JP2003050692A - Print managing server, print managing system, print managing method, print managing program and computer readable recording medium with its program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print managing server, a print managing system, a print managing method, a print managing program and a computer readable recording medium for recording the print managing program capable of practically achieving both output limit in terms of costs and necessary output execution which conflict to each other. SOLUTION: At the time of changing the upper limit value of a printer 220, a client 200 requests the printing of an upper limit change ticket to a print managing server 100. The print managing server 100 executes the election of an outputable printer or the preservation of a change history, and executes its output to the printer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print management server, a print management system, a print management method, a print management program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the print management program, and particularly preferably at least a network-connected recording medium. The present invention relates to a print management server that manages the output of one or more image forming apparatuses. In a public office such as a general office or university, cost management is possible when at least one client outputs, and output is possible. A print management server, a print management system, a print management method, a print management program, and a print management program that have a function that allows the client to easily change the upper limit value to be restricted in an emergency etc. are recorded. Computer reading Relates a recording medium capable taken.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in output management of a network printer, even if an upper limit value can be set for each client for the purpose of cost management, the output is actually output when the upper limit value is reached. In many cases, the warning is issued when the upper limit value is approached because the prohibition often interferes with the work.

[0003]

However, in this case, if each client ignores the warning, it becomes possible to print indefinitely, which deviates from the purpose of cost control.

There is also a system in which an administrator of this system can change the upper limit value in a special mode instead of prohibiting an output exceeding the upper limit value. However, if the system administrator is absent, there is an inconvenience that the data cannot be output if the output exceeds the upper limit. In addition, in such a system, to allow general clients to change the upper limit value, it is necessary to enter in the mode of the system administrator. In this case, other settings may be changed. A system that can change only the upper limit value from the mode is desirable.

As described above, there is a contradictory concept that the upper limit value of output is set for the purpose of cost management, the output exceeding the upper limit value is prohibited, and printing is inevitable due to the necessity of business. Met.

That is, in the past, in the case of prohibiting the output exceeding the upper limit value from the cost control, when the output is absolutely necessary, the means for canceling this limitation and printing by a simple means quickly Did not exist.

Therefore, the present invention has a print management server for printing and manages the output from each client.

An upper limit value is set for each output person, and output from the client exceeding the upper limit value is prohibited.
On the other hand, if there are unavoidable circumstances and it is absolutely necessary to output above the upper limit, by writing the change of the upper limit in specific data, each client can use the same simple method as normal printing. It is possible to change the upper limit value and it is also possible to log this change.

Further, in order to prohibit the unlimited change of the upper limit value, the person who permits the change is limited, or there is a further upper limit value, and the upper limit value is exceeded. By prohibiting changes, it is possible to meet certain cost reduction objectives.

As described above, according to the present invention, in view of the contradictory concepts of the output limitation from the viewpoint of cost and the essential output execution, the print management server and the print management system can be considered as much as possible in practical use. A print management method, a print management program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the print management program are provided.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, at least one print management server according to the present invention is provided.
A print management server connected to a system in which the above image forming apparatus and at least one client that transmits data to the image forming apparatus are connected to each other by a network, and manages the output operation of the image forming apparatus. And a means for managing an upper limit value of the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus, wherein the means for managing the upper limit value is the above-mentioned when the image based on the predetermined data transmitted from the client is printed. The means for changing the upper limit of the output number and managing the output operation manages the output operation of the image forming apparatus so that the output number of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit.

Further, the print management server according to the present invention is characterized in that the output number represents the number of sheet materials output from the image forming apparatus.

In the print management server according to the present invention, the amount of output is an amount based on the number of sheet materials output from the image forming apparatus and at least one of the type of sheet material and the printing form on the sheet material. It is characterized by representing the sum of values multiplied by.

Further, the print management server according to the present invention is characterized in that the upper limit value of the output number is an upper limit value of the output number for each output person who is the user of the client.

Further, the print management server according to the present invention comprises a storage means for storing information, and the means for managing the upper limit value of the output number stores the output number in the storage means, and in a predetermined case. The number of outputs stored in the storage means is changed.

