JP2001075752A - Printing controller and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing controller and a storage medium capable of securing the secrecy of a print printed out from a printer device shared with plural PC devices. SOLUTION: In the case of allowing a printer device PR1 connected to a server PC device SVR1 to print out confidential data to a client PC device CL2, a client PC device CL1 prepares header information indicating 'confidential' data and transmits printing data with the header information to the device SVR1. The device PR1 receives the printing data transmitted from the device SVR1 and prints out the received printing data only when a password transmitted from the device SVR1 coincides with a password inputted from an input part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing control device and a storage medium which are connected to a network and perform printing processing by a printing device shared by a plurality of computers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a print server device capable of directly connecting a printer device to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) has become widespread. Therefore, LA
N and more than one printer device including a printer device directly connected to a network such as N or a printer device locally connected to a server PC (Personal Computer) device is shared by many client PC devices connected to the network. Is increasing.

[0003] By sharing a printer device in such a form, for example, one client PC device can be used.
Excessive capital investment, such as connecting individual printers, can be suppressed, or the operating status of printers can be ascertained for each group that shares the printers. Alternatively, the area occupied by the printer device and the power consumption are suppressed by suppressing the absolute number of the printer device.

[0004]

However, when a large number of users share a printer device, for example, a large number of print jobs by other users may cause the printer device to be in a standby state for a long period of time. There is a possibility that the prospect that the printer device can return to the printable state due to a print job etc. may be lost,
There was no assurance for the user that a printout could be obtained when needed. In addition, since the client PC device on which the user works and the printer device are often set apart from each other, for example, the user does not know when his or her print data has been output and waits until the user obtains the print output. It may take time, and during that time, the printed output may be left on the paper output tray of the printer device. In addition, since print output products of a plurality of users are stored in a mixed state in a discharge tray of the printer device, for example, a part of one's print output product may be mixed with another user's print output product. For this reason, there is a problem that the confidentiality of the printed output is lost.

Further, when a large number of users share the printer device, the management responsibilities of the printer device become unclear, and the printer device may be left in an error state or the power of the printer device may be forgotten to be turned off. There was also a problem that it was easy to do.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to secure the confidentiality of a print output in a printer shared by a plurality of PCs, and to automatically turn off the power of the printer when there is no possibility of a print request. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control device and a storage medium which can perform the printing.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus shared by users of a plurality of computer apparatuses connected via a network, and the printing apparatus stores print data. Data storage means (for example, RAM 14, RAM 24, and RAM 34); and confidential data determination means (for example, CPU 21) for determining whether or not the print data stored in the print data storage means is confidential. When the confidential data determination unit determines that the print data stored in the print data storage unit is content that should be treated as confidential,
An authentication information setting unit (for example, CPU 21) for setting authentication information for the print data and a computer device used by a user who should receive a print output result of the print data stored in the print data storage unit are determined. The existence of the confidential print data to be received and the print data to the computer device used by the user who should receive the print output result determined by the destination determination means (for example, CPU 31) and the print output result determined by the destination determination means. A confidential print notification unit (for example, CP) for notifying the set authentication information
U31 and the transmission control unit 35), together with the input of authentication information that matches the authentication information set in the print data stored in the print data storage unit, and when there is a print output instruction of the print data, Print output means for printing out print data (for example, CPU 11 and printing unit 15)
And characterized in that:

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus shared by users of a plurality of computer apparatuses connected via a network, and comprising a print data storage unit. Stores print data, the confidential data determination unit determines whether the print data stored in the print data storage unit is content that should be treated as confidential, and the authentication information setting unit determines the confidential data determination unit. Means, if the print data stored in the print data storage means is determined to be confidential content, set authentication information for the print data,
The receiving destination determining unit determines a computer device to be used by a user who should receive a printout result of the print data stored in the print data storing unit, and the confidential print notifying unit is determined by the receiving destination determining unit. Notifying the computer device used by the user who should receive the printout result of the existence of the confidential print data to be received and the authentication information set in the print data, and the printout means comprises the print data storage means With the input of the authentication information that matches the authentication information set in the print data stored in
When there is a print output instruction for the print data, the print data is printed out.

