  The storage device 111 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like, and stores and / or holds various programs and data. The CPU 111 reads out programs and data from the ROM and HDD onto the RAM, and executes processing (executes processing of the programs and data read from the storage device), thereby realizing control of the entire apparatus and implementation functions. Device.

  The network I / F 113 is an interface that connects the image processing apparatus 100 to the data transmission path N. The external storage I / F 114 is an interface with a recording medium 114a corresponding to an external storage device. Examples of the recording medium 114a include an SD memory card (SD Memory Card) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 100 can read and / or write to the recording medium 114a via the external storage I / F 114.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 can provide various image processing services with the above hardware configuration.

<Print control function>
A print control function according to the present embodiment will be described.
The image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment analyzes a received print job, and acquires setting information in which execution conditions (print job execution conditions) of a print job shared by a plurality of users are set as an analysis result. Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 specifies the sharing target user based on the setting of the user (sharing target user) who shares the print job included in the setting information. Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 duplicates the received print job by the number of specified sharing target users, and generates accumulated data of the print job to be accumulated. Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 records the accumulated data generated for each sharing target user and stores the setting information acquired by the data analysis for the accumulated data and the print job execution condition for each print job. Record as. In addition, when the image processing apparatus 100 receives a request for execution of accumulated printing, the image processing apparatus 100 displays a print job belonging to the user from the user input information. The image processing apparatus 100 acquires the accumulation data and accumulation information of the designated print job and confirms whether or not the print job can be executed based on the print job execution condition set in the accumulation information. In the image processing apparatus 100, when it is confirmed that execution is possible, printing is executed using the accumulated data of the requesting user. The image processing apparatus 100 has such a print control function.

  In a conventional system, a user belonging to a group can execute print jobs for all users belonging to the same group. For this reason, in the conventional system, even if a print job can be shared by a plurality of users, there is a concern about information leakage to a third party (for example, “data theft”), and the confidentiality of information in the image processing apparatus 100 (security). ) Will decrease.

  Further, in the conventional system, for example, when the print job data to be shared is stolen, even if the print job data to be shared can be specified in which group, the print job (print data) is targeted to anyone in the group It is not possible to identify whether or not he was stolen.

  Therefore, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment identifies the print job sharing target users from the received print job analysis results, and duplicates and stores the print jobs as many as the sharing target users, and manages them in units of users. It was a mechanism to do.

  Thereby, in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to identify who executed the shared print job and which print job data was used. As a result, it is possible to share a print job among a plurality of users while maintaining the confidentiality of information held in the device.

The configuration and operation of the print control function will be described below.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the print control function according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the print control function according to the present embodiment includes a data analysis unit 21, a user information management unit 22, a print job management unit 23, a stored information management unit 24, a user input information reception unit 25, and a printing unit 26. And a notification unit 27 and the like. These are functional units included in the image processing apparatus 100.

  The data analysis unit 21 is a functional unit that analyzes the received print job. For example, the data analysis unit 21 performs data analysis of a print job as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data of the print job J according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the print job J is configured to include header information HD and print data PD. The header information HD is information in which bibliographic information (such as “creator name” and “created application name”) such as documents and images is described in a predetermined language (PJL: Printer Job Language). The print data PD is, for example, PDL data (Page Description Language data) generated by a printer driver (print data conversion software).

  Also, as shown in (A) and (B), header information HD includes information (setting information) R21, R22 (hereinafter collectively referred to as shared job execution conditions) set (print job execution conditions). (Referred to as “setting information R”).

  The setting information R is set by the user, for example, via setting screens W11 and W12 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “setting screen W”) displayed on the screen of the PC 200 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job execution condition setting screen according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, print job execution conditions that can be set from the setting screen W include, for example, user settings for sharing a print job (hereinafter referred to as “shared user setting”) A and print jobs. There is a setting of date and time indicating a period (hereinafter referred to as “executable period setting”) B and the like.

  For example, in the setting screen W11 shown in (A), users 01, 02, and users belonging to the group C are set as users who share the print job (hereinafter referred to as “shared users”). Further, in the setting screen W11, a period from the current date and time to 12:30 on December 31, 2010 is set as an executable period of the print job to be shared.

Further, in the setting screen W11, sets the printing operation condition for each user and / or group to share the print job J and Advanced button S _1, the setting screen bottom right, common to the user and / or group setting the print-operating conditions and Advanced button S ₂ is provided. These Advanced button S ₁ and the printing operation condition set by pressing the S _2, the printing of the printing operation conditions set for each user and / or group were set in common for the user and / or group Overrides operating conditions. Thereby, for example, when the designated user and / or the designated group execute printing, the printing operation conditions set for each can be applied, and when the guest user executes printing, the common printing operation is performed. Conditions can be applied.

  On the other hand, in the setting screen W12 shown in (B), in addition to the users belonging to the user 01, the user 02, and the group C as the sharing target user, the authentication information (the input value from the text box or generated during automatic setting) Three guest users assigned with a random number are set. Furthermore, a period from 09:00 on December 31, 2010 to 12:30 is set as an executable period on the setting screen W11.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In the setting information R included in the header information HD, each print job execution condition set from the setting screen W is set as a predetermined variable value.

  For example, the setting value (user identifier or group identifier) of the sharing target user setting A is set as the value of the variable name “USERNAME”. The set value (date and time) of the executable period setting B is set as the value of the variable name “LIMITTIME”. When the sharing target user setting A includes a guest user, the setting value (number of guest users) is set as the value of the variable name “GUEST”, and the setting value (password) of the authentication information is a variable It is set as the value of the name “PASSWD”.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The data analysis unit 21 analyzes a print job J as shown in FIG. 5, and acquires header information HD and print data PD included in the print job as analysis results. Furthermore, the data analysis unit 21 refers to the header information HD, and acquires the print job execution condition setting information R based on a variable name that defines a predetermined print job execution condition.

  The user information management unit 22 is a functional unit that manages information related to users (hereinafter referred to as “user information”). The user information management unit 22 accesses the user information holding unit 31 and performs various data operations on the held information and manages information in response to requests from other functional units. For example, various data operations include data reference (search), data acquisition, data storage (recording), data deletion (erasure), and the like.

  The user information holding unit 31 corresponds to a predetermined storage area of a storage device (for example, “HDD”) included in the device, and holds user information 31D as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the user information 31D according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the user information 31D includes, for example, data (group management data) 31D ₁ for managing the group to which the user shown in (A) belongs, and data (user management) for managing the user shown in (B). data) has a configuration having a 31D _2.

(A), the group management data 31D ₁ includes an information item, such as group identification and attributes. The [Group Identification] item is an information item indicating the identification of the group. The item value includes, for example, a group identifier (group identification information) such as “Group A”. The [attribute] item is an information item indicating a group attribute. The item value includes, for example, a user identifier (user identification information) of a user belonging to a group such as “user 01, user 02, user 03,. Group management data 31D _1, these information items are associated with each group, are managed in group units Attributes Attribute.

(B), the user management data 31D ₂ has information items such as user identification and attributes. The “user identification” item is an information item indicating user identification. The item value includes, for example, a user identifier such as “user 01”. The [attribute] item is an information item indicating a user attribute. The item value includes, for example, authentication data (authentication information) assigned to the user. User management data 31D _2, these information items are associated with each user, which is managed by the user units Attributes Attribute.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The user information management unit 22 can respond to the following data operation request from such user information 31D.

For example, when the user information management unit 22 receives an information acquisition request for a user belonging to the group C, based on the group identification information (identifier: “group C”) received at the time of the request, the [group identification of the group management data 31D ₁ ] ] Item is acquired, and user identification information (identifiers of “user 21”, “user 22”, “user 23”), which is the item value of the [attribute] item corresponding to the corresponding information, is acquired.

The user information management unit 22, when receiving a request for authentication information assigned to the user 01, user identification information (identifier: "User 01") received at the time of the request based on, the user management data 31D ₂ [ The user identification item is referred to, and authentication information (authentication data (01)) that is an item value of the [attribute] item corresponding to the corresponding information is acquired.

The user information management unit 22, when receiving the authentication request of the user 01, the input information received at the time of the request (the identifier: "User 01", the authentication data (01)) based on, the user management data 31D ₂ [User Refer to the [Identification] item and check whether the item value of the [Attribute] item corresponding to the relevant information matches the input value. The user information management unit 22 acquires the match result as an authentication result (“success” / “failure”).