Further, the print management server according to the present invention is characterized by comprising means for causing a client to select an image forming apparatus capable of outputting when changing the upper limit value.

Further, the print management server according to the present invention is provided with means for collecting a change history of the upper limit value when the upper limit value is changed.

Further, the print management server according to the present invention is provided with means for prohibiting, when the upper limit value is changed, a change larger than the upper limit value beyond a second upper limit value. And

Further, the print management server according to the present invention, when changing the upper limit value, collates the password when trying to print an image based on predetermined data for changing the upper limit value. According to the present invention, means for limiting a person who is allowed to change the upper limit value is provided.

Further, the print management server according to the present invention is characterized in that the password is a password transmitted from the client to the print management server.

Further, in the print management server according to the present invention, when the output users who are the users of the clients are grouped into a hierarchical structure when changing the upper limit value, each output within the group is output. It is characterized by comprising means for prohibiting a change in which the total of the upper limit values of the persons exceeds the upper limit value set for the group.

Further, in the print management server according to the present invention, at least one recording medium reading / writing device is connected to the network, and when the upper limit is changed, the changed upper limit is read by the recording medium. It is characterized by comprising means for writing on a recording medium used in the writing device.

Further, the print management system according to the present invention includes at least one or more of the above print management servers,
At least one image forming apparatus and at least one client are connected to each other via a network.

Further, the print management method according to the present invention is a print in which at least one image forming apparatus and at least one client which transmits data to the image forming apparatus are connected to a system connected to each other by a network. The management server includes a step of managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus and a step of managing an upper limit value of the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus, and the step of managing the upper limit value is transmitted from the client. When an image based on predetermined data is printed, the step of changing the upper limit value of the output number and managing the output operation includes the image forming so that the output number of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit value. It is characterized by managing the output operation of the device.

Further, the print management program according to the present invention is a print in which at least one image forming apparatus and at least one client that transmits data to the image forming apparatus are connected to a system connected to each other by a network. A print management program that causes a management server to function as a unit that manages an output operation of the image forming apparatus and a unit that manages an upper limit value of the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus, wherein the unit that manages the upper limit value is When the image based on the predetermined data transmitted from the client is printed, a function for changing the upper limit value of the output number is provided, and the means for managing the output operation is such that the output number of the image forming apparatus is It is characterized by having a function of managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus so as not to exceed the upper limit value.

Further, in the computer-readable recording medium recording the print management program according to the present invention, at least one image forming apparatus and at least one client transmitting data to the image forming apparatus are connected to each other via a network. A print management program that causes a print management server connected to the connected system to function as a means for managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus and a means for managing the upper limit value of the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus is recorded. A computer-readable recording medium, wherein the means for managing the upper limit has a function of changing the upper limit of the output number when an image based on predetermined data transmitted from the client is printed. The means for managing the output operation is such that the output number of the image forming apparatus is an upper limit value. It was recorded print management program according to claim having a function of managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus so as not to exceed.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the upper limit value by printing special data from the client (this data is referred to as upper limit value change ticket data, for example). It is characterized by that.

By changing the upper limit value, even if the client exceeds the upper limit value, it becomes possible to easily cancel the output prohibition in an emergency and when it is unavoidable.

Further, the present invention is characterized by having a mechanism for permitting output only to an image forming apparatus that requires output in order to prevent unlimited change of the upper limit value when the output limit is exceeded. To do.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to prevent the upper limit value from being unlimitedly changed when the output limit is exceeded, the history of who changed the upper limit value and when (from how much to how much) is changed. It is characterized by having a mechanism for saving.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to prevent the upper limit value from being unlimitedly changed when the output limit is exceeded, the upper limit value and the actual limit amount (the second limit value) having a margin once set are set. It is characterized by having a dual concept of "upper limit value" and having a mechanism for permitting the change of the upper limit value up to the actual limit amount in case of emergency.

In order to prevent the upper limit value from being unlimitedly changed when the output limit is exceeded, the present invention limits the client whose upper limit value can be changed. It is characterized by having a mechanism for collating persons.