Therefore, when printing confidential print data, printing is performed only when the authentication information input by the user notified of the authentication information matches the authentication information set in the print data. Since only the specific user notified of the authentication information can print, high confidentiality can be ensured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus which performs printing in response to a print request from a management server computer connected via a network, as shown in FIG. A management server storage unit (for example, the storage device 17) for identifying and storing a management server computer device that manages print request data from another client computer device to the printing device; and the management server storage unit. A print information acquisition unit (for example, CPU 11) that accesses all the management server computer devices and acquires print information for the printing device, and print information for the printing device included in the print information acquired by the print information acquisition unit. A print request determination unit that determines whether print request data exists (for example, , CPU 11) and the print request determining unit, when it is determined that print request data does not exist, and when the printing device is not currently performing a printing process, a power shutoff unit (for example, CPU 11).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus which performs printing in response to a print request from a management server computer connected via a network, wherein the management server storage means Identifies and stores a management server computer device that manages print request data from another client computer device with respect to the printing device. The print information acquisition unit includes all management server computer devices stored in the management server storage unit. And print information for the printing device is obtained, and the print request determination unit determines whether print request data for the printing device is present in the print information obtained by the print information obtaining unit. The power cutoff means determines that the print request data exists by the print request determination means. Is determined not, and when the printing device is not currently printing in cuts off the power supply of the printing device.

Therefore, the print request data does not exist,
In addition, when the printing apparatus is not currently performing a printing process, the power supply of the printing apparatus is shut off, so that forgetting to turn off the power of the printing apparatus can be prevented, and power saving can be further achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus which performs printing in response to a print request from a management server computer connected via a network, as shown in FIG. A management server storage unit (for example, the storage device 17) for identifying and storing a management server computer device that manages print request data from another client computer device to the printing device; and the management server storage unit. A user information acquisition unit (e.g., C) that accesses all management server computer devices and obtains user information using the management server computer devices.
PU11); print request possibility determining means (for example, CPU 11) for determining whether there is a possibility that a print request to the printing apparatus is made based on the user information acquired by the user information acquiring means; If the print request possibility determining means determines that there is no possibility that a print request will be made, and if there is no print request data for the printing apparatus, a power cutoff means (for example, CPU 11 ) Is provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus which performs printing in response to a print request from a management server computer connected via a network, comprising a management server storage unit. Identifies and stores a management server computer device that manages print request data for the printing device from another client computer device, and the user information acquisition unit includes all management server computers stored in the management server storage unit. The apparatus accesses the apparatus, acquires user information using the management server computer apparatus, and the print request possibility determining means uses the user information acquired by the user information acquiring means to perform printing on the printing apparatus. It is determined whether or not there is a possibility that a print request will be made, It is determined that there is no possibility that the print request is performed by the printing request possibility determining means, and when the print request data to the printing device is not present, to cut off the power supply of the printing apparatus.

Therefore, there is no possibility that a print request is made by a user using the management server computer, and when there is no print request data, the power supply of the printing apparatus is shut off, so that the power supply of the printing apparatus is forgotten to be turned off. Can be prevented, and more power can be saved.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 9 are diagrams showing a network system according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a plurality of server PCs SVR1 and SVR2 and a plurality of client PCs CL1 and CL2 and a printer PR1 are connected to a network line 2 such as a LAN. The server PC SVR1 has a printer PR2.
Is connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system of the printers PR1 and PR2. In FIG. 2, printer devices PR1 and PR2
Are a CPU 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13,
RAM 14, printing unit 15, transmission control unit 16, storage device 1
7 and a storage medium 18, and each unit except the storage medium 18 is connected by a bus 19.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11
Expands the print processing program stored in the storage device 17 into a program storage area (not shown) in the RAM 14 and temporarily stores various instructions or data input from the input unit 12 in the RAM 14. The printing unit 15 executes a printing process according to the instruction and the input print data.

When executing confidential data printing processing (FIG. 6) for printing confidential data as confidential data, which will be described later, the CPU 11 transmits the confidential data from the server PC apparatuses SVR1 and SVR2 connected via the network line 2. The transmission control unit 16 receives the transmitted confidential data transmission start notification and the password notification, determines the usage status of the received password, and transmits the determination result to the server PC device SVR1 or SVR2 by the transmission control unit 16. Transmit via line 2. The server PC connected via the network line 2 by the transmission control unit 16
The print data transmitted from the devices SVR1 and SVR2 is received, the print data is stored in the RAM 14, and the password input from the input unit 13 and the server PC device SVR are received.
1. Only when the password transmitted from the SVR 2 matches, the print data stored in the RAM 14
5 to print out. When printing is completed, RA
The print data stored in M14 is deleted, and a print end notification of the printed matter is transmitted to the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 by the transmission control unit 16 via the network line 2.

The input unit 12 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, and various function keys (for example, a “confidential” key for designating printing of confidential data). The signal is output to the CPU 11. The display unit 13 is configured by a liquid crystal display screen or the like.
The display data related to the printing process input from the PU 11 is displayed.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 14
When the CPU 11 executes the print processing program, it forms a program storage area for expanding various data, and when the CPU 11 executes the confidential data print processing, print data transmitted from the server PC devices SVR1, SVR2; A memory area for developing various data such as a password input from the input unit 13 and a password transmitted from the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 is formed.