  The print job management unit 23 is a functional unit that manages the print job J. The management functions realized by the print job management unit 23 are mainly divided into a function for accumulating the print job J (data accumulation function) and a function for controlling the execution (accumulation printing) of the print job J (accumulation print function). It is done.

  First, the print job management unit 23 includes a user specifying unit 231 and a stored data generation unit 232 in order to realize the data storage function according to the present embodiment.

  When the print job management unit 23 is requested to store data of the print job J to be shared, first, the user specifying unit 231 specifies the sharing target user.

  The user specifying unit 231 acquires the sharing target user setting A (setting value of the sharing target user) from the setting information R of the print job execution condition acquired as the analysis result. When the setting value (group identifier) of the group is included in the acquired setting value, the user specifying unit 231 passes the group identification information that is the setting value to the user information management unit 22 and sends it to the group. Request information acquisition of the user to which it belongs. As a result, the user specifying unit 231 acquires user identification information of users belonging to the group. Also, if the acquired setting value includes a guest user setting value (number of guest users), user identification information (identifier: “guest 01”, etc.) assigned to each guest user of the set number of users is set. Issue. In this way, the user specifying unit 231 acquires and generates the user identification information of the sharing target user set in the setting information R, and specifies the sharing target user.

  Subsequently, when the sharing target user is specified, the print job management unit 23 causes the storage data generation unit 232 to generate storage data of the print job J for each sharing target user.

  The accumulated data generation unit 232 duplicates the print job J to be shared by the number of sharing target users, and generates print job data (accumulated data) to be accumulated (print job duplication unit). For example, the accumulated data generation unit 232 performs a generation process as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when the accumulated data SD is generated from the print job J according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 7, an operation example when the user specifying unit 231 specifies a total of five users 01, 02, and users 21, 22, and 23 belonging to the group C as setting target users from the setting information R 11. It is shown.

The accumulated data generation unit 232 duplicates the received print job J based on the specified number of users to be shared (5), and stores five accumulated data SD ₀₁ , SD ₀₂ , SD _{21 to} SD ₂₃ (hereinafter collectively referred to as “collective data”). "Accumulated data SD"). That is, the accumulated data generation unit 232 generates accumulated data SD for each sharing target user using the shared print job J as the copy source data.

  Further, the accumulated data generation unit 232 rewrites the generated header information HD of the accumulated data SD for each sharing target user based on the user identification information acquired / generated by the user specifying unit 231. The accumulated data generation unit 232 sets the user identification information of the corresponding sharing target user as the variable value of the sharing target user setting A (variable name “USERNAME”) that is the setting information R of the print job execution condition included in the header information HD. Rewrite information by setting.

  Returning to the description of FIG. Subsequently, when the accumulated data SD for each sharing target user is generated, the print job management unit 23 stores the generated accumulated data SD in the accumulated data holding unit 41.

  The accumulated data holding unit 41 (print job holding means) corresponds to a predetermined storage area of a storage device (for example, “HDD”) included in the apparatus, and stores and holds accumulated data SD as shown in FIG. 8, for example. .

  The print job management unit 23 has the same function as the user information management unit 22, accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41, and performs various types of holding information according to requests from itself and other functional units. Manipulate data and manage information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of the accumulated data SD according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 shows an example in which a plurality of accumulated data SD are stored by the file system. In the accumulated data holding unit 41, the accumulated data SD belonging to the user is stored in a storage area (for example, “user 01 folder”) reserved for each user by a data storage operation by the print job management unit 23. Therefore, in this embodiment, even the accumulated data SD of the print job J shared by a plurality of users is managed in units of users.

  Thereby, in this embodiment, it is possible to specify who executed the shared print job J and which print job data was used.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The stored information management unit 24 is a functional unit that manages information (hereinafter referred to as “stored information”) in which stored data SD and print job execution conditions are associated with each print job J. The stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51 and performs various data operations on the stored information in response to requests from other functional units to manage the information.

  The accumulated information holding unit 51 corresponds to a predetermined storage area of a storage device (for example, “HDD”) included in the apparatus, and holds accumulated information 51D as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing data examples (Nos. 1 and 2) of accumulated information 51D ₁ and 51D ₂ (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “accumulated information 51D”) according to the present embodiment.
As shown in both figures, the accumulated information 51D has information items such as print job identification and attributes. The “print job identification” item is an information item indicating the identification of the print job J. The item value includes, for example, a print job identifier (print job identification information) such as “print job 11”. The [Attribute] item is an information item indicating the attribute of the print job J. The [attribute] item includes information items such as user identification, authentication, accumulation date and time, executable period, and accumulated data storage destination. The “user identification” item is an information item indicating user identification. The item value includes, for example, a user identifier. [Authentication] item is an information item for storing authentication data assigned to a guest user. The item value includes, for example, character string data such as a password. The [accumulation date / time] item is an information item indicating storage record of the accumulation data SD. The item value includes date and time data such as date and time, for example. The [executable period] item is an information item indicating a period during which the print job J can be executed using the accumulated data SD. The item value includes date / time data. The [accumulated data storage location] item is an information item indicating the storage location of the accumulated data SD. The item value includes, for example, character string data (accumulated data storage location information) such as a file path. In the accumulated information 51D, these information items are associated with each print job J, and the [attribute] item is managed in units of print jobs.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The stored information management unit 24 dynamically generates such stored information 51D when storing stored data. As described above, in the [attribute] item of the accumulated information 51D, the print job execution condition setting information R acquired by the data analysis unit 21 and the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) acquired / generated. Some items can be set based on user identification information. For example, there are a [user identification] item, an [authentication] item, and an [executable period] item. Therefore, the accumulated information management unit 24 includes an execution condition setting unit 241 that sets corresponding print job execution conditions for these item values.

  When the stored data SD is stored in the stored data holding unit 41, the stored information management unit 24 generates print job identification information (numbering the identifier) corresponding to the print job J of the stored stored data SD. That is, the storage information management unit 24 generates unique print job identification information for the storage data. The accumulated information management unit 24 stores the generated print job identification information in the item value of the [print job identification] item of the accumulated information 51D. Further, the accumulated information management unit 24 stores the date / time data storing the accumulated data SD in the [accumulation date / time] item corresponding to the [print job identification] item in which a new identifier is set, and further, [accumulated data storage] The file path storing the accumulated data SD is stored in the “destination” item.

  Subsequently, the storage information management unit 24 stores the user identification information obtained by rewriting the header information HD of the storage data SD in the item value of the [user identification] item of the storage information 51D by the execution condition setting unit 241. To do. Further, the execution condition setting unit 241 sets the print job execution condition setting information R as the item value of the [authentication] item when the item value of the [user identification] item is the user identification information of the guest user. Store and set authentication data. The execution condition setting unit 241 stores and sets the date and time data set in the setting information R of the print job execution condition in the item value of the [executable period] item.

In FIG. 9, the accumulated information generated by the execution condition setting unit 241 based on the print job execution condition setting information R <b> 11 (the [user identification] item, the [authentication] item, and the [executable period] item are set). examples of 51D ₁ also, FIG. 10, based on the setting information R12 of the print job execution conditions, examples of the generated stored information 51D ₂ is shown.

  Thereby, in the present embodiment, the accumulated data SD generated for each sharing target user is stored, and the setting information R set in the print job J as the print job execution condition is stored in the accumulated data SD for each sharing target user. And stored as storage information 51D for managing the storage data SD.

  Further, the stored information management unit 24 can respond to the following data operation request by using the stored information 51D.

For example, when the storage information management unit 24 receives a storage confirmation request for the print job J belonging to the guest user 01, the storage information management unit 24 selects the stored information 51 </ _b > D ₂ [ Refer to the [User Identification] item and check whether there is corresponding information. When there is such information, the accumulated information management unit 24 acquires print job identification information (identifier: “print job 11”) that is an item value of the corresponding [print job identification] item.

In addition, when the storage information management unit 24 receives a print job execution condition acquisition request set for the stored print job J, the storage information management unit 24 is based on the print job identification information (identifier: “print job 11”) received at the time of the request. refers to the print job identification item of stored information 51D _2, the appropriate authentication item and run period is a respective item value of the item authentication data (password: "****"), date and time data ("2010/12/31 09: 0-12: 30") is acquired.

