JP2005014591A - Authentication performing system, authentication printing system, network printer, printer managing terminal, program for printer, program for terminal, and authentication printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an authentication performing system which can improve reliability of user management and can manage authentication information and utilization situation efficiently. <P>SOLUTION: A network printer 100 receives print data, and transmits the user information included in the received print data with authentication request to a printer management server 200. When an authentication notification from the printer management server 200 is received, the network printer 100 performs printing based on the print data. When the authentication request and the user information are received, the printer management server 200 judges whether it is eligible to use the network printer 100 based on the received user information and authentication information of the authentication information registration table 400. When it is judged to be eligible to use the network printer 100, the printer management server 200 transmits an authentication notification to the network printer 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, an apparatus, a terminal, a program, and a method for performing printing by obtaining authentication, and in particular, can improve the certainty of user management and efficiently manage authentication information and usage status. The present invention relates to an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program, a terminal program, and an authentication printing method.

  A printer management server is used for network printer management. When printing is performed in such a network environment, the user requests printing at the user terminal. When printing is requested, the user terminal transmits a print job including print data and user information to the printer management server, and the printer management server performs user authentication based on the received user information of the print job and performs authentication. Is obtained, the received print job is transmitted to the network printer. When the network printer receives a print job, the network printer performs printing based on the print data of the received print job.

  However, in such a network environment, a user with specialized knowledge can also send a print job directly to the network printer, so printing can be performed without obtaining authentication by the printer management server. Therefore, since user management regarding printing cannot be performed reliably, security is not sufficient, and it is difficult to implement a complete service even when, for example, providing a printing service for charging and printing based on an authentication result. There was a problem.

Therefore, in order to improve the certainty of user management, the print control device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 can be used.
The print control device described in Patent Document 1 is a device that can communicate with a network printer via a predetermined communication medium, and generates password key information based on a password input at the time of a print request and transfers it to the network printer. And a control unit for determining a collation result returned from the network printer with respect to the password key information and controlling generation and transfer of print information to the network printer.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187369

When providing a print service that charges and prints based on the authentication result, it is necessary to manage network printers while a plurality of printer servers cooperate to share authentication information and usage status.
However, since the print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs authentication such as collation of print passwords with a network printer, if the number of network printers increases, authentication information and usage status There is a problem that the management is not distributed and efficient management cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and can improve the certainty of user management, and can efficiently authenticate and use the authentication information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program and a terminal program, and an authentication printing method.

[Invention 1] In order to achieve the above object, an authentication operation system of Invention 1 comprises:
A device that operates based on operation data and a device management terminal that manages the device are communicably connected, and the device operates by obtaining authentication of the device management terminal,
The device transmits user information included in the operation data to the device management terminal together with an authentication request, and performs an operation based on the operation data when receiving an authentication notification from the device management terminal. And
The device management terminal has authentication information storage means for storing authentication information for authenticating use eligibility of the device, receives the user information together with the authentication request, and receives the received user information and authentication information storage means It is determined whether or not the device is eligible for use based on information, and when it is determined that the device is eligible for use, the authentication notification is transmitted to the device. .

With such a configuration, the device transmits user information included in the given operation data to the device management terminal together with the authentication request.
When receiving the user information together with the authentication request, the device management terminal determines whether or not the device is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit. As a result, if it is determined that the device is eligible for use, an authentication notification is transmitted to the device.

When the device receives the authentication notification, the device performs an operation based on the given operation data.
Thereby, since operation cannot be performed without obtaining authentication of the device management terminal, the act of operating the device without obtaining authentication can be suppressed, and the reliability of user management can be improved. Is obtained. Further, since authentication is performed by the device management terminal, it is possible to efficiently manage authentication information and usage status even if the number of devices is increased as compared with the conventional case.

Here, the device may have any configuration as long as the device performs an operation based on the operation data. For example, a printer that performs printing based on the print data, an image signal, or an image A display and a projector that display based on the data are included.
The user information refers to information related to a user who intends to use the device, and includes information related to a user terminal that is used by the user.

[Invention 2] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, an authentication printing system of Invention 2 includes:
A network printer that performs printing based on print data and a printer management terminal that manages the network printer are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed by the printer management terminal and printing is performed by the network printer.
The network printer includes a print data receiving unit that receives the print data, and an authentication print unit that performs printing upon obtaining authentication of the printer management terminal,
The authentication printing means transmits user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means to the printer management terminal together with an authentication request, and when receiving an authentication notification from the printer management terminal, Printing is based on the print data,
The printer management terminal includes authentication information storage means for storing authentication information for authenticating use eligibility of the network printer, and use eligibility authentication means for authenticating use eligibility of the network printer,
The usage eligibility authentication means receives the user information together with the authentication request, determines whether or not the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means, When it is determined that the network printer is eligible for use, the authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer.

With such a configuration, in the network printer, the print data is received by the print data receiving unit, and the user information included in the received print data is transmitted to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request by the authentication printing unit. .
When the user information is received together with the authentication request, the printer management terminal determines whether or not the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means. As a result, when it is determined that the network printer is eligible for use, an authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer.

In the network printer, when the authentication notification is received, the authentication printing unit performs printing based on the received print data.
As a result, since printing cannot be performed without obtaining authentication of the printer management terminal, it is possible to suppress the act of printing with a network printer without obtaining authentication, and to improve the certainty of user management regarding printing. The effect of being able to be obtained. In addition, since the authentication is performed by the printer management terminal, it is possible to effectively manage the authentication information and the usage status even if the number of network printers is increased as compared with the conventional case.

  Here, the user information refers to information related to a user who intends to use the network printer, and includes information related to a user terminal that is used by the user. The same applies to the network printer of the invention 7, the printer management terminal of the invention 12, the printer program of the invention 13, the terminal program of the invention 18, and the authentication printing method of the invention 19.

  The authentication information storage means stores the authentication information at any time and at any time, and may store authentication information in advance, or may store the authentication information in advance without storing the authentication information in advance. Authentication information may be stored by an external input or the like when the system is operating. The same applies to the printer management terminal according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention.

[Invention 3] Further, the authentication printing system of Invention 3 is the authentication printing system of Invention 2,
The network printer has a communication state monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not communication with the printer management terminal is possible;
The authentication printing unit is configured to prohibit printing when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is incapable of communication.

With this configuration, in the network printer, the communication status monitoring unit monitors whether or not communication with the printer management terminal is possible. If communication with the printer management terminal is impossible, printing is performed by the authentication printing unit. It is forbidden.
As a result, printing is prohibited when the printer management terminal and the network printer become unable to communicate due to a network failure, etc., so that the act of printing with the network printer without obtaining authentication is more reliably suppressed. And the reliability of user management with respect to printing can be further improved.

[Invention 4] Furthermore, the authentication printing system of Invention 4 is the authentication printing system of Invention 3,
The network printer has print data storage means for storing the print data,
The authentication printing unit stores the print data received by the print data receiving unit in the print data storage unit when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is not communicable, and the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit Is transmitted to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, the print data storage unit prints the print data storage unit. Printing is performed based on the print data of the means.

  With such a configuration, in the network printer, if the monitoring result of the communication status monitoring unit is not communicable, the received print data is stored in the print data storage unit by the authentication printing unit. When the monitoring result of the communication status monitoring unit becomes communicable, the user information included in the print data of the print data storage unit is transmitted to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request.

When the user information is received together with the authentication request, the printer management terminal determines whether or not the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means. As a result, when it is determined that the network printer is eligible for use, an authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer.
In the network printer, when the authentication notification is received, the authentication printing unit performs printing based on the print data in the print data storage unit.

  As a result, printing is prohibited when communication with the printer management terminal becomes impossible due to a network failure or the like, but when communication with the printer management terminal is restored, the print data stored in the print data storage means is used. Therefore, even if communication with the printer management terminal becomes impossible, the user does not need to perform printing again. Therefore, since the labor required for printing can be reduced, the user convenience can be improved.

[Invention 5] Furthermore, the authentication printing system of Invention 5 is the authentication printing system of any one of Inventions 3 and 4,
Connect user terminals for user use so that they can communicate,
The network printer has monitoring information transmission means for transmitting monitoring information including a monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means to the user terminal,
The user terminal is configured to receive the monitoring information and notify a user of a communication state based on the received monitoring information.

With such a configuration, in the network printer, the monitoring information including the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is transmitted to the user terminal by the monitoring information transmitting unit.
When the user terminal receives the monitoring information, the communication status is notified to the user based on the received monitoring information.
As a result, printing is prohibited when communication with the printer management terminal is disabled due to a network failure or the like, but the user can grasp the cause of printing failure by notification at the user terminal. Therefore, the effect that the convenience of the user can be improved is also obtained.

[Invention 6] Further, the authentication printing system of Invention 6 is the authentication printing system of any one of Inventions 2 to 5,
The network printer has a printing status storage means for storing a printing progress status,
The authentication printing unit stores the print start in the print status storage unit in association with the print data when the authentication request is transmitted to the printer management terminal, and the print data when the printing is completed. Storing the print end in association with the print status storage means,
The print status of the print status storage means is determined at the time of activation, and print data that does not store the print end is deleted.

With such a configuration, in the network printer, when an authentication request is transmitted to the printer management terminal, the authentication printing unit stores the print start in association with the print data in the printing status storage unit. When the printing is completed, the authentication printing unit stores the printing end in the printing status storage unit in association with the print data.
When the network printer is activated, the authentication printing unit determines the printing status of the printing status storage unit, and deletes the print data for which printing completion is not stored.

As a result, if printing is interrupted for some reason after sending an authentication request and before printing is completed, the print data will be deleted at the next start-up. Further, it can be surely suppressed, and the effect that the reliability of user management regarding printing can be further improved is also obtained.
Here, the printing status storage means stores the printing progress status at any time and at any time, and may store the printing progress status in advance, or may display the printing progress status. Instead of storing in advance, the progress of printing may be stored by an external input or the like during operation of the system. Hereinafter, the same applies to the network printer of the eleventh aspect.

[Invention 7] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a network printer according to Invention 7 provides:
A print data receiving means for receiving print data, and an authentication printing means for performing printing after obtaining authentication from the outside,
The authentication printing unit transmits user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving unit together with the authentication request, and when receiving the authentication notification, performs printing based on the print data. It is characterized by.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network printer in the authentication printing system of aspect 2 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 2 can be obtained.

[Invention 8] The network printer of Invention 8 is the network printer of Invention 7,
Comprising a communication state monitoring means for monitoring whether or not communication with the outside is possible;
The authentication printing unit is configured to prohibit printing when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is incapable of communication.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network printer in the authentication printing system of aspect 3 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 3 can be obtained.

[Invention 9] Further, the network printer of Invention 9 is the network printer of Invention 8,
Comprising print data storage means for storing the print data;
The authentication printing unit stores the print data received by the print data receiving unit in the print data storage unit when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is not communicable, and the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit When the communication becomes possible, the user information included in the print data of the print data storage means is transmitted together with the authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, the print data of the print data storage means Based on this, printing is performed.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network printer in the authentication printing system of aspect 4 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 4 can be obtained.

[Invention 10] Furthermore, the network printer of Invention 10 is the network printer of any one of Inventions 8 and 9,
A monitoring information transmission unit that transmits monitoring information including a monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is provided.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network printer in the authentication printing system of aspect 5 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 5 can be obtained.

[Invention 11] Furthermore, the network printer of Invention 11 is the network printer of any one of Inventions 7 to 10,
Printing status storage means for storing the progress of printing;
The authentication printing unit stores the print start in the print status storage unit in association with the print data when the authentication request is transmitted, and finishes printing in association with the print data when printing is completed. Is stored in the printing status storage means,
The print status of the print status storage means is determined at the time of activation, and print data that does not store the print end is deleted.
With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the network printer in the authentication printing system of aspect 6 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 6 can be obtained.

[Invention 12] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the printer management terminal of Invention 12
An authentication information storage means for storing authentication information for authenticating use eligibility, and a use eligibility authentication means for authenticating use eligibility,
The usage eligibility authentication means receives user information together with an authentication request, determines whether or not the usage eligibility is based on the received user information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means, and determines that the eligibility is usage eligibility In some cases, an authentication notification is transmitted.
With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the printer management terminal in the authentication printing system of aspect 2 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 2 can be obtained.

[Invention 13] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a printer program according to Invention 13 includes:
Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing realized as a print data receiving unit that receives print data and an authentication printing unit that performs printing by obtaining authentication from the outside,
The authentication printing unit transmits user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving unit together with the authentication request, and when receiving the authentication notification, performs printing based on the print data. It is characterized by.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the seventh aspect can be obtained.

[Invention 14] Further, the printer program of the invention 14 is the printer program of the invention 13,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing realized as communication state monitoring means for monitoring whether or not communication with the outside is possible;
The authentication printing unit is configured to prohibit printing when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is incapable of communication.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the network printer according to the eighth aspect are obtained.

[Invention 15] Further, the printer program of the invention 15 is the printer program of the invention 14,
The authentication printing means stores the print data received by the print data receiving means in the print data storage means when the monitoring result of the communication status monitoring means is not communicable, and the monitoring result of the communication status monitoring means is When communication is possible, user information included in the print data in the print data storage unit is transmitted together with the authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, the user information is based on the print data in the print data storage unit. This is characterized in that printing is performed.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the ninth aspect can be obtained.

[Invention 16] Furthermore, the printer program of Invention 16 is the printer program of any one of Inventions 14 and 15,
A program for causing a computer to execute processing realized as monitoring information transmission means for transmitting monitoring information including a monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means is included.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the tenth aspect can be obtained.

[Invention 17] Furthermore, the printer program according to Invention 17 is the printer program according to any one of Inventions 13 to 16,
The authentication printing unit stores the print start in the print status storage unit in association with the print data when the authentication request is transmitted, and terminates the print in association with the print data when printing is completed. Storing in the printing status storage means;
The print status of the print status storage means is determined at the time of activation, and print data that does not store the print end is deleted.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the network printer according to the eleventh aspect are obtained.

[Invention 18] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a terminal program according to Invention 18 includes:
Including a program for causing a computer to execute a process realized as a usage eligibility authentication means for authenticating usage eligibility,
When the usage eligibility authentication means receives user information together with an authentication request, determines whether or not the usage eligibility is based on the received user information and authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means, and Is characterized in that an authentication notification is transmitted.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the printer management terminal of the twelfth aspect can be obtained.

[Invention 19] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, an authentication printing method according to Invention 19 includes:
A network printer that performs printing based on print data and a printer management terminal that manages the network printer are communicably connected to each other, and authentication by the printer management terminal is performed and printing is performed by the network printer.
For the network printer,
A print data receiving step for receiving the print data; and an authentication printing step for performing printing after obtaining authentication of the printer management terminal;
The authentication printing step transmits the user information included in the print data received in the print data reception step to the printer management terminal together with an authentication request, and receives the authentication notification from the printer management terminal. Print based on the print data,
For the printer management terminal,
A use eligibility authentication step for authenticating use eligibility of the network printer,
The use eligibility authentication step receives the user information together with the authentication request, determines whether the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and authentication information stored in an authentication information storage unit, and the network When it is determined that the printer is eligible for use, the authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 2 is obtained.

[Invention 20] Furthermore, the authentication printing method of Invention 20 is the authentication printing method of Invention 19,
For the network printer,
Including a communication state monitoring step of monitoring whether or not communication with the printer management terminal is possible,
The authentication printing step is characterized in that printing is prohibited when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring step indicates that communication is impossible.
Thereby, the same effect as the authentication printing system of the invention 3 is acquired.

[Invention 21] Further, the authentication printing method of the invention 21 is the authentication printing method of the invention 20,
The authentication printing step stores the print data received in the print data receiving step in a print data storage means when the monitoring result of the communication status monitoring step is not communicable, and the monitoring result of the communication status monitoring step is When communication is possible, user information included in the print data of the print data storage means is transmitted to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, the print data storage means Printing is performed based on the print data.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the authentication printing system of aspect 4 can be obtained.

[Invention 22] Further, the authentication printing method of Invention 22 is the authentication printing method of any one of Inventions 20 and 21,
Connect user terminals for user use so that they can communicate,
For the network printer,
A monitoring information transmission step of transmitting monitoring information including a monitoring result of the communication state monitoring step to the user terminal;
For the user terminal,
The monitoring information is received, and a communication state is notified to the user based on the received monitoring information.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 5 is obtained.

[Invention 23] The authentication printing method of Invention 23 is the authentication printing method of any one of Inventions 19 to 22,
The authentication printing step stores the print start in the print status storage means in association with the print data when the authentication request is transmitted to the printer management terminal, and corresponds to the print data when printing is completed. And storing the print end in the print status storage means,
The print status of the print status storage means is determined at the time of activation, and print data that does not store the print end is deleted.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication printing system of aspect 6 can be obtained.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program and a terminal program, and an authentication printing method according to the present invention. .
In this embodiment, an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program and a terminal program, and an authentication printing method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. This is applied to the case where printing is performed by the network printer 100 after obtaining the above authentication.

First, the configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of network printers 100, a printer management server 200 that manages the network printer 100, and a user terminal 300 that is used by the user of the network printer 100 are connected to the Internet 199.

Next, the configuration of the network printer 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the network printer 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the network printer 100 includes a CPU 30 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 32 that stores a control program of the CPU 30 in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 32 and the like. And a RAM 34 for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 30 and an I / F 38 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device, which are signals for transferring data The buses 39 are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

Connected to the I / F 38 as external devices are a storage device 42 that stores print data, tables, and the like as files, a printing device 46 that performs printing based on the print data, and a signal line for connecting to the Internet 199. Has been.
The CPU 30 includes a microprocessing unit (MPU) or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 32, and executes the authentication printing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 according to the program. .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the authentication printing process.
The authentication print process is a process executed in response to a print request transmitted from the user terminal 300 to the network printer 100 via the Internet 199. When the CPU 30 executes the authentication print process, as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S100.
In step S100, an interrupt is generated from the I / F 38 to the CPU 30 via the bus 39, and it is determined whether or not a print request has been received according to the content of the interrupt, and when it is determined that a print request has been received (Yes). The process proceeds to step S101. If it is determined that this is not the case (No), the process waits in step S100 until a print request is received.

  In step S101, print data including user information from the user terminal 300 is received from the I / F 38 via the bus 39, and the process proceeds to step S102 where the received print data is registered in the storage device 42 via the bus 39. For registration in the storage device 42, a print job ID for specifying the received print data is generated, and the print data is associated with the generated print job ID in a queue of the storage device 42 (hereinafter referred to as a print queue). This is done by registering at the end. The print queue registers print data at the end in the order in which print requests are made, and processes the print data in order from the top.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S104, where an instruction is issued to the I / F 38 via the bus 39, it is determined whether or not communication with the printer management server 200 is possible, and communication with the printer management server 200 is possible via the I / F 38. When it is determined that there is (Yes), the process proceeds to step S106, an authentication request to be transmitted to the printer management server 200 is created and held on the RAM 34, and this authentication request is transmitted from the I / F 38 via the bus 39 to the printer management server. In step S108, the print data at the head of the print queue is acquired from the storage device 42, stored in the RAM 34, and user information included in the print data is acquired for the print data. The user information is transferred from the I / F 38 to the printer management server 200 via the Internet 199 via the bus 39. The trust, the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, the I / F 38 is instructed to receive an authentication notification through the bus 39, an interrupt is generated from the I / F 38 through the bus 39, and whether or not the authentication notification is received depending on the content of the interrupt. If it is determined that the authentication notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S112, and the print data is read from the storage device 42 through the bus 39 for the first print data in the print queue, and stored in the RAM 34. The process proceeds to step S114.

In step S114, printing is performed by the printing device 46 via the bus 39 based on the read print data. The process proceeds to step S116, and the print data at the head of the print queue stored in the storage device 42 is transferred to the bus 39. To complete the series of processing and return to the original processing.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that the authentication notification for the I / F 38 is not received from the printer management server 200 via the Internet 199 via the bus 39 (No), the process proceeds to step S118. If it is determined from the I / F 38 via the bus 39 whether or not a rejection notification for the I / F 38 is received from the printer management server 200 via the Internet 199, and if it is determined that a rejection notification has been received (Yes), step The process proceeds to S116.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S118 that a denial notification is not received from the I / F 38 via the bus 39 (No), the process proceeds to step S110.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that the I / F 38 cannot communicate with the printer management server 200 via the bus 39 (No), the process proceeds to step S120 to create a notification that communication is not possible. The communication failure held in the RAM 34 is transmitted from the I / F 38 to the user terminal 300 through the bus 39 via the Internet 199, and the communication failure is transmitted to the user terminal 300, and the process proceeds to step S104.

Next, the configuration of the printer management server 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer management server 200.
As shown in FIG. 4, the printer management server 200 reads out from the CPU 50 that controls the calculation and the entire system based on the control program, the ROM 52 that stores the control program of the CPU 50 in a predetermined area, the ROM 52, and the like. It is composed of a RAM 54 for storing data and calculation results necessary in the calculation process of the CPU 50, and an I / F 58 that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device, and these are used for transferring data. The buses 59 as signal lines are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

  The I / F 58 includes, as external devices, an input device 60 such as a keyboard and a mouse that can input data as a human interface, a storage device 62 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, and a screen based on image signals. Is connected to a signal line for connecting to the Internet 199.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the authentication information registration table 400.
As shown in FIG. 5, the storage device 62 stores an authentication information registration table 400 in which authentication information is registered.
In the authentication information registration table 400, one record is registered for each authentication information. Each record includes a field 402 for registering user information and a field 404 for registering whether or not the network printer 100 is eligible for use.

In the example of FIG. 5, “xxxx” is registered as user information and “Yes” is registered as presence / absence of use in the first row record. This means that the user “xxxx” is eligible to use the network printer 100.
The CPU 50 includes a microprocessing unit (MPU) or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and performs authentication processing and authentication information setting processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 according to the program. Each is executed in time division.

First, the authentication process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the authentication process.
The authentication process is a process executed in response to an authentication request from the network printer 100. When the authentication process is executed by the CPU 50, the process first proceeds to step S200 as shown in FIG.
In step S200, an interrupt is generated from the I / F 58 via the bus 59 to the CPU 50, and it is determined whether or not an authentication request has been received according to the content of the interrupt, and when it is determined that an authentication request has been received (Yes). The process proceeds to step S202. If it is determined that this is not the case (No), the process waits in step S200 until an authentication request is received.

  In step S202, user information is received from the I / F 58 via the bus 59, held in the RAM 54, the process proceeds to step S204, and the authentication information in the authentication information table 400 is acquired from the storage device 62 via the bus 59. Whether the network printer 100 is eligible for use is determined based on the received user information held in the RAM 54 and the authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400 held on the RAM 54. First, when the user information identical to the user information is searched from the authentication information registration table 400, and the corresponding user information is found by the search, the presence / absence of use eligibility corresponding to the user information is read, and “ When “Yes” is registered, it is determined that the network printer 100 is eligible for use. On the other hand, when the corresponding user information cannot be retrieved, or when the corresponding user information is retrieved but the corresponding usage eligibility is “none”, it is determined that the network printer 100 is not eligible for use.

Next, the process proceeds to step S206, where it is determined whether the authentication result in step S204 is eligible for use of the network printer 100, and when it is determined that the authentication result of the network printer 100 is eligible ( Yes) goes to step S208, creates an authentication notification, holds it in the RAM 54, transmits the authentication notification from the I / F 58 to the network printer 100 via the bus 59, and ends the series of processing. Return to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S206 that the authentication result in step S204 does not qualify for use of the network printer 100 (No), the process proceeds to step S210 to create a denial notification and hold it in the RAM 54. Then, a rejection notification is transmitted from the I / F 58 to the network printer 100 via the bus 59, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

Next, the authentication information setting process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the authentication information setting process.
The authentication information setting process is a process executed in response to a setting request sent from the user terminal 300 to the I / F 58 via the Internet 199. When the CPU 50 executes the authentication information setting process, as shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S300. In the following, all input in each step is performed by interactive communication with the user.

In step S300, an interrupt is generated from the I / F 58 via the bus 59 to the CPU 50, and it is determined whether or not a setting request has been received according to the content of the interrupt, and when it is determined that the setting request has been received (Yes) The process proceeds to step S302. If it is determined that this is not the case (No), the process waits in step S300 until a setting request is received.
In step S302, it is determined whether or not the setting request received from the I / F 58 via the bus 59 relates to authentication information registration, and when it is determined to relate to authentication information registration (Yes). Shifts to step S304.

In step S304, the user information received from the I / F 58 by interactive communication with the user terminal 300 is input and held on the RAM 54. Then, the process proceeds to step S306, and the I / F 58 by interactive communication with the user terminal 300 is performed. Input the presence / absence of usage eligibility received, and store it on the RAM 54. The process proceeds to step S308, and based on the input results of steps S304 and S306, the user information and usage eligibility held on the RAM 54 are updated. The authentication information is created, new authentication information is registered in the authentication information registration table 400 on the storage device 62 via the bus 59, and the process proceeds to step S310.
In step S310, an interrupt is generated from the I / F 58 to the CPU 50 via the bus 59. Based on the content of the interrupt, it is determined whether or not the received setting request relates to a change in authentication information. When it is determined that the change is related (Yes), the process proceeds to step S312.

  In step S312, any designation of user information in the authentication information registration table 400 is input from the I / F 58 through interactive communication with the user terminal 300, and is stored in the RAM 54. Then, the process proceeds to step S314, and the user terminal The presence / absence of use eligibility is input from the I / F 58 through interactive communication with the H.300, stored in the RAM 54, and the process proceeds to step S316. In the authentication information of the authentication information registration table 400, the authentication information related to the designation of user information held in the RAM 54 in step S312 is changed on the storage device 62 through the bus 59, and the process proceeds to step S318.

In step S318, it is determined whether or not the received setting request is related to deletion of authentication information. When it is determined that the setting request is related to deletion of authentication information (Yes), the process proceeds to step S320.
In step S320, any designation of user information in the authentication information registration table 400 is input from the I / F 58 through interactive communication with the user terminal 300, and is stored on the RAM 54. Then, the process proceeds to step S322, and the authentication information Of the authentication information in the registration table 400, the authentication information related to the designation of the user information held in the RAM 54 in step S320 is deleted on the storage device 62 through the bus 59, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored. Let

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S302 that the received setting request is not related to registration of authentication information (No), the process proceeds to step S310.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S310 that the received setting request is not related to the change of the authentication information (No), the process proceeds to step S318. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S318 that the received setting request is not related to deletion of authentication information (No), the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

Next, the configuration of the user terminal 300 will be described.
The user terminal 300 is configured to have the same function as a PC / AT compatible general computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / F, and the like connected by bus, and receives a notification that communication is impossible. When this happens, the user is notified that communication is impossible. This notification is performed, for example, by displaying an icon corresponding to the network printer 100 offline, displaying on the panel that communication is impossible, or printing on the status sheet that communication is not possible.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
Printing with the network printer 100 includes a method for making a print request to the printer management server 200 and a method for making a print request to the network printer 100. Since the former method is the same as the conventional method, the description thereof will be omitted, and the latter method will be described below.

In the user terminal 300, the user transmits print data including his / her user information together with a print request to the network printer 100 using a printer driver or the like.
When the network printer 100 receives a print request, the print data is received through steps S101 and S102, a print job ID for specifying the received print data is generated, and is associated with the generated print job ID. Print data is registered at the end of the print queue.

  Next, through step S104, it is determined whether or not communication with the printer management server 200 is possible. Here, if there is no cause of a network failure or the like and the network printer 100 is in an environment where communication with the printer management server 200 is possible, the print data at the head of the print queue is included in the print data through steps S106 and S108. User information is transmitted to the printer management server 200 together with the print request.

  Upon receiving a print request, the printer management server 200 receives user information through steps S202 and S204, and is eligible for use of the network printer 100 based on the received user information and authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400. It is determined whether or not. As a result, if it is determined that the network printer 100 is eligible for use, an authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer 100 through step S208.

When the network printer 100 receives the authentication notification, the print data is read from the print data at the head of the print queue through steps S112 to S116, and is printed by the printing device 46 based on the read print data. And the print data at the head of the print queue is deleted.
If the printer management server 200 determines that the network printer 100 is not eligible for use, a rejection notice is transmitted to the network printer 100 through step S210.

When the network printer 100 receives the denial notification, the print data at the head of the print queue is deleted through step S116.
In the network printer 100, if the network printer 100 is in an environment incapable of communicating with the printer management server 200 due to a network failure or the like, a notification indicating that communication is not possible is transmitted to the user terminal 300 through step S120. .

When the user terminal 300 receives a notification that communication is not possible, the user terminal 300 is notified that communication is not possible.
When registering new authentication information in the printer management server 200, the user transmits a setting request related to registration of authentication information to the printer management server 200 in the user terminal 300, and determines whether the user information and use eligibility are present. input.

When the printer management server 200 receives a setting request relating to registration of authentication information and inputs user information and availability of use, the authentication information registration table 400 is newly entered based on the input result through step S308. Authentication information is registered.
When changing the authentication information registered in the printer management server 200, the user transmits a setting request for changing the authentication information to the printer management server 200 in the user terminal 300, and specifies and uses user information. Enter eligibility.

When the printer management server 200 receives a setting request related to the change of authentication information and inputs user information designation and availability, the authentication information registration table is passed through step S316 and based on the input results. Among the 400 pieces of authentication information, the information related to the designation is changed.
When deleting the authentication information registered in the printer management server 200, the user transmits a setting request for deleting the authentication information to the printer management server 200 in the user terminal 300, and inputs the designation of the user information. To do.
When the printer management server 200 receives a setting request for deleting authentication information and inputs user information specification, the authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400 is deleted in step S322. The

  In this way, in this embodiment, the network printer 100 receives print data, transmits user information included in the received print data to the printer management server 200 together with an authentication request, and the printer management server 200 When the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data. When the printer management server 200 receives the user information together with the authentication request, the printer management server 200 receives the received user information and authentication information registration table 400. Whether or not the network printer 100 is eligible for use is determined based on the authentication information, and when it is determined that the network printer 100 is eligible for use, an authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer 100.

  As a result, since printing cannot be performed without obtaining authentication from the printer management server 200, it is possible to suppress the act of performing printing with the network printer 100 without obtaining authentication, and to improve the reliability of user management regarding printing. can do. Further, since authentication is performed by the printer management server 200, even if the number of network printers 100 is increased as compared with the conventional case, authentication information and usage status can be efficiently managed.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the network printer 100 determines whether or not communication with the printer management server 200 is possible. When it is determined that communication with the printer management server 200 is impossible, printing is prohibited. It has become.
As a result, when the printer management server 200 and the network printer 100 cannot communicate with each other due to a network failure or the like, printing is prohibited, so that the action of performing printing with the network printer 100 without obtaining authentication is further ensured. Therefore, the certainty of user management regarding printing can be further improved.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the network printer 100 cannot communicate with the printer management server 200, the received print data is registered at the end of the print queue, and communication with the printer management server 200 becomes possible. The user information included in the print data of the print queue is transmitted to the printer management server 200 together with the authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data of the print queue. ing.

  As a result, printing is prohibited when communication with the printer management server 200 is disabled due to a network failure or the like. However, when communication with the printer management server 200 is restored, the print queue print data is used. Therefore, even if communication with the printer management server 200 becomes impossible, the user does not need to perform printing again. Therefore, since the labor required for printing can be reduced, user convenience can be improved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the network printer 100 determines that communication with the printer management server 200 is impossible, the network printer 100 transmits a notification indicating that communication is not possible to the user terminal 300. When 300 receives a notification that communication is not possible, 300 notifies the user that communication is not possible.
As a result, printing is prohibited when communication with the printer management server 200 becomes impossible due to a network failure or the like. However, in the user terminal 300, the user grasps the cause of printing failure by notification. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, the print data corresponds to the operation data of the invention 1, the network printer 100 corresponds to the device of the invention 1, and the step S101 is the invention 2, 4, 7, 9, 13 or This corresponds to 15 print data receiving means or the print data receiving step of the invention 19 or 21. Step S104 corresponds to the communication status monitoring means of Inventions 3 to 5, 8 to 10, 14 to 16, or the communication status monitoring steps of Inventions 20 to 22, and Steps S106 to S114 are inventions 2 to 4, 7. This corresponds to the authentication printing means of Nos. 9 to 13, 13 to 15, or the authentication printing step of Inventions 19 to 21.

  In the first embodiment, step S120 corresponds to the monitoring information transmission means of the invention 5, 10 or 16, or the monitoring information transmission step of the invention 22, and the printer management server 200 performs the device management of the invention 1. It corresponds to the terminal or the printer management terminal of inventions 2 to 4, 12, 19 to 21. The storage device 42 corresponds to the authentication information storage means of the invention 1, 2, 12, 18 or 19, or the print data storage means of the invention 4, 9, 15 or 21, and steps S200 to S208 are the invention 2, This corresponds to 12 or 18 use eligibility authentication means, or the use eligibility authentication step of invention 19.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the authentication operation system, the authentication printing system, the network printer, the printer management terminal, the printer program and the terminal program, and the authentication printing method according to the present invention. .
In this embodiment, an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program and a terminal program, and an authentication printing method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. This is applied to the case where printing is performed by the network printer 100 after obtaining the above authentication. Unlike the first embodiment, the printing is interrupted for some reason after the transmission of the authentication request and before the printing is completed. In this case, the print data relating to the printing is deleted. Hereinafter, only different parts from the first embodiment will be described, and overlapping parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

First, the configuration of the network printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The network printer 100 executes the authentication printing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 instead of the authentication printing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the print data deletion process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is time-shared with the authentication printing process. It is supposed to run.
First, the authentication printing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the authentication printing process.
The authentication print process is a process executed in response to a print request from the user terminal 300. When the authentication print process is executed in the CPU 30, as shown in FIG. 8, first, the process proceeds to step S400.
In step S400, it is determined whether or not a print request has been received. When it is determined that a print request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S401. When it is determined that this is not the case (No), a print request is received. Is waited in step S400 until it is received.

In step S401, print data including user information is received, the process proceeds to step S402, a print job ID for specifying the received print data is generated, and the print data is printed in association with the generated print job ID. Register at the end of the queue and proceed to step S404.
In step S404, it is determined whether or not communication with the printer management server 200 is possible. When it is determined that communication with the printer management server 200 is possible (Yes), the process proceeds to step S406 and the printer management server 200 is contacted. The authentication request is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S408.

  In step S408, for the print data at the head and tail of the print queue on the storage device 42, status information indicating “print start” is registered in association with the print data via the bus 39, and the process proceeds to step S410. Then, the user information included in the print data for the first print data in the print queue is transmitted to the printer management server 200, and the process proceeds to step S412.

In step S412, it is determined whether or not an authentication notification has been received. If it is determined that an authentication notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S414, and the print data for the first print data in the print queue is processed. Is transferred to step S416.
In step S416, printing is performed by the printing device 46 based on the read print data, and the process proceeds to step S418 to target the first print data in the print queue on the storage device 42 through the bus 39 and the I / F 38. Status information indicating “printing end” is registered in association with the print data, the process proceeds to step S420, the print data at the head of the print queue is deleted, a series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored. .

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S412 that the authentication notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S422, where it is determined whether the rejection notification is received, and when it is determined that the rejection notification is received (Yes) ) Proceeds to step S420.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S422 that no rejection notice is received (No), the process proceeds to step S412.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S404 that communication with the printer management server 200 is not possible (No), the process proceeds to step S424, a notification that communication is not possible is transmitted to the user terminal 300, and the process proceeds to step S404. .

Next, the print data deletion process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing print data deletion processing.
The print data deletion process is a process executed when the network printer 100 is started up. When the print data deletion process is executed in the CPU 30, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the process proceeds to step S500.
In step S500, the print data in the print queue on the storage device 42 that is not registered with status information indicating “printing end” is searched through the bus 39 and the I / F 38, and the process proceeds to step S502. The print data retrieved by the search is deleted from the storage device 42 via the bus 39 and the I / F 38, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
In the user terminal 300, the user transmits print data including his / her user information together with a print request to the network printer 100 using a printer driver or the like.
Upon receiving a print request, the network printer 100 receives print data through steps S401 and S402, generates a print job ID for specifying the received print data, and associates it with the generated print job ID. Print data is registered at the end of the print queue.

  Next, through step S404, it is determined whether or not communication with the printer management server 200 is possible. Here, if there is no cause of a network failure or the like and the network printer 100 is in an environment where communication with the printer management server 200 is possible, an authentication request is transmitted to the printer management server 200 through steps S406 and S408, and the head of the print queue is set. Status information indicating “print start” is registered in association with the print data for the print data. Then, through step S410, the user information included in the print data is transmitted to the printer management server 200 for the first print data in the print queue.

  Upon receiving a print request, the printer management server 200 receives user information through steps S202 and S204, and is eligible for use of the network printer 100 based on the received user information and authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400. It is determined whether or not. As a result, if it is determined that the network printer 100 is eligible for use, an authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer 100 through step S208.

  Upon receiving the authentication notification, the network printer 100 reads the print data for the first print data in the print queue through steps S414 and S416, and prints it by the printing device 46 based on the read print data. Is done. Then, through steps S418 and S420, status information indicating “printing completed” is registered in association with the print data at the head of the print queue, and the head print data in the print queue is deleted.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted for some reason after the authentication request is transmitted and before the printing is completed will be described.
In the network printer 100, if the printing is interrupted for some reason after the authentication request is transmitted and before the printing is completed, status information indicating “printing end” is not registered. Therefore, when the network printer 100 is activated, steps S500 and S502 are performed. Then, the print data in the print queue that is not registered with status information indicating “print end” is searched. When print data is retrieved by this search, the corresponding print data is deleted.

In this way, in the present embodiment, when the network printer 100 transmits an authentication request to the printer management server 200, “print start” is associated with the print data at the head of the print queue as the target print data. When the printing is completed, status information indicating "printing completed" is registered for the first print data in the print queue in association with the print data. Determination is made, and print data for which status information of “printing finished” is not registered is deleted.
As a result, when printing is interrupted for some reason after sending the authentication request and before printing is completed, the print data is deleted at the next start-up, so the network printer 100 performs printing without obtaining authentication. Can be more reliably suppressed, and the reliability of user management regarding printing can be further improved.

  In the second embodiment, the print data corresponds to the operation data of invention 1, the network printer 100 corresponds to the device of invention 1, and step S401 is invention 2, 4, 7, 9, 13 or This corresponds to 15 print data receiving means or the print data receiving step of the invention 19 or 21. Step S404 corresponds to the communication status monitoring means of Inventions 3 to 5, 8 to 10, 14 to 16, or the communication status monitoring steps of Inventions 20 to 22, and Steps S406 to S418, S500, S502 It corresponds to the authentication printing means of 4 to 6, 6 to 9, 11, 13 to 15 or 17, or the authentication printing step of the invention 19 to 21 or 23.

  In the second embodiment, step S424 corresponds to the monitoring information transmission means of the invention 5, 10 or 16, or the monitoring information transmission step of the invention 22, and the printer management server 200 performs the device management of the invention 1. It corresponds to a terminal or a printer management terminal of inventions 2 to 4, 6, 12, 19 to 21 or 23. Further, the storage device 42 is an authentication information storage means of the invention 1, 2, 12, 18 or 19; a print data storage means of the invention 4, 9, 15 or 21; or a printing status storage of the invention 6, 11, 17 or 23. Corresponding to the means, steps S200 to S208 correspond to the use qualification authentication means of the invention 2, 12 or 18, or the use qualification authentication step of the invention 19.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the user information is included in the print data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The copyright information, the print job ID of the print data, or the status information of the print data may be included in the print data.
Further, in the first and second embodiments, the communication between the network printer 100 and the printer management server 200 is not described as being encrypted. However, from the viewpoint of improving security, the network printer It is preferable that communication between the printer 100 and the printer management server 200 is performed by encryption using a secret key encryption method or a common key encryption method.
As a result, a malicious user can impersonate the printer management server 200 and can more reliably suppress the act of printing with the network printer 100 without obtaining authentication, and the reliability of user management regarding printing can be further improved. it can.

In the first and second embodiments, when the printer management server 200 receives user information together with an authentication request, the network printer 100 based on the received user information and authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be configured as follows. In addition to user information, the network printer 100 transmits content information indicating the content and type of print data to the printer management server 200 together with an authentication request. When the printer management server 200 receives user information and content information together with an authentication request, the printer management server 200 determines whether the network printer 100 is eligible for use based on the received user information and content information and the authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400. Determine whether. Here, in the authentication information registration table 400, the printability is registered for each content and type of print data.
Thereby, it is possible to set whether or not printing is possible according to the contents and type of the print data.

Also, in the first and second embodiments, there has been no particular description about providing a print service that charges and prints based on the authentication result. However, when providing such a service, for example, The usage status of the network printer 100 may be managed by the printer management server 200, and charging may be performed according to the usage status.
In the first and second embodiments, the printing data sharing between the network printers 100 has not been described in particular. However, the printing data and the printer management server 200 receive the printing data among the plurality of network printers 100. An authentication notification or a denial notification can also be shared.
Thereby, the processing load of the printer management server 200 can be reduced.

  In this case, it is conceivable to change the sharing method according to the reliability of the network printer 100. The date and time when the notification from the printer management server 200 is received and the resources and specifications of the network printer 100 are registered in association with the shared data. If there are multiple pieces of shared data with the same name, the new shared data with the received date and time is given priority. Or the shared data of the network printer 100 having large resources and specifications is preferentially adopted.

Thereby, sharing based on the network printer 100 with high reliability can be performed.
In the first and second embodiments, the processing when the printer management server 200 is down has not been described in particular. However, when the printer management server 200 is down, the network management apparatus 100 can connect a plurality of network printers 100. It can also be configured to share the print data and the authentication notification or rejection notification from the printer management server 200.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROM 32 is executed when executing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 8, and 9 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be read into the RAM 34 and executed from a storage medium storing the program showing these procedures.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROM 52 is executed has been described in executing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be read from the storage medium storing the program showing these procedures into the RAM 54 and executed.

  Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.

  In the first and second embodiments, an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program and a terminal program, and an authentication printing method according to the present invention are provided on the Internet 199. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a so-called intranet that performs communication using the same method as the Internet 199. Of course, the present invention is not limited to a network that performs communication in the same manner as the Internet 199, and can be applied to a normal network.

  In the first and second embodiments, the authentication operation system, the authentication printing system, the network printer, the printer management terminal, the printer program and the terminal program, and the authentication printing method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the present invention is applied to the case where printing is performed by the network printer 100 after obtaining the authentication of the printer management server 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network system to which this invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printer 100. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an authentication printing process. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer management server 200. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure of an authentication information registration table 400. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an authentication process. It is a flowchart which shows an authentication information setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an authentication printing process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data deletion processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Network printer, 30 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 34 ... RAM, 38 ... I / F, 42 ... Storage device, 46 ... Printing device, 200 ... Printer management server, 50 ... CPU, 52 ... ROM, 54 ... RAM 58 ... I / F 60 ... Input device 62 ... Storage device 64 ... Display device 300 ... User terminal 400 ... Authentication information registration table

Claims (15)

A device that operates based on operation data and a device management terminal that manages the device are communicably connected, and the device operates by obtaining authentication of the device management terminal,
The device transmits user information included in the operation data to the device management terminal together with an authentication request, and performs an operation based on the operation data when receiving an authentication notification from the device management terminal. And
The device management terminal has authentication information storage means for storing authentication information for authenticating use eligibility of the device, receives the user information together with the authentication request, and receives the received user information and authentication information storage means It is determined whether or not the device is eligible for use based on information, and when it is determined that the device is eligible for use, the authentication notification is transmitted to the device. Authentication operation system. A network printer that performs printing based on print data and a printer management terminal that manages the network printer are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed by the printer management terminal and printing is performed by the network printer.
The network printer includes a print data receiving unit that receives the print data, and an authentication print unit that performs printing upon obtaining authentication of the printer management terminal,
The authentication printing means transmits user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means to the printer management terminal together with an authentication request, and when receiving an authentication notification from the printer management terminal, Printing is based on the print data,
The printer management terminal includes authentication information storage means for storing authentication information for authenticating use eligibility of the network printer, and use eligibility authentication means for authenticating use eligibility of the network printer,
The usage eligibility authentication means receives the user information together with the authentication request, determines whether or not the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means, An authentication printing system, wherein when it is determined that the network printer is eligible for use, the authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer. In claim 2,
The network printer has a communication state monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not communication with the printer management terminal is possible;
The authentication printing system, wherein the authentication printing unit prohibits printing when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is incapable of communication. In claim 3,
The network printer has print data storage means for storing the print data,
The authentication printing unit stores the print data received by the print data receiving unit in the print data storage unit when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is not communicable, and the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit Is transmitted to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, the print data storage unit prints the print data storage unit. An authentication printing system, wherein printing is performed based on printing data of the means. In any one of Claims 3 and 4,
Connect user terminals for user use so that they can communicate,
The network printer has monitoring information transmission means for transmitting monitoring information including a monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means to the user terminal,
The authentication printing system, wherein the user terminal receives the monitoring information and notifies a user of a communication state based on the received monitoring information. In any one of Claims 2 thru | or 5,
The network printer has a printing status storage means for storing a printing progress status,
The authentication printing unit stores the print start in the print status storage unit in association with the print data when the authentication request is transmitted to the printer management terminal, and the print data when the printing is completed. Storing the print end in association with the print status storage means,
An authentication printing system characterized in that the printing status of the printing status storage means is determined at the time of activation, and print data that does not store the printing end is deleted. A print data receiving means for receiving print data, and an authentication printing means for performing printing after obtaining authentication from the outside,
The authentication printing unit transmits user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving unit together with the authentication request, and when receiving the authentication notification, performs printing based on the print data. A network printer characterized by that. In claim 7,
Comprising a communication state monitoring means for monitoring whether or not communication with the outside is possible;
The network printer according to claim 1, wherein the authentication printing unit prohibits printing when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is incapable of communication. In claim 8,
Comprising print data storage means for storing the print data;
The authentication printing unit stores the print data received by the print data receiving unit in the print data storage unit when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit is not communicable, and the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring unit When the communication becomes possible, the user information included in the print data of the print data storage means is transmitted together with the authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, the print data of the print data storage means A network printer characterized in that printing is performed based on this. In any one of Claims 8 and 9,
A network printer comprising monitoring information transmission means for transmitting monitoring information including a monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means. In any one of Claims 7 thru | or 10,
Printing status storage means for storing the progress of printing;
The authentication printing unit stores the print start in the print status storage unit in association with the print data when the authentication request is transmitted, and finishes printing in association with the print data when printing is completed. Is stored in the printing status storage means,
A network printer, characterized in that the printing status of the printing status storage means is determined at the time of startup, and print data that does not store the end of printing is deleted. An authentication information storage means for storing authentication information for authenticating use eligibility, and a use eligibility authentication means for authenticating use eligibility,
The usage eligibility authentication means receives user information together with an authentication request, determines whether or not the usage eligibility is based on the received user information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means, and determines that the eligibility is usage eligibility When the printer management terminal is adapted to send an authentication notification. Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing realized as a print data receiving unit that receives print data and an authentication printing unit that performs printing by obtaining authentication from the outside,
The authentication printing unit transmits user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving unit together with the authentication request, and when receiving the authentication notification, performs printing based on the print data. A printer program characterized by that. Including a program for causing a computer to execute a process realized as a usage eligibility authentication means for authenticating usage eligibility,
When the usage eligibility authentication means receives user information together with an authentication request, determines whether or not the usage eligibility is based on the received user information and authentication information stored in the authentication information storage means, and Is a terminal program characterized in that an authentication notification is transmitted. A network printer that performs printing based on print data and a printer management terminal that manages the network printer are communicably connected to each other, and authentication by the printer management terminal is performed and printing is performed by the network printer.
For the network printer,
A print data receiving step for receiving the print data; and an authentication printing step for performing printing after obtaining authentication of the printer management terminal;
The authentication printing step transmits the user information included in the print data received in the print data reception step to the printer management terminal together with an authentication request, and receives the authentication notification from the printer management terminal. Print based on the print data,
For the printer management terminal,
A use eligibility authentication step for authenticating use eligibility of the network printer,
The use eligibility authentication step receives the user information together with the authentication request, determines whether the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and authentication information stored in an authentication information storage unit, and the network An authentication printing method, wherein when it is determined that the printer is eligible for use, the authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer.

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