Further, in order to prevent the upper limit value from being unlimitedly changed when the output limit is exceeded, the present invention defines a hierarchical group to which the client belongs by an amount corresponding to the increase of the upper limit value. It is characterized by having a mechanism for keeping the total of the upper limit values within the group constant.

Further, the present invention has a mechanism in which when the recording medium such as a magnetic card manages the upper limit value and the balance, the upper limit value change when the output limit is exceeded is interlocked with the recording medium such as the magnetic card. It is characterized by that.

Here, interlocking means that the upper limit is changed.
This means that it is reflected in the data recorded on the recording medium such as a magnetic card.

The image forming apparatus is, for example, a printer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and has at least a printer function, and at least one of a copying machine function, a FAX function, and a scanner function. It may be a device having the function of. The output of the image forming apparatus means a printed matter or the like.

Further, the collection of the change history of the upper limit value by the collecting means means to store the change history in the storage means when the upper limit value is changed, for example.

[0038]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
Unless otherwise specified, the material, the shape, the relative arrangement, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto.

Further, in the following drawings, the same members as those described in the above drawings are designated by the same reference numerals. In addition, the description of each embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention will be given below regarding a print management server, a print management method, a print management program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the print management program according to the present invention. It also serves as a description of each embodiment.

(First Embodiment of Print Management System) A first embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall configuration of the first embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.

Under the network 121, not only the print management server 100 but also a plurality of clients 20
0, 210 and a plurality of printers 220, 230 are connected.

In this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation,
There are two clients and two printers, respectively, but in reality, there is no problem if the number is more than two.

When a print request is issued from the client 200 or 210, the print management server 100 operates via the network 121 according to the control program of the CPU 101 shown in the flowchart of FIG. This description will be described later in detail.

Next, the print management server 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print management server used in the print management system shown in FIG.

The print management server 100 has a CPU 101 for controlling the entire print management server 100, and a bus 100a of the CPU 101 has a ROM 102 and RA.
M103, network control unit 104, input device 105 such as a keyboard, data input unit 105a such as a floppy (registered trademark) drive, display device 10 such as a display
6, data storage device 10 such as a hard disk (HDD)
8 are connected. In this embodiment and each of the following embodiments, as shown in the drawings, an HDD is used as the data storage device 108.

The network controller 104 is connected to the network 121 via the network I / F 107.

The ROM 102 stores a control program for the CPU 101 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

The RAM 103 and the data storage device 108 are
It functions as a storage unit described in the claims of the present application. However, the storage means is not limited to the RAM 103 or the data storage device 108, and can write information, for example, a write-once CD-R or DVD-R, a phase change recording system CD-RW, or a DVD-RAM. , DVD + R
W, PD, magneto-optical storage system MO, MD DATA, iD
Format, magnetic recording SuperDisk, floppy disk, Zip, Clik! , Removable HD
D-type ORB, jaz, SparQ, Syjet, EZ
Examples include a Flyer, a micro drive, a flash memory recording device, and the like. Here, the name of the storage means includes a trademark. The same applies to the following names.

The CPU 101 executes the print management server 10 according to the control program stored in the ROM 102.
It controls 0 as a whole.

Here, the CPU 101 is a single unit, or together with the other members shown in FIG. 2, or the ROM 1
In cooperation with the program stored in 02, means for managing the output operation, means for managing the upper limit value, means for selecting, means for collecting change history, which are components of the present invention,
Means for prohibiting changes exceeding the second upper limit, means for limiting persons permitted to change the upper limit, means for prohibiting changes exceeding the upper limit set in the group, means for writing to a magnetic card Function as.

Therefore, the ROM 102 shown in FIG.
Function as the recording medium according to the present invention. However, the recording medium according to the present invention is not limited to the ROM 102, but may be the RAM 103 or the data storage device 108.
In addition to the RAM 103 and the data storage device 108 as a member for supplementing the storage capacity of the ROM 102, if necessary, in addition to a CD-ROM or the like, information can be written, for example, a write-once CD-R or DVD-R. , Phase change recording system CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD + RW,
PD, magneto-optical storage system MO, MD DATA, iD format, magnetic recording system Super Disk, floppy disk, Zip, Clik! , Removable HDD system ORB, jaz, SparQ, Syjet, EZFl
A yer, a micro drive, a flash memory recording device, or the like can be used.

Next, the internal structure of the client shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client 200 shown in FIG.

The client 200 has a CPU 201 that controls the entire apparatus, and the bus 200 of this CPU 201.
In a, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a network control unit 204, an input device 205 such as a keyboard, a data input unit 205a such as a floppy drive, a display device 206 such as a display, a hard disk (HDD) that stores programs for processing various operations. ), Etc., is connected to the data storage device 208.

The network control unit 204 is also connected to the network 121 via the network I / F 207.

Next, the operation of the print management system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the print management system shown in FIG. The operation of the flowchart shown in FIG.
CP of print management server, client and printer
U is processed by itself, by cooperating with other members or by cooperating with programs stored in the main storage device or the auxiliary storage device.

When the CPU 101 receives a print request from the client 200 according to the control program stored in the ROM 102 (S401), the network 1
21 detects the state of the printer 220 connected to the printer 21 (S
402), assuming that an error such as a paper shortage does not occur, it is determined what the balance is obtained by subtracting the current usage amount from the upper limit value of the output owned by the output user who is the client user ( If the balance is smaller than the upper limit value in the normal state (S403), printing is executed (S431), and as a result, the balance decreases (S432).

There may be two types of balances here, and may be a simple number of printed sheets, or may be a concept of an amount obtained by multiplying the number of copies by an added value such as a sheet material or a printing form.

In this case, the amount of money per sheet may differ depending on the type of paper, the paper size, color / monochrome (printing form). In this way, if there is a balance, printing is executed, and the normal processing of reducing the balance by that amount is performed (S431, S432, S433).

However, when the above-mentioned printing is repeated, a case where there is no balance is encountered.

In this case, the CPU 1 of the print management server
01 operates to display a message to the effect that the balance is no longer available to the client 200 as shown in FIG. 5 (S404). FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu displayed on the client shown in FIG. 1 when there is no balance.

The output person who uses the client 200 receives this message and determines whether or not to request printing again (S405).

If printing is inevitable even if there is no balance, the CPU 101 of the print management server changes (increases) the upper limit value in the client 200 as shown in the screen example of FIG. Then, the balance is changed to be positive (S406). Figure 6
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an upper limit value change screen displayed on the client shown in FIG. 1.

At this time, the CPU 1 of the print management server
01 prints the upper limit change ticket for changing the upper limit on the printer 220 as shown in FIG.
The client 200 notifies the print management server 100 of the upper limit value change (S407). However, the printer that prints the upper limit value change ticket is the printer 220.
However, the printer may be any other printer. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the upper limit value change ticket printed by the printer shown in FIG.

More specifically, this upper limit value change ticket has an upper limit value in which the application of the word processor of the client is started and the format has already been determined when "Yes" is selected from the screen example of FIG. It is generated when the value change ticket is called out.

At this time, the changer name and the current upper limit value in FIG. 7 have already been described. The client who wants to change the upper limit value inputs the upper limit value to be changed within the dotted line in FIG. 7 and executes printing to the printer to be printed via the print management server.

Then, the program stored in the print management server recognizes the ID in the file that is the upper limit change ticket, and if it recognizes it, the upper limit change value is set to the upper limit in the print management server. Change the value in the value management table. This upper limit value management table is stored in, for example, the data storage device 108 shown in FIG.

With this method, a general client 2
It is possible to change the upper limit value from 00 without calling the administrator mode.

Further, the charge for printing the upper limit value changing ticket is ignored. In this way, normal printing is possible because the balance becomes positive.

As described above, when there is no balance, it is possible to easily set the balance to be positive again. On the other hand, in terms of cost management, it may lead to conflicting situations.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the following operations 1 to
Practically, it is indispensable to set some kind of limit for the change of the upper limit value like the operation 5.

This limitation will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The operation example 1 of the present embodiment is a mechanism provided to limit the printers that can print when changing the upper limit value for printing, and the client can output the printers as shown in the screen example of FIG. Can be selected. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu for selecting a printer to output when changing the upper limit in the operation example 1 of the print management system shown in FIG.

The display screen of the client shown in FIG. 8 is displayed when the CPU 101 of the print management server instructs the client.

As a result, even when the balance is exhausted and printing must be performed even if the upper limit value is changed, it is possible to limit the output to the minimum required printer.

When the administrator changes the upper limit value and prints, the output printer can be restricted.
In this case, the printer selection for output from the client is rejected.

Next, in the operation example 2 of the present embodiment, when printing is performed with the upper limit changed, the print management server records a history of who changed the upper limit and when. Is.

When the upper limit value change ticket is issued in step S407 of the above-described flowchart FIG. 4, the print management server changes the upper limit value and, at the same time, stores the history in the data storage device 108. FIG. 9 is an example of an output of this. That is, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of history output of upper limit value change in the operation example 2 of the print management system shown in FIG.

Next, in the operation example 3 of this embodiment, when changing the upper limit value and printing, an upper limit for permitting the change is prepared in order to prevent the upper limit value from being reset indefinitely. However, only changes within that range are allowed.

This upper limit is set in advance by the system administrator. The above-mentioned flowchart S40 in FIG.
According to 6, when the CPU 101 of the print management server attempts to change the upper limit value, the CPU 101 determines whether the upper limit value is within the upper limit range prepared by the system administrator. The change is prohibited.

Next, in the operation example 4 of the present embodiment, when printing is performed by changing the upper limit value, the user of the client who changes the upper limit value is restricted. Is the user already permitted? In order to check whether the password is valid or not, a password unique to the user of each client is input as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a password input menu for collating the user of the client who is permitted to change the upper limit in the operation example 4 of the print management system shown in FIG.

Then, the CPU 10 of the print management server
The number 1 verifies the password and prohibits the upper limit change if the user of the client does not permit the upper limit change.

Next, in the operation example 5 of the present embodiment, when printing is performed with the upper limit changed, the upper limit in the group having a hierarchical structure in which the change amount of the upper limit is preset is set. This is a method that keeps the total value from increasing.

When the upper limit value change ticket is issued in step S407 of the above-described flow chart FIG. 4, the CPU 101 of the print management server changes the upper limit value in FIG.
The upper limit value in the group set in the example 1 is calculated, it is determined whether the change is within the range, and if it is outside the range, the upper limit value change is prohibited. Figure 11
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a group setting menu for grouping clients whose upper limit value change is permitted in Operation Example 5 of the print management system shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 11, for example, if the upper limit value of the personnel department 1 is set to 1000 yen in advance, the upper limit values of Yamada XX and Yamamoto XX belonging to the personnel department 1 are set. If the total is 1000 yen or less, the upper limit cannot be changed.

Similarly, for example, the upper limit value of the general affairs headquarters is set to 1 in advance.
If it is set as 0000 yen, if the change of the upper limit value of any person who belongs to this General Affairs Headquarters is such that the total upper limit value of this General Affairs Headquarters exceeds 10,000 yen, the upper limit Do not allow value changes.

As described above, there are a plurality of methods in which the upper limit value change is restricted, and these methods can be used in combination.

(Second Embodiment of Print Management System) Next, a second embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention will be described. The second embodiment will be described focusing on the parts that are different from the first embodiment.

Configuration of the print management server of this embodiment,
The configuration of the client is the same as the configuration of each of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 described in the above-described first embodiment, and thus the description will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram of a second embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention. A magnetic card reading device as a recording medium reading device writing device according to the claims of the present application. The writing device 240 is attached, which is a difference from FIG. 2 of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the same operation as in the first embodiment described above is performed, and not only the upper limit value management is stored in the data storage device 108 of the print management server 100, but also to each client or output person. Thus, the present invention is characterized in that the magnetic card as the recording medium described in the claims of the present application is owned and the balance information of the upper limit value is stored therein.

However, in the present embodiment, a magnetic card is described as an example of a recording medium described in the claims of the present application, and the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be carried like a memory card or an optical card. The device is not limited to the magnetic card as long as it is a device capable of storing external storage.

In this embodiment, when the balance is exhausted and the upper limit value change ticket is issued as in the first embodiment,
As shown in S508 and S531 of the flowchart of FIG. 13, the information is also written in the magnetic card so as to be synchronized with the information in the upper limit value management table stored in the data storage device 108. 13 is the same as FIG.
5 is a flowchart of the operation of the print management system shown in FIG. However, among the operations shown in FIG. 13, S5
The operations from 00 to S522 (excluding S502 and S508) and the operations from S533 and S541 are respectively operations from S400 to S422 shown in FIG.
Since the operation is the same as S433 and S441, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, among the operations of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the operations different from the operations of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 are the operations of S502, S508 and S531, and the operation of S532 is the operation of S431 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the action.

In this embodiment, in step 502, the authentication and balance confirmation through the magnetic card are performed, and in step 531, the balance of the magnetic card is reduced.
Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the above-described first embodiment, and since the information with the changed upper limit is written in the magnetic card, the information with the changed upper limit can be used more easily. it can.

(Third Embodiment of Print Management System) Next, a third embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention will be described. The configuration of the print management server and the configuration of the client according to the present embodiment are the same as the configurations of FIGS. 2 and 3 described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is an overall configuration diagram of the third embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention.

This embodiment performs the same operation as that of the above-described first embodiment, and since the network configuration is different from that of the first embodiment, the operation based on this different configuration is performed. In the following, the points different from the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described.

In the present embodiment, the print management server 10
As shown in FIG. 14, 0 has a feature that it is network-connected to a wide area via a public line or a dedicated line with the outside via a modem 601.

As a result, the printers 220, 221 managed by the print management server 100 according to the present invention,
By connecting a wide area network to 230 and 231, it is possible to perform output to a remote place, print to a business trip destination, print from home to office, and the like. First Embodiment With regard to the upper limit value management and change described in the above, a remote printer can also be a target. Further, in the third embodiment, for example, by connecting the magnetic card reader / writer to the network 121, 122 or 123, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0100]

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, at least one connected to the network is used.
In the above image forming apparatus and the system for sending data to the image forming apparatus, a print management server is provided, and the output of each image forming apparatus is managed by this print management server. By managing the value, prohibiting the output so that the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit value, and printing the data from the client, it becomes possible to change the upper limit value of the image forming apparatus.

According to the invention described in claim 6, when the upper limit value is changed, it becomes possible for the client to select an image forming apparatus capable of outputting.

According to the invention described in claim 7, when the upper limit value is changed, the change history can be collected by the print management server.

According to the invention described in claim 8, when the upper limit value is changed, the change has a further upper limit value as the second upper limit value and exceeds the further upper limit value. It becomes possible to prohibit all changes.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, when the upper limit value is changed, when the special data is printed to change the upper limit value, the password is collated, thereby It is possible to limit the people who are allowed to make changes.

According to the invention described in claim 11,
When changing the upper limit value, if the output persons who are clients are grouped in a hierarchical structure, the change of the total of the upper limit values within the group exceeding the upper limit value of the group is prohibited. It will be possible.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the upper limit value is changed and the upper limit value is managed by a recording medium such as a magnetic card, the recording medium reading / writing device is mounted. Regarding the change of the upper limit value, the change of the upper limit value managed by the print management server and the upper limit value managed by the recording medium such as the magnetic card can be linked.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print management server 100 used in the print management system shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client 200 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the print management system shown in FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu displayed on the client shown in FIG. 1 when there is no balance. FIG.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an upper limit value change screen displayed on the client shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an upper limit value change ticket printed by the printer shown in FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu for selecting a printer to output when changing the upper limit in the operation example 1 of the print management system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of history output of upper limit value change in the operation example 2 of the print management system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a password input menu for collating a user of a client who is permitted to change the upper limit in the operation example 4 of the print management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a group setting menu for grouping clients permitted to change the upper limit in the operation example 5 of the print management system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram of a second embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.