In addition, when the storage information management unit 24 receives an acquisition request for an available user and storage location of the print job 11, the storage information 51D is based on the print job identification information (identifier: “print job 11”) received at the time of the request. _The user identification information (identifier: “guest 01”) and stored data storage location information that are the values of the corresponding [user identification] item and [accumulated data storage location] item are referred to (File path: “D: ¥ Spool ¥ Guest01 ¥ 0101.prn”) is acquired.

  Next, the print job management unit 23 includes an execution condition determination unit (executability determination unit) 233 and the like in order to realize the accumulated print function according to the present embodiment.

  When the accumulated print job J is requested to be stored and printed, the print job management unit 23 first passes the user input information (for example, “user identifier”) received at the time of the request to the accumulation information management unit 24, and the user It is confirmed whether or not the print job J belonging to is stored. As a result, if the print job J is accumulated, the print job management unit 23 acquires the corresponding print job identification information as a confirmation result. At this time, when the print job management unit 24 acquires a plurality of pieces of print job identification information as confirmation results, the print job list screen based on the acquired information may be displayed on the screen of the apparatus and may be selected by the user.

  Subsequently, the print job management unit 23 passes the acquired print job identification information (or identification information of the print job J selected and specified by the requesting user on the screen) to the accumulated information management unit 24, and executes the print job. Requests acquisition of condition information and storage location information of accumulated data SD. As a result, the print job management unit 23 acquires authentication information, executable period information, and accumulated data storage location information set for the requested print job J.

  Subsequently, the print job management unit 23 determines whether the requested print job J satisfies the set execution condition based on the acquired print job execution condition by the execution condition determination unit 233 and whether or not accumulated printing can be executed. Determine.

  When the authentication information is acquired, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines that the requested print job J is the print job J belonging to the guest user, and displays an authentication screen that prompts for password input on the screen of the apparatus. As a result, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether or not the print job J can be executed based on the result of whether or not the authentication information matches the input password. If they match, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines that the guest user can execute the print job J (allows the guest user to execute the print job). On the other hand, if they do not match, a message to that effect (impossible to execute due to an authentication error) is notified.

  Further, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether or not the execution job J can be executed based on the result of whether or not the accumulated data SD exists in the designated storage location. The execution condition determination unit 233 determines that the print job J can be executed when the accumulated data SD exists. On the other hand, if it does not exist, the fact (impossible to execute without target accumulation data) is notified.

  Further, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether or not the execution job J can be executed based on the result of whether or not the accumulated printing request date and time (current date and time) is within a predetermined period indicated by the acquired executable time limit information. To do. If it is within the period, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines that the print job J can be executed. On the other hand, if it is out of the period, a message to that effect (impossible execution due to expiration) is notified.

  As a result, in the present embodiment, at the time of accumulated printing, usage authentication can be performed for guest users who share the print job J as well as other sharing target users who are registered users. In the present embodiment, the execution of the accumulated print job J can be made temporary.

  The user input information receiving unit 25 is a functional unit that receives user input information. The user input information receiving unit 25 receives input information from an operation panel 120 (input unit) provided in the apparatus. The user input information includes, for example, an input value (user identifier or password) at the time of user authentication, and an operation instruction signal such as an accumulation print execution request or print job J selection designation.

  The printing unit 26 is a functional unit that prints the print data PD. The printing unit 26 transfers a raster image (bitmap image) to the plotter 130 provided in the apparatus, and instructs the start of the printing operation. For example, the printing unit 26 is a PDL parser, interprets the description of the print data PD in the accumulated data, performs predetermined image processing according to the printing conditions, generates a lyister image, and transfers it to the plotter 130.

  The notification unit 27 is a functional unit that notifies the user of various types of information. The notification unit 27 displays various types of information on an operation panel 120 (display unit) included in the device. Examples of the various information include error information.

  As described above, the print control function according to the present embodiment is realized by the above-described functional units operating together.

  A detailed operation of the print control function according to the present embodiment (an association operation of functional unit groups) will be described with reference to a flowchart showing a processing procedure.

  The print control function according to the present embodiment is a program (software that implements the print control function) installed (installed) in the image processing apparatus 100 is stored in a storage device (eg, “HDD”) by a processing device (eg, “CPU”). Or “ROM”) on a memory (RAM), and the following processing is executed in each device.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure executed by the image processing apparatus 100 will be described in the order of data storage processing and storage printing processing.

<Data accumulation processing>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a data storage processing procedure according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 11, when the image processing apparatus 100 receives a print job J (data reception) from the PC 200 or the like via the data transmission path N (step S101: YES), the data analysis unit 21 receives the received print. Data analysis of job J is performed (step S102). Accordingly, the image processing apparatus 200 acquires the print job execution condition setting information R included in the header information HD and the print data PD from the print job J as analysis results.

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 reads the execution condition (share target user setting) set by the user when the print job is input based on the acquired print job execution condition setting information R, and specifies the share target user as follows. Process.

  The image processing apparatus 100 determines whether the setting information R includes the sharing target user setting A by the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) (step S103). At this time, the user specifying unit 231 determines whether or not the variable name “USERNAME” is included in the setting information.

  When there is a sharing target user setting A (step S103: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 uses the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) to set the corresponding variable name “USERNAME” from the setting information R. One or a plurality of user identifiers are acquired (step S104).

  Further, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not there is a group setting in the sharing target user setting of the setting information R by the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) (step S105). At this time, the user specifying unit 231 determines whether or not the group identifier is included in the setting value of the variable name “USERNAME”.

  When there is a group setting (step S105: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 uses the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) to set a group identifier that is a setting value of the corresponding variable name “USERNAME” from the setting information R. The user identifier of the user belonging to the group is acquired through the user information management unit 22 (step S106). At this time, the user specifying unit 231 passes the acquired group identifier to the user information management unit 22 and requests acquisition of information (identifier) of users belonging to the group. As a result, the user information management unit 22 accesses the user information holding unit 31, acquires one or a plurality of user identifiers held correspondingly based on the group identifier, and responds to the request source.

  In addition, when the user identifier already acquired exists in the user identifier acquired based on a group identifier, the user specific | specification part 231 may exclude so that a user identifier may not overlap. For example, when the user information shown in FIG. 6 is registered and the user 01 and the group A are specified in the user specification shown in FIG. 5, the user 01 belongs to the group A and is duplicated. At this time, the user specifying unit 231 determines whether or not the identifier of the user 01 (duplicate user identifier) exists in the user identifier acquired based on the group identifier of the group A, and deletes it when it exists.

  On the other hand, when there is no sharing target user setting A (step S103: NO) or when there is no group setting (step S105: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 proceeds to the next processing procedure.

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether the setting information R includes a guest user setting by the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) (step S107). At this time, the user specifying unit 231 determines whether or not the variable name “GUEST” is included in the setting information.

  When there is a guest user setting (step S107: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 uses the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) to set the guest user who is the setting value of the corresponding variable name “GUEST” from the setting information R. The user identifier of each guest user is generated based on the acquired number of people (step S108).

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether the setting information R includes the guest user authentication setting by the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) (step S109). At this time, the user specifying unit 231 determines whether or not the variable name “PASSWD” is included in the setting information.

  When the authentication setting has been made (step S109: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 uses the print job management unit 23 (user specifying unit) to obtain from the setting information R the authentication data (the setting value of the corresponding variable name “PASSWD”) ( (Password) is acquired and held in association with the previously generated user identifier of the guest user (step S110).

  On the other hand, when there is no guest user setting (step S107: NO), or when there is no authentication setting (step S109: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 proceeds to the next processing procedure.

  The image processing apparatus 100 identifies the sharing target user set in the print job J by the above processing procedure.

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 reads the execution condition (executable deadline setting) set by the user when the print job is input based on the acquired print job execution condition setting information R, and specifies the following executable deadline. Process.

  The image processing apparatus 100 determines whether the setting information R includes the executable period setting B by the print job management unit 23 (step S111). At this time, the print job management unit 23 determines whether or not the variable name “LIMITTIME” is included in the setting information.

