JP2006035531A - Printing system and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system which can maintain confidentiality of printed matter, even if a user performs output to a printer of a shop etc. in his/her absence without paying attention to output timing, by being equipped with a plurality of lockable paper output trays. <P>SOLUTION: This printing system does printing by transmitting printing data to the printer, which is installed in this area, from a personal digital assistant via a relay information processor. The printer is equipped with: a plurality of paper output trays 11 whereon pieces of printed paper are to be accumulated; a paper output tray determining part 15 for determining the paper output tray to which the printed paper is to be ejected; a personal identification number allocating part 16 for generating a personal identification number corresponding to a tray number indicating the determined paper output tray; a transmission part 18 for transmitting the personal identification number to the personal digital assistant via the relay information processor; a personal identification number inputting part 19 for inputting the personal identification number when the printed matter is ejected; and an ejection port control part 20 which collates the input personal identification number with the transmitted personal identification number, which identifies the paper output tray from the personal identification number when succeeding in collation, and which opens an ejection port of the identified paper output tray. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing method capable of performing printing while maintaining confidentiality even when printing is performed from a portable information terminal device using the nearest printing device at a place where the user is away from home.

In recent years, due to advances in semiconductor technology, information processing technology, communication technology, etc., small, high-performance, high-function portable information terminal devices have spread, send print data from such portable information terminal devices, and the nearest store It is now possible to print the print data using a printing device installed in the company. However, in such printing, since the printed matter is output before the person arrives at the installation place of the printing apparatus, there is a problem of confidentiality and there is a risk of loss.
The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to solve such a problem, and storage means (for example, a print service) for storing installation location information and function information of a plurality of output devices (printing devices). Using the installation location information and the function information stored in the storage unit based on the store table in the server), the image data input from the portable terminal device via the network, and the current position information of the portable terminal device. Output device candidate selection means for selecting a nearest output device candidate capable of outputting the image data, designated by the user from among the output device candidates selected by the output device candidate selection means The image data is transferred to the output device. At this time, the print service server sets the print data reception number, and the output device Thereby achieving the confidentiality by the correct reception number to the print processing is started at the time of input.
In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the portable information terminal device adds the password code and the unique information of the portable information terminal device to the print data and transmits the print data to the printing device, the printing device prints the password code together with the print data. And memorize specific information. After that, when the user transmits the personal identification code and the unique information to the printing device, and the personal identification code and the unique information are input to the printing device, the printing device starts the corresponding printing at that time, and thereby the confidentiality is obtained. Hold.
JP 2001-326784 A JP 2002-236572 A

