JP2002215373A - Imaging system, imaging device, print server, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging system, an imaging device, a print server, and a recording medium capable of allowing an accurate printing control using a simple processing. SOLUTION: This imaging system for printing data sent from a host 1 via a network 5 comprises the host 1 for preparing printing data and sending it to the imaging device, the imaging device 2 for printing the printing data sent from the host 1, a limited address data storage server 4 for holdingly corresponding printing limiting information to the host 1 to physical addresses over the network 5 of the host 1, and the network 5 for connecting the host 1, the image forming device 2, and the limited address data storage server 4 to each other. The imaging device 2, when it receives printing data, acquires printing limiting information on the host transmitting the printing data from the limited address data storage server 4, by using a transmitting side physical address added to the printing data, and determines the propriety of printing, based on the acquired printing limiting information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a printer server, and a recording medium. The present invention relates to an image forming system shared by a plurality of users on a network, and particularly to printing. The present invention relates to an image forming system having a function of restricting image formation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various image forming systems have been proposed which enable a plurality of users to use an image forming apparatus via a network. For example, there is a system in which a personal computer as a host and a printer (printing device) are connected via a network such as a LAN, and the printer can be shared by a plurality of users.

[0003] In the above-described shared system, if the printer can be used without permission by a third party (outside party) outside the shared system, there is a problem in sharing of expendable supplies and maintenance costs. Will happen. Therefore, a technique has been proposed to restrict the free use of a printer, such as permitting only the sharing user to use the printer and not allowing a third party to use the printer or separately charging the printer. ing.

In an image forming system having a network, a print server is often connected to the network, and print data is transmitted from a host to a printer via the print server. Even in this case, if a means for transmitting print data directly to the printer is provided on the host side, it is possible to directly send the print data to the printer without going through the print server by knowing only the network address of the printer. Is also possible.

In order to perform the above-described print restriction in such an image forming system, it is conceivable that the print restriction is managed by each of the print server and the printer. In this case, the print restriction is performed by a plurality of apparatuses. Since information (information on the availability or no use, information on the number of usable sheets, etc.) is managed, the management state and the processing for management become complicated.

[0006] On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-203803, a print server and a printing apparatus having a printer function and a copying machine function are connected to a network, the number of prints is determined by the print server, and the number of copies is determined by the printing apparatus. There is disclosed a technique in which a management server is newly provided for a system managed by each of these. According to this technology, information on the number of prints from a print server, information on the number of copies from a printing device, and print restriction information are collectively managed by a management server, and the management server instructs the print server and the printing device whether or not printing is possible. It is supposed to.

However, in the technique disclosed in the above publication, it is necessary to add the ID (print ID) of the department that has issued the print request to the print data on the host side. Therefore, in the printer driver of the host, a process for adding the ID used by the user to the print data is required, which complicates the process.

The technology disclosed in the above publication is
Because of the following problems, similar problems remain even when this technology is applied to the above-described image forming system. In the technique disclosed in the above publication, the management server acquires the results of the number of prints and the number of copies for each user from the print server and the printing apparatus, respectively. Then, the management server counts the acquired number of sheets, and determines whether or not printing is possible for each user based on the total number and a preset number of printable (print or copy) sheets for each user. ,
The judgment result is notified to the print server and the printing apparatus. Then, the management server executes such processing periodically.

[0009] In this case, whether or not printing is possible is determined based on the number of printed sheets. Therefore, if the same user performs printing and copying in parallel, the user is consequently permitted to print. However, there is a problem that the number may exceed the set number.

[0010] In addition, since the determination as to whether or not printing is performed is made periodically, there is a waste that the processing for this determination is performed at an unnecessary timing, thereby causing unnecessary data to flow through the network. This causes a problem that the processing speed of other processing on the network is reduced.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming system and an image forming apparatus capable of performing accurate print control by simpler processing. A print server and a recording medium are provided.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a host for creating print data and transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus for printing the print data transmitted from the host, and print restriction information for the host. A limited address data storage server holding the host in association with a physical address on the network, and a network connecting the host, the image forming apparatus, and the limited address data storage server, and transmitting from the host via the network. Receiving the print data, the image forming apparatus uses the transmission source physical address added to the print data to transmit the print data from the restricted address data storage server. Acquires print restriction information and allows printing based on the acquired print restriction information. An image forming system for determining.