  If there is an executable period setting B (step S111: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 acquires date / time data that is a setting value of the corresponding variable name “LIMITTIME” from the setting information R (step S112).

  When the acquired date / time data is set with a date / time before the current date, the print job management unit 23 notifies the information processing apparatus 200 that is the transmission source of the print job J to that effect. May be. For example, the print job management unit 23 compares the end date and time of the date and time setting shown in FIG. 5 with the current date and time, and if the end date and time is a date and time before the current date and time, the print job management unit 23 performs information processing via the notification unit 27. An error message such as “The period is not set properly” is transmitted to the device 200.

  On the other hand, when there is no executable period setting B (step S111: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 proceeds to the next processing procedure.

  The image processing apparatus 100 identifies the executable period set for the print job J by the above processing procedure.

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 performs the following data based on the received print job J and the print job execution conditions specified so far (“shared user setting” and “executable period setting”). Perform accumulation processing.

  The image processing apparatus 100 uses the print job management unit 23 (accumulated data generation unit: print job duplication / storage means) to generate the accumulated data SD for each sharing target user based on the received print job J, and the generated accumulated data. The SD is stored and stored in the accumulated data holding unit 41 (step S113). At this time, the accumulated data generation unit 232 duplicates the print job J by the number of sharing target users, and generates accumulated data SD for each sharing target user (print job duplication / storage procedure). Further, the accumulated data generation unit 232 sets the user identifier of the identified sharing target user to the variable name “USERNAME” in the accumulated data for each sharing target user, and changes the variable value. Furthermore, the accumulated data generation unit 232 assigns corresponding print job identifiers according to the number of generated accumulated data SD. The accumulated data generation unit 232 accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41 and stores the generated accumulated data SD in a recording area reserved for each user (in a directory for each user in the file system).

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 uses the print job management unit 23 via the accumulated information management unit 24 to assign the numbered print job identifiers and the print job execution conditions (“shared user setting” and “ “Executable period setting” or the like) is set as the accumulated information 51D (step S114). At this time, the print job management unit 23 passes the print job identifier, the print job execution condition, the storage date and time of the storage data SD, the file path that is the storage destination, and the like to the storage information management unit 24 and requests information setting. . As a result, the stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51 and secures a setting area for the information item of the stored information 51D based on the print job identifier. The accumulated information management unit 24 (execution condition setting unit) includes a [user identification] item, an [authentication] item, an [accumulation date / time] item, an [executable period] item, Set item values such as the [Data storage location] item.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 performs the data accumulation process according to the above processing procedure.

《Accumulated printing processing》
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of accumulated printing according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the image processing apparatus 100 receives user input information (user identifier) from the user input information receiving unit 25 via the operation panel 120 by the print job management unit 23 (step S201: YES). Then, the storage information 51D is referred to via the storage information management unit 24 (step S202). At this time, the print data management unit 23 passes the user identifier to the storage information management unit 24, and requests reference to the user identifier (corresponding information) included in the storage information 51D. As a result, the stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51, and after referring to the stored information 51D based on the user identifier, responds to the request source with the presence or absence of the corresponding information as a reference result. That is, the accumulated information management unit 24 collates the user identifier of the user who requested execution of the print job J with the user identifier corresponding to the print job J requested to execute, and responds with the collation result.

  When the corresponding information does not exist in the accumulated information (step S203: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 determines that there is no print job J (target print job) belonging to the user (no accumulated data that can be printed by the user). The print job management unit 23 notifies the user of an error via the notification unit 27 (step S204). At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the reference result [no corresponding information], passes the generated error message to the notification unit 27, and requests an error notification. As a result, the notification unit 27 displays an error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notifies the user. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 100 ends the accumulation printing.

  On the other hand, when the corresponding information exists in the accumulated information (step S203: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 determines that there is a target print job (there is accumulated data that can be printed by the user) by the print job management unit 23. Then, the storage information 51D (storage information corresponding to the user identifier) corresponding to the requesting user is acquired via the storage information management unit 24 (step S205). At this time, the stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51 and, based on the user identifier, the [authentication] item, the [executable period] item, and the [store] corresponding to the user set in the stored information 51D. Acquires the item value (authentication data, date / time data of executable period, and file path of stored data storage destination) of the data storage destination item, and responds to the request source.

  When the print job management unit 24 acquires a plurality of pieces of relevant information, the print job management unit 24 displays a print job list screen based on the acquired information on the screen of the operation panel 120 and allows the user to select it. As a result, the print job management unit 23 passes the identifier of the print job J selected and specified by the requesting user on the screen to the storage information management unit 24, acquires information on the print job execution condition, and stores the storage data SD. Request acquisition of destination information. As a result, the print job management unit 23 acquires authentication information, executable period information, and accumulated data storage location information set for the requested print job J.

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 reads the execution condition (print job execution condition setting) set in association with the storage data SD when storing the print job based on the acquired storage information 51D, and executes the following print job execution. Condition determination processing is performed.

  In the image processing apparatus 100, the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) determines whether or not the user is a guest user (step S206). At this time, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether the user is a guest user based on the user identifier that is an input value.

  When the user is a guest user (step S206: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the guest user has authentication setting by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) (step S207). ). At this time, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether the user is a guest user based on the presence or absence of authentication data included in the acquired corresponding information.

  If the user is not a guest user (if the user is a registered user: step S206: NO), or if the guest user has an authentication setting (step S207: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 print job User authentication is performed by the management unit 23 (step S208).

  At this time, the user authentication screen is displayed on the screen of the operation panel 120 in the image processing apparatus 100. In the case of a guest user, when the print job management unit 23 receives authentication data (password) input from the user from the user input information reception unit 25, the received input value is the authentication data included in the acquired corresponding information and It is determined whether or not they match, and user authentication is performed.

  In addition, when the print job management unit 23 is not a guest user (when the user is a user registered), when the authentication data (password) input from the user is received from the user input information reception unit 25, the received input The value and the user identifier are passed to the user information management unit 22 to request user authentication. The user information management unit 22 accesses the user information holding unit 31 and, after identifying the authentication data assigned to the user based on the user identifier, determines whether or not the input value matches the identified authentication data, The determination result is returned to the request source as the authentication result.

  On the other hand, when the guest user has no authentication setting (step S207: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 proceeds to the next processing procedure without performing user authentication.

  When the user authentication fails (step S209: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 notifies the user of an error via the notification unit 27 by the print job management unit 23 (step S209: NO). S210). At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the authentication result [authentication failure], passes the generated error message to the notification unit 27, and requests an error notification. As a result, the notification unit 27 displays an error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notifies the user. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 100 ends the accumulation printing.

  On the other hand, when the image processing apparatus 100 succeeds in user authentication (step S209: YES), the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) determines whether the storage data SD exists in the storage destination (the stored data is read). It is determined whether or not it is possible (step S211). At this time, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether there is readable storage data SD at the specified storage location based on the acquired storage data storage location information.

  When the accumulated data SD does not exist (including the state where the accumulated data cannot be read: Step S211: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 causes the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) to notify the notification unit 27. Then, the user is notified of an error (step S212). At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the determination result [no corresponding stored data / cannot be read], passes the generated error message to the notification unit 27, and requests an error notification. As a result, the notification unit 27 displays an error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notifies the user. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 100 ends the accumulation printing.

  On the other hand, when the accumulated data SD exists (and the accumulated data can be read: step S211: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41 by the print job management unit 23 to store the accumulated data. Based on the previous file path, the corresponding accumulated data SD is acquired (step S213).

  Subsequently, in the image processing apparatus 100, the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) determines whether or not there is an executable period setting for the print job J (accumulated data) to be stored (step S214). . At this time, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines based on the acquired date and time data of the executable period.

  When the executable period is set (step S214: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 sets the current date and time (execution request date and time) within the set executable period by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit). Is determined (step S215).

  When the execution request date / time is outside the executable period (step S215: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 notifies the user of an error via the notification unit 27 by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit). (Step S216).

  At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the determination result [expired], passes the generated error message to the notification unit 27, and requests an error notification. As a result, the notification unit 27 displays an error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notifies the user.