The printing section 15 executes a printing process based on print data input from the CPU 11.

The transmission control unit 16 includes a printer PR1,
A terminal for connecting the PR2 to external devices such as the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 and the client PC devices CL1 and CL2 via a transmission medium such as the network line 2. The terminal stores data such as data stored in the storage medium 18. It transmits to the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 and the client PC devices CL1 and CL2 via the transmission medium, or receives data and the like transmitted from the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 and the client PC devices CL1 and CL2.

The storage device 17 stores programs, data, and the like in advance. The storage device 17 has a configuration including a storage medium 18 readable by the CPU 11, such as a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. is there. The storage medium 18 includes a portable medium such as a CD-ROM and a fixed medium such as a hard disk. This storage medium 1
Reference numeral 8 stores the print processing program, the confidential data print processing program, data processed by various processing programs, and the like.

Some or all of the programs, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 18 are stored in the server PC.
Devices SVR1, SVR2 and client PC device CL
1, CL2 may be received from the transmission control unit 16 via a transmission medium such as the network line 2, and the storage medium 18 may be a storage medium of the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 constructed on the network. There may be. Further, the program is transferred to the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 via a transmission medium such as a network line 2.
Or may be transmitted to the client PC devices CL1 and CL2 and installed in these devices.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system of the client PC device CL1 and the client PC device CL2. In FIG. 3, the client P
The C devices CL1 and CL2 are a CPU 21, an input device 22, a display device 23, a RAM 24, and a transmission control unit 2, respectively.
5. The storage device includes a storage device 26 and a storage medium 27, and each unit except the storage medium 27 is connected by a bus 28.

The CPU 21 develops an application program designated from a system program stored in the storage device 26 and various application programs corresponding to the system into a program storage area (not shown) in the RAM 24, and Are temporarily stored in the RAM 24, various processes are executed in accordance with the application programs stored in the storage device 26 in accordance with the input instructions and the input data, and the processing results are stored in the RAM 24. And display it on the display device 23. And R
The processing result stored in the AM 24 is stored in a storage destination in the storage device 26 which is instructed to be input from the input device 22.

When executing a confidential print designation process (FIG. 7) described later, the CPU 21 creates header information in accordance with an input instruction input from the input device 22, and sends the header information to the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2. The print data with information is transmitted by the transmission control unit 25 via the network line 2, and is transmitted by the transmission control unit 25 to the server PC device SVR.
1. Receive a print end notification of print data transmitted from the SVR 2 via the network line 2 and display the print end notification on the display device 23.

When executing the confidential data reception process (FIG. 8) described later, the CPU 21 transmits the printer name transmitted from the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 via the network line 2 by the transmission control unit 25, Upon receiving the notification of the password, the received printer device name and password are displayed on the display device 23.

The input device 22 includes a keyboard and a mouse having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and outputs to the CPU 21 a pressing signal of a pressed key and a mouse position signal. The display device 23 includes a CRT, a liquid crystal display screen, and the like, and displays display data input from the CPU 21.

The RAM 24 forms a program storage area for expanding various data when the CPU 21 executes the various application programs.
1 executes the confidential data receiving process, the server P
Printer device name and password transmitted from the C devices SVR1 and SVR2, header information created when the confidential print designation processing is executed, print data, and print end notification transmitted from the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2. A memory area for expanding data is formed.

The transmission control unit 25 includes client PC devices CL1 and CL2, other client PC devices, server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2, and printer devices PR1 and P2.
A terminal for connecting an external device such as R2 via a transmission medium such as the network line 2 to transmit data stored in the storage medium 27 via the transmission medium to another client PC device or server PC device SVR1, SVR
2. Transmission to the printer devices PR1, PR2, or other client PC device, server PC device SVR
1. Receive data and the like transmitted from the SVR2 and the printer devices PR1 and PR2.

The storage device 26 stores programs, data, and the like in advance. The storage device 26 has a configuration including a storage medium 27 readable by the CPU 21 such as a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. is there. The storage medium 27 includes a portable medium such as a CD-ROM and a fixed medium such as a hard disk. This storage medium 2
Reference numeral 7 stores the system program, various application programs corresponding to the system, a confidential data reception processing program, a confidential print designation processing program, data processed by the various processing programs, and the like.

The programs and data stored in the storage medium 27 may be partially or wholly stored on the server PC.
It may be configured to receive from the transmission control unit 25 via the transmission medium such as the network line 2 from the device SVR1, SVR2 or another client PC device, etc. Further, the storage medium 27 is a server PC constructed on the network. It may be a storage medium of the devices SVR1 and SVR2. Further, the program may be transmitted to the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 and other client PC devices via a transmission medium such as the network line 2 and installed in these devices.