According to the present invention, a host for creating print data and transmitting the print data to a print server, a print server for storing print data from the host as a print job, and transmitting the print job to an image forming apparatus, An image forming apparatus for printing transmitted print data, a limited address data storage server for holding print restriction information for a host in association with a physical address of the host on a network, a host, a print server, and an image forming apparatus And a network connecting the limited address data storage server, and an image forming system that prints data transmitted from the host via the network.
Upon receiving the print data, the print server obtains the print restriction information of the host that transmitted the print data from the restricted address data storage server by using the transmission source physical address added to the print data, and This is an image forming system that determines whether or not printing is possible based on information.

Thus, in a network-type image forming apparatus which can be used by a plurality of persons via a network, if a mechanism for directly sending print data to the image forming apparatus is provided on the host side, even if the apparatus is outsider, Although it was possible to print freely if only the network address of the image forming apparatus was known, according to the present invention, the host that transmitted the print data was identified from the physical address of the host, and the print data from the host was identified. The image forming apparatus and the print server determine whether or not printing is permitted by inquiring of the restricted address data storage server. If the printing is permitted, the printing is performed. If the printing is not permitted, the user is discarded. From both the image forming apparatus and the print server to the restricted address data storage server. By querying the printing restriction information being collectively managed, even if the print data does not traverse even through print server, it is possible to check reliably print restriction. Further, since the image forming apparatus and the print server inquire about the print restriction information when receiving the print data, it is possible to prevent a problem that the print restriction information flows on the network at unnecessary timing. Further, the network I / O of the host included in the packet of the print data sent from each host is used.
From the physical address of the F card, the host is uniquely identified,
Since printing is restricted based on the physical address, there is no need to newly add an ID or the like to the print data on the host side, and printing restriction can be realized by simpler processing. Further, since the print restriction information is collectively managed by the restriction address data storage server, the print restriction information can be shared even when there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses and print servers, and the print restriction information is managed for each image forming apparatus. This eliminates the need to perform data management, facilitates data management, and improves maintainability.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming system wherein the print restriction information stored in the restriction address data storage server is the number of printable sheets preset for each host.

Thus, since the number of printable sheets from each host is set, the number of printable sheets can be limited for each host, and the number of printable sheets is limited even for a user who can print. As a result, useless printing can be prevented. In addition, since the number of prints for each host can be limited, it is possible to charge for each host. Further, since the image forming apparatus or the print server inquires of the print restriction information when receiving the print data, it is possible to prevent a problem that the number of prints exceeds the number of printable prints as a result after printing is completed.

Further, the present invention provides an image forming system in which the hosts are classified into groups, and the print restriction information stored in the restricted address data storage server is the number of printable sheets for each group to which the host belongs. is there.

Thus, depending on the usage environment of the user, the budget for printing may be determined for each department. However, by limiting the number of prints for each group to which the host belongs, the printing limit for each department can be reduced. It is also possible to perform charge management based on the budget for printing in the department.

Further, the present invention is an image forming system in which the print restriction information stored in the restriction address data storage server is the number of printable sheets per day, month or year for each host or group.

Thus, by limiting the number of prints for each day / month / year, accounting management can be performed on the basis of a monthly budget for printed matter, a yearly budget for printed matter, and the like. Also, based on the usage status of the previous month and the previous year,
The necessary budget for the next year's printed matter can be predicted.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming system in which the print restriction information stored in the restriction address data storage server is a printable time zone for each host or group.

Thus, for example, when a common image forming apparatus is placed in a conference room, by restricting the use in the time zone, the user who uses the conference room in the time zone,
Printing restriction can be performed for each group, and accounting management for use of the image forming apparatus in the conference room can be performed.

Further, the present invention provides a host for creating print data and transmitting the print data to an image forming apparatus or a print server, an image forming apparatus for printing print data transmitted from the host or the print server, and a printing restriction for the host. A limited address data storage server for holding information in association with a physical address of the host on the network, a network connecting the host, the image forming apparatus and the limited address data storage server, and When an image forming apparatus used in an image forming system that prints data transmitted from a printer receives print data, the print data is transmitted from a limited address data storage server using a source physical address added to the print data. And obtain the print restriction information of the host An image forming apparatus for determining whether printing based on the printing restriction information.

According to the present invention, a host for creating print data and transmitting the print data to a print server, a print server for storing print data from the host as a print job, and transmitting the print job to an image forming apparatus, An image forming apparatus for printing transmitted print data, a limited address data storage server for holding print restriction information for a host in association with a physical address of the host on a network, a host, a print server, and an image forming apparatus And a network for connecting a limited address data storage server. When a print server used in an image forming system that prints data transmitted from a host via the network receives print data, the print server adds the print data to the print data. Address data using the source physical address憶 acquires the print control information of the host that sent the print data from the server, a print server to determine whether to print based on the acquired print control information.

According to the present invention, there is provided a host for creating print data and transmitting the print data to an image forming apparatus or a print server;
An image forming apparatus that prints print data transmitted from the host or the print server, a restricted address data storage server that holds print restriction information for the host in association with a physical address of the host on a network,
A recording medium for use in an image forming system for printing data transmitted from a host via a network, the network including a host, an image forming apparatus, and a limited address data storage server; And obtaining the print restriction information of the host that transmitted the print data from the restricted address data storage server using the transmission source physical address added to the print data, and determining whether to permit printing based on the obtained print restriction information. And a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute a function to be performed is recorded.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described. An outline and embodiments of the invention in the image forming system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the internal configuration of the print server according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the internal configuration of the restricted address data storage server according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a print data packet used in the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the print server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in the restricted address data storage server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the print server according to the second embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in a restricted address data storage server according to a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the print server according to the third embodiment. Figure 1
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in the restricted address data storage server according to the third embodiment. FIG.
12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the print server according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in the restricted address data storage server according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a flowchart in the print server of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in the restricted address data storage server according to the fifth embodiment.

An outline of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system according to the present invention includes a plurality of hosts (hosts a to n) 1a to 1n, a printer (image forming apparatus with a print restriction function) 2, and a print server (a print server with a print restriction function). 3. Restricted address data storage server 4
The host 1a to 1n, the printer 2, the print server 3, and the restricted address data storage server 4 are connected to the network 5.

The host 1 creates print data, and sends the created print data to the printer 2 or the print server 3 via the network 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 2 includes a printer engine 21, a network I / F 22, a physical address identification unit 23, a print data development unit 24, a limited address data inquiry unit 25, a print control unit 26, and the like. I have. The printer engine 21 is an image forming unit, and forms an image based on image data input via a network on a recording material such as paper by an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system. The image data is output from the print data developing unit. Network I / F22
Is an interface for exchanging information between the printer 2 and the host 1 via the network 5. The physical address identification unit 23 is connected to the network I / F 2
Identifies the physical address (source physical address) of the host originally included in the packet received via the host 2 and sends the address to a restricted address data inquiry unit 2 described later.
5 and the print control unit 26. The print data expanding unit 24 stores the received packet data and, after the storage is completed, stores the print data in the printer engine 21.
This is a means for developing the data into the data for printing. The limited address data inquiry unit 25 acquires limited address data corresponding to the physical address stored in the limited address data storage server 4 described later based on the physical address sent from the physical address identification unit 23, and The function has a function of sending the print data to the print control unit 26.
The limited address data inquiry unit 25 sends the information sent from the print control unit 26 to the limited address data storage server 4 in order to update the limited address data of the limited address data storage server 4 when actually performing printing. It also has a send function. The print control unit 26 controls the overall printing function of the printer 2. In particular, the print control unit 26 receives the physical address from the physical address identification unit 23 and the limited address data corresponding to the physical address from the limited address data inquiry unit 25. On the basis of the print permission. Further, the printing control unit 26 creates information for updating the limited address data of the limited address data storage server 4 according to the number of prints when printing is actually performed, and sends the information through the limited address data inquiry unit 25. It also has a function of sending to the restricted address data storage server 4. The print control unit 26 can at least bidirectionally exchange data with the print data development unit 24, the physical address identification unit 23, and the restricted address data inquiry unit 25. The printer engine 21, the network I / F 22, and the physical address identification unit 2 in the printer 2
3. The functions of the print data expanding unit 24, the limited address data inquiry unit 25, the print control unit 26, and the like can be performed by causing a computer to execute the programs.

The print server 3, as shown in FIG.
Network I / F 32, physical address identification unit 33, print job storage unit 34, restricted address data inquiry unit 3
5, a print job control unit 36 and the like. here,
The network I / F 32, the physical address identification unit 33, and the restricted address data inquiry unit 35 have functions equivalent to those of the corresponding components in the printer 2. The print job storage unit 34 temporarily stores a print job sent from the host. The print job control unit 36 is the print control unit 26 in the printer 2.
It has the same function as. The print job control unit 36 of the print server 3 can bidirectionally exchange data with at least the print job storage unit 34, the physical address identification unit 33, and the limited address data inquiry unit 35. The network I in the print server 3
The functions of the / F 32, the physical address identification unit 33, the print job storage unit 34, the limited address data inquiry unit 35, the print job control unit 36, and the like can be performed by causing a computer to execute the programs. The print server 3 is unnecessary in the image forming system in which the host 1 that has created the print data directly transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus.

The restricted address data storage server 4 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), a network I / F 42, a limited address data storage unit 44, a limited address data control unit 46, and the like are provided. Here, the network I / F 42 has the same function as the network I / F 22 in the printer 2. Restricted address data storage unit 44
Stores limited address data as a table. The limited address data refers to the physical address of the host 1 connected to the network.
For example, print restriction information such as whether printing is possible (see FIG. 8), the remaining number of printable sheets (see FIG. 11), the number of printable sheets for each date (see FIG. 17), and the printable time zone (see FIG. 20). It is. In response to an inquiry from the restricted address data inquiry units 25 and 35 in the printer 2 or the print server 3, the restricted address data control unit 46 stores the restricted address data corresponding to the physical address being requested from the restricted address data storage unit 44. It has a function to extract and send to the inquiry source. Also, based on the information for updating the limited address data from the limited address data inquiry units 25 and 35, the limited address data storage unit 4
4 also has a function of updating the information.

The print data used in the present invention will be described. The print data is transmitted between the host 1 and the printer 2 (in some cases, via the print server 3) by packet communication. As shown in FIG. 5, the format of the packet used at this time includes a destination (printer) physical address, a transmission source (host) physical address, and data (print data). The format of this packet is the same as a normal packet.

The printer 2 and the print server 3 according to the present invention have the above-described configuration, for example, among the hosts 1 connected via a network, for example, for the print data packet-communicated from the host 1 belonging to a specific department. The printer has a print restriction function of issuing a print permission only when printing is performed, and prohibiting printing of other print data transmitted from the host 1.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the following example is given as a print restriction function, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Embodiment 1 will be described. The image forming system according to the present embodiment includes the hosts 1a to 1n, the printer 2, the print server 3, the restricted address data storage server 4, and the network 5, as described in the outline of the invention with reference to FIGS. Then, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, print permission / non-permission is set in advance for the physical address of each host 1 as restriction address data (print restriction information).

In the first embodiment, an example of a print data packet processing procedure when print data is sent from the host 1 to the printer 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. S101) First, a packet of print data (print data packet) sent from the host is received. (S102) The print data packet is analyzed by the physical address identification unit 23 to recognize the physical address of the transmission source. S103) Based on the recognized physical address, the restricted address data inquiry unit 25 acquires the restricted address data (any of a to g in FIG. 8) corresponding to the physical address from the restricted address data storage server 4. S104) Based on the recognized physical address and the obtained restricted address data, the print control unit 26 determines whether printing is possible or not. If printing is possible, step S111 is performed.
If the printing is not possible, the process proceeds to step S131. S111) Since printing from the transmission source is permitted,
The printer 2 stores the print data in the print data developing unit 24. S112) Judge whether the reception of the print data packet is completed,
If the reception is completed, the process proceeds to step S121. If the reception is not completed, the process returns to the state for receiving the next packet. S121) Since the packet is the last packet, the print processing is started, the print processing is performed, and the processing ends. The printing process will be described later. -S131) Since printing from the transmission source is not permitted, the print data packet is discarded, and the process ends. It should be noted that a process of notifying the host 1 that the printing is not permitted may be performed. At this time, if the processing is performed for each packet, the same contents will be transmitted to the host many times. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the above-described processing only for the first packet, for example.

An example of a printing procedure in the printer 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. (S201) When the printing process is started, the stored print data packet is expanded into print data on the print data expanding unit 24. S202) Image processing and the like are performed as appropriate, and the printer engine 21 performs printing processing on paper or the like.

In the first embodiment, an example of a procedure of a print data packet process when print data is transmitted from the host 1 to the print server 3 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. S301) First, a packet of print data (print data packet) sent from the host 1 is received. (S302) The print data packet is analyzed by the physical address identification unit 33 to recognize the physical address of the transmission source. S303) Based on the recognized physical address, the restricted address data inquiry unit 35 acquires the restricted address data (any of a to g in FIG. 8) corresponding to the physical address from the restricted address data storage server 4. S304) The print job control unit 36 determines whether printing is possible or not based on the recognized physical address and the obtained restricted address data.
The process advances to step S311. If printing is not possible, the process advances to step S331. S311) Since printing from the transmission source is permitted,
The print data is stored in the print job storage unit 34 in the print server 3.
To accumulate. S312) Judge whether the reception of the print data packet is completed,
If the reception is completed, the process proceeds to step S321. If the reception is not completed, the process returns to the state for receiving the next packet. S321) Since this is the last packet, the print job stored in the print job storage unit 34 is transmitted to the printer 2 specified by the destination physical address of the print data packet. When the printer 2 receives the print job transmitted from the print server, the printer 2 executes the printing process shown in FIG. S331) Since printing from the transmission source is not permitted, the print data packet is discarded, and the process ends. It should be noted that a process of notifying the host 1 that the printing is not permitted may be performed. At this time, if the processing is performed for each packet, the same contents will be transmitted to the host many times. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the above-described processing only for the first packet, for example.

With the above processing, the limited address data can be managed collectively. In addition, since the limited address data is read and rewritten only at a necessary timing, it is possible to prevent the restricted address data from flowing on the network 5 at an unnecessary timing.

The image forming system according to the first embodiment includes a printer (image forming apparatus) 2 that prints print data transmitted from the host 1 or the print server 3, and stores print data from the host 1 as a print job. 2 and a restricted address data storage server 4 for holding data for determining whether printing of print data from the host 1 is permitted or not, the printer 2 or By the print server 3,
The host 1 that has transmitted the data is identified from the physical address of the host 1, and the printer 2 or the print server 3 inquires the restricted address data storage server 4 whether printing of the print data from the host 1 is permitted. , The user can be restricted by printing if permitted, or discarding if not permitted.

Therefore, in the image forming system according to the first embodiment, since the transmission host is identified at the packet level based on the physical address of the transmission host always included in the print data, a password or a host identifier is added to the print data. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a dedicated printer driver for each host, and printing can be restricted only by the present image forming system.

Embodiment 2 will be described. The image forming system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and
As described in the summary of the invention using
n, a printer 2, a print server 3, a limited address data storage server 4, and a network 5. And
As shown in FIG. 11, as the limited address data (printing limitation information) in the image forming system of the second embodiment, the number of printable sheets is set in advance for the physical address of each host. The number of printable sheets is counted down.

In the second embodiment, an example of a print data packet processing procedure when print data is sent from the host 1 to the printer 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. S401) First, a print data packet (print data packet) sent from the host is received. (S402) The print data packet is analyzed by the physical address identification unit 23 to recognize the physical address of the transmission source. S403) Based on the recognized physical address, the restricted address data inquiring unit 25 acquires the restricted address data (any of a to g in FIG. 11) corresponding to the physical address from the restricted address data storage server 4. S404) The print control unit 26 determines whether printing is possible or not based on the recognized physical address and the obtained restricted address data. If printing is possible, step S411 is performed.
If the printing is not possible, the process proceeds to step S441. S411) Since printing from the transmission source is permitted,
The print control unit 26 determines whether the printable number at that time is 0 or not. If the printable number is 0, the process proceeds to step S
If the number of printable sheets is one or more, the process proceeds to step S421. (S421) Since the printable number is one or more, the printer 2 stores the print data in the print data developing unit 24. S422) Judge whether the reception of the print data packet is completed,
If the reception is completed, the process proceeds to step S431, and if not, the process returns to the state for receiving the next packet. S431) Since this is the last packet, the print processing is started, the print processing is performed, and the processing ends. The printing process will be described later. S441) Since printing from the transmission source is not permitted or the number of printable sheets is 0, the print data packet is discarded, and the process ends. It should be noted that a process of notifying the host 1 that the printing is not permitted may be performed. At this time, if the processing is performed for each packet, the same contents will be transmitted to the host 1 many times. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to perform the above-described processing only for the first packet.

An example of the procedure of the printing process in the printer 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. (S501) When the printing process is started, the stored print data packet is expanded into print data on the print data expanding unit 24. S502) It is determined whether the number of print data printed is within the printable number for each host, and if so, step S51.
The process proceeds to step S521, and if it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S521. S511) Since the number is within the printable number, the print control unit 16 prints the printable number corresponding to the physical address of the transmission source host in the limited address data stored in the limited address data storage unit 34. Subtract the number of prints (count down) according to the data. (S512) Image processing and the like are performed as appropriate, and printing processing on paper or the like is performed in the printer engine 21. S521) Since the number of printable sheets has been exceeded, the print data is discarded, and the processing ends. It should be noted that a process for notifying the source host 1 that the number of printable sheets is insufficient may be performed.

An example of a procedure when print data is sent from the host 1 to the print server 3 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. S601) First, a packet of print data (print data packet) sent from the host is received. S602) The print data packet is analyzed by the physical address identification unit 33, and the physical address of the transmission source is recognized. S603) Based on the recognized physical address, the limited address data inquiring unit 35 acquires the limited address data (any of a to g in FIG. 11) corresponding to the physical address from the limited address data storage server 4 from the limited address data storage server 4. S604) The print job control unit 36 determines whether printing is possible or not based on the recognized physical address and the acquired restricted address data.
The process proceeds to step S611, and if printing is not possible, the process proceeds to step S641. S611) Since printing from the transmission source is permitted,
The print job control unit 36 determines whether or not the printable number at that time is 0. If the printable number is 0, the process proceeds to step S641, and if the printable number is 1 or more, the process proceeds to step S621. . S621) Since the printable number is one or more, the print server 3 stores the print data in the print job storage unit 34. S622: Judge whether the reception of the print data packet is completed,
If the reception is completed, the process proceeds to step S631, and if not, the process returns to the state for receiving the next packet. S631) Since the packet is the last packet, the print job processing is started and ended. The print job processing will be described later. S641) Since printing from the transmission source is not permitted or the number of printable sheets is 0, the print data packet is discarded, and the process ends. It should be noted that a process of notifying the host 1 that the printing is not permitted may be performed. At this time, if the processing is performed for each packet, the same contents will be transmitted to the host 1 many times. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to perform the above-described processing only for the first packet.

An example of a print job processing procedure in the print server 3 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. S701) When the print job process is activated, it is determined whether the number of print data prints is within the printable number of each host,
If it is within the range, the process proceeds to step S711, and if it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S721. (S711) Since the number of printable sheets is within the number of printable sheets, the print job control unit 36 determines the number of printable sheets corresponding to the physical address of the transmission source host in the limited address data stored in the limited address data storage unit 44. Subtract (count down) the number of prints based on the print data. In step S712, the print job is transmitted, and the printer engine 21 of the printer 2 appropriately performs image processing and the like, and performs print processing on paper or the like. S721) Since the number of printable sheets has been exceeded, the print data is discarded, and the processing ends. It should be noted that a process for notifying the source host 1 that the number of printable sheets is insufficient may be performed.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, printable / non-printable and printable number are set individually, but printable number 0 is set to “printable” and printable number 1 is set. The above can be set as “printable”. In this case, step S404 or S604 can be omitted.

After the processing of subtracting the number of prints from the number of printable sheets in step S511 or S711, if printing cannot be actually performed due to some error, the number of prints that cannot be printed is changed to the number of printable sheets. It is desirable to perform additional processing and deal with errors.

Embodiment 3 will be described. The image forming system of the present embodiment is the same as the first and second embodiments. The difference is that the restricted address data (print restriction information)
As shown in FIG. 14A, print enable / disable is set in advance for the physical address of each host 1, and
As shown in FIG. 14B, each host 1 is assigned to groups A to
Grouped into E. The number of printable sheets is set for each group.

In this setting, as long as the host 1 is assigned to each group, printing can be performed for the number of printable sheets assigned to that group, regardless of which host 1 performs printing. Therefore, for example, when each department owns a plurality of hosts 1, if the hosts 1 are grouped for each department, it is easy to manage the printing limit (particularly the number of prints) for each department.

The processing procedure in this embodiment S801 to S801
S841, S901 to S921, S1001 to S104
1 and S1101 to S1121, basically, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG.
441, S501 to S521, S601 to S641, and S701 to S721 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The difference is that the determination of the number of printed sheets is performed for each host in the second embodiment (steps S411 and S611), but is determined in the third embodiment (steps S811 and S10).
11) is that the process is performed for each group.

Embodiment 4 will be described. The image forming system of the present embodiment is the same as the first to third embodiments, except that the limited address data (printing restriction information) is used.
As shown in FIG. 17, print enable / disable is set in advance for the physical address of each host, and the number of printable sheets is set for each host 1 on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis. . In this setting, for example, the total number of printable sheets per day does not need to be the same as the number of printable sheets per month in the month, and the number of printable sheets per month may be set to be smaller. Good. In this case, set the restrictions for the whole month on a monthly basis, and set the detailed restrictions on a daily basis, so that printing is not concentrated on a specific day and printing is performed on average. Becomes possible.

Processing procedure S1201 in this embodiment
To S1241, S1301 to S1321, S1401
S1441 and S1501 to S1521 are basically the processing S4 of the second embodiment as shown in FIGS.
01 to S441, S501 to S521, S601 to S6
41 and S701 to S721 (see FIGS. 9 and 10), except that the number of prints is determined to be within the printable number of days / months / years (steps). S1211 and S1411).

Embodiment 5 will be described. The image forming system of the present embodiment is the same as the first to fourth embodiments. The difference is that the restricted address data (print restriction information)
As shown in FIG. 20, print enable / disable is set in advance for the physical address of each host, and a printable time zone is set for each host. In this setting, for example, it is possible to restrict the printing permission / non-permission of each host according to the division of the time zone such as during business hours or morning / afternoon. Further, for example, a printer 2 installed in a conference room
For 0, etc., the host of the user involved in the conference can be set to permit printing only during the time of the conference. In this case, when the use schedule of the conference room is managed on the same network, the use schedule may be linked to the printable time zone so that the printable time zone can be automatically set. .

Processing procedure S1601 in this embodiment
To S1641, S1701 to S1702 and S1801
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, steps S101 to S1841 are basically performed in steps S101 to S131 and S201 of the first embodiment.
To S202 and S301 to S331 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), except that steps S1604 and S1804 are performed.
The difference is that steps S1611 and S1811 for determining whether or not the print data transmission source host is in the printable time zone are added between steps S1621 and S1821.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the image forming system, the image forming apparatus, and the print server have been described.
When the print data is received, the print restriction information of the host that transmitted the print data is obtained from the restricted address data storage server using the transmission source physical address added to the print data, and printing is performed based on the obtained print restriction information. It is possible to record a program for causing a computer to execute the function of determining whether or not to perform the determination on a computer-readable recording medium, for example, a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the print server 3 can be used.

[0057]

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a print server capable of performing accurate print control with simpler processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of a print server according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the internal configuration of a restricted address data storage server according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print data packet used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the print server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in a restricted address data storage server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the print server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in a restricted address data storage server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the print server according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in a restricted address data storage server according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in a print server according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in a restricted address data storage server according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart in a print server according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an example of table data stored in a restricted address data storage server according to the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a to 1n Host 2 Printer 21 Printer Engine 22 Network I / F 23 Physical Address Identification Unit 24 Print Data Expansion Unit 25 Limited Address Data Inquiry Unit 26 Print Control Unit 3 Print Server 32 Network I / F 33 Physical Address Identification Unit 34 Print Job Storage unit 35 Limited address data inquiry unit 36 Print job control unit 4 Limited address data storage server 42 Network I / F 44 Limited address data storage unit 45 Limited address data control unit 5 Network

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A host that creates print data and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus that prints the print data transmitted from the host, and print restriction information for the host on a network of the host. An image forming apparatus that includes a limited address data storage server that holds the data in association with a physical address, a network that connects the host, the image forming apparatus, and the limited address data storage server, and that prints data transmitted from the host via the network In the system, the image forming apparatus, upon receiving the print data, acquires print restriction information of the host that transmitted the print data from the restricted address data storage server using the transmission source physical address added to the print data, Determining whether to allow printing based on the acquired print restriction information. That image forming system. 2. A host that creates print data and sends the print data to a print server, a print server that stores print data from the host as a print job, and sends the print job to an image forming apparatus, and a print server that sends the print data to the print server. An image forming apparatus for printing data, a restricted address data storage server for holding print restriction information for the host in association with a physical address of the host on the network, a host, a print server, the image forming apparatus, and restricted address data An image forming system for printing data transmitted from a host via the network, wherein the print server, upon receiving the print data, transmits the physical data added to the print data. Print from restricted address data storage server using address Image forming system, characterized in that acquires the print control information of the host that sent the over data, determines whether the printing based on the acquired print control information. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print restriction information stored in the restriction address data storage server is a printable number preset for each host. Forming system. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the hosts are classified into groups, and the print restriction information stored in the restriction address data storage server is different for each group to which the hosts belong. An image forming system comprising a printable number of sheets. 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print restriction information stored in the restriction address data storage server is a printable number of sheets per day, month, or year for each host or group. An image forming system comprising: 6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print restriction information stored in the restriction address data storage server is a printable time zone for each host or group. Forming system. 7. A host that creates print data and sends it to the image forming apparatus or print server, an image forming apparatus that prints print data sent from the host or print server, and print restriction information for the host. A limited address data storage server that holds the host in association with a physical address on the network; and a network that connects the host, the image forming apparatus, and the limited address data storage server, and is transmitted from the host via the network. In an image forming apparatus used in an image forming system for printing data, when print data is received, printing of a host that has transmitted print data from a restricted address data storage server using a source physical address added to the print data is performed. Restriction information is acquired, and the acquired print restriction information Image forming apparatus and determines whether the printing Zui. 8. A host that creates print data and sends the print data to a print server, a print server that stores print data from the host as a print job, and sends the print job to an image forming apparatus, and a print server that sends the print data to the print server. An image forming apparatus for printing data, a restricted address data storage server for holding print restriction information for the host in association with a physical address of the host on the network, a host, a print server, the image forming apparatus, and restricted address data A print server for use in an image forming system that prints data transmitted from a host via the network, when receiving print data, a transmission source attached to the print data; Restricted address data storage server using physical address Print server, characterized in that acquires the print control information of the host that sent the printing data, to determine whether the printing based on the acquired print control information. 9. A host that creates print data and sends it to an image forming apparatus or print server, an image forming apparatus that prints print data sent from the host or print server, and print restriction information for the host. A limited address data storage server that holds the host in association with a physical address on the network; and a network that connects the host, the image forming apparatus, and the limited address data storage server, and is transmitted from the host via the network. A recording medium used in an image forming system that prints data, wherein, when receiving print data, a host that transmitted print data from a restricted address data storage server using a transmission source physical address added to the print data. Acquires the print restriction information and, based on the acquired print restriction information, Recorded computer-readable recording medium a program for implementing the function of determining whether to print on the computer Te.