  Subsequently, the print job management unit 23 (deleting unit) deletes the storage information 51D and storage data SD of the print job J determined to be out of the executable period after the error notification from the storage area (step S217). At this time, the print job management unit 23 passes the print job identifier to the accumulated information management unit 24 and requests deletion of the corresponding information. The stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51, deletes the corresponding information item and item value based on the print job identifier, and releases the storage area. The print job management unit 23 accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41 and deletes the corresponding data based on the file path of the accumulated data storage destination. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 100 ends the accumulation printing.

  On the other hand, when there is no executable period setting (step S214: NO), or when the execution request date / time is within the executable period (step S215: YES), the image processing apparatus 100 (execution condition) The determination unit) determines that the print job J can be executed, and performs accumulated printing (step S218). At this time, the print job management unit 23 accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41 and acquires accumulated data SD corresponding to the print job J based on the user identifier. The print job management unit 23 passes the acquired accumulated data SD to the printing unit 26 and instructs printing.

  In this way, in the image processing apparatus 100, the accumulation printing process is performed according to the above processing procedure.

<Modification>
Here, a modified example of the configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the printing system 1 according to the present modification.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment may include an authentication management apparatus (authentication server) 300 that performs user information management and user authentication. In this case, for example, the functional configuration is as shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the print control function according to the present modification.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the authentication management apparatus 300 includes the user information management unit 22 and the user information holding unit 31 that the image processing apparatus 100 has. In this case, sharing target user specifying processing, user authentication processing, and the like by the print job management unit 23 are realized by performing data communication between the image processing apparatus 100 and the authentication management apparatus 300.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the data analysis unit 21 analyzes the received print job J, and the print job J included in the header information HD as an analysis result is analyzed. The execution condition setting information R is acquired. Subsequently, in the image processing apparatus 100, the print job management unit 23 performs a sharing target user specifying process and a stored data generation process.

  Based on the setting information R, the print job management unit 23 specifies a sharing target user who shares the print job J. Subsequently, the print job management unit 23 duplicates the received print job J by the number of specified sharing target users, and generates accumulated data SD. Subsequently, the print job management unit 23 records the accumulated data SD generated for each sharing target user in the accumulated data holding unit 41. The accumulated information management unit 24 records the setting information R in the accumulated information holding unit 51 as accumulated information 51D for managing accumulated data SD and print job execution conditions for each print job J.

  As a result, in the image processing apparatus 100, when the user input information receiving unit 25 receives a request for execution of accumulated printing, the print job management unit 23 displays the print job J belonging to the user from the user input information. Subsequently, in the image processing apparatus 100, the print job management unit 23 performs accumulated print processing.

  When the print job J is designated from the display screen, the print job management unit 23 acquires the accumulation data SD of the designated print job J from the accumulation data holding unit 41 and the accumulation information 51D of the designated print job J from the accumulation information holding unit 51. To do. Subsequently, the print job management unit 23 determines whether the print job J can be executed based on the print job execution condition set in the accumulation information 51D by the execution determination unit 233. Thus, when it is determined that the print job J can be executed, the printing unit 26 executes printing using the accumulated data SD of the requesting user.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment manages the data of the print job J to be shared not in units of groups but in units of users. Which print job data is executed can be specified. As a result, the print job J can be shared by a plurality of users while maintaining the confidentiality of the information held in the device.

[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the print control function shown in the first embodiment is performed by a print control apparatus (print server) that controls printing of the image processing apparatus. In the following, only differences from the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same points.

<System configuration>
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the print control system 1000 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 15, in the print control system 1000 according to the present embodiment, the print control apparatus (print server) 400 includes one or more image processing apparatuses 100 and one or more pluralities via a data transmission path N. A system configuration example connected to the PC 200 is shown.

  The print control device 400 is a device having a print control function, and is, for example, an information processing device such as a PC.

  In the print control system 1000 according to the present embodiment, the following print control processing is executed by these components. For example, when a print job J is transmitted from the PC 200 to the print control apparatus 400, the print control apparatus 400 accumulates the received print job J and controls accumulated printing. As a result, the user goes to the image processing apparatus 100 in the system and makes an execution request for the print job J stored in the print control apparatus 400 to obtain a print result.

  As described above, the print control system 1000 according to the present embodiment can provide an accumulated print service (pull print service) with the above-described system configuration.

  In the present invention, the image processing apparatus 100 and the PC 200 need not be configured to be connected via the print control apparatus 400. In other words, in the print control system 1000, these devices may be configured to be capable of data communication with each other. The reason for taking the above system configuration as an example is that it is a general system configuration corresponding to information security. In the case of such a system configuration, printing cannot be performed directly from the PC 200 to the image processing apparatus 100 (because printing is possible only via the print control apparatus), and thus there is an effect of suppressing information leakage due to the printing result.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the print control apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 16, the print control apparatus 400 includes an input device 401, a display device 402, a drive device 403, a RAM 404, a ROM 405, a CPU 406, an interface device 407, an HDD 408, etc., which are mutually connected via a bus B. ing.

  The input device 401 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used to input each operation signal to the print control device 400. The display device 402 includes a display and the like, and displays a processing result by the print control device 400.

  The interface device 407 is an interface that connects the print control device 400 to the data transmission path N. Accordingly, the print control apparatus 400 can perform data communication with the image processing apparatus 100 and the PC 200 (another information processing apparatus) via the interface apparatus 407.

  The HDD 408 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS (Operating System) that is basic software such as an information processing system (for example, “Windows (trademark or registered trademark)” or “UNIX (trademark or registered trademark)) that controls the entire information processing apparatus. )), And applications that provide various functions (for example, "print control function") on the system. The HDD 408 manages stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and / or DB (Data Base).

  The drive device 403 is an interface with a detachable recording medium 403a. Accordingly, the print control apparatus 100 can read and / or write the recording medium 403a via the drive apparatus 403. Examples of the recording medium 403a include a floppy (trademark or registered trademark) disk, a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD memory card, and a USB memory.

  The ROM 405 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain internal data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 405 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), information processing system settings, and network settings that are executed when the print control apparatus 400 is activated. The RAM 404 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data. The CPU 406 is a processing device that realizes control and mounting functions of the entire device by reading a program and data from the storage device (for example, “HDD” or “ROM”) onto the RAM and executing the processing.

  As described above, the print control apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment can provide various information processing services with the above hardware configuration.

<Print control function>
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print control function according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 17, the print control apparatus 400 includes functional units such as a data analysis unit 21, a user information management unit 22, a print job management unit 23, and a stored information management unit 24. On the other hand, the image processing apparatus 100 includes functional units such as a user input information receiving unit 25, a printing unit 26, and a notification unit 27. In addition, the print control apparatus 400 newly includes a transmission unit 28 that transmits stored data SD or an error message to the image processing apparatus 100.

  Thus, in the print control apparatus 400, the print job management unit 23 operates as follows during accumulated printing. When the input value received by the user input information receiving unit 25 is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 100 and the input value is received, the print job management unit 23 receives a request for accumulated printing. Thereafter, the print job management unit 23 performs a print job execution condition determination process, and when it is determined that the requested print job J can be executed, the storage data SD acquired from the storage data holding unit 41 is transmitted to the transmission unit. 28 to the image processing apparatus 100. As a result, the print control apparatus 100 instructs the image processing apparatus 200 to execute accumulation printing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the requested print job J is not executable, the print job management unit 23 transmits an error message to that effect to the image processing apparatus 100 by the transmission unit 28.

  In this embodiment, since the print control apparatus 400 receives the print job J from the PC 200, the user outputs the print job J at the PC 200 via, for example, the setting screen W as shown in FIG. The image processing apparatus 100 can be set.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a print job execution condition setting screen example according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 18, print job execution conditions that can be set from the setting screen W include an output destination setting C of the print job J in addition to the sharing target user setting A and the executable period setting B.

  For example, in the setting screens W21 and W22, the image processing apparatus 100 having the model name “MFP model A” is set as the image processing apparatus 100 permitted as the output destination of the shared print job J.

  Further, the output destination setting C set in this way is set as a predetermined variable value in the header information of the print job J, for example, like the setting information R of the print job execution condition shown in FIG. .

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of data of the print job J according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 19, the setting value of the output destination setting C is set as the value of the variable name “OUTPUT”.

  In addition, the data analysis unit 21 acquires print job execution condition setting information R including the output destination setting C as an analysis result by data analysis of the print job J. For this reason, the accumulated information holding unit 51 holds accumulated information 51D as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, for example.