FIG. 4 shows server PC devices SVR1 and SVR.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control system of FIG. In FIG. 4, server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 are a CPU 31, an input device 32, a display device 33, and a R
It comprises an AM 34, a transmission control unit 35, a storage device 36 and a storage medium 37, and each unit except the storage medium 37 is connected by a bus 38.

The CPU 31 develops an application program designated from the system programs stored in the storage device 36 and various application programs corresponding to the system into a program storage area (not shown) in the RAM 34, and Are temporarily stored in the RAM 34, various processes are executed in accordance with the application instructions stored in the storage device 36 in accordance with the input instructions and the input data, and the processing results are stored in the RAM 34. And display it on the display device 33. And R
The processing result stored in the AM 34 is stored in a storage destination in the storage device 36 designated by the input device 32.

When executing the confidential data management process (FIG. 9) described later, the CPU 31
The print data with header information transmitted from the devices CL1 and CL2 via the network line 2 is received by the transmission control unit 35, and the received print data with header information is stored in the RAM 34 and included in the header information. The password is transmitted by the transmission control unit 35 to the printers PR1 and PR2 via the network line 2. The transmission control unit 35 receives the password use status determination result transmitted from the printer devices PR1 and PR2. If the password is not used based on the determination result, the transmission control unit 35 prints the password stored in the RAM 34. The data is transmitted to the printer devices PR1 and PR2.

Then, the client PC devices CL1, C
The name of the printer and the password that transmitted the print data to L2 are transmitted by the transmission control unit 35. If the password has been changed, the changed password is transmitted to the client PC device that transmitted the print data. When the transmission control unit 35 receives a print end notification from the devices PR1 and PR2, the transmission control unit 35 transmits the received print end notification to the client PC device that has transmitted the print data.

The input device 32 includes a keyboard and a mouse provided with cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and outputs to the CPU 31 a pressing signal of a pressed key and a mouse position signal. The display device 33 includes a CRT, a liquid crystal display screen, and the like, and displays display data input from the CPU 31.

The RAM 34 forms a program storage area for expanding various data when the CPU 31 executes the various application programs.
1 executes the confidential data management processing, the print data with header information transmitted from the client PC devices CL1 and CL2, the password use status determination result transmitted from the printer devices PR1 and PR2, A memory area for developing various data such as a print end notification is formed.

The transmission control unit 35 is a server PC device SVR
1, a terminal for connecting the SVR 2 to external devices such as the client PC devices CL 1 and CL 2 and the printer devices PR 1 and PR 2 via a transmission medium such as the network line 2, and data stored in the storage medium 37. To the client PC devices CL1 and CL via a transmission medium.
2. Other server PC devices, printer devices PR1, PR2
To the client PC device CL1,
CL2, other server PC devices, printer devices PR1, P
The data and the like transmitted from R2 are received.

The storage device 36 stores programs and data in advance, and has a configuration including a storage medium 37 readable by the CPU 31 such as a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. is there. The storage medium 37 includes a portable medium such as a CD-ROM and a fixed medium such as a hard disk. This storage medium 3
Reference numeral 7 stores the system program, various application programs corresponding to the system, a confidential data management processing program, data processed by the various processing programs, and the like.

The program, data and the like stored in the storage medium 37 are partially or wholly received from the transmission control unit 35 via the transmission medium such as the network line 2 from the client PCs CL1 and CL2. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to the client PC device CL via a transmission medium such as the network line 2.
1, it may be configured to be transmitted to CL2 or the like and installed in these devices.

FIG. 5 shows the client PC devices CL1, C
L2, server PC devices SVR1, SVR
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of header information attached to print data of “confidential” transmitted to the print data 2; FIG. 5 shows print data of “confidential” when, for example, the client PC device CL1 causes the printer device PR2 to execute highly confidential print output addressed to the client PC device CL2 via the server PC device SVR1. In order to show this, the header information transmitted from the client PC device CL1 to the server PC device SVR1 is shown. In FIG. 5, the header information includes a special character string, a header length, a password, a CL2-ID, a data length 2, and a CL1-ID.

The special character string is a fixed identifier indicating that the following print data is print data of “confidential”, and for example, “＠ ＄ & ￥” is set. The header length is a value indicating the length of the header information, for example,
"71" is set, and the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2 separate the header information and the print data using the data set to the header length.

