JP2002215359A - Information processing device, information processing system, printing control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of surely preventing improper printing data from being formed. SOLUTION: A control means 127b controls the information (user ID, password), capable of being printed by a printer 130 on the users (regular users on client computer 110 side) and the information (file ID, place of presence) on files stuck to a cover sheet by linking them with each other. A control means 127a and 117a control a file-sticking processing to the cover sheet based on the control information of the control means 127b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print system, a print control method, and a print control method for forming print data with a cover sheet and performing print processing by a printing apparatus on a network. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a system, a print control method used for a file pasting function and the like, and a storage medium in which a computer readablely stores processing steps for executing the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, when a cover sheet is attached to print data to be printed by a printing apparatus not by a so-called application but by a printer driver, a file such as a logo or signature is attached to the cover sheet. An addition has been made.

[0003]

However, in the conventional printing technique as described above, the security management did not function with respect to the attachment of the file to the cover sheet, so that there were the following problems. (1) As a file to be added to the cover sheet, it was possible to use a logo of an inappropriate company or the like, a personal signature, or the like. (2) An arbitrary user could improperly use a logo of a company or the like or a personal signature as a file to be added to the cover sheet. Therefore, conventionally,
It was possible to easily form inappropriate print data.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an inappropriate configuration is provided by controlling security management relating to association between a user who performs printing and a file to be added to a cover sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a system, a print control method, and a computer-readable storage medium capable of reliably preventing print data from being formed, and processing steps for executing the information processing apparatus, the system, and the print control method. .

[0005]

For such a purpose,
A first invention is an information processing apparatus for forming print data with a cover sheet, wherein information about a plurality of users who can print the print data and information about a plurality of files to be pasted on the cover sheet. And a control unit that controls a process of attaching a file to the cover sheet based on management information of the management unit.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect,
The control means is a user managed by the management means, and executes a file pasting process to the cover sheet when a file associated with the information of the user exists.

[0007] A third invention is the above-mentioned first invention, wherein:
The information on the user includes at least one of a user ID and a password.

[0008] In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect,
The information on the file includes at least one of a file ID and a file location.

A fifth invention is a system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is the information according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It has a function of a processing device.

A sixth invention is a system in which at least a client computer, a server computer, and a printing device used by a user are communicably connected to each other via communication means. Means for managing information relating to a user who can perform the printing process of the above and information about a file to be pasted on the cover sheet, and controlling the file pasting process on the cover sheet based on the management information of the managing means. And control means for performing the operation.

In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect,
At least one of the client computer, the server computer, and the printing device includes at least one of the management unit and the control unit.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a print control method for managing when forming print data with a cover sheet, comprising: information on a plurality of users who can print the print data; And a control step of controlling a process of attaching a file to the cover sheet based on the management information of the management step.

According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect,
The control step is a legitimate user managed by the management step, and includes a step of executing a file attaching process to the cover sheet when a file associated with the information of the user exists. And

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or an information processing system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, for causing a computer to realize the function. The program is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

An eleventh invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the print control method according to claim 8 or 9 is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is applied to, for example, a printing system 100 as shown in FIG. The printing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a client computer 110,
When forming print data with a cover sheet to be printed by the printing apparatus 130, the client computer 110
In order to control security management relating to the association of the user (user performing the printing process) with the file to be pasted into the print data (pasting file), the user is associated with the pasting file (pasting function management process). It is configured to perform a setting process of attaching a file to a cover sheet based on the association. Hereinafter, the printing system 100 of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

<Overall Configuration of Printing System 100> As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a client computer 110, a server computer 120,
And the printing apparatus 130 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line 140.

In FIG. 1, one client computer 110 and one server computer 1 are shown.
20 and the printing apparatus 130 are connected via the communication line 140, but the present invention is not limited to the number of connected apparatuses, and an arbitrary plurality of apparatuses may be connected.

The client computer 110 has a first display unit 111, a first input unit 112, a first input / output data control unit 113, a first interface control unit 114, a first
A storage medium reading unit 115, a first storage unit 116, a first data control unit 117 having a pasting function setting unit control unit 117 a, and a first central processing unit 118 which controls the operation of the entire client computer 110 include a system Bus 11
9 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The first display section 111 is a display device such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display. The first input unit 112 includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse.
Includes device.