20 and 21 are diagrams showing data examples (parts ₁ and 2) of the stored information 51D ₁ and 51D _{2 according to} the present embodiment.
As shown in both figures, the accumulated information 51D has an information item of an “output destination” item as one of the “attributes” items. The [Output Destination] item is an information item indicating an output destination for which the print job J is permitted to be stored. The item value includes, for example, a device identifier (device identification information) such as network setting data such as “192.168.11.XXX” or a model identifier (model identification information) such as a model name such as “MFP modelA”. The stored information 51D is an information item of the [Destination] item, similarly to the [User identification] item, [Authentication] item, [Storage date / time] item, [Executable period] item, and [Stored data storage destination] item, Are associated with each print job J, and the [attribute] item is managed in units of print jobs.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The stored information management unit 24 dynamically generates such stored information 51D when storing stored data. The accumulated information management unit 24 uses the execution condition setting unit 241 to change the item value of the [destination] item to the data analysis unit, like the [user identification] item, the [authentication] item, and the [executable period] item. The print job execution condition setting information R acquired in 21 is set.

  Also in the present embodiment, the print control function is realized by the above-described functional units linking to each other.

  A detailed operation of the print control function according to the present embodiment (an association operation of functional unit groups) will be described with reference to a flowchart showing a processing procedure.

  The print control function according to the present embodiment is a program (software that realizes the print control function) installed (installed) in the print control apparatus 400 by a processing device (for example, “CPU”) and a storage device (for example, “HDD”). Or “ROM”) on a memory (RAM), and the following processing is executed in each device.

<Data accumulation processing>
FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of data storage according to the present embodiment.
In the following, the processing procedure of steps S301 to S312 is the same as the processing procedure of steps S101 to S112 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the print control apparatus 400 reads the execution condition (output destination setting) set by the user when the print job is input based on the acquired print job execution condition setting information R, and transmits as follows. Specify the destination judgment.

  The print control apparatus 400 determines whether the setting information R includes the output destination setting C by the print job management unit 23 (step S313). At this time, the print job management unit 23 determines whether or not the variable name “OUTPUT” is included in the setting information.

  If there is the output destination setting C (step S313: YES), the print control apparatus 400 acquires the network setting data or the model name that is the setting value of the variable name “OUTPUT” from the setting information R (step S314). ).

  On the other hand, when there is no output destination setting C (step S313: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 proceeds to the next processing procedure.

  The print control apparatus 400 identifies an output destination that is permitted to print and store the print job J by the above processing procedure.

  Subsequently, the print control apparatus 400 includes the received print job J and the print job execution conditions specified so far (“shared user setting”, “executable period setting”, and “output destination setting”). Based on this, the following data accumulation processing is performed.

  The image processing apparatus 100 uses the print job management unit 23 (accumulated data generation unit: print job duplication / storage means) to generate the accumulated data SD for each sharing target user based on the received print job J, and the generated accumulated data. The SD is stored and stored in the accumulated data holding unit 41 (step S315). At this time, the accumulated data generation unit 232 duplicates the print job J by the number of sharing target users, and generates accumulated data SD for each sharing target user (print job duplication / storage procedure). Further, the accumulated data generation unit 232 sets the user identifier of the identified sharing target user to the variable name “USERNAME” in the accumulated data for each sharing target user, and changes the variable value. Furthermore, the accumulated data generation unit 232 assigns corresponding print job identifiers according to the number of generated accumulated data SD. The accumulated data generation unit 232 accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41 and stores the generated accumulated data SD in a recording area reserved for each user (in a directory for each user in the file system).

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 uses the print job management unit 23 via the accumulated information management unit 24 to assign the numbered print job identifiers and the print job execution conditions (“share target user setting”, “ “Executable period setting” and “transmission destination setting” are set as the accumulated information 51D (step S316). At this time, the print job management unit 23 passes the print job identifier, the print job execution condition, the storage date and time of the storage data SD, the file path that is the storage destination, and the like to the storage information management unit 24 and requests information setting. . As a result, the stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51 and secures a setting area for the information item of the stored information 51D based on the print job identifier. The accumulated information management unit 24 (execution condition setting unit) includes a [user identification] item, an [authentication] item, an [accumulation date / time] item, an [executable period] item, an [output destination] corresponding to each [print job identification] item. ] And item values such as the [Stored data storage destination] item are set.

《Accumulated printing processing》
FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of accumulated printing according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 23, the print control apparatus 400 receives user input information (user identifier) received by the user input information reception unit 25 from the image processing apparatus 100 by the print job management unit 23 (step S401: YES). ), Referring to the storage information 51D via the storage information management unit 24 (step S402). At this time, the print data management unit 23 passes the user identifier to the storage information management unit 24, and requests reference to the user identifier (corresponding information) included in the storage information 51D. As a result, the stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51, and after referring to the stored information 51D based on the user identifier, responds to the request source with the presence or absence of the corresponding information as a reference result.

  When the corresponding information does not exist in the accumulated information (step S403: NO), the image processing apparatus 100 determines that there is no print job J (target print job) belonging to the user (no accumulated data that can be printed by the user). The print job management unit 23 notifies the image processing apparatus 100 of an error (step S404). At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the reference result [no corresponding information], passes the generated error message to the transmission unit 28, and transmits the error message to the image processing apparatus 100, thereby notifying the error notification. Request. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 causes the notification unit 27 to display the received error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notify the user. Thereby, the print control apparatus 400 ends the accumulated printing.

  On the other hand, if the corresponding information exists in the accumulated information (step S403: YES), the print control apparatus 400 determines that there is a target print job (there is accumulated data that can be printed by the user), and the print job management unit 23 Then, the storage information management unit 24 acquires storage information 51D corresponding to the requesting user (storage information corresponding to the corresponding user identifier) (step S405). At this time, the stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51 and, based on the user identifier, the [authentication] item, the [executable period] item, and the [store] corresponding to the user set in the stored information 51D. Acquires the item value (authentication data, date / time data of executable period, and file path of stored data storage destination) of the data storage destination item, and responds to the request source.

  When the print job management unit 24 acquires a plurality of pieces of relevant information, the print job management unit 24 transmits a print job list screen based on the acquired information to the image processing apparatus 100 via the transmission unit 28, and operates the image processing apparatus 100. Display on panel 120 and allow user to select. As a result, the print job management unit 23 passes the identifier of the print job J selected and designated by the requesting user on the screen to the stored information management unit 24 and received from the image processing apparatus 100, and print job execution condition information Requests acquisition and storage location information acquisition of accumulated data SD. As a result, the print job management unit 23 acquires authentication information, executable period information, and accumulated data storage location information set for the requested print job J.

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 100 reads the execution condition (print job execution condition setting) set in association with the storage data SD when storing the print job based on the acquired storage information 51D, and executes the following print job execution. Condition determination processing is performed.

  The print control apparatus 400 determines whether the user is a guest user by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) (step S406). At this time, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether the user is a guest user based on the user identifier that is an input value.

  If the user is a guest user (step S406: YES), the print control apparatus 400 determines whether the guest user has an authentication setting by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) (step S407). ). At this time, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether the user is a guest user based on the presence or absence of authentication data included in the acquired corresponding information.

  If the user is not a guest user (if the user is a registered user: step S406: NO), or if the guest user has an authentication setting (step S407: YES), the print control apparatus 400 print job User authentication is performed by the management unit 23 (step S408).

  At this time, the print control apparatus 400 requests the image processing apparatus 100 to display a user authentication screen, and displays the user authentication screen on the screen of the operation panel 120. In the case of a guest user, when the print job management unit 23 receives authentication data (password) received by the user input information reception unit 25 from the image processing apparatus 100, the received input value includes the authentication included in the acquired corresponding information. It is determined whether or not the data matches, and user authentication is performed.

  In addition, when the print job management unit 23 is not a guest user (when the user is a registered user), the print job management unit 23 receives the authentication data (password) received by the user input information reception unit 25 from the image processing apparatus 100. The input value and the user identifier are passed to the user information management unit 22 to request user authentication. The user information management unit 22 accesses the user information holding unit 31 and, after identifying the authentication data assigned to the user based on the user identifier, determines whether or not the input value matches the identified authentication data, The determination result is returned to the request source as the authentication result.