However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to input the receipt number. If you enter too early, the printed matter will be output before the person arrives at the installation location of the printing device, and confidentiality cannot be maintained, and if you enter the reception number after arriving at the installation location, you will have to wait until printing is completed. The time will be longer. The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2 also has the same problem as the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 except that the receipt number is replaced with a password.
An object of the present invention is to solve such problems of the prior art. Specifically, by providing a plurality of lockable paper discharge trays, the user can output data as in the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system that can maintain the confidentiality of printed matter without waiting for completion of printing.
Further, according to the present invention, by calculating the estimated print completion time based on the amount of print data and notifying the user, the user can effectively use the waiting time until the print is completed, and the paper discharge tray is wasted. To prevent being occupied. Also, based on the later of the print completion time and the scheduled print completion time, the time until the paper output tray containing the printed material is opened is calculated as the paper output tray occupation time, and the paper output is based on this occupation time. By properly charging the tray occupancy fee, it is possible to prevent the openable paper discharge tray from being occupied unnecessarily.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention according to claim 1, a print request and print data are transmitted from the portable information terminal device to the relay information processing device, and the relay information processing device responds to the print request, In a printing system in which a print request and print data are transmitted to a printing apparatus installed in the area via the network, and the printing apparatus prints the print data, the printing apparatus receives the print data via the network. A plurality of paper discharge trays for storing printed paper on which the printed data is printed, a tray determining unit for determining a paper discharge tray on which the printed paper is to be discharged, and a paper discharge tray determined by the tray determining unit Password information generating means for generating password information corresponding to the tray identification information indicating, and the relay information processing the password information generated by the password information generating means Transmitting means for transmitting to the portable information terminal device via a device; password information input means for inputting the password information; password information input by the password information input means; and password information transmitted by the transmitting means. A collating unit for collating; and an outlet opening unit for identifying the paper discharge tray from the password information and opening the outlet of the identified paper discharge tray when the collation by the collating unit is successful.
According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, printing is performed in the printing apparatus based on the time acquired from the clock means and the data amount of the print data received from the relay information processing apparatus. Time calculating means for calculating a scheduled completion time is provided, and the calculated printing completion scheduled time is transmitted to the portable information terminal device via the relay information processing apparatus.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the password information and the scheduled print completion time in association with the print data.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the printing apparatus includes a comparison unit that compares the scheduled print completion time with the print completion time, and when printing of the print data is completed. The time when it is determined late by the comparison means is set as the printed material storage start time.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the printing apparatus calculates a time from the printed material storage start time to a time when the discharge tray outlet is opened. The configuration is as follows.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, a time period from the printed material storage start time to the time when the discharge tray outlet is opened is set in the printing apparatus. A charge calculating means for calculating the discharge tray occupation charge as the discharge tray occupation time is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the charge calculation means sets the time from the printed material storage start time to the time when the collation means confirms the collation success as the discharge tray occupation time. An occupation fee is calculated, and the outlet opening opening means opens the outlet of the paper discharge tray on condition that the paper discharge tray occupation fee is paid.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a print request and print data are transmitted from the portable information terminal device to the relay information processing device, and the relay information processing device is installed in the area according to the print request. In a printing method in which a print request and print data are transmitted to a printing apparatus via a network, and the printing apparatus prints the print data, the printing apparatus receives a plurality of paper discharges when receiving the print request and the print data. A paper discharge tray from which the printed paper is to be discharged is determined from among the trays, password information corresponding to tray identification information indicating the determined paper discharge tray is generated, and the generated password information is used as the relay information processing. When it is transmitted to the portable information terminal device via the device and then the password information is input, the input password information and the stored password information are collated and As specified from identification information the paper discharge tray, and the configuration for opening the takeout of the paper discharge tray that is identified when a successful.
According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the eighth aspect of the invention, the printing apparatus calculates a scheduled print completion time from the amount of print data received from the relay information processing apparatus and the time at that time. The calculated print completion scheduled time is transmitted to the portable information terminal device via the relay information processing device.

According to the present invention, in the first and eighth aspects of the invention, a print request and print data are transmitted from the portable information terminal device to the relay information processing device, and the relay information processing device responds to the print request. When a print request and print data are transmitted to a printing apparatus installed in the area via the network, and the printing apparatus prints the print data, the printing apparatus prints the received print data. Determining a paper discharge tray on which the discharged paper is to be discharged, generating password information corresponding to the tray identification information indicating the determined paper discharge tray, and transmitting the generated password information to the portable information terminal device via the relay information processing apparatus After that, when the password information is input, the password information and the transmitted password information are collated. When the collation is successful, the paper discharge tray is identified from the password information, and the identified paper discharge tray is identified. It is possible to open the outlet, the user can hold the confidentiality of printed matter without the need to worry about the timing of the output as in the prior art without, also kept waiting until completion of printing.
Further, in the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, in the invention of claim 9 in the invention of claim 8, the amount of print data received from the relay information processing apparatus and the time when received The estimated print completion time can be calculated from the above information, and the calculated print completion estimated time can be transmitted to the portable information terminal device via the relay information processing apparatus, so that the user can effectively utilize the waiting time until the print is completed, It is possible to prevent the discharge tray from being occupied unnecessarily.
Further, in the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 2, since the personal identification information and the scheduled print completion time can be stored in the printing apparatus in association with the print data, the personal identification information is collated later. In addition, it is possible to calculate the discharge tray occupation fee using the estimated print completion time.
In the invention according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 3, the printing apparatus compares the scheduled print completion time with the print completion time, and the time determined to be late is set as the printed material storage start time. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the discharge tray occupation fee by using the time from the printed material storage start time to the opening of the discharge tray as the discharge tray occupation time.

In the invention according to claim 5, in the invention according to claim 4, in the printing apparatus, the time from the printed material storage start time to the time when the discharge tray outlet is opened is defined as the discharge tray occupation time. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the discharge tray occupation fee for such a discharge tray occupation time, and therefore, printing is completed earlier than the notified print completion scheduled time, while the print completion scheduled time notified by the user. Accordingly, even when the actual time for occupying the paper discharge tray becomes longer due to the installation location of the printing apparatus, it becomes possible to charge the user with a discharge tray occupancy fee that is not dissatisfied with the user.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, the time from the printed material storage start time to the time when the discharge tray outlet is opened is excluded in the printing apparatus. Since the discharge tray occupation fee is calculated as the paper tray occupation time, printing is completed earlier than the notified scheduled print completion time, while the installation location of the printing device is set in accordance with the scheduled print completion time notified by the user. Even if the actual discharge tray occupancy time becomes longer due to this, it is possible to charge the discharge tray occupancy fee without any dissatisfaction for the user.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, a discharge tray occupation fee is calculated with the time from the printed material storage start time to the time of confirmation of successful collation as the discharge tray occupation time, and the discharge tray Since the exit of the paper discharge tray can be opened on condition that the occupation fee has been paid, the paper discharge tray occupation fee is surely paid.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative positions, and the like described in this embodiment are not merely intended to limit the scope of this description, but are merely illustrative examples, unless otherwise specified. Absent.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this printing system is connected to a network so as to be communicable with each other, such as a portable personal computer, a PDA or a mobile phone, a portable information terminal device 1, a relay information processing device 2, a printing device installed in a store, etc. It consists of three. Note that the printing apparatus 3 includes a plurality of paper discharge trays having openable / closable (lockable) outlets, and sorting means for sorting printed paper output to the paper discharge trays.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus 3 includes a plurality of paper discharge trays 11 that store printed paper, a print request receiving unit 12 that receives print requests and print data from the relay information processing apparatus 2, and prints the print data. Determined by a data creation unit 13 that develops image data, a print processing unit 14 that performs printing using the developed data, a tray determination unit 15 that determines a discharge tray on which printed paper is to be discharged, and a tray determination unit 15 A personal identification number assigning unit 16 for generating and assigning a personal identification number (security information) corresponding to the tray identification information indicating the discharged paper tray, and a personal identification number storage unit 17 for storing the personal identification number in association with the print data. A transmission unit 18 for transmitting the personal identification number and the like to the portable information terminal device 1 via the relay information processing apparatus 2, and a personal identification number input unit 19 for inputting the personal identification number. An exit control unit 20 that opens the exit of the corresponding discharge tray when the password can be compared with the password stored in the password storage unit 17, and a charging process for calculating the discharge tray occupation charge, etc. And a clock circuit 22 for outputting the current year / month / day / hour / minute / second.
In the present embodiment, the time calculation means according to claims 1 to 9 is realized by the data creation unit 13, the tray determination means is realized by the tray determination unit 15, and the password information generation means is set by the password number assignment unit 16. The storage means is realized by the personal identification number storage section 17, the transmission means is realized by the transmission section 18, the personal identification information input means is realized by the personal identification number input section 19, and the collation means and the outlet opening means are controlled by the outlet. The comparison unit and the charge calculation unit are realized by the charging processing unit 21, and the clock unit is realized by the clock circuit 22. In addition, in FIG. 2, each unit indicated by reference numerals 12 to 16, 18, 20, and 21 is shared by each part that stores a program or a memory that is unique to each part, or shared by each part that operates according to the program, or a CPU that is unique to each part. It is realized using etc.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described according to the operation flow shown in FIGS.
FIG. 3 is an operation flow when the printing apparatus 3 receives a print request.
First, the user makes a print request from the portable information terminal device 1 and transmits the print request and print data to the printing device 3 via the relay information processing device. As a result, when the print request receiving unit 12 in the printing apparatus 3 receives the print request and the print data (S1), the tray determining unit 15 determines a discharge tray for discharging the printed paper on which the print data is printed. (S2). An empty one of the plurality of paper discharge trays 11 is assigned.
Subsequently, the personal identification number assigning unit 16 generates a personal identification number (password information) corresponding to the tray number (tray identification information) indicating the determined paper discharge tray (S3). For example, a random number is generated and the value is used as the password. If the generated value is already stored in the password storage unit 17, it is generated again. In this way, the personal identification number assigning unit 16 stores the generated personal identification number in the personal identification number storage unit 17 in association with the tray number or the print request (or print data).
Next, the data creation unit 13 calculates the scheduled print completion time based on the data amount of the print data and the current time acquired from the clock circuit 22 (S4), and the personal identification number assigning unit 16 completes the printing. The scheduled time is associated with the stored password and stored in the password storage unit 17 (S5). Then, the personal identification number, tray number, and scheduled print completion time are passed to the transmission unit 18, and the transmission unit 18 sends the personal identification number, tray number, and scheduled print completion time to the portable information terminal device 1 via the relay information processing device 2. Transmit (S6). By notifying the user of the scheduled print completion time in this way, the user can effectively use the waiting time until the completion of printing, and can prevent wasteful occupation of the paper discharge tray.
On the other hand, the data creation unit 13 in the printing apparatus expands the print data, and the print processing unit 14 performs printing using the expanded data. When printing is completed, the print processing unit 14 discharges the printed paper to the determined paper discharge tray. In addition, the print processing unit 14 stores the print completion time in the personal identification number storage unit 17 in association with the personal identification number and the tray number. In addition, the transmission unit 18 transmits a print completion message to the portable information terminal device 1 via the relay information processing device. Note that the code number and the tray number may be transmitted at this time.

FIG. 4 is an operation flow when taking out printed paper (printed matter).
At this time, first, the user is caused to input a personal identification number by the personal identification number input unit 19 (S11). Then, the take-out control unit 20 acquires the input password and collates the password with the password stored in the password storage unit 17 (S12). If a matching password is not stored (N in S13), re-input of the password is requested (S14).
On the other hand, if the collation is obtained (Y in S13), the take-out control unit 20 acquires the tray number associated with the password, and opens the take-out exit of the discharge tray of the tray number (S15). .
In addition, the tray number may be input together with the password, and the outlet of the discharge tray of the tray number may be opened when both are collated.

Next, an operation flow for calculating charges will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the billing processing unit 21 obtains the scheduled print completion time and the print completion time associated with the personal identification number or tray number from the personal identification number storage unit 17, and compares the two times (S21). Then, it is determined whether or not the print completion time is later (S22). If the print completion time is later (Y in S22), the print completion time is set as the printed material storage start time (S23). On the other hand, if the scheduled printing completion time is later (N in S22), the scheduled printing completion time is set as the printed material storage start time (S23). If printing is completed earlier than the scheduled time, but the user arrives at the installation location of the printing apparatus 3 in accordance with the scheduled printing completion time notified, the actual paper discharge tray occupation time becomes longer. (In other words, the charge side) is responsible for calculating the time it takes to open the paper discharge tray containing the printed matter as the paper discharge tray occupation time, based on the later print completion time and the print completion time. Based on the occupancy time, the discharge tray occupancy fee is charged.
Thereafter, the charging processing unit 21 waits for the outlet of the paper discharge tray to be opened (N in S25 to S25), and if opened (Y in S25), the charging opening time is determined from the printed material storage start time. The time until is the discharge tray occupation time (S26). The billing processing unit 21 stores the discharge tray occupation time (S27), and calculates the discharge tray occupation fee based on the discharge tray occupation time (S28).
In the above description, when the entered passwords are matched and matched, the exit of the paper discharge tray is opened, but it is further confirmed that the paper discharge tray occupation fee has been paid. The paper tray outlet may be opened. In this case, the paper discharge tray occupancy time is from the printed material storage start time to the completion of password verification. With such a configuration, payment can be reliably performed.
Thus, according to this embodiment, since the printed material is not exposed to anyone other than the person, the confidentiality of the printed material can be maintained. Further, the user does not need to worry about the timing of output as in the prior art, and does not wait for the completion of printing.

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the principal part of the printing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is another operation | movement flowchart of the principal part of the printing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is another operation | movement flowchart of the principal part of the printing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information terminal device, 2 Relay information processing device, 3 Printing device, 11 Paper discharge tray, 12 Print request receiving part, 15 Paper discharge tray determination part, 16 PIN number allocation part, 17 PIN number memory | storage part, 18 Transmission part, 19 PIN number input unit, 20 outlet control unit, 21 charging processing unit, 22 clock circuit

Claims (9)

The mobile information terminal device transmits a print request and print data to the relay information processing device, and the relay information processing device sends a print request to the printing device installed in the area via the network in response to the print request. In a printing system that transmits print data and the printing apparatus prints the print data,
A plurality of paper discharge trays for storing printed paper on which print data received via the network is printed in the printing apparatus;
Tray determining means for determining a paper discharge tray from which the printed paper is to be discharged;
Password information generating means for generating password information corresponding to tray identification information indicating the paper discharge tray determined by the tray determining means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the personal identification information generated by the personal identification information generating means to the portable information terminal device via the relay information processing apparatus;
A password information input means for inputting the password information; a verification means for verifying the password information input by the password information input means and the password information transmitted by the transmission means;
An outlet opening means for identifying the paper discharge tray from the personal identification information when the verification by the verification means is successful, and opening the outlet of the specified paper discharge tray;
A printing system comprising:   2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein time calculation means for calculating a scheduled print completion time based on a time acquired from a clock means and a data amount of print data received from the relay information processing apparatus in the printing apparatus. And the transmission means transmits the calculated scheduled print completion time to the portable information terminal device via the relay information processing apparatus.   The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising a storage unit that stores the password information and the scheduled print completion time in association with the print data in the printing apparatus.   The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the printing apparatus includes a comparison unit that compares the scheduled print completion time with a print completion time, and determines that the comparison unit is late when printing of the print data is completed. A printing system characterized in that the time is a print storage start time.   5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus sets a time from the print storage start time to a time when the discharge tray outlet is opened as a discharge tray occupation time. .   6. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein a time from the print storage start time to a time when the discharge tray outlet is opened is defined as a discharge tray occupation time in the printing apparatus. A printing system comprising charge calculation means for calculating an occupation charge.   7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the fee calculating unit calculates a discharge tray occupation fee by using a time from the printed material storage start time to a time when the collation unit confirms the collation success as a discharge tray occupation time, The opening system opens the outlet of the discharge tray on condition that the discharge tray occupation fee has been paid.   The mobile information terminal device transmits a print request and print data to the relay information processing device, and the relay information processing device sends a print request to the printing device installed in the area via the network in response to the print request. In a printing method in which print data is transmitted and the printing apparatus prints the print data, the printing apparatus discharges the printed paper from a plurality of paper discharge trays when receiving the print request and the print data. A paper discharge tray to be determined is determined, password information corresponding to tray identification information indicating the determined paper discharge tray is generated, and the generated password information is transmitted to the portable information terminal device via the relay information processing apparatus. After that, when the password information is input, the input password information is collated with the stored transmitted password information, and when the verification is successful, the password information is confirmed. Et the specified discharge tray, a printing method, characterized in that for opening the outlet of the discharge tray identified.   9. The printing method according to claim 8, wherein the printing apparatus calculates a scheduled print completion time from a data amount of print data received from the relay information processing apparatus and a time at that time, and calculates the calculated estimated print completion time. A printing method comprising: transmitting to the portable information terminal device via the relay information processing device.

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