JP6035923B2 - Printing instruction apparatus and printing instruction program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print instruction apparatus and a print instruction program for instructing printing to a printing apparatus on a network.

  In recent years, a large number of printing devices such as printers and multi-function peripherals (MFPs) have been installed in offices. For this reason, there is a situation in which the user cannot grasp where the printing device is in the office. Since printing devices are often introduced at the same time, there are a plurality of printers and MFPs having the same model name in the office, and it is not easy for the user to determine the location by the model name or the like.

  Under such circumstances, there are cases in which printing cannot be instructed to the printing device intended by the user. When printing is instructed to a printing device that is not intended by the user, the printed matter may be left untouched on the discharge tray of the printing device. It is not preferable that the printed matter is left in the discharge tray of the printing device because it may lead to information leakage.

  In relation to this, in Patent Document 1 below, if the network address of the printing device specified as the output destination is different from the network address of the PC (Personal Computer), the output destination may be incorrect. A technique for displaying a warning on a display of a PC is disclosed except for the case where accumulated printing is set for a print job. According to this technology, when a PC user mistakenly designates a printing device that exists on a sub-network different from the PC as an output destination, it is possible to notice the designation error.

  However, this technique has a problem that a warning cannot be issued for a printing device that exists on the same subnetwork as the PC. In addition, if the user ignores the warning and instructs printing, the printed matter may be output to the discharge tray of the printing device and left unattended, which is not preferable.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique for displaying a warning when a new destination not in the call history is input in a facsimile machine. According to this technique, if the user inputs an incorrect destination, an input error can be noticed. However, this technique is also not preferable because if the user ignores the warning and instructs transmission, the printed material may be output from the destination facsimile machine and left unattended.

JP 2009-151618 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-091213

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a print instruction that can reliably prevent a printed matter from being left in the paper output tray of the printing device even when the user selects the wrong printing device in the same subnetwork. An apparatus and a print instruction program are provided.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) For a printing device designated as an output destination by a user, an acquisition unit that acquires information about a usage record of the printing device by the user, and according to the information about the usage record acquired by the acquisition unit, A determination unit that determines whether or not the frequency of use of the printing device is low, and when the determination unit determines that the frequency of use of the printing device is low, output of the printed material is permitted on the condition that the user is authenticated A display unit that displays an input screen that prompts the user to input authentication information for security printing , and waits until the authentication information is input by the user through the input screen, and the authentication information by the user through the input screen. When is inputted, and a setting unit for setting the security printing using the authentication information to the print job, the setting unit Ri print instruction apparatus characterized by having, a transmission unit for transmitting towards the print job security printing is set in the printing device.

(2) The information on the usage record is information indicating the number of print jobs that are instructed to be executed by the user to the printing device, and the number indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition unit is less than a threshold value The printing instruction apparatus according to (1), wherein the determination unit determines that the use frequency of the printing device is low.
(3) The print instruction apparatus according to (2), wherein the threshold value is variably set.
(4) The information related to the usage record is information indicating the number of print jobs instructed to be executed by the user to the printing device, and the determination unit ranks the printing devices according to the number of print jobs. The printing instruction apparatus according to (1) above, wherein it is determined that the usage frequency is low for a printing device having a predetermined order or less.

( 5 ) The image processing apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects a print job instructed to be executed by a user of the print instruction apparatus from print jobs in which the security printing is set and stored in the printing device. The printing instruction apparatus according to any one of (1) to ( 4 ) above.

(6) The display unit of the print job security printing is set stored in the printing apparatus, and Turkey to list a print job executed by the user is an instruction from the print instruction device The print instruction apparatus according to any one of (1) to ( 5 ), wherein:

( 7 ) A deletion control unit that deletes, from the printing device, a print job that is instructed to be executed by a user of the print instruction device among the print jobs that are stored in the printing device and for which the security printing is set. The printing instruction apparatus according to any one of (1) to ( 6 ), wherein the printing instruction apparatus is provided.