The first data control section 117 includes a pasting function setting section 117a implemented by a so-called printer driver. The pasting function setting unit 117 a
It includes a program for processing print data generated by an application or the like between the operating system resident on the computer 110 and the printing apparatus 130 according to the printing apparatus 130 and controlling the printing apparatus 130. Also, the pasting function setting unit 117a is connected to the second data control unit 12 of the server computer 120 described later.
7 pasting function management unit 127a and pasting function management unit 12
It is configured to be able to access the information management DB 127b controlled by 7a. The printer driver program that implements such a pasting function setting unit 117a includes the first storage unit 116 or the first storage medium reading unit 115.
Is stored on a recording medium read from the storage medium.

The first storage medium reading unit 115 includes an FD (Floppy (registered trademark) disk), a CD-ROM,
It is configured to be able to read programs such as a printer driver and software calibration, image data, and the like recorded on a recording medium such as an OM, a DVD, or a magnetic tape.

The server computer 120 employs a function of controlling the function of attaching a file to a cover sheet, which is a feature of the present embodiment.
Second input unit 122, second input / output data control unit 123, second interface control unit 124, second storage medium reading unit 1
25, a second storage unit 126, a second data control unit 127 having a pasting function management unit 127a and an information management database (DB) 127b, and a second central processing unit 128 for controlling the operation of the server computer 120 as a whole. The configuration is such that they are communicable with each other via a system bus 129.

The second display section 121 is a display device such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display. The second input unit 122 is provided with a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse.
Includes device.

The second data control unit 127 includes a pasting function management unit 127a capable of accessing the pasting function setting unit 117a of the first data control unit 117 of the client computer 110, and information controlled by the pasting function management unit 127a. And a management DB 127b. The program for implementing the pasting function setting unit 117a is stored in the second storage unit 1
26 or a recording medium read from the second storage medium reading unit 125.

The second storage medium reading unit 125 includes a floppy disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a ROM, a DV
D, or a program such as a printer driver and software calibration recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, image data, and the like.

The printing apparatus 130 includes a controller 131 for controlling the printing operation and an engine 132.

The communication line 140 connecting the client computer 110, the server computer 120, and the printing apparatus 130 includes, for example, a normal LAN,
IEEE 1394 or a bidirectional serial interface such as USB can be applied.

<Operation of Printing System 100> FIG. 2 shows a function of attaching a file to a cover sheet when forming print data with a cover sheet in order to perform print processing by the printing apparatus 130 from the client computer 110. This figure shows the operation of the printing system 100 to which the security management control method relating to the association between the user who performs printing on the client computer 110 side and the file pasted to the cover sheet is applied. The security management control method is particularly implemented from the pasting function setting unit 117a of the client computer 110, the pasting function management unit 127a of the server computer 120, and the information management DB 127b.

The printing system 10 shown in FIG.
0 is performed in the following steps S201 to S2.
06 steps. In the first data control unit 117 in the client computer 110, an instruction relating to control for attaching a file to a cover sheet is given to the print data (step S201). It is determined whether the instruction in step S201 is an instruction for a pasting function management process, that is, an instruction for a file pasting function setting process on a cover sheet (step S202, step S204). If the result of determination in step S202 is that the instruction is for paste function management processing, paste function management processing is executed (step S203). If the result of determination in step S204 is that there is an instruction for processing for setting a function of attaching a file to a cover sheet, the processing for attaching a file to a cover sheet is executed (step S205). After the process of step S205, a print process for transmitting print data to the printing device 130 is executed (step S2).
06).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show steps S203 (pasting function management processing) and step S205 shown in FIG.
(Paste setting process) is shown in detail.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show the server computer 12.
0 shows an example of a matrix stored in the information management DB 127b controlled by the pasting function management unit 127 of the second data control unit 127 and used by the pasting function setting unit 117a of the first data control unit 117. is there.