13 is a flowchart of the operation of the print management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an overall configuration diagram of a third embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 print management server 100a bus 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 network control unit 105 Input section 105a data input section 106 display 107 Network I / F 108 Data storage device (HDD) 121,122,123 network 200 clients 200a bus 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 Network control unit 205 Input section 205a Data input section 206 display 207 Network I / F 208 Data storage device 210, 211, 212 clients 220,221,230,231 printers 240 Magnetic card reader / writer 601 modem

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A print management server connected to a system in which at least one image forming apparatus and at least one client that transmits data to the image forming apparatus are connected to each other by a network, the image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus includes means for managing the output operation of the apparatus, and means for managing an upper limit value of the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus, wherein the means for managing the upper limit value is an image based on predetermined data transmitted from the client. When printed, the means for changing the upper limit value of the output number and managing the output operation manages the output operation of the image forming apparatus so that the output number of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit value. A print management server characterized by the above. 2. The print management server according to claim 1, wherein the output number represents the number of sheet materials output from the image forming apparatus. 3. The output number represents a total of a value obtained by multiplying the number of sheet materials output from the image forming apparatus by an amount based on at least one of the type of sheet material and the printing form on the sheet material. The print management server according to claim 1. 4. The print according to claim 1, wherein the upper limit value of the output number is an upper limit value of the output number for each output person who is the user of the client. Management server. 5. A storage unit for storing information, wherein the unit for managing the upper limit value of the output number stores the output number in the storage unit, and in a predetermined case, the output number stored in the storage unit. The print management server according to claim 1, wherein the print management server according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is changed. 6. The print management server according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing a client to select an image forming apparatus capable of outputting when changing the upper limit value. . 7. The print management server according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that collects a change history of the upper limit value when the upper limit value is changed. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting, when changing the upper limit value, a change of a value larger than the upper limit value beyond a second upper limit value. The print management server according to item 1. 9. When changing the upper limit value, when an image based on predetermined data for changing the upper limit value is to be printed, the change of the upper limit value is permitted by collating the password. 9. The print management server according to claim 1, further comprising means for limiting a person who performs the print management. 10. The print management server according to claim 9, wherein the password is a password transmitted from the client to the print management server. 11. When changing the upper limit value, if the output persons who are the users of the clients are grouped into a hierarchical structure, the sum of the upper limit values of the respective output persons in the group is The print management server according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that prohibits a change exceeding an upper limit value set for the group. 12. At least one recording medium reading / writing device is connected to the network, and when the upper limit value is changed, the changed upper limit value is written in a recording medium used in the recording medium read / write device. A means for causing the device is provided.
11. The print management server according to any one of 1 to 11. 13. At least one or more of claims 1 to 12.
A print management system according to any one of items 1 to 3, at least one or more image forming apparatuses, and at least one or more clients are connected to each other via a network. 14. A print management server connected to a system in which at least one image forming apparatus and at least one client for transmitting data to the image forming apparatus are connected to each other by a network, The method includes a step of managing an output operation, and a step of managing an upper limit value of the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus, wherein the step of managing the upper limit value is performed by printing an image based on predetermined data transmitted from the client. In this case, the step of changing the upper limit value of the output number and managing the output operation includes managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus so that the output number of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit value. Characteristic print management method. 15. A print management server connected to a system in which at least one image forming apparatus and at least one client for transmitting data to the image forming apparatus are connected to each other by a network, A print management program that functions as a unit that manages an output operation and a unit that manages an upper limit value of the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus, wherein the unit that manages the upper limit value is a predetermined one transmitted from the client. When an image based on data is printed, it has a function of changing the upper limit value of the output number, the means for managing the output operation, the image so that the output number of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit value. A print management program having a function of managing an output operation of a forming apparatus. 16. A print management server connected to a system in which at least one image forming apparatus and at least one client transmitting data to the image forming apparatus are connected to each other by a network, the print management server comprising: A computer-readable recording medium that stores a print management program that functions as a unit that manages an output operation and a unit that manages an upper limit value of the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus. When the image based on the predetermined data transmitted from the client is printed, it has a function of changing the upper limit value of the output number, and the means for managing the output operation is such that the output number of the image forming apparatus is A printer having a function of managing an output operation of the image forming apparatus so as not to exceed an upper limit value. Computer readable recording medium recording the door management program.