The password is a password which can be known only by the party permitted to print the print data of "confidential", in this case, only the client PC device CL2. This is set by the source client PC device CL1. The data length 1 is the ID (IDentificati) of the client PC device CL2 that receives the notification of the print data of “confidential”.
on) is a value indicating the data length, for example, “33” is set, and a break between CL2-ID and CL1-ID is determined based on this value. The CL2-ID includes, for example, the mail address “y-kob” of the client PC device CL2.
ayashi ＠. co. jp ”is set.

The data length 2 corresponds to the client PC device CL
This is a value indicating the data length of ID 1 and, for example, “30” is set. The CL1-ID includes, for example, the mail address "m-sugimo" of the client PC device CL1.
＠. co. jp ”is set. Note that CL1-ID,
The CL2-ID includes, for example, the client PC device CL
The IP (Internet Protocol) address of 1CL2 may be set.

Next, the operation will be described. For example, print data of “confidential” addressed to the client PC device CL2 by the client PC device CL1 is transmitted to the server PC device SVR.
The operation when printing is performed by the printer device PR2 connected to the server PC device SVR1 via the server device 1 will be described. The confidential data printing process executed by the CPU 11 of the printer device PR2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 11 executes the server PC device SV
It is determined whether or not the transmission control unit 16 has received the notification of the start of the transmission of the confidential data transmitted from the R1 via the network line 2 and the notification of the password (Step S).
1) If the received password is used, determine whether the received password is used or not, and
The result of the determination is transmitted to the server PC device SVR1 by step 6 (step S2), and if not received, the step S1 is repeated until it is received.

Next, the CPU 11 executes the server PC device S
The print data transmitted from the VR1 is received by the transmission control unit 16 (Step S3), and further, the server PC device SV
It is determined whether a notification that the transmission of the print data of “confidential” transmitted from R1 has been completed is received (Step S).
4) If received, the transmission control unit 16 sends a notification to the server PC device SVR1 to confirm that the print data has been received as "confidential" (step S5), and step S6.
The process proceeds to step S3, and if not received, returns to step S3.

In step S6, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there has been an input of a "confidential" key press signal and a password from the input unit 12, and if so, step S7.
If not, enter “confidential” from the input unit 12.
Step S6 is repeated until a key press signal and a password are input.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not the password input from the input unit 12 matches the password received in step S1, and if they do not match, the process returns to step S6. Prints the print data received in step S3,
When the printing is completed, the print data stored in the RAM 14 is erased (step S8), and the transmission control unit 16 sends a print end notification of the “confidential” printed matter to the server PC device SVR1 (step S8). S9), and return to step S1.

Next, the CP of the client PC device CL1
FIG. 7 shows a confidential print designation process executed by U21.
This will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a confidential print request input from the input device 22 (step S21). If so, the print data is "confidential" print data according to the input instruction. Is created (step S22), and if not, step S21 is repeated until a confidential print request is made.

Next, the CPU 21 executes the server PC device S
The print data with the header information is transmitted to the VR1 (step S23), and it is determined whether or not the transmission control unit 25 has received the print end notification of the “confidential” printed matter transmitted from the server PC device SVR1 (step S24). If received, the process returns to step S21, and if not received, step S24 is repeated until received.

Next, the CP of the client PC device CL2
The confidential data reception processing executed by U21 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the transmission control unit 25 has received the notification of the name of the printer to execute printing and the password for causing the printer to execute printing (step S31). If received, the received printer device name and password are displayed on the display device 23, and a notification that the confidential print data has been transmitted to the displayed printer device is given (step S32). It returns to S31. If not received, step S31 is repeated until received.

Next, the CPU 3 of the server PC device SVR1
The confidential data management process executed by the server 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the transmission control unit 35 has received print data with header information indicating that the print data is "confidential" (step S41). Then, the transmission control unit 35 transmits a notification of the start of transmission of the confidential print data and a notification of the password included in the received header information to the printer device PR2 (step S42). Step S41 is repeated.

Next, the CPU 31 sets the printer PR
It is determined whether the transmission control unit 35 has received the password usage status determination result transmitted from the transmission control unit 2 (step S4).
3) If not received, step S43 is repeated until received, and if received, it is determined whether or not the password has already been used based on the determination result (step S44). If the password is being used, the process returns to step S42 to transmit a new password. If the password is not used, the print data is transmitted to the printer PR2 (step S45).

When the transmission of the print data is completed, a "confidential" print data transmission end notification is transmitted to the printer PR2 (step S46).
It is determined whether or not the transmission control unit 35 has received the “confidential” print data reception confirmation notification transmitted from R2 (step S47). If not, repeat step S47 until it is received. In this case, a notification of the name of the printer device that transmitted the print data and a password are transmitted to the client PC device to which the confidential print data is notified, that is, the client PC device CL2 (step S48).

Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the password has been changed (step S49). If the password has been changed, the CPU 31 transmits the confidential print data to the transmission source client PC device, that is, the client PC device CL1. The password after the change is transmitted (step S50), and the process proceeds to step S51. If the password has not been changed, the process directly proceeds to step S51.

In step S51, the CPU 31
It is determined whether or not the transmission control unit 35 has received the print end notification of the “confidential” printed matter transmitted from the printer device PR2. If not received, step S51 is repeated until it is received. If received, the client PC device of the confidential print data source, that is,
The print end notice of the printed material "confidential" is transmitted to the client PC device CL1 (step S52), and the process returns to step S41.

As described above, for example, the client PC
The confidential data addressed to the client PC device CL2 by the device CL1 is transferred to the printer device PR1 connected to the server PC device SVR1 via the server PC device SVR1.
When printing is performed, the CPU 21 of the client PC device CL1 creates header information indicating that the data is “confidential” data, and transmits the print data with the header information to the server PC device SVR1.

The CPU 31 of the server PC device SVR 1
When the print data with header information is received, the password included in the header information is transmitted to the printer PR1.
Then, based on the use status determination result of the password transmitted from the printer device PR1, if the password is in use, the password is changed, and if the password is not used, the print data is transmitted to the printer device PR1. . Further, the client P to which the print data is notified is
The password and the printer device name are notified to the C device CL2.

The client PC device CL2 is connected to the server P
The password and the printer device name received from the C device SVR1 are displayed on the display device 23.

The CPU 11 of the printer device PR1 receives the print data transmitted from the server PC device SVR1, and receives the print data only when the password transmitted from the server PC device SVR1 and the password input from the input unit 12 match. And prints out the printed data.

Therefore, when printing confidential data with high confidentiality transmitted from another user, the print data is transmitted to the printer via the server PC.
The password and the printer device name are notified. The print data is output by the user who has been notified of the password inputting the notified password to the input unit 12 of the printer device, so that the printed matter is not left in the output tray of the printer, and Since only the specific user notified of the password can print, high confidentiality can be ensured.

In the first embodiment,
The case has been described in which the print data “confidential” from the client PC device CL1 to the client PC device CL2 is printed by the printer device PR2 connected to the server PC device SVR1 via the server PC device SVR1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the confidential data printing process may be executed by the CPU 11 of the printer device PR1, and the print data of “confidential” may be printed by the printer device PR1. Further, for example, the confidential data management process is executed by the server PC device SVR2, and the client PC device C
The “confidential” print data addressed to the client PC device CL2 from L1 may be printed by the printer device via the server PC device SVR2.

In the first embodiment,
A source client PC for transmitting print data with header information indicating “confidential” to the server PC, a server PC for controlling the printer based on header information from the source client PC,
Each function is distributed to a printer device that performs printing under the control of the server PC device and a notification destination client PC device that receives a notification of confidential printing from the server PC device. The PC device may be provided, or the function of the server PC device may be provided in the printer device or the source client PC device.

Further, in the first embodiment, printing is started by the user of the notified client PC apparatus receiving the notification of "confidential" printing inputting a password into the input unit 12 of the printer apparatus. Although the configuration is described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may be such that printing is started by transmitting a password to the printer device via the server PC device. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a fingerprint authentication device is mounted on a printer device, and to start printing by fingerprint collation.

Further, in the first embodiment,
The print data of “confidential” transmitted from the client PC device CL1 to the client PC device CL2 is transmitted to the printer device PR via the print server PC device SVR1.
2, the printing of the print data of “confidential” is not necessarily limited to the case of transmission to another person. For example, the print data of the client PC device CL1 itself can be applied. ,in this case,
The print data may be processed as “confidential” print data.

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which print data of “confidential”, which has not been printed for a certain period of time, is notified to the user and then automatically deleted. The printers PR1 and PR2 are configured to be directly connected to the network or connected to the server PC SVR1, but if shared means are secured, the printers PR1 and PR2 are connected to the client PCs CL1 and CL2. It is good.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the second embodiment, and the printer device PR1,
The main configuration of each control system of PR2, client PC devices CL1, CL2, and server PC devices SVR1, SVR2 is as follows.
The overall configuration of the network system according to the first embodiment, and printer devices PR1, PR2, client PC devices CL1, CL2, server PC devices SVR1, SVR
Since it is the same as the main configuration of each control system of VR2,
Description is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the management server information table 17a stored in the storage device 17 of the printer devices PR1 and PR2 and the printer device PR
1. Since the power-off process is executed by the CPU 11 of PR2, these configurations and processes will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a part of the network system 1 shown in FIG. The management server information table 1 in the printer device PR1 shown in FIG.
7a is stored in the storage device 17. Further, a management server setting application program for setting a management server for the printer devices PR1 and PR2 is stored in the storage device 36 of the server PC devices SVR1 and SVR2. In accordance with the management server setting application program, for example, the server PC SVR1 sends the server PC as management server information to the printer PR1.
By transmitting and registering the information of the device SVR1, “management server 1 = SVR1” is set in the management server information table 17a in the printer device PR1. That is, the server name of the server PC device SVR1, for example, “SVR1” is set as the server name corresponding to “management server 1”.