  On the other hand, when the guest user has no authentication setting (step S407: NO), the print control apparatus 400 does not perform user authentication and proceeds to the next processing procedure.

  If the user authentication fails (step S409: NO), the print job management unit 23 notifies the image processing apparatus 100 of an error by the print job management unit 23 (step S410). . At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the authentication result [authentication failure], passes the generated error message to the transmission unit 28, and transmits it to the image processing apparatus 100, thereby requesting an error notification. To do. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 causes the notification unit 27 to display an error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notify the user. Thereby, the print control apparatus 400 ends the accumulated printing.

  On the other hand, when the print control apparatus 400 succeeds in user authentication (step S409: YES), the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) determines whether the storage data SD exists in the storage destination (the stored data is read). It is determined whether or not it is possible (step S411). At this time, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines whether there is readable storage data SD at the specified storage location based on the acquired storage data storage location information.

  When the accumulated data SD does not exist (including the state where the accumulated data cannot be read: Step S411: NO), the print control apparatus 400 uses the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) to execute the image processing apparatus 100. Is notified of the error (step S412). At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the determination result [no corresponding stored data / unreadable), passes the generated error message to the transmission unit 28, and transmits it to the image processing apparatus 100. Then, request an error notification. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 causes the notification unit 27 to display an error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notify the user. Thereby, the print control apparatus 400 ends the accumulated printing.

  On the other hand, when the accumulated data SD exists (and the accumulated data can be read: step S411: YES), the print control apparatus 400 accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41 by the print job management unit 23 and stores the accumulated data. Based on the previous file path, the corresponding accumulated data SD is acquired (step S413).

  Subsequently, the print control apparatus 400 determines, by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit), whether or not there is an executable period setting for the print job J (accumulated data) to be stored (step S414). . At this time, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines based on the acquired date and time data of the executable period.

  If there is an executable period setting (step S414: YES), the print control apparatus 400 sets the current date and time (execution request date and time) within the set executable period by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit). It is determined whether or not (step S415).

  If the execution request date / time is outside the executable period (step S415: NO), the print control apparatus 400 notifies the image processing apparatus 100 of an error by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) (step S415). S416).

  At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the determination result [expired], passes the generated error message to the transmission unit 28, and transmits it to the image processing apparatus 100, thereby requesting an error notification. . As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 causes the notification unit 27 to display an error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notify the user.

  Subsequently, the print job management unit 23 (deleting unit) deletes the accumulated information 51D and accumulated data SD of the print job J determined to be out of the executable period from the storage area after the error notification (step S417). At this time, the print job management unit 23 passes the print job identifier to the accumulated information management unit 24 and requests deletion of the corresponding information. The stored information management unit 24 accesses the stored information holding unit 51, deletes the corresponding information item and item value based on the print job identifier, and releases the storage area. The print job management unit 23 accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41 and deletes the corresponding data based on the file path of the accumulated data storage destination. Thereby, the print control apparatus 400 ends the accumulated printing.

  On the other hand, when there is no executable period setting (step S414: NO), or when the execution request date / time is within the executable period (step S415: YES), the print control apparatus 400 (execution condition) The determination unit determines whether or not the image processing apparatus 100 that has received the request for accumulated printing is an output destination (designated output destination) for which accumulated printing of the print job J is permitted (step S418). At this time, the print job management unit 23 transmits an information acquisition command to the image processing apparatus 100 via the transmission unit 28 to acquire device information such as network setting data or a model name. As a result, the execution condition determination unit 233 determines based on the result whether or not the acquired value from the image processing apparatus 100 matches the acquired network setting data or model name of the output destination.

  If the image processing apparatus 100 is not the designated output destination (step S418: NO), the print control apparatus 400 notifies the image processing apparatus 100 of an error by the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) (step S419). . At this time, the print job management unit 23 generates an error message based on the determination result [output destination not permitted], passes the generated error message to the transmission unit 28, and transmits the error message to the image processing apparatus 100, thereby notifying the error. Request. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 causes the notification unit 27 to display an error message on the screen of the operation panel 120 and notify the user.

  On the other hand, when the image processing apparatus 100 is the designated output destination (step S418: YES), the print control apparatus 400 uses the print job management unit 23 (execution condition determination unit) to execute the print job J that can execute the stored data SD. And the accumulated printing is performed (step S420). At this time, the print job management unit 23 accesses the accumulated data holding unit 41 and acquires accumulated data SD corresponding to the print job J based on the user identifier. The print job management unit 23 requests the printing by passing the acquired accumulated data SD to the transmission unit 28 and transmitting it to the designated output destination image processing apparatus 100.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the print control apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment, the conditions (print job execution conditions) for executing the shared print job J obtained from the analysis of the received print job J are set. Based on the setting information R, a user (sharing target user) who shares the print job J is specified, the printing job J is duplicated by the number of the specified sharing target users, and the duplicated accumulated data SD is associated with the setting information R. Manage by user.

  As a result, the print control apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

  The above embodiment has been described so far. The “printing control function” according to the above embodiment is a programming language suitable for the operating environment (platform). The encoded program is realized by being executed by a processing device (for example, “CPU”) included in the image processing apparatus 100 or the print control apparatus 400.

  For example, in the case of the image processing apparatus 100, the program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium 114a. Thereby, for example, the program can be installed in the image processing apparatus 100 via the external storage I / F 114 by being stored in the recording medium 114a. Further, since the image processing apparatus 100 includes the network I / F 113, the program can be downloaded and installed using an electric communication line.

  Finally, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as combinations of other elements with the shapes and configurations described in the above embodiments. With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 21 Data analysis part 22 User information management part 23 Print job management part 231 User specification part 232 Accumulated data generation part 233 Execution condition determination part (executability determination part)
24 accumulated information management unit 241 execution condition setting unit 25 user input information reception unit 26 printing unit 27 notification unit 28 transmission unit 31 user information holding unit (D: user information)
41 accumulated data holding unit 51 accumulated information holding unit (D: accumulated information)
100 Image processing apparatus 110 Controller (control board)
111 Storage device 112 CPU (processing device)
113 Network I / F
114 External storage I / F (a: recording medium)
120 Operation panel (input / display device)
130 Plotter (Printer)
140 Scanner (reading device)
200 PC (information processing equipment)
300 Authentication management device (authentication server)
400 Print control device (print server)
401 Input device 402 Display device 403 Drive device (a: recording medium)
404 RAM (volatile semiconductor memory)
405 ROM (nonvolatile semiconductor memory)
406 CPU (Processor)
407 Interface device (NIC: Network I / F Card)
408 HDD (nonvolatile storage device)
1000 Print control system B Bus J Print job data N Data transmission path (network)
SD stored data W display screen (operation screen)

JP 2002-240398 A

Claims (18)