( 8 ) For the printing device designated as the output destination by the user, the procedure (a) for acquiring information related to the usage history of the printing device by the user, and the information regarding the usage history acquired in the procedure (a) Accordingly, the procedure (b) for determining whether or not the frequency of use of the printing device is low, and if it is determined in the step (b) that the frequency of use of the printing device is low, the user is authenticated. A procedure (h) for displaying on the display unit an input screen prompting the user to input authentication information for security printing that permits output of printed matter as a condition, and until the authentication information is input by the user through the input screen waited, when the authentication information is input by the user through the input screen, print job the security printing using the authentication information (C), and a step (d) for causing the transmission unit to transmit the print job in which the security printing is set in the step (c) to the printing device. A print instruction program.

( 9 ) The information related to the usage record is information indicating the number of print jobs that are instructed to be executed by the user to the printing device, and the number indicated by the information acquired in the procedure (a) is less than a threshold value. if, in the steps (b), the print instruction program according to (8), wherein the frequency of use of the printing device is determined to be low.
(10) The print instruction program according to (9), wherein the threshold value is variably set.
(11) The information related to the usage record is information indicating the number of print jobs instructed to be executed by the user to the printing device. In the step (b), the printing devices are ranked according to the number of print jobs. The printing instruction program according to (8), wherein the use frequency is determined to be low for a printing device having a predetermined order or less.

( 12 ) Step (e) for detecting a print job instructed to be executed by a user of the computer from the print jobs set in the security printing stored in the printing device is further executed on the computer. The printing instruction program according to any one of ( 8 ) to ( 11 ) , wherein the printing instruction program is executed.

(13) the printing device within the print job security printing is set which is stored, further steps (f) to list a print job executed by the user of the computer is instructed to the display unit The printing instruction program according to any one of ( 8 ) to ( 12 ), which is executed by the computer.

(1 4 ) A step (g) of deleting, from the printing device, a printing job that is instructed to be executed by a user of the computer among the printing jobs stored in the printing device and set for the security printing. The printing instruction program according to any one of ( 8 ) to ( 13 ), which is executed by the computer.

(1 5 ) A computer-readable recording medium on which the printing instruction program according to any one of ( 8 ) to (1 4 ) is recorded.

  According to the present invention, when a printing device with low usage frequency is designated as an output destination, it is assumed that the output destination may be wrong, and security printing is set, and a printed matter is output from the printing device without the user's permission. It becomes possible to prevent this. Therefore, even when the user mistakes the output destination printing device in the same sub-network, it is possible to reliably prevent the printed matter from being left on the paper output tray of the printing device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of PC shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the memory content of the hard disk of PC. It is a figure which shows an example of an output apparatus selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a counter table. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print instruction processing executed by a PC. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the security printing process shown by step S105 of FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of an ID and password input screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of printing processing executed by a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the remaining job process shown by step S101 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the property screen of PC. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a response process executed by a printer.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system according to the present embodiment includes a PC 1 as a print instruction apparatus and printers 2a and 2b (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as a printer 2) as printing devices. The PC 1 and the printers 2 a and 2 b are connected to be communicable with each other via the network 3.

  The network 3 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) in which computers and network devices are connected according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Token Ring, and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), or LANs connected by a dedicated line. The network consists of various networks such as WAN (Wide Area Network). The type and number of devices connected to the network 3 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. The printers 2a and 2b include MFPs.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the PC. The PC 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a hard disk 14, a display 15, an input device 16, and a communication interface 17, which exchange signals. Are connected to each other via a bus 18.

  The CPU 11 performs control of each unit and various arithmetic processes according to a program. The ROM 12 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 13 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. The hard disk 14 stores various programs including an operating system (OS) and various data.

  The display 15 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information. The input device 16 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for performing various inputs.

  The communication interface 17 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the network 3, and standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI are used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents stored in the hard disk of the PC. The hard disk 14 includes a document file creation application 30 for creating a document file, and a printer driver 40 for converting the document file into print data described in a page description language (PDL) that can be interpreted by the printer 2. Installed. The hard disk 14 also stores a counter table 50 that records the frequency of use of the printer 2 on the network 3.