Similarly, according to the management server setting application program, the information of the server PC device SVR2 is transmitted from the server PC device SVR2 to the printer device PR1 as the management server information in the storage device 36, and is registered. In the management server information table 17a, “management server 2 = SVR2”, that is, the server name of the server PC device SVR2, for example, “SVR2” is set as the server name corresponding to “management server 2”. Similarly, the server PC devices SVR1, SVR
By registering the management server information in the printer PR2 by the VR2, the management server information is set in the management server information table 17a in the printer PR2.

CPU 11 of printer PR1, PR2
Refers to a management server information table 17a stored in the storage device 17 when executing a power-off process (FIG. 11) described later, and determines whether a server PC device registered as a management server has its own printer device. It is determined whether or not there is a print request, whether there is a user using (logging on) the server PC device, and whether or not there is a possibility that a print request will be made to the own printer device in the future. If it is determined that there is no possibility that a print request will be made in the future, the power of the own apparatus is turned off.

Next, the operation will be described. Printer PR
1. The power-off process executed by the CPU 11 of PR2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the printing section 15 is currently performing the printing process (step S).
61) If the printing process is currently being performed, the process is terminated as it is. If the printing process is not being performed, the management server name set from the management server information stored in the management server information table 17a is entered. Acquisition (Step S6
2) Access the server PC device with the acquired management server name to acquire print information (step S63).

Then, the CPU 11 refers to the print information acquired in step S63, and determines whether or not there is a print request for the printer (step S6).
4) If there is a print request, the process is terminated as it is. If there is no print request, it is determined whether or not there is a user who is using (logging on) the server PC device of the management server name acquired in step S62. Is determined (step S65).

In step S65, if it is determined that there is a user in use, the process is terminated as it is. If it is determined that there is no user, an unprocessed management server name is stored in the management server information table 17a. It is determined whether or not there is (step S66). If there is an unprocessed management server name, the process returns to step S62, and the processes of steps S62 to S65 are executed for that management server. If there is no unprocessed management server name, the power of the printer device itself is turned off. It turns off (step S67), and the process ends.

As described above, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a print request is currently issued to its own printer device for all server PC devices registered in the management server information table 17a.
There is a user using (logging on) the server PC device, and it is determined whether or not there is a possibility that a print request will be made to the own printer device in the future. If it is determined that there is no possibility that a print request will be made in the future, the power of the apparatus is turned off.
FF.

Therefore, the printers PR1 and PR2
Since it is not necessary to manually turn off the power supply of the power supply, and forgetting to turn off the power supply can be prevented, it is possible to further reduce power consumption.

Note that in the second embodiment,
The determination to turn off the power is made in accordance with the presence / absence of the current print request and the presence / absence of the management server user. For example, the presence / absence of a print job requested to be printed at a specified time and the processing Turn off the power by adding conditions such as whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since there is no print job in progress.
For example, the power-off process (FIG. 11) may be started after a lapse of a predetermined time from the power-on of the printer devices PR1 and PR2. The power-off processing may be started every time the time elapses.

[0086]

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, when printing confidential print data, the authentication information input by the user notified of the authentication information and the printing Since the printout is performed only when the authentication information set in the data matches, only the specific user notified of the authentication information can print, so that high confidentiality can be ensured.

According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, when there is no print request data and the printing apparatus is not currently performing a printing process, the power of the printing apparatus is shut off. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to turn off the power of the printing apparatus, and to further reduce power consumption.

According to the third and sixth aspects of the present invention, there is no possibility that a user using the management server computer makes a print request and there is no print request data. Since the power supply of the printing apparatus is shut off, it is possible to prevent forgetting to turn off the power supply of the printing apparatus, and it is possible to further reduce power consumption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a printer PR1 and a printer P shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the control system of R2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control system of the client PC device CL1 and the client PC device CL2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a server PC device SVR1 and a server PC shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control system of the device SVR2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of header information attached to print data of “confidential”;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing confidential data printing processing executed by the printer PR2 of FIG. 1;