The operation of the printing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(1) Main Processing Step S 201: See FIG. 2 In the client computer 110, the user who performs printing is the first display device 111 or the first input device 112.
Server computer 120 and printing device 13
Enter the instruction for 0. The instructions at this time are:
For example, the following instructions are included. Instructions for processing to manage the paste function. Instruction for processing to set pasting of file to cover sheet. Instructions for the above and other normal printing processes.

Step S202: first central processing unit 1
In step S18, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed a process for managing the pasting function from the input in step S201. As a result of this determination, if a process for managing the pasting function has been instructed, the process proceeds to the next step S203; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S204 described below.

Step S203: first central processing unit 1
18 requests the server computer 120 to execute a pasting function management process described in detail later. After that, the process ends.

Step S204: first central processing unit 1
In step S18, it is determined whether or not a process for setting a file to be pasted on a cover sheet has been instructed by the user based on the input in step S201. If the result of this determination is that a process for setting file pasting has been instructed, the flow proceeds to the next step S205; otherwise, the flow proceeds directly to step S206 described below.

Step S205: first central processing unit 1
Reference numeral 18 executes processing for setting file pasting to the cover sheet by the first data control unit 117, which will be described in detail later. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S206.

Step S206: first central processing unit 1
18 requests the printing apparatus 130 to execute the printing process. After that, the process ends.

(2) Pasting Function Management Processing (Step S20)
Details of 3) According to the determination in step S202, in the case of execution of the pasting function management process, control is left to the pasting function management unit 127a of the second data control unit 127 of the server computer 120.

Step 300: pasting function management section 127a
In response to a request from the client server 110, the type of the pasting function management process is changed to the registration process, the association process,
And delete processing. If the result of this determination is that it is a registration process, the flow proceeds to processing from step S301;
The process proceeds from step 306 to a process from step S312 if the process is a deletion process.

Step 301: If it is a registration process, the pasting function management section 127a determines whether or not the registration process is a registration process of a file for pasting. If the result of this determination is that the registration process is for a pasting file, the process proceeds to the next step S302; otherwise, the process proceeds to a step S304 described later.

Step 302: In the case of paste file registration processing, paste function management section 127a prompts the user of client computer 110 to specify a paste file to be registered.

Step 303: After the processing of step S302, the pasting function management section 127a registers the file specified by the user of the client computer 110 in the information management DB 127b.

Specifically, for example, the information management DB 127b
Manages the registered file list T10 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. The registered file list T10 is
As shown in FIG. 5, the information includes a unique registration file ID added to the file to be registered, the name of the file to be registered, and the storage location of the file to be registered. The information on the storage location of the file to be registered can be accessed from the pasting function setting unit 117a of the client computer 110, and includes information on the location where the actual state of the file to be registered is stored and information on the actual file name.

After the processing in step S303 as described above,
This processing ends.

Step 304: If it is not a paste file registration process, the paste function management section 127a recognizes that the process is a user information setting process that can use the file paste function, and executes the setting process. For example, the pasting function management unit 127a transmits the client computer 11 so that the user can be identified in terms of security.
The user on the 0 side is prompted to input a user name, a password, and the like.

Step 305: After the processing of step S304, the pasting function management section 127a registers information (user information) input by the user of the client computer 110 into the information management DB 127b.

More specifically, for example, the information management DB 127b
Then, the registered user list T as shown in FIGS.
20 are managed. As shown in FIG. 6, the registered user list T20 includes information of a unique registered user ID added to the registered user, the name of the registered user used for security user identification, and the password of the registered user. Contains.

After the processing in step S305 as described above,
This processing ends.

Step 306: Step S30 described above
As a result of the determination of 0, if it is an association process, that is, if it is an association process of a registered file and a registered user, the pasting function management unit 127a stores the registered file list T10 in the information management DB 127b. It is determined whether or not a registered paste file exists. As a result of this determination, the process proceeds to the next step S307 only when the pasting file exists, and otherwise, the process ends.

Step 307: Pasting function management section 127a
Is a list of registered files T10 in the information management DB 127b.
Is read out, and the read out information is stored in the second storage unit 126.

Step 308: Pasting function management section 127a
Determines whether there is user information (information of a user who can use the pasting function) registered in the registered user list T20 in the information management DB 127b. Only when the user information exists as a result of this determination, the next step S3
The process proceeds to step 09, and if not, the process ends.

Step 309: Pasting function management section 127a
Reads the user information registered in the registered user list T20 in the information management DB 127b, and stores the read information in the second storage unit 126.

Step 310: Pasting function management section 127a
Are the pasting file information and the user information stored in the second storage unit 126 in steps S307 and S309, ie, the registered file list T10 as shown in FIG. 5 and the registered user list as shown in FIG. T2
It is associated with 0.

Step 311: Pasting function management section 127a
Registers the result of association in step S310 in the information management DB 127b as a related information list T30 as shown in FIG.

In the related information list T30 shown in FIG. 7, for example, the pasting file indicated by the registered file ID = 2 means that each user indicated by the registered user ID = 1, 3, 4 can be used. . That is, the pasting file indicated by the registered file ID = 2 is a file stored in “\ temp \ logo \ LOGO2.bmp” indicated by the registered file location of the registered file list T10 (see FIG. 5 above). The name is “File 2” indicated by the registered file name in the registered file list T10 (see FIG. 5). Then, for the pasting file, the user indicated by “registered user ID = 1, 3, 4” in the registered user list T20 (see FIG. 6) (“user name” is user 1, user 3, user 3 4). Therefore,
The user 1, the user 3, and the user 4 can use the file 2 as a pasting file by inputting a correct user name and password.

After the processing in step S311 as described above,
This processing ends.

Step 312: Step S30 described above
If the result of the determination is that the deletion process is a deletion process, that is, if the deletion process is for a registered file or a user, the pasting function management unit 127a determines that the deletion process is a pasting file registered in the information management DB 127b. It is determined whether or not this is the deletion process. If the result of this determination is that the paste file is to be deleted, the next step S31
3; otherwise, step S315, which will be described later.
Proceed to.

Step 313: In the case of paste file deletion processing, paste function management section 127a transmits management information D
B127b registered file list T10 (see FIG. 5 above)
Deletes the specified paste file from among the paste files registered in.

Step 314: Pasting function management section 127a
Deletes the information about the deleted pasting file in the related information list T30 (see FIG. 7) of the management information DB 127b according to the deletion process in step S313. After that, the process ends.

Step 315: If it is not the deletion processing of the pasting file, the pasting function management section 127a recognizes that it is the deletion processing of the registered user information, and
The specified user information is deleted from the user information registered in the registered user list T20 of B127b (see FIG. 6).

Step 316: Pasting Function Management Unit 127a
Deletes information on the deleted user information in the related information list T30 (see FIG. 7) of the management information DB 127b in accordance with the deletion process in step S315.
After that, the process ends.

(3) Details of the File Paste Setting Process on the Cover Sheet (Step S205) According to the discrimination in step S202, in the case of executing the file pasting setting process on the cover sheet, the first data control unit 117 of the client computer 110 executes the process. The control is left to the pasting function setting section 117a.

Step S400: Pasting function setting section 117
“a” sets user information such as a user name and a password input by the user.

Step S401: Pasting function setting section 117
a is the information management DB 12 of the server computer 120
By accessing the registered user list T20 of 7b, it is determined whether the user information set in step S401 is correct. As a result of this determination, only when the user information is correct, the process proceeds to the next step S402. Otherwise, the process ends.

Step S402: Pasting function setting section 117
a is the information management DB 12 of the server computer 120
By accessing the related information list T30 of 7b, it is determined whether or not a pasting file associated with the user information exists. As a result of this determination, the process proceeds from the next step S403 only when the paste file exists, otherwise, the process ends.

Step S403: Pasting function setting section 117
a is the information management DB 12 of the server computer 120
7b, by accessing the registered file list T10,
Acquire the paste file associated with the user information.

Step S404: Pasting function setting section 117
In the case a, when there are a plurality of pasting files acquired in step S403, a pasting file designated by the user is selected from these pasting files. After that, the process ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user who performs printing is managed in association with the file to be attached to the cover sheet of the print data, and the file to be attached to the cover sheet is managed based on this management information. Since the configuration is such that the pasting function is executed, it is possible to reliably prevent the formation of print data with an incorrect cover sheet.

In the present embodiment, a processing program (a processing program according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 4) for implementing the functions of the present embodiment is
(Floppy disk), CD-ROM, ROM,
The program may be stored in a recording medium such as a DVD or a magnetic tape, and the processing program of the recording medium may be read and executed by the storage medium reading unit of the client computer 110 or the server computer 120.

In the present embodiment, the connection form of the printing system 100 is, for example,
The computer 110 may be configured to also serve as the server computer 120. That is, the pasting function management unit 127a of the server computer 120 and the information management D
B127b may be provided in the first control unit 117 of the client computer 110. Also, the information management DB 127b is configured to be provided in the printing apparatus 130, and access to the information management DB 127b is performed between the client computer 110 and the printing apparatus 130 via the communication line 140. Is also good.
The information shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is stored in the information management DB 1.
For example, registry management can be performed instead of 27b.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices and an apparatus composed of one device.

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal of this embodiment to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or Needless to say, the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing a program code stored in a storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the present embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used. In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the function of the present embodiment is realized,
It goes without saying that the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the processing. . Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board inserted into the computer or an extended function unit connected to the computer,
Based on the instructions of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the present embodiment. Needless to say.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, information relating to a user who can execute a printing process and information relating to a file to be pasted on a cover sheet are managed in association with each other, and a cover is created based on the management information. Since the execution of the file attachment process to the sheet is configured to be controlled, it is possible to reliably prevent the formation of an incorrect cover sheet-attached print data, and to always provide an appropriate cover sheet-attached print data. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of the printing system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a pasting function management process in the overall operation of the printing system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a paste setting process in the overall operation of the printing system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a list of registered files in an information management database of the printing system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a list of registered users in an information management database of the printing system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a related information list in an information management database of the printing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 printing system 110 client computer 111 first display unit 112 first input unit 113 first input / output data control unit 114 first interface control unit 115 first storage medium reading unit 116 first storage unit 117 first data control unit 117a Pasting function setting unit 118 First central processing unit 119 System bus 120 Server computer 121 Second display unit 122 Second input unit 123 Second input / output data control unit 124 Second interface control unit 125 Second storage medium reading unit 126 second storage unit 127 second data control unit 127a pasting function management unit 127b information management database 128 first central processing unit 129 system bus 130 printing device 131 controller unit 132 engine unit 140 communication line

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for forming print data with a cover sheet, comprising: information on a plurality of users who can print the print data; and information on a plurality of files to be pasted on the cover sheet. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a management unit that manages the file in association with each other; and a control unit that controls a process of attaching a file to the cover sheet based on management information of the management unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is a user managed by the management unit, and executes a process of attaching a file to the cover sheet when a file associated with the information of the user exists. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The information on the user is a user ID.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information includes at least one of a password and a password. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information on the file includes at least one of a file ID and a file location. 5. An information processing system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other, wherein at least one device among the plurality of devices is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An information processing system having a function of: 6. A system in which at least a client computer, a server computer, and a printing device used by a user are communicably connected to each other via communication means. Management means for managing information relating to possible users and information about files to be pasted on the cover sheet in association with each other; control means for controlling a file pasting process to the cover sheet based on management information of the management means; A system comprising: 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the client computer, the server computer, and the printing device includes at least one of the management unit and the control unit. 8. A print control method for managing when forming print data with a cover sheet, comprising: information on a plurality of users who can print the print data; And a control step of controlling a process of attaching a file to the cover sheet based on the management information of the management step. 9. The control step is a step of executing a file pasting process to the cover sheet when the user is a regular user managed by the management step and a file associated with the information of the user exists. 9. The print control method according to claim 8, comprising: 10. A program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the function of the information processing system according to claim 5 is recorded. Computer readable storage medium. 11. A computer-readable storage medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the print control method according to claim 8 or 9 is recorded.