An image in which a user managed by user information management means for managing user information including user identification information for identifying at least a specific user can be set as a user to be used for a print job A processing device comprising:
Data analysis means for analyzing the received print job and obtaining user setting information for setting a plurality of users using the print job;
User specifying means for specifying the plurality of users to be used for the print job based on the acquired user setting information;
A print job duplicating unit for duplicating the received print job corresponding to each of a plurality of specified users;
Print job holding means for storing and holding a duplicated print job in association with user identification information for identifying each of the plurality of users;
Corresponding information held in the print job holding means based on the result of collation between the user identification information of the user who requested execution of the print job and the user identification information associated with the print job requested to be executed A printing means for executing a print job;
Have
The user specifying unit specifies the specific user as a user to be used for the print job when the specific user is set in the user setting information, and the user setting If the guest user has been set in the information to identify the guest user as the user to be utilized subject of the print job,
When the specific user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the print job holding unit associates the duplicate print with the user identification information of the specific user. When the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print job is associated with user identification information for identifying the guest user. Remember,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the user setting information is information capable of setting the specific user and a guest user as a plurality of users who use the print job . Group information holding means for holding group information in which group identification information of a group to which a user belongs and user identification information of a user belonging to the group are associated;
The user specifying means includes:
When a group is set in the user setting information,
2. The user identification information of users belonging to the group is obtained by referring to the group information holding means based on the group identification information of the group, and the user to be used is specified. An image processing apparatus according to 1. The user specifying means includes:
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein user identification information for the number of guests is issued based on the number of guest users. Print job identification information for identifying an accumulated print job, print job storage destination information indicating a storage destination of the print job, the user setting information including a print job execution condition which is an execution condition of the print job, Storage information holding means for holding storage information associated with
Execution feasibility judgment means for judging whether or not a print job requested to be executed is executable;
The execution feasibility determining means includes
The storage information holding unit is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the print job can be executed based on a print job execution condition corresponding to the print job identification information of the print job requested to be executed. Item 4. The image processing apparatus according to Item 2 or 3 . The execution feasibility determining means includes
Comparing the authentication information received from the user with the authentication information of the print job execution condition acquired from the accumulated information, and determining whether the print job requested to be executed is executable based on the comparison result The image processing apparatus according to claim 4. The execution feasibility determining means includes
5. The print job storage unit is referred to based on the print job storage location information to determine whether the print job can be executed based on the presence or absence of the print job requested to be executed. 5. The image processing apparatus according to 5. The execution feasibility determining means includes
Based on the date and time information at the time of execution request and the date and time information indicating the executable period of the print job execution condition acquired from the accumulated information, it is determined whether or not the date and time when the execution request is received is within the executable period. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether or not a print job requested to be executed is executable. Deleting means for deleting the stored information and a print job corresponding to the stored information;
The deleting means is
The print job whose execution request is determined to be outside the executable period and the accumulated information corresponding to the print job are deleted from the print job holding unit and the accumulated information holding unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7. The user setting information includes printing operation conditions set for the user and / or the group,
The printing means includes
9. The print job is executed according to a print operation condition corresponding to the print job identification information of the print job requested to be executed with reference to the stored information holding unit. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   The print job holding unit stores the password in association with the user identification information when a password set by the user is set for the guest user,
  10. The print unit according to claim 1, wherein when the guest is authenticated by the password, the print unit executes a corresponding print job held by the print job holding unit. Image processing device. A user managed by user information management means that manages user information including user identification information that identifies at least a specific user can be set as a user to be used for a print job 1 Or a print control apparatus that transmits an accumulated print job to a plurality of image processing apparatuses and requests execution of printing;
Data analysis means for analyzing the received print job and obtaining user setting information for setting a plurality of users using the print job;
User specifying means for specifying the plurality of users to be used for the print job based on the user setting information;
A print job duplicating unit for duplicating the received print job corresponding to each of a plurality of specified users;
Print job holding means for storing and holding a duplicated print job in association with user identification information for identifying each of the plurality of users;
Corresponding information held in the print job holding means based on the result of collation between the user identification information of the user who requested execution of the print job and the user identification information associated with the print job requested to be executed possess a transmission unit configured to transmit the print job to the image processing apparatus, the,
The user specifying unit specifies the specific user as a user to be used for the print job when the specific user is set in the user setting information, and the user setting When a guest user is set in the information, the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job,
When the specific user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the print job holding unit associates the duplicate print with the user identification information of the specific user. When the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print job is associated with user identification information for identifying the guest user. Remember,
The print control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the user setting information is information capable of setting the specific user and guest user as a plurality of users who use the print job . Print job identification information for identifying an accumulated print job, print job storage destination information indicating a storage destination of the print job, the user setting information including a print job execution condition which is an execution condition of the print job, Storage information holding means for holding storage information associated with
Execution feasibility judgment means for judging whether or not a print job requested to be executed is executable;
The execution feasibility determining means includes
The storage information holding unit is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the print job can be executed based on a print job execution condition corresponding to the print job identification information of the print job requested to be executed. Item 12. The print control apparatus according to Item 11 . The execution feasibility determining means includes
Printing is executed based on the network setting information acquired from the image processing apparatus that has requested the print control apparatus to acquire the print job and the network setting information indicating the transmission destination of the print job execution condition acquired from the accumulated information. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein it is determined whether or not the image processing apparatus is a setting transmission destination image processing apparatus, and whether or not a print job requested to be executed is executable based on the determination result. Print control device. The execution feasibility determining means includes
Printing is performed using the model identification information acquired from the image processing apparatus that has requested the print control apparatus to acquire the print job and the model identification information indicating the transmission destination of the print job execution condition acquired from the accumulated information. 13. The print control according to claim 12 , wherein it is determined whether or not the image processing apparatus is a set transmission destination model, and based on the determination result, it is determined whether or not a print job requested to be executed is executable. apparatus. An image in which a user managed by user information management means for managing user information including user identification information for identifying at least a specific user can be set as a user to be used for a print job A print control system in which a processing apparatus and a print control apparatus that transmits an accumulated print job to the image processing apparatus and requests execution of printing are connected via a predetermined data transmission path,
The printing control device is
Data analysis means for analyzing the received print job and obtaining user setting information for setting a plurality of users using the print job;
User specifying means for specifying the plurality of users to be used for the print job based on the acquired user setting information;
A print job duplicating unit for duplicating the received print job corresponding to each of a plurality of specified users;
Print job holding means for storing and holding a duplicated print job in association with user identification information for identifying each of the plurality of users;
Corresponding information held in the print job holding means based on the result of collation between the user identification information of the user who requested execution of the print job and the user identification information associated with the print job requested to be executed Transmission means for transmitting a print job to the image processing apparatus,
The user specifying unit specifies the specific user as a user to be used for the print job when the specific user is set in the user setting information, and the user setting If the guest user has been set in the information to identify the guest user as the user to be utilized subject of the print job,
When the specific user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the print job holding unit associates the duplicate print with the user identification information of the specific user. When the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print job is associated with user identification information for identifying the guest user. Remember,
The user setting information is information that can set the specific user and guest user as a plurality of users who use the print job,
The image processing apparatus is
A print control system comprising: a printing unit that requests the print control apparatus to acquire a print job requested to be executed and executes the acquired print job. An image in which a user managed by user information management means for managing user information including user identification information for identifying at least a specific user can be set as a user to be used for a print job A printing control method in a processing apparatus,
A data analysis procedure for analyzing the received print job and obtaining user setting information for setting a plurality of users using the print job;
A user specifying procedure for specifying the plurality of users to be used for the print job based on the acquired user setting information;
A print job duplication procedure for duplicating the received print job corresponding to each of a plurality of users identified by the user identification procedure;
A print job that stores a print job copied by the print job duplication procedure in a predetermined storage area of a storage device included in the image processing apparatus in association with user identification information for identifying each of the plurality of users Storage procedure;
Based on the collation result between the user identification information of the user who requested execution of the print job and the user identification information associated with the print job requested to be executed, the corresponding stored in the print job storage procedure possess a printing procedure for executing the print job, the,
The user specifying procedure specifies the specific user as a user to be used for the print job when the specific user is set in the user setting information, and sets the user setting If the guest user has been set in the information to identify the guest user as the user to be utilized subject of the print job,
In the print job storage procedure, when the specific user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print is associated with the user identification information of the specific user. When the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print job is associated with user identification information for identifying the guest user. Remember,
The print control method according to claim 1 , wherein the user setting information is information capable of setting the specific user and guest user as a plurality of users who use the print job . An image in which a user managed by user information management means for managing user information including user identification information for identifying at least a specific user can be set as a user to be used for a print job A print control program in a processing device,
Computer
Data analysis means for analyzing the received print job and obtaining user setting information for setting a plurality of users using the print job;
User specifying means for specifying the plurality of users to be used for the print job based on the acquired user setting information;
A print job duplicating unit for duplicating the received print job corresponding to each of a plurality of specified users;
Print job storage means for storing a duplicated print job in a predetermined storage area of a storage device included in the image processing apparatus in association with user identification information for identifying each of the plurality of users;
Based on the collation result between the user identification information of the user who has requested execution of the print job and the user identification information associated with the print job requested to be executed, Function as a printing means for executing a print job ,
The user specifying unit specifies the specific user as a user to be used for the print job when the specific user is set in the user setting information, and the user setting If the guest user has been set in the information to identify the guest user as the user to be utilized subject of the print job,
When the specific user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the print job storage unit associates the duplicate print with the user identification information of the specific user. When the guest user is specified as a user to be used for the print job, the duplicate print job is associated with user identification information for identifying the guest user. Remember,
The user control information is a print control program that is information that can set the specific user and guest user as a plurality of users who use the print job . A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 17 .

Images