7 is a flowchart showing confidential print designation processing executed by the client PC device CL1 in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing confidential data reception processing executed by the client PC device CL2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing confidential data management processing executed by the server PC device SVR1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a part of a network system 1 according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating power-off processing executed by the printers PR1 and PR2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Network System 2 Network Line 11, 21, 31 CPU 12 Input Unit 13 Display Unit 14, 24, 34 RAM 15 Printing Unit 16, 25, 35 Transmission Control Unit 17, 26, 36 Storage Device 17a Management Server Information Table 18, 27 , 37 Storage media 19, 28, 38 Bus 22, 32 Input device 23, 33 Display device CL1, CL2 Client PC device PR1, PR2 Printer device SVR1, SVR2 Server PC device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yougo Ando 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office (72) Inventor Takashi Maruyama 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Inside the Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo office (72) Inventor Tadayoshi Tamari 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo office (72) Inventor Yoichi Kobayashi 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo No. Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office F-term (reference)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus shared by users of a plurality of computer apparatuses connected via a network, comprising: a print data storage unit for storing print data; Confidential data determining means for determining whether or not the print data stored in the data storing means is confidential; and confidentiality of the print data stored in the print data storing means by the confidential data determining means. If it is determined that the print data is to be authenticated, authentication information setting means for setting authentication information for the print data, and a user who should receive a print output result of the print data stored in the print data storage means Receiving device determining means for determining the computer device to be used by the user, and a method for receiving the print output result determined by the receiving device determining device. A confidential print notification unit that notifies the computer device used by the user of the existence of the confidential print data to be received and the authentication information set in the print data; and a print data stored in the print data storage unit. Print output means for printing out the print data when there is a print output instruction of the print data together with the input of the authentication information matching the set authentication information. apparatus. 2. A printing control device for controlling a printing device that performs printing in response to a printing request from a management server computer device connected via a network, wherein a printing request for the printing device from another client computer device is provided. Management server storage means for identifying and storing a management server computer device for managing data; and accessing all management server computer devices stored in the management server storage device to obtain print information for the printing device. A print request acquisition unit, a print request determination unit that determines whether print request data for the printing apparatus is present in the print information acquired by the print information acquisition unit, and a print request by the print request determination unit. It is determined that the data does not exist, and the printing device And a power cutoff means for turning off the power of the printing device when the printing control is not being performed. 3. A printing control device for controlling a printing device that performs printing in response to a printing request from a management server computer device connected via a network, wherein a printing request for the printing device from another client computer device is provided. Management server storage means for identifying and storing a management server computer device for managing data; and accessing all management server computer devices stored in the management server storage device, utilizing the management server computer device. Information obtaining means for obtaining user information, and a print request possibility for determining whether there is a possibility that a print request to the printing apparatus is made based on the user information obtained by the user information obtaining means. A print request is made by a determination unit and the print request possibility determination unit. And a power cutoff means for turning off the power of the printing apparatus when it is determined that there is no possibility and there is no print request data for the printing apparatus. 4. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for controlling a printing apparatus shared by users of a plurality of computer apparatuses connected via a network, the program storing print data. A computer code that can be executed by a computer for storing, a program code that can be executed by a computer for determining whether or not the stored print data has confidential content; If the content is determined to be handled, a computer code that can be executed by a computer to set authentication information for the print data, and a user who should receive a print output result of the stored print data A computer-executable program code for determining a computer device to be used; Computer-executable program for notifying a computer device used by a user who should receive a separated print output result of the existence of confidential print data to be received and authentication information set in the print data A computer for printing out the print data can be executed when there is an instruction to print out the print data together with the code and the authentication information that matches the authentication information set in the stored print data. A storage medium characterized by storing a program including: 5. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for controlling a printing apparatus that performs printing in response to a print request from a management server computer apparatus connected via a network, the program comprising: another client A computer-executable program code for identifying and storing a management server computer device that manages print request data for the printing device from the computer device, and accessing all stored management server computer devices; A computer-executable program code for acquiring print information for the printing apparatus; and a computer code for determining whether print request data for the printing apparatus is included in the acquired print information. Program code and print request data If it is determined that the data does not exist and the printing apparatus is not currently performing a printing process, it is determined that a program including a computer-executable program code for shutting off the power of the printing apparatus has been stored. Characteristic storage medium. 6. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for controlling a printing apparatus that performs printing in response to a print request from a management server computer apparatus connected via a network, wherein the other client A computer-executable program code for identifying and storing a management server computer device that manages print request data for the printing device from the computer device, and accessing all stored management server computer devices; A computer-executable program code for acquiring user information using the management server computer device; and determining whether a print request to the printing device is likely to be made by the acquired user information. Computer to judge is executable And a computer-executable program code for shutting off the power of the printing apparatus when it is determined that there is no possibility that a printing request is made and there is no printing request data for the printing apparatus. A storage medium storing a program including: