JP2003025692A - Printer and printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer having a high security confidential print function. SOLUTION: The printer having a confidential print function for starting print out of confidential print data onto a sheet by inputting a request for outputting confidential print data from an input section attached to the printer side when a confidential print request is transmitted from the client unit side to the printer side comprises a print record managing section for storing the data of time elapsed before an output request of the printer is inputted after a confidential print is requested when a person requesting confidential print executed confidential print request in the past, a confidential print managing section for calculating an estimated latest time of output request from the person requesting confidential print based on data at the print record managing section, a queue managing section for managing the output request before elapsing a time capable of output request, and a print job managing section for controlling print of confidential print data onto a sheet under control of the queue managing section and erasing the confidential print data remaining in the printer upon elapsing the time capable of output request.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer and a printer for creating data to be printed by a host computer or the like (client device) and transmitting the data to a printer or the like connected to a network such as a LAN for printing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a printer and a printer system having a confidential printing function for providing security by inputting a personal identification number so that only a specific person can print out a confidential document when printing a confidential document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When printing a document or the like, a plurality of host computers or the like (client devices) used for creating print data (code data) and print data are expanded into image data (bitmap data) and printed on paper. A printer that is connected to a printer for printing on the network via a network so that one printer can print the print data transmitted from a plurality of client devices, or a printer system including a printer server and a printer has spread. ing.

When a confidential document is printed in a network system sharing such a printer, the client device and the printer are generally far apart from each other. I had to wait until the document was printed and was not passed on to a third party.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-183110, when a confidential print request is input, the printer simply expands the print data into image data and does not actually print, but goes into a standby state. By waiting for the security code to be input from the input section attached to the printer (input of output request), the image data of the expanded confidential document can be printed out on paper so that it can be seen by others. Confidential printing technology that is difficult to handle and requires less waiting time is described.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-276744, in order to improve security of confidential print data, the host computer (the host computer ( It has been proposed to initiate the transfer of print data from the client device) to the printer.

[0006]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
In the case of the printer (printer) of Japanese Patent No. 183110, the print data is left in the printer (in the memory device) unless the user who requests the confidential printing from the client device makes an output request on the printer side. Therefore, there is a risk of confidential information leakage due to unauthorized access.

On the other hand, in the case of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-276744, since the user comes to the printer and inputs the output request from the input section attached to the printer, the transfer of the print data starts. Although the risk of leakage of confidential information is small, there was a problem that the waiting time from the input of the output request to the actual printing on the paper and the removal of the paper becomes long.

Since it is not preferable to keep confidential print data in the printer for a long time from the viewpoint of maintaining confidentiality, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-223061 discloses that printing processing is completed if the data is confidential. It is later proposed to erase the data remaining in the memory in the printer. In data erasing, not only the FAT (index for managing the data storage position) but also the data itself in the memory device is overwritten and erased.
Even if the memory device is brought out, the data is analyzed so that it cannot be read. In this case, the shorter the time to erase is, the more preferable it is for security, but the time taken to pick up the paper at the printer position varies depending on the distance between the print requester and the printer and the personal character of the print requester. I had to set the time until deletion was long with some margin.

Therefore, the present invention has an object to enhance security when printing confidential data. Further, when a user inputs an output request on the printer, the waiting time that must be waited in front of the printer until printing is started on paper is shortened, and the printer having both security and convenience is provided. An object is to provide a printer system.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. When a confidential print request is transmitted from a client device side to a printer side, confidential print data is input from an input section attached to the printer side. A confidential print function that starts printing of confidential print data on paper by inputting the confidential print request, and the confidential print request is made when the confidential print request is made in the past by the confidential print requester. It is estimated that there is an input of an output request from the confidential print requester based on the data of the print history management unit that accumulates the data of the time required to input the output request from the printer to the printer and the print history management unit. A confidential print management unit that calculates the latest time and sets this as the output request available time, a queue management unit that manages output requests before the output request available time elapses, and a queue Performs control to print the confidential print data onto paper under the control of the processing section, after power demands possible time includes a print job management unit for erasing the confidential print data remaining in the printer, the.

A general-purpose computer is generally used as the client device, but the client device is not limited to this and may be any device capable of transmitting data that can be output by a printer. For example, a word processor, CAD, etc. may be used.

According to the present invention, the user creates a confidential print document on the client device side and sends it to the printer side. The print history management unit of the printer stores the data of the time required from the print request when the user previously performed confidential printing to the input of the output request on the printer side, and the confidential print management unit stores this data. From this, the predicted time estimated that there is an input of the output request is calculated. Then, the latest time of the predicted time is set as the output requestable time. The queue management unit manages output requests before the elapse of the output request permitted time, and when there is an output request for proper confidential print data under the management of the queue management unit, the print job management unit prints the confidential print data on paper. Take control. After the elapse of the output requestable time, the print job management unit erases the confidential print data remaining in the printer. By setting the output requestable time for each user by this,
Since it is possible to reduce the chances of a third party illegally extracting the printed output, it is possible to improve security.

The confidential print management unit calculates a time zone estimated that an output request is input from the confidential print requester instead of the output requestable time, and sets this as the expected output operation time zone. You may

The queue management unit may perform management to start transfer of confidential print data to the printer a predetermined time before the output operation expected time zone starts. This allows
After the print requester enters the output request in front of the printer,
It is possible to shorten the waiting time until the start of print output.

The confidential print management unit obtains the normal distribution of the data of the confidential print requester in the print history management unit, and when the standard deviation is larger than a preset value, the output requestable time or the expected output operation time zone The setting of may be omitted. The standard deviation becomes larger for people with different times from the print request to the output request, which is applicable, but it is possible to prevent such people from leaving print data of confidential documents on the printer for a long time. .

When two or more expected output operation time zones overlap, the confidential print management section may change any output request time zone and reset them so that they do not overlap.
As a result, it is possible to prevent another confidential printer from waiting in front of the printer, and it is possible to maintain confidentiality.

When the client unit sends a confidential print request specifying the recipient to the printer side, the control unit receives the confidential print request from the recipient when the confirmation response from the recipient is received. A control unit that executes a confidential printing function for the recipient may be provided. Since the recipient's information is specified in the confidential print request, the printer searches for the recipient's past data, calculates the estimated time from that data to the input of the output request, and determines the output request possible time or the expected output operation time zone. To set. Initially, the recipient may not know that he / she is the confidential print data recipient. Therefore, the recipient requested the printer to confirm that he / she is the recipient by contacting the recipient from the print requester. Emits the response. Upon receiving the response, the printer that receives this response determines that the recipient has issued the print request, and sets and manages the output request available time and the output operation time zone.

Further, when the recipient is connected to the client device, the control unit notifies the client device of information necessary for receiving and outputting the confidential print request via the network. Good. As a result, the recipient can be surely notified that there is confidential printing.

Further, a printer system including a printer for printing and a printer server for storing and managing print data may be constructed to execute the same function as above.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer and a client device connected thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 10 is a client device such as a general-purpose computer, 20 is a network, and 30 is a client device 1 via the network.
0 is a printer connected.

The client device 10 includes a control unit 11 for performing various controls, an input unit 12 for inputting commands and data, a document storage unit 13 for storing created document data, graphic data, etc., and external devices and data via a network 20. It has a communication control unit 14 that functions as an interface for performing communication. The control unit 11 includes various application programs 15 for executing data creation functions such as a document creation program and a graphic creation program, and a printer driver 16 used when printing the created data with a printer.

When the printer driver 16 is further classified into functions, a secret code assigning section 17 for assigning a secret code to the transmission data when performing confidential printing, a user for identifying a print job, and the like. It comprises a user identification code assigning section 18 for assigning a code, and a print data generating section 19 for generating print data.

In the secret code assigning section 17, the user inputs a number of digits, etc., which only the user can understand, as a secret code, and this is attached to the print data. This secret code is used as a confidential number (confidential No), and the same number is required to be input in order to maintain confidentiality when inputting an output request on the printer side described later. Alternatively, the personal identification code assigning unit 17 may automatically specify an appropriate personal identification code to notify the user.

The user identification code assigning section 18 is for identifying who the print data is, and for example, if the user has an ID number (employee number, etc.), inputs it. Alternatively, if the computer itself has an ID number and each computer is managed individually, it may be automatically assigned as a user identification code. This identification code is used to identify when a plurality of print outputs are made from the printer. The user identification code is also used as an identification unit of data in the print history management unit 41 described later. The secret code assigning section 17 and the user identification code assigning section 18 are used in confidential printing, and are not used in normal printing.

The print data generator 19 creates print data using the page description language (PDL) from the document data and graphic data created using the application program 15.

When the control unit 11 transmits a confidential printing print request to the printer, the identification code assigned by the user identification code assigning unit 18 is added to the print data (PDL data) created by the print data generating unit 19. In the form shown in FIG. 11 in which the (user ID) and the secret code (confidential No.) given by the secret code giving unit 17 are combined, or the user ID
And the confidential No. are combined (when print data is to be sent later) from the communication control unit 14.

On the other hand, the printer 30 is a communication control unit 31 which is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device.
(IO board), a control unit 32 (CPU, RAM, etc.) that performs various controls of the printer 30, an input unit 33 (keyboard or simple numeric keypad, touch panel) that performs input (including secret code input) necessary for operation of the printer 30. Etc.), a print data storage unit 34 (such as a hard disk) for storing print data, and a printing unit 35 for printing the print data stored in the print data storage unit 34 on a sheet.

Under the control of the control unit 32, the printing unit 35 is a unit that develops print data (PDL data) into image data (bitmap data) and actually prints this on paper.

When the control unit 32 is further classified into functions, a queue management unit 36, a print job management unit 39,
It is composed of a confidential processing unit 40, a print history management unit 41, and a confidential printing management unit 42.

The queue management unit 36 is a part for assigning a print order to print data sent from the outside and managing waiting (waiting), and a normal print queue 37 when it is not confidential data, and a confidential print queue. It manages two queues, a confidential print queue 38 for data. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of a queue for queue management. The job ID assigned by the queue management unit 36 is the print ID for each received print request, and the user identification code is assigned on the client device 10 side. The user ID given in section 18,
Similarly, the confidential number assigned by the secret code assigning unit 17, the reservation data (including data such as an expected output operation time described later), and the print data stored in the print data storage unit 34 are associated with the print data. The pointer and are combined.

The print job management unit 39 is the queue management unit 3
The print unit 35 and the print data storage unit 34 when actually printing each print job managed in 6 are managed. The print job management unit 39 also manages storing and erasing data in the print data storage unit 34.

The confidentiality processing unit 40 collates the confidentiality No. (password) input from the input unit 33. That is, the confidentiality No. assigned to any of the queues managed by the queue management unit 36 is compared with the confidentiality No. input from the input unit 33, and it is checked whether the confidential print should be received by the authorized person. This is the part that performs processing.

The print history management section 41 is a section for managing information on a person who has made a confidential print request in the past. Here, the person who made the confidential request is the input unit 1 on the client device side 10.
After data is transmitted by inputting a print request from 2, the time required until a print output request is input from the input unit 33 of the printer side 30 is stored and managed as data for each individual.

The confidential print management section 42 is a section for calculating and setting the time during which the output operation can be performed in the next confidential print from the time required from the print request to the output operation and its variation.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer system which is another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given to the client device 10 that is the same as in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The printer system of FIG. 2 comprises a client device 10, a printer 50 and a printer server 70 connected via a network 20. That is, in FIG. 1, the printer 30 alone executes all the print functions from the print management to the actual printing, but in FIG. 2, the printer server 7 that performs the print management function.
0 and the printer 50 that actually prints according to the command from the printer server 70 are independent from each other to construct a printer system.

Therefore, a part of each block constituting the printer 30 of FIG. 1 exists in the printer 50 and the other part exists in the printer server 70. Further, the printer server 70 and the printer 50 are separated from each other. Functions required for data communication have been added. By using such a printer system, for example, a plurality of printers can be connected via the network 20 in addition to the printer 50, and the printer to be the print output destination can be selected under the control of the printer server 70. Like
The configuration of each of the printer server 70 and the printer 50 will be described below.

The printer server 70 is a communication control unit 71 which is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices (including the client device 10 and the printer 50).
(IO board), control unit 72 (CPU, RAM, etc.) that performs various controls of the printer server 70, print data storage unit 74 (hard disk, etc.) that stores print data, and data related to printers connected by the network 20. And a printer data storage unit 84. In the printer data storage unit 84, for example, when a plurality of printers are network-connected, the printer ID assigned to each printer and function information about each printer (print processing speed, presence / absence of color printing function, trouble information, etc.) Is stored. When the control unit 72 is further classified by function, it is composed of a queue management unit 76, a print job management unit 79, a print history management unit 81, and a confidential print management unit 82.

The queue management section 76 is a section for assigning a print order to print data transmitted from the outside and managing waiting (waiting), and a normal print queue 77 when confidential data is not provided, and a confidential print queue. It manages two queues, a confidential print queue 78 for data. This is
The queue management unit 36 basically performs the same function.

The print job management unit 79 is the queue management unit 7.
The print unit 55 of the printer 50, which will be described later, is managed through the management of the print data storage unit 74 and the communication control unit 71 when actually printing or erasing each print job managed by 6
Manage. This has the same function as the print job management unit 39 in FIG.

The print history management section 81 is a section for managing information on a person who has made a confidential print request in the past. Here, the person who made the confidential request is the input unit 1 on the client device side 10.
After data is transmitted by inputting a print request from 2, the time required until a print output request is input from the input unit 53 on the printer side 50 described later is accumulated and managed as data for each individual. This fulfills the same function as the print history management unit 41 of FIG.

The confidential print management section 82 is a section for calculating and setting the time during which the output operation can be performed in the next confidential print from the time required from the print request to the output operation and its variation. This has the same function as the confidential print management unit 42 in FIG.

On the other hand, the printer 50 is a communication control unit 5 which is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device.
1 (IO board), a control unit 52 (CPU, RAM, etc.) for performing various controls of the printer 50, an input unit 53 (keyboard or simple numeric keypad, for performing input (including secret code input) necessary for operation of the printer 50. It may be a touch panel or the like), and a print unit 55 that prints print data transmitted from the print data storage unit 74 of the printer server 70 via the communication control unit 51 on a sheet.

Under the control of the control unit 52, the printing unit 55 is a unit that expands print data (PDL data) into image data (bitmap data) and actually prints this on paper. Further, the control unit 52 includes a confidentiality processing unit 40.
Is included. The confidentiality processing unit 40 performs a confidential printing process such as matching of the confidentiality No. (password) input from the input unit 53. That is, the confidential number assigned to any of the queues managed by the queue management unit 76 and the confidential number input from the input unit 53 are stored in the network 20.
This is a part for performing a process such as checking whether or not the person should receive the confidential print by collating via the.

Next, the confidential printing process executed in the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the printer shown in FIG. 1 is used for convenience, but it goes without saying that the printer system shown in FIG. 2 is also applicable.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart of confidential printing carried out by the present invention. In this embodiment, when a print request is received, when a print request is received from the client device 10 when the person who has made the print request has executed confidential printing in the past (for convenience, at this time, the print request is input). Do)
From the time required for output operation input to the printer 30 (input of a PIN code for collating the paper receiver on the printer side) and the variation in the time, the print requester inputs the output operation. Estimated average time (T
μ) is calculated, and the time estimated that the output operation is performed is further calculated from this time variation, and the latest time estimated to be the output operation input is calculated from these data as the output requestable time (t2). The confidential printing can be executed when an output request is made within the output requestable time, and the print data in the printer is deleted after the output requestable time elapses to enhance security.

That is, if a print request is made by the client device 10 if the print requester is a hard worker, the printer 30
In order to prevent the printed matter from being left behind, the printer 30 should be picked up shortly after the print request is input. Therefore, depending on the positional relationship between the client device 10 and the printer 30 and the personal characteristics of the print requester, the time required to arrive at the printer 30 after the print request is input can be estimated for each print requester from past data. By utilizing this tendency, the slowest possible output request time is set for each individual, and after the lapse of time, the print data is erased for security from the viewpoint of maintaining confidentiality.

More specifically, it is assumed that the user A inputs a confidential print request from the input unit 12 of the client device 10 at time t0 in FIG. Upon receiving this request, the printer 30 registers it in the confidential printing queue 38 of the queue management unit 36 and manages it as one print job. Further, since the print history management unit 41 stores the data of the time required from the time of the user A's past print request to the input of the output operation on the printer 30, the confidential print management unit 42 uses this data. Estimated average time (Tμ) from print request to output request operation, estimated standard deviation time as the degree of variation from print request to output request operation × 2 (T
₂ σ) is calculated.

The calculation of Tμ may be an average of all the past data of the user A, or may be an average of the data about 10 times in the past. Further, the variation degree may be other than T ₂ σ. In short, any method of calculating the estimated time may be used as long as the time for the user A to perform the output operation input on the printer 30 can be estimated.

Then, Tμ + T ₂ σ is output requestable time t
Set as 2. That is, since it can be estimated that the user A performs the output operation input within the range of T ₂ σ before and after the estimated average time T μ, the output request input is performed up to T μ + T ₂ σ, which is the latest time. If there is no output request operation by then, the print data is deleted for security.

An operation flow for executing the embodiment of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. Note that an actual print request may be not only confidential print but also normal print, so the flow including both will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of print acceptance. When there is a print request by the user A from the client device 10, the printer 30 receives this as one print job (s101). The control unit 32 checks whether the received print job is a confidential print job or a normal print job. Here, if the transmitted data has a confidential number attached, it is determined to be a confidential print job, and if not attached, it is determined to be a normal print job (s102).

In the case of a confidential print request, the queue management unit 36
Registers in the confidential print queue 38 as a print job by associating the job ID, the user ID, and the confidential No part in FIG. The queue management unit 36 searches the print history management unit 41 for the history data of the confidential print of the user A in the past (s104), and checks whether the history data exists (s10).
5).

When the past data of the user A exists in the print history management unit 41, the confidential print management unit 42 takes the time from the previous print request of the user A to the input of the output request to the printer 30 and the degree of variation. Then, Tμ or T ₂ σ is calculated to predict the processing time until the output request, and the output request available time t2 is set (s106).

If the past data of the user A does not exist in the print history management unit 41 (including the case where the data cannot be calculated due to the insufficient number of data), the preset initial time is t2.
(S107).

Then, the controller 32 controls the client device 10
The print data transmitted from the print data storage unit 34
(S108). At the same time, in order to associate the data address of the print data in the print data storage unit 34 with the print job ID corresponding to this print data, the queue management unit 36 sets the corresponding print data in the confidential print queue 38 previously registered. Address that becomes a pointer in the pointer part of (for example, the address of the start position of print data)
And write the output request available time t2 calculated by the confidential print management unit 42 in the reservation data portion. As a result, the queue of one confidential print job as shown in FIG. 8 is completed.

Returning to s102, when the confidential printing is not performed (when the confidential number is not added to the print request in FIG. 7)
Is judged as a normal print job and is registered in the normal queue (s109). That is, the queue management unit 36 registers the normal print queue 37 as a print job by associating the job ID and the user ID in FIG. 8 with each other and leaving the confidential number blank.

Then, the controller 32 controls the client device 10
The print data transmitted from the print data storage unit 34
(S108). At the same time, as in the case of confidential printing, the queue management unit 36 writes an address serving as a pointer (for example, the address of the head position of print data) in the pointer portion to the corresponding print data in the previously registered normal print queue 37. On the other hand, however, in the case of normal printing, it is not necessary to erase the print data to ensure security, and therefore it is not necessary to set the outputable time, so no data is written to the reservation data.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart up to the start of the print job. In principle, the printer 30 functions as a normal printer when no confidential print No is input, and when a normal print job is registered in the normal print queue 37 of the queue management unit 36, normal printing continues in the order of registration. . When the confidential print No is input, the print job in the confidential print queue 38 is started. The operation flow at this time will be described.

First, the printer 30 waits for an input of a confidential print No (s120). Until a confidential number is input, if there is a normal print job, that normal print job is printed. It is confirmed whether or not another preceding print job is being output (s121), and if it is being output, a waiting state is waited until the end. When other print jobs are completed, it is confirmed whether or not there are any normal print jobs remaining in the normal print queue of the queue management unit 36 (s122). Starts image processing for it (s12
3). That is, the print data transmitted from the client device 10 is stored in the print data storage unit 34, and the print data is extracted from the print data storage unit 34 and expanded into bitmap data.

After a while, when the expansion processing of the first page is completed, the printing section 35 executes the printing processing of the first page and the print output is started (s124). After that, the expansion processing and the printing processing of each page included in one print job proceed in parallel at the same time, and the processing is continued until the printing of all pages is completed. Such operation (s120-s
124) is repeatedly executed until the confidential number is input.

Returning to s120, when a confidential print No is input from the input unit 33 of the printer at some point, the confidential print queue 38 is searched this time (s125). Whether or not there is a confidential print job is confirmed (s126), and if there is no confidential print queue corresponding to the input confidential number, it is determined that there is no confidential print job and the process returns to the original state.
If there is a confidential queue corresponding to the input confidential number, the operation time is recorded first (s127). That is,
The operation time is recorded so that the time required from the time when the print job is received in s101 of FIG. 4 (this is the print request time) to the time when the confidential number is input in s120 is known. Needless to say, the print history management unit 4 for calculating the estimated average output operation time for the user A.
This is because the accumulated data of No. 1 is updated.

Then, it is confirmed whether another print job is being output (s128).
If output is not in progress, image processing is started (s123) and print output is started as in normal printing (s).
124).

If another job is being output at s128, the fact is notified to the user A through a display screen (CRT, liquid crystal panel, etc., not shown) provided in the printer 30 or data communication to the client device 10. It is also possible to reduce the burden of waiting time for printing.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the corresponding processing when confidential printing is registered. When a print job exists in the confidential print queue 38 of the queue management unit 36, it is not preferable in terms of security to store long-time print data in the print data management unit 34. Therefore, the confidential print queue is periodically checked, and the print jobs that have exceeded the output requestable time are deleted from the print data storage unit. The operation flow at this time will be described.

A check loop for checking each queue existing in the confidential print queue 38 is started (s140). For one queue existing in the confidential print queue 38, it is confirmed whether or not the set output requestable time t2 has been exceeded. When it does not exceed t2, the check loop is repeated by jumping to the end of the check loop (s142) and starting the check loop for the next queue.

If a confidential print queue exceeding t2 occurs in s141, it is confirmed whether or not the corresponding confidential print job is already being output (s143). If it is being output, the end of output is awaited. If the output is not in progress in s143, it is determined that there is no output request from the user A, the print data stored in the print data storage unit 34 is erased (s144), and further registered in the confidential print queue 38. A certain queue is also deleted (s145). As a result, the data relating to the confidential printing is completely erased in the printer 30, and the confidentiality can be maintained.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a time chart of printing carried out by the present invention. In this embodiment, similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when a print request is issued, the print requester can determine the time required from the print request to the output operation input at the printer 30 and the data of the variation in the time. Calculates the estimated average time (Tμ) until the output operation is input, and calculates the expected output operation time (± T ₂ σ). Then, instead of the output requestable time (t2), the expected output operation time zone (Tμ ± T ₂ σ) before and after the estimated average time (Tμ) is set.

Further, the print data is stored in the print data storage unit 34 in accordance with this time zone, so that the time for storing the data in the print data storage unit 34 is made as short as possible. Further, in order to shorten the output waiting time at the position of the printer 30 of the print requester as much as possible at the time of print output, the transfer of print data should be started shortly before the expected output operation time zone. It is a thing.

More specifically, it is assumed that the user A inputs a confidential print request from the input unit 12 of the client device 10 at time t0 in FIG. Upon receiving this request, the printer 30 registers it in the confidential printing queue 38 of the queue management unit 36 and manages it as one print job.

Further, since the print history management unit 41 stores the data of the time required from the input operation of the print request of the past client device 10 of the user A to the input of the output operation of the printer 30, confidential printing is performed. The management unit 42 uses this data to calculate the estimated average time (Tμ) from the print request to the output operation and the estimated standard deviation time × 2 (T ₂ σ) as the degree of variation from the print request to the output operation.

Then, Tμ ± T ₂ σ is set as the expected output operation time zone. That is, since it can be estimated that the user A performs the output operation input within the range of T ₂ σ around the estimated average time Tμ, it is possible to input the output operation during this time period, and there is no output operation during that period. In case of security, delete the print data.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, when there is a print request at t0, the print data is stored in the print data storage unit 34, and in this state, it is waiting for the confidential No, that is, the input of the output request. However, in this embodiment, when the print request is issued at t0, the queue management unit 36 simply registers the job ID, the user ID, and the confidential number in the confidential print queue 38, and the print data is accumulated in the print data storage unit 34. I try not to.

Then, the first page (the page to be printed first) is stored in the print data storage section 34, and then the bitmap is expanded in the printing section 35 so that the printing can start at any time. there the first page the estimated processing time to calculate a (t _1p), starts to transfer to the t _1p time before (t1) of the print data in the print data storage unit 34 than the output operation expected time period begins. That is, the print data is transferred to the print data storage unit 34 from t1, and the print data is expanded into a bitmap so that the print operation can be started immediately even if there is an output request at almost the same time as the start of the expected output operation time. To It should be noted that the above t _1p is obtained from the volume of print data. However, for simplification, the average value of 1 page processing time is t
_It may be set as _1p .

An operation flow for executing the embodiment of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. In this case as well, as in FIG. 3, the actual print request includes not only confidential printing but also normal printing, and therefore a flow including both will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of print acceptance. When there is a print request by the user A from the client device 10, the printer 30 receives this as one print job (s201). The control unit 32 checks whether the received print job is a confidential print job or a normal print job. Here, if the transmitted data has a confidential number attached, it is determined to be a confidential print job, and if not attached, it is determined to be a normal print job (s202).

In the case of a confidential print request, the queue management unit 36
Registers the confidential print queue 38 as a print job by associating the job ID, the user ID, and the confidential No part in FIG. 8 with each other (s203). The queue management unit 36 searches the print history management unit 41 for the history data of the confidential print of the user A in the past (s204), and checks whether or not the history data exists (s205). When there is no history data (or when there is a shortage), the time until user A makes an output request cannot be estimated, so processing cannot be advanced until there is a confidential No input, that is, an output request. Wait for
After the confidential number is input, print data transfer, bitmap expansion, and printing operation are performed. That is, the waiting time of the print requester at the printer position increases, but security is prioritized.

If the past data of the user A exists in the print history management unit 41, the confidential print management unit 42 determines Tμ or T from the time from the input of the print request of A until the arrival to the printer 30 and the variation degree. ₂ σ is calculated to predict the processing time, and the expected output operation time zone Tμ ± T ₂ σ is set (s206).

Further, from the capacity of the print data, the time t from the storage of the first one page in the print data storage unit to the bit map development and waiting in the state immediately before printing is t.
_{1p is} also calculated, and the time from t1 to t2 shown in FIG. 3 is set as the reserved time for output. The reservation time is registered in the reservation data portion of the queue shown in FIG.

However, in s206, the standard deviation T ₂ σ
When the confidentiality number is large (when the time until the output request from the user A varies), wait until the confidential number is input to prioritize security, and after the confidential number is input, transfer print data, expand the bitmap, and print Is performed (s207). For example, decide ± 3 minutes as the threshold,
If the standard deviation is calculated as ± 3 minutes or more, it is judged that the standard deviation is large. (In the claim of the invention description, there is an expression "when the standard deviation is large", but it is necessary to set some boundary because the boundary is not clear only with this.
We will use the expression and set a predetermined value. If you find any inconvenience, please let us know in any way the supplementary explanation that defines the boundary of "large standard deviation".

Here, t1 to t2 calculated in s206
It is conceivable that there is already a reserved time for another confidential printing queue within the reserved time up to, so it is confirmed whether or not the reserved times for other outputs overlap in this time zone (s
208). This is confirmed by checking the reservation data column (see FIG. 8) of each queue of the queue management unit 38.

When there is no overlap in the output reserved time, the process ends as it is, and when there is an overlap, the free time zone is searched (s2
09), and the queue is set as the reserved time zone (see FIG. 12).
(See 210) (s210). At this time, it is preferable to notify the user A by data communication.

Returning to s202, when the confidential printing is not performed (when the confidential number is not added to the print request of FIG. 7)
Is judged as a normal print job and is registered in the normal queue (s211). That is, the queue management unit 36 registers the job ID and user ID in FIG. 12 as a print job in the normal print queue 37 in association with each other, and leaves the confidential number blank.

Then, the controller 32 controls the client device 10
The print data transmitted from the print data storage unit 34
(S212). The queue management unit 36 writes an address serving as a pointer (for example, an address of the head position of the print data) in a pointer portion (see FIG. 12) to the corresponding print data in the normal print queue 37. On the other hand, in the case of normal printing, it is not necessary to erase the print data for security, and thus the reservation time data is not written in the reservation data.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart up to the start of the print job.
It The printer 30 uses any of the reserved time zones (t1 to t
It is confirmed whether it is 2) (s220). Strictly confidential
Output operation time zone Tμ ± T at which o (output request) can be accepted ₂
It will be confirmed whether it is within σ, but during the reservation time
Can be extended because there is no duplicate reservation with other jobs.

If it is in the reserved time zone, it is confirmed whether or not the confidential number is input (s221), and if there is no input, the process returns to the original state without doing anything. When there is an input, the confidential print queue 38 is searched (s222), and it is confirmed whether there is a corresponding confidential print job by collating the confidential number (s223). If there is no corresponding confidential print job, it returns to the original state, and if there is a corresponding confidential print job, the operation time is recorded (s
224). That is, from the time when the print job is received in s201 of FIG. 8 (this is the print request time), s22
The operation time is recorded so that the time required until the confidential number is input in 1 is known. Needless to say this
This is to update the accumulated data of the print history management unit 41 for calculating the estimated average output operation time of the user A and the like.

Further, it is confirmed whether the reserved job is the target of the reserved time zone (s225). As a result, a check is performed to eliminate the output of another confidential print queue.

In the case of a confidential print job in the original reserved time zone, transfer of print data and image processing such as bitmap expansion are continued (s226). That is, in that case, since the transfer of the print data has started from t1, this is continued. At the same time, as soon as print output becomes possible, print output is started in parallel (s227).

Returning to s220, it is confirmed whether the confidential number is input even when it is not in the reserved time zone (s23).
0). The case where the confidential number is input here is considered to be when the printer 30 arrives at the printer 30 faster than usual and inputs the confidential number (when the delay is delayed, the queue is deleted). The confidential queue is searched (s23
1) The presence / absence of a confidential print job is confirmed by checking the confidential number (s232). If there is no corresponding confidential print job, it returns to the original state. If there is a corresponding confidential job, the operation time is recorded for updating the data of the print history management unit (S233).

If another print job is being output, the end of the print job is waited for (S234), and the transfer of print data is started (S238).

Before the transfer of the print data, the processing time required for the main print job is predicted from the queue and the print data (S236), and when the predicted processing time affects other jobs. May return the original print job without executing it. When the print data is transferred in S238, image processing such as bitmap expansion is started (S239), and print output is also started in parallel (S).
227).

Returning to S230 again, when there is no confidential number input, it is confirmed whether another job is being output (s24).
0), if it is outputting, it will be in a waiting state, and if it is not outputting, the presence or absence of a normal print job is confirmed (s241).

When there is a normal job, print data is transferred, image processing is started (s239), and print output is started in parallel (s227). Also in this case, the processing time may be predicted (s244) and the processing may be stopped when other reserved jobs are affected (s246).

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the corresponding processing when confidential printing is registered. When there is a print job in the confidential print queue 38 of the queue management unit 36, it is not preferable to store long-time print data in the print data management unit 34 for security reasons. The print queue is regularly checked, and the print jobs that have passed the set expected output operation time zone are deleted from the print data storage unit 34. Further, the print data is not stored in the print data storage unit 34 immediately after the print request, but at the timing t1 immediately before the start of the output operation time zone and the time _t1p required for the print preparation for the first page. The transfer of print data is started. The operation flow at this time will be described.

A check loop for checking each queue existing in the confidential print queue 38 is started (s250). For one queue existing in the confidential print queue 38, it is confirmed whether a reserved time zone is set for the print job (s251). As a general rule, the confidential print queue is reserved during the reserved time period (t
1) to t2), but when there is no print history (see s205) or when the print requester has a large variation in the time until the output request (see s207), the reserved time zone is set. Not not. Therefore, when the reserved time zone is not set, the check loop is repeated by jumping to the end of the check loop and starting the check loop for the next queue (s252).

When the reserved time zone is set in s251, it is confirmed whether or not the end time of the reserved time zone (equal to t2 which is the end time of the set output operation time zone) is exceeded (s254). ). When it does not exceed t2, it is confirmed whether the print data transfer start time t1 has passed (s255), and when it does not reach t1, skip to the end of the check loop (s252) and check the next queue. Start a loop.

When the time t1 has passed in s255, the print data for the print job is started to be transferred to the print data storage unit 34 (s256), and the print data is taken out from the print data storage unit 34 and executed up to bitmap expansion. (S257) and wait for an output request. Then fly to the end of the check loop (s252). In this way, the print data transfer and the bit map expansion are executed after the elapse of t1 so that the time during which another person may come into contact with the print data is shortened as much as possible to enhance the security.

Returning to s254, when t2 has passed, it is confirmed whether output is in progress (s260), and when an output request has already been made for that print job and output is in progress, jump to the end of the check loop (s252). . When an output request is not issued in s260, in order to provide security, when the transfer of the print data is continued (the transfer is started from the time t1), the print data transfer is stopped (s261), Image processing up to map expansion is also stopped (s262), the print data accumulated in the print data storage unit 34 is deleted (s263), and the confidential print queue 38 is displayed.
The registration of is deleted (s264). Then fly to the end of the check loop (s252). In this way, after the lapse of t2 time, all traces of confidential printing are erased to enhance security.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a time chart of another embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiments, the print requester himself / herself makes the output request, but in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the print requester (user 1) and the output requester (user 2) are different. In other words, we are considering a process for passing confidential print data to another person.

In this case, the print requester A (user 1) issues a print request (s300). At this time, the recipient information can be attached to the print request in order to inform that the recipient B (user 2) is not the principal. Specifically, the recipient ID field is added after the user ID of the print request data shown in FIG.

When a print request in which the information of B is entered in the recipient ID field arrives at the printer 30, the printer 30 needs to know that the confidential print queue is registered for the recipient B and is required to receive it. Notify confidential number information (s30
2). This notification is sent through the network when the recipient has the client device and is connected through the network. The notification may be sent directly from the print requester by e-mail or the like.

Recipient B who received the notification sends a reply confirming the queue registration notification to printer 30 (s304). Then, assuming that the time (t0 ′) is when the print request is received from the recipient B, the printer 30 estimates and sets the expected output operation time from the past data in the print history management unit 41 of the recipient B. Perform (s306). Then, as in the first and second embodiments, printing is started if an output request is made within the output requestable time (within t2) or within the expected output operation time zone (t1 to t2), and if it is after that, printing is performed. Perform processing such as deleting data.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When confidential printing is performed, the time it takes for the person to arrive at the printer and make an output request is estimated from the past data for each print requester, and an appropriate output requestable time and output operation time zone are set from the estimated time. Since the print data is erased after that time, the security function can be remarkably improved.

Further, since the print data is transferred from a predetermined time before the output operation time zone starts, the waiting time after the input of the output request at the printer position can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer system that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a time chart of operations performed by the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of print acceptance when the operation of FIG. 3 is executed.

5 is a flow chart up to the start of printing when the operation of FIG. 3 is executed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a confidential printing correspondence process when the operation of FIG. 3 is executed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the time chart of the operation executed according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of print acceptance when the operation of FIG. 7 is executed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for starting printing when the operation of FIG. 7 is executed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a confidential printing correspondence process when the operation of FIG. 7 is executed.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of transmission data when a print request is made.

FIG. 12 is a data configuration diagram of a queue.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the time chart of the operation executed according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Client device 11: control unit 12: Input section 13: Document storage section 14: Communication control unit 15: Various application software 16: Printer driver 17: PIN code assigning section 18: User identification code assigning section 19: Print data generation unit 20: Network 30, 50: Printer 31, 51, 71: communication control unit 32, 52: control unit 33, 53: Input section 34, 74: print data storage unit 35, 55: printing section 36, 76: Queue management unit 37, 77: Normal print queue 38, 78: Confidential print queue 39, 79: Print job management unit 40, 60: Confidential processing section 41, 81: print history management unit 42 and 82: confidential print management section 84: Printer data storage unit

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. When a confidential print request is transmitted from the client device side to the printer side, a confidential print data output request is input from an input section attached to the printer side to print out the confidential print data on paper. A confidential print function for starting a confidential print request from a confidential print requester who has made a confidential print request in the past.
If there is an input of an output request from the confidential print requester based on the data of the print history management unit that accumulates the data of the time required from the confidential print request to the input of the output request at the printer, and the data of the print history management unit. The confidential print management unit that calculates the estimated slowest time and sets it as the output request available time, the queue management unit that manages output requests before the output request available time elapses, and the confidential management under the management of the queue management unit. A printer comprising: a print job management unit that controls print data to be printed on a sheet, and erases confidential print data remaining in the printer after a lapse of an output requestable time. 2. When a confidential print request is transmitted from the client device side to the printer side, a confidential print data output request is input from an input section attached to the printer side to print out the confidential print data on paper. A confidential print function for starting a confidential print request from a confidential print requester who has made a confidential print request in the past.
If there is an input of an output request from the confidential print requester based on the data of the print history management unit that accumulates the data of the time required from the confidential print request to the input of the output request at the printer, and the data of the print history management unit. A confidential print management unit that calculates the estimated time zone and sets this as the expected output operation time zone, a queue management unit that manages output requests before the end of the expected output operation time zone, and a queue management unit And a print job management unit that erases the confidential print data remaining in the printer after the expected output operation time period ends. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the queue management unit performs management to start transfer of confidential print data to the printer a predetermined time before the expected output operation time zone starts. 4. The confidential print management unit obtains a normal distribution of the data of the confidential print requester in the print history management unit, and when the standard deviation is larger than a preset value, the output requestable time or the expected output operation. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the time zone is not set. 5. The confidential print management unit, when two or more expected output operation time zones overlap, changes one of the output request time zones and resets it so that it does not overlap. The printer described in. 6. When a confidential print request specifying a recipient is sent from the client device side to the printer side, when a confirmation response is received from the recipient, the confidential print request is received from the recipient. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that executes a confidential printing function for a person. 7. When the client device side sends a confidential print request specifying a recipient to the printer side, the printer notifies the recipient of the information necessary for receiving and outputting the confidential print request, and receives the confidential print request. 3. The control unit for executing a confidential print function for a recipient, which is determined to be a confidential print request from the recipient when a confirmation response from the person is received. Printer. 8. A printer server that stores and manages print data and a printer that prints print data are connected via a network so that data communication is possible, and when a confidential print request is sent from the client device side to the printer server, the printer A printer with a confidential print function that sends confidential print data output request from the printer server to the printer by inputting a confidential print data output request from the input unit attached to the side and starts printing output of confidential print data on paper. In the system, the printer server is a print history management unit that accumulates the data of the time required from the confidential print request to the input of the output request at the printer when the confidential print request is made in the past by the confidential print requester. Based on the data of the print history management unit, it is estimated that the output request is input by the confidential print requester. The confidential print management unit that calculates the delay time and sets this as the output request available time, the queue management unit that manages output requests before the output request available time elapses, and the confidential print data is printed under the management of the queue management unit. And a print job management unit that erases confidential print data remaining in the printer server after the output requestable time has elapsed. 9. A printer server that stores and manages print data and a printer that prints print data are connected via a network so that data communication is possible, and when a confidential print request is sent from the client device side to the printer server, the printer A printer with a confidential print function that sends confidential print data output request from the printer server to the printer by inputting a confidential print data output request from the input unit attached to the side and starts printing output of confidential print data on paper. In the system, the printer server is a print history management unit that accumulates the data of the time required from the confidential print request to the input of the output request at the printer when the confidential print request is made in the past by the confidential print requester. And it is estimated that there is an input of an output request by the confidential print requester based on the data of the print history management unit. A confidential print management unit that calculates the inter-zone and sets it as the expected output operation time zone, a queue management unit that manages output requests before the end of the expected output operation time period, and a confidential print job under the control of the queue management unit A printer system comprising: a print job management unit that controls printing of data on paper and erases confidential print data that remains in the printer server after an output requestable time has elapsed. 10. The printer system according to claim 9, wherein the queue management unit performs management to start transfer of confidential print data to the printer server a predetermined time before the expected output operation time zone starts. . 11. The confidential print management unit estimates the data of the print history management unit by a normal distribution, and when the standard deviation is larger than a predetermined value, does not set the output requestable time or the expected output operation time zone. The printer system according to claim 9, wherein: 12. The confidential printing management unit, when two or more expected output operation time zones overlap, changes any one of the output request time zones and resets them so that they do not overlap. The printer system described in. 13. When a confidential print request specifying a recipient is transmitted from the client device side to the printer server side, when a confirmation response from the recipient is received, the confidential print request is received from the recipient. 10. The printer system according to claim 8, further comprising a control unit that executes a confidential printing function for people. 14. When a confidential print request specifying a recipient is transmitted from the client device side to the printer server side, the printer server notifies the recipient of information necessary for receiving and outputting the confidential print request. 10. The control unit for executing a confidential print function for a recipient, which is determined to be a confidential print request from the recipient when receiving a confirmation response from the recipient. Printer system.