  The printer driver 40 is a printer driver (UPD: Universal Printer Driver) that can support a plurality of types of printers 2. The printer driver 40 displays a list of information of the printers 2 on the network 3 on the output device selection screen 100 (see FIG. 4) during printing, and a plurality of printers based on user operations using the output device selection screen 100. The output destination printer can be selected from 2.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter table stored in the hard disk. In the counter table 50, device port number information and usage history counter value information are recorded in association with each other. The device port number information is information for specifying a printer on the network 3 and has a one-to-one correspondence with a printer on the network 3. The usage history counter value information is information indicating the number of print jobs instructed to be executed by the user of the PC 1 for each printer specified by the port number.

  The CPU 11 of the PC 1 functions as an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a setting unit by executing the printer driver 40 program. Here, the acquisition unit acquires information on the actual use of the printer by the user for the printer designated as the output destination by the user of the PC 1. The determination unit determines whether or not to set security printing, which will be described later, for the print job, according to information on the usage record. The setting unit sets security printing to a print job. Further, the communication interface 17 of the PC 1 functions as a transmission unit that transmits a print job in which security printing is set to the printer. The specific processing contents of each unit will be described later.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer. Since the printers 2a and 2b have the same configuration, the printer 2a will be described below as a representative.

  The printer 2 a includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a hard disk 24, an operation panel 25, a printing unit 26, a post-processing unit 27, and a communication interface 28, which are connected to each other via a bus 29 for exchanging signals. ing. Of the above-described units of the printer 2a, portions having the same functions as those of the above-described units of the PC 1 are not described in order to avoid redundant description.

  The operation panel 25 is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions. The printing unit 26 prints an image based on the image data on a recording medium such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process. The post-processing unit 27 performs post-processing such as stapling, punching, and folding on the paper that has been printed by the printing unit 26.

  The hard disk 24 stores a program for performing rasterization processing on print data to generate image data for printing, and a program for executing security printing. Here, the security printing refers to a printing process that enables printing output only when the user who has issued the printing instruction actually goes to the front of the printer 2a and authenticates the identity.

  Note that the PC 1 and the printers 2a and 2b may include components other than the above components, or some of the above components may not be included.

  In the printing system of the present embodiment configured as described above, when the user designates an output destination printer using the output device selection screen 100, a print job is generated according to the use frequency of the printer designated as the output destination. Secure printing is set. Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the print instruction process executed by the PC. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is stored as a program in the hard disk 14 of the PC 1 and is executed by the CPU 11. Prior to the execution of the print instruction process, the printer driver 40 is activated, and the output device search screen 100 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the display 15 of the PC 1. On the output device search screen 100, information on the printer 2 on the network 3 is displayed in a list.

  First, the remaining job processing is executed (step S101). In the present embodiment, the remaining job processing is executed in which the user of the PC 1 instructs the printer 2 on the network 3 to inquire whether there is a print job for which secure printing is set. A detailed description of the remaining job processing will be described later. Further, the remaining job processing can be omitted.

  Subsequently, an output destination device is selected (step S102). In the present embodiment, an output destination printer is selected by the user from the printers 2 on the network 3 using the output device selection screen 100. Specifically, from the list of information on the printer 2 displayed on the output device selection screen 100, information on one printer is selected by the user's operation, and the selected information is accepted as information on the output destination printer. It is done.

  Subsequently, the device usage history number is acquired as information on the device usage record (step S103). In the present embodiment, usage history counter value information corresponding to the port number of the printer selected as the output destination in the process shown in step S102 is acquired from the counter table 50 stored in the hard disk 14 of the PC 1. For example, when the printer having the port number “192.168.0.100” is selected as the output destination by the user, “2” is acquired as the usage history counter value information.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the device usage history number is less than a threshold value α (step S104). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether the numerical value indicated by the usage history counter value information acquired in the process shown in step S103 is less than a threshold value α (for example, 5).

  When it is determined that the device usage history number is not less than the threshold value α (step S104: NO), the process proceeds to step S106.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of device usage histories is less than the threshold value α (step S104: YES), the device is treated as having a low use frequency and the security printing process is executed (step S105). In the present embodiment, a security printing process for setting security printing for a print job is executed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the security printing process shown in step S105 of FIG.

  First, the output method of the printer driver is changed to secure printing (step S201). In the present embodiment, as a print job output method, secure printing is set that permits output of a printed material only when the user is authenticated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the “output method” 210 is fixed to “security printing” on the print setting screen 200 of the printer driver 40 and is grayed out.

  Subsequently, an ID / password input screen is displayed (step S202). In the present embodiment, an ID / password input screen 300 (see FIG. 10) that prompts the user to input a user ID and password is displayed on the display 15 of the PC 1. By displaying the ID / password input screen 300 on the display 15, the user can recognize that secure printing is set for the print job.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether an ID and a password are input (step S203). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not a user ID and a password are input on the ID / password input screen 300 displayed in the process shown in step S202.

  If it is determined that the ID and password are not input (step S203: NO), the process waits until the ID and password are input. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ID and password are input (step S203: YES), the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the security printing process shown in step S105 of FIG. 7, the user ID and password for permitting the output of the printed material are set for the print job. Unlike this embodiment, the user ID and password used when the user logs in to the PC 1 may be automatically set in the print job as the user ID and password for security printing.

  Subsequently, a print job is transmitted (step S106). In this embodiment, a print job for which secure printing is not set or a print job for which secure printing is set in the process shown in step S105 is transmitted to the printer selected as the output destination in the process shown in step S102. Is done.

  Then, the counter value is increased by “1” (step S107), and the process is terminated. In the present embodiment, the usage history counter value information in the counter table 50 stored in the hard disk 14 is incremented by “1” for the printer to which the print job is transmitted in the process shown in step S106, and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, when printing is instructed to a printer on the network 3, it is determined whether or not the usage history number of the printer designated as the output destination is less than a threshold value. Is done. If it is determined that the usage history number is less than the threshold, the printer is treated as having a low usage frequency, security printing is set for the print job, and the print job is transmitted to the printer. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of usage histories is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the usage frequency is not low, and the print job is transmitted to the printer without setting security printing.

  In other words, according to the printing system of the present embodiment, when a printer with low use frequency is specified as the output destination printer, it is assumed that the output destination may be wrong, security printing is set for the print job, and the user The printed matter is prevented from being output from the printer without permission. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the printed material from being left on the paper discharge tray of the printer even when the user selects the wrong output destination printer.

  Next, the operation of a printer that executes a print job for which secure printing is set will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print processing executed by the printer. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is stored as a program in the hard disk 24 of the printer 2 and executed by the CPU 21.

  First, secure printing is recognized (step S301). In the present embodiment, it is recognized that the security print mode is designated by the user.

  Subsequently, an ID / password input screen is displayed on the operation panel (step S302). In the present embodiment, an ID / password input screen (not shown) that prompts the user to input a user ID and password is displayed on the operation panel 25 of the printer 2.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the authentication is successful (step S303). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the user ID and password input on the ID / password input screen displayed in the process shown in step S302 have been authenticated.

  When it is determined that the authentication is not successful (step S303: NO), the process returns to step S302. On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication is successful (step S303: YES), a job list is displayed (step S304). In the present embodiment, a print job instructed to be executed by a user with a user ID authenticated in the process shown in step S303 is searched from print jobs stored in the printer and set to secure printing. A list of print jobs is displayed on the operation panel 25.

  Then, after the selected job is printed, the job is deleted (step S305), and the process ends. In the present embodiment, one print job is selected by the user from the list of print jobs displayed in the process shown in step S304, and print output for the selected print job is performed. By performing the print output, the printed matter is output to the paper discharge tray of the printer. A print job that has been printed out is deleted from the list of print jobs.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, print output is performed only when the user is authenticated, and the printed matter is output to the paper discharge tray. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being left in the paper discharge tray of the printer.

  Hereinafter, the remaining job processing shown in step S101 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the remaining job processing procedure shown in step S101 of FIG.

  First, a remaining job is inquired of a registered device (step S401). In this embodiment, the printer registered in the PC 1 is inquired in order as to whether or not there is a print job in which the user of the PC 1 instructs execution and security printing is set.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC property screen. For example, when the PC 1 is connected to the network with the address “192.168.0.XXX” and the port number “192.168.0.128” is assigned to the PC 1, the port number “192.168.0.100” ”And“ 192.168.0.110 ”printers. On the other hand, when the PC 1 is connected to the network having the address “192.168.3.XXX” and the port number “192.168.3.128” is assigned to the PC 1, the port number “192.168.3.50”. ”And“ 192.168.3.100 ”printers. Alternatively, when the PC 1 is simultaneously connected to the two networks, an inquiry is made to the printers having the four port numbers. The printer that has received the inquiry generates a list of print jobs that are instructed to be executed by the user of the PC 1 among the print jobs that are set in the security printing stored in the self-machine, and transmits the list to the PC 1 as a job list. To do. The operation of the printer that returns a job list in response to an inquiry from the PC 1 will be described later.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a job list (step S402). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the printer has returned a job list in response to the inquiry made in the process shown in step S401.

  If it is determined that there is no job list (step S402: NO), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a job list (step S402: YES), a remaining job list is displayed (step S403). In the present embodiment, a list of print jobs transmitted from the printer 2 on the network 3 is collected, and a remaining job list is displayed on the display 15 of the PC 1.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not to delete the job (step S404). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed deletion of one print job for the print job in the remaining job list displayed in the process shown in step S403.

  If it is determined to delete the job (step S404: YES), the job is deleted from the remaining job list (step S405). In the present embodiment, the corresponding printer is instructed to delete the print job, and the print job is deleted from the printer. Then, the deleted print job is deleted from the remaining job list.

  Subsequently, the counter value is decreased by “1” (step S406), and the process returns to step S401. In the present embodiment, the usage history counter value information of the counter table 50 stored in the hard disk 14 is decreased by “1” for the printer that has stored the deleted print job.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process shown in step S404 that the job is not to be deleted (step S404: NO), the process ends.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, among the print jobs stored in the printer and set to secure printing, the print job instructed to be executed by the user of the PC 1 is the display 15 of the PC 1. Are listed. Then, the print job is deleted according to a user instruction.

  According to such a configuration, a print job that has passed a certain period of time is detected and the user is prompted to delete the print job, so even if the user instructs the wrong printer to print, the printer It is possible to prevent the print job from being continuously stored in the printer.

  Finally, with reference to FIG. 14, the operation of the printer that returns a job list in response to an inquiry from the PC 1 will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a response process executed by the printer. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is stored as a program in the hard disk 24 of the printer 2 and executed by the CPU 21.

  First, a print job of the corresponding user in the security print job is searched (step S501). In the present embodiment, a print job that is instructed to be executed by the user of the PC 1 is searched from print jobs stored in the printer and set to secure printing.

  Subsequently, the job list is returned (step S502), and the process is terminated. In this embodiment, a list of print jobs searched in the process shown in step S501 is generated and transmitted to the PC 1 as a job list.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, a print job instructed to be executed by the user of the PC 1 is retrieved from print jobs stored in the printer and set to secure printing. A list of print jobs is transmitted to the PC 1.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where printing is performed using a printer driver that can handle a plurality of types of printers has been described as an example. However, the present invention is also applicable to a normal printer driver that can support only a specific type of printer.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the usage history counter value information of the counter table is used as information regarding the usage frequency for determining whether or not to set security printing to the print job. However, the information on the usage frequency is not limited to the usage history counter value information, and may be usage history information stored in the printer.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the threshold value for comparing the usage history counter value of a specific printer is a fixed value, but the threshold value may be a variable value. For example, the threshold value may be variably set based on the total counter value of all printers managed in the counter table.

  Further, the usage history counter value may be a form in which only the usage history number in the latest predetermined period is handled. Or the form which weights the frequency | count of use of the latest time may be sufficient.

  Further, as another mode for determining whether or not the frequency of use of the printer is low, a mode that does not use the threshold as described above may be used. For example, among the printers managed in the counter table, ranking may be performed based on the usage history counter value, and those below a predetermined ranking may be handled as being less frequently used.

  In the embodiment described above, the counter table is stored in the hard disk of the PC. However, the counter table may be stored in a printer or a management server on the network.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print job is deleted from the printer based on a user operation on the PC. However, the print job may be deleted from the printer by a user operation on the printer.

  The means and method for performing various processes in the print instruction apparatus according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk and a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the apparatus as a function of the print instruction apparatus.

1 PC,
2, 2a, 2b printer,
3 network,
11, 21 CPU,
12,22 ROM,
13,23 RAM,
14, 24 hard disk,
15 display,
16 input devices,
17, 28 Communication interface,
18, 29 bus,
25 Operation panel,
26 printing department,
27 Post-processing section,
30 Document file creation application,
40 Printer driver,
50 counter table,
100 Output device selection screen.

Claims (15)

For a printing device designated as an output destination by a user, an acquisition unit that acquires information on the use result of the printing device by the user;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the frequency of use of the printing device is low, according to the information about the usage record acquired by the acquisition unit;
When the determination unit determines that the use frequency of the printing device is low , an input screen prompting the user to input authentication information for security printing that permits output of a printed matter on condition that the user is authenticated is displayed. A display unit to
Setting until the authentication information is input by the user through the input screen, and when the authentication information is input by the user through the input screen, the security printing using the authentication information is set in a print job And
A transmission unit that transmits a print job in which the security printing is set by the setting unit to the printing device;
A printing instruction apparatus characterized by comprising: The information related to the usage record is information indicating the number of print jobs instructed to be executed by the user to the printing device,
The printing instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition unit is less than a threshold, the determination unit determines that the use frequency of the printing device is low. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the threshold value is variably set. The information related to the usage record is information indicating the number of print jobs instructed to be executed by the user to the printing device,
The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit ranks the printing devices according to the number of the print jobs, and determines that the use frequency is low for a printing device having a predetermined rank or less. . The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect a print job instructed to be executed by a user of the print instruction apparatus from print jobs in which the security printing is set and stored in the printing apparatus. Item 5. The print instruction apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4 . Wherein the display unit, of the print job security printing is set stored in the printing apparatus, and wherein the Turkey to list a print job executed by the user is an instruction from the print instruction device The printing instruction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . A deletion control unit that deletes, from the printing device, a print job that is instructed to be executed by a user of the print instruction device among the print jobs that are stored in the printing device and set to the secure printing. print instruction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein. For a printing device designated as an output destination by a user, a procedure (a) for obtaining information on the use result of the printing device by the user;
A procedure (b) for determining whether or not the frequency of use of the printing device is low in accordance with the information on the usage record acquired in the procedure (a);
An input screen that prompts the user to input authentication information for security printing that permits the output of printed matter on the condition that the user has been authenticated when it is determined in step (b) that the frequency of use of the printing device is low On the display unit (h),
A step of waiting until the authentication information is input by the user through the input screen, and when the authentication information is input by the user through the input screen, a procedure for setting the security printing using the authentication information in a print job (C),
A procedure (d) for causing the transmission unit to transmit the print job in which the security printing is set in the procedure (c) to the printing device;
A print instruction program for causing a computer to execute the process. The information related to the usage record is information indicating the number of print jobs instructed to be executed by the user to the printing device,
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein when the number indicated by the information acquired in the procedure (a) is less than a threshold value, it is determined in the procedure (b) that the frequency of use of the printing device is low. Print instruction program. The print instruction program according to claim 9, wherein the threshold is variably set. The information related to the usage record is information indicating the number of print jobs instructed to be executed by the user to the printing device,
The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in the step (b), the printing devices are ranked according to the number of the print jobs, and it is determined that the use frequency is low for printing devices having a predetermined rank or less. Print instruction program. Causing the computer to further execute a procedure (e) for detecting a print job instructed to be executed by a user of the computer from print jobs stored in the printing device and set for the secure printing. The print instruction program according to claim 8, wherein the print instruction program is a print instruction program. Of the print job security printing is set stored in the printing device, a print job performed by the user of the computer is instructed to further the computer steps (f) to list on the display unit The print instruction program according to any one of claims 8 to 12 , wherein the print instruction program is executed. A step (g) of deleting from the printing device a print job instructed to be executed by a user of the computer among the print jobs stored in the printing device and set to secure printing is further executed on the computer. The printing instruction program according to any one of claims 8 to 13 , wherein the printing instruction program is executed. Computer readable recording medium storing a print instruction program according to any one of claims 8-1 4.

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