JP2006159617A - Printer and data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which can provide a function that has the convenience of use for operating stored electronic data, and to provide a data processing method. <P>SOLUTION: The printer which prints the electronic data comprises a data storage means which adds an attribute composed of a plurality of items to the electronic data and stores the same, an item specifying means which specifies the item used for classification of the electronic data stored in the data storage means among the plurality of items, a kind specifying means which specifies a kind as an object of the operation from kinds that belong to the item specified by the item specifying means, and an operation executing means which executes the operation altogether to one or more electronic data as the object belonging to the kind specified by the kind specifying means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a data processing method, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that prints electronic data and a data processing method in the printing apparatus.

In recent years, a case where a printing apparatus such as a printer is used as a data server for managing various data is increasing. In addition, the storage device mounted on the printing apparatus has a large capacity, and a large amount of data can be accumulated.
JP 2000-357074 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-021162 JP 2001-171200 A

  However, as the amount of accumulated data increases, there is a problem that it takes more time to search for data to be subjected to operations such as printing. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a service that can appropriately operate the data stored in the printing apparatus.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 is intended to print a plurality of electronic data together, and management by classifying electronic data according to type as in the present invention. Is not mentioned.

  Further, according to the technique described in Patent Document 2, a plurality of electronic data can be combined and printed or the like. However, as in the present invention, each electronic data type can be managed or accessed. There is no mention of data management such as setting availability.

  Furthermore, the technique described in Patent Document 3 is intended to print electronic data and paper data documents together, and refers to printing a plurality of electronic data together. It has not been.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a data processing method capable of providing a convenient function for operating stored electronic data. To do.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a printing apparatus for printing electronic data as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic data is added with an attribute composed of a plurality of items and stored. A data storage unit, an item specifying unit for specifying an item used for classification of electronic data stored in the data storage unit, and a type belonging to the item specified by the item specifying unit. Type specifying means for specifying the type to be operated from among, and operation execution means for collectively executing the operations for one or more electronic data belonging to the type specified by the type specifying means It is characterized by having.

  In such a printing apparatus, operations such as printing can be performed collectively for each type of stored electronic data.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, this invention is good also as the data processing method in the said printing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus and a data processing method that can provide a convenient function for operating stored electronic data.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the printing system 1 of FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 and one or more terminals 20 are independent of a network (wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet. ) Is connected through.

  The printing apparatus 10 is an apparatus having at least a document data storage function and a print function, and for example, stores or prints document data uploaded from the terminal 20. The terminal 20 is a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital (Data) Assistants), or a mobile phone used by a user to operate the printing apparatus 10 via the network 30.

  Note that the printing apparatus 10 and the terminal 20 may be connected by a cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a serial cable, or a parallel cable. In the present embodiment, document data is used as a concept including various types of electronic data that can be printed in a computer system.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2, the printing apparatus 10 includes an operation panel 11, a data management unit 12, an authentication unit 13, an access control table 14, a data storage unit 15, a printing unit 16, an interface unit 17, and the like.

  The operation panel 11 is a panel of liquid crystal or the like for presenting various types of information to the user and receiving input from the user. The data management unit 12 is a function for executing various operations on document data stored in the data storage unit 15 (hereinafter simply referred to as “stored document”). The authentication unit 13 is a function for authenticating a user who uses the printing apparatus 10. The access control table 14 is a table in which information for restricting an operation (access) to a stored document according to a user is defined.

  The data storage unit 15 is a function of storing document data uploaded as a print target or the like from the terminal 20 together with its attribute information, and is constructed in a hard disk, a memory device, or the like. The attribute information of the document data includes, for example, a document attribute indicating a confidential document, a trial document, or a temporarily stored document, a user ID for specifying an owner, a PDF (Portable Document Format) file, a PS (PostScript) ) It is composed of a plurality of items such as a file attribute indicating a file or a text file, a host name, a host IP address (host address), and the like. However, the information is not limited to these items, and various information may be used as the attribute information items of the document data depending on the operation.

  The printing unit 16 is a function for printing document data. The interface unit 17 is an interface for communicating with the terminal 20 via the network 30 or a cable.

  The printing apparatus 10 may have a copy function, a FAX function, or the like, and stores information scanned at the time of copying or FAX transmission or information received by FAX in the data storage unit 15 as document data. It may be.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the printing apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the printing apparatus.

  In step S101, the operation panel 11 displays a management item setting screen on the operation panel 11 in accordance with a user instruction.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the management item setting screen. In FIG. 4, a management item setting screen is a screen for selecting a management item from items constituting attribute information of document data. Each item (document attribute, file attribute, host address, user ID, host Item keys 111 to 115 corresponding to names, etc.). When one of the item keys 111 to 115 is selected and the setting key 116 is selected, an item corresponding to the selected item key is set as a management item. Here, the management item refers to an item used for classification of stored documents among items constituting attribute information of document data. That is, the printing apparatus 10 classifies the stored documents according to the type belonging to the item set as the management item, and collectively performs operations such as printing on all the stored documents belonging to the type specified by the user. It has a function. The management item setting operation may be limited to a predetermined user such as an administrator.

  In step S102, the operation panel 11 displays a type display screen corresponding to the management item in accordance with a user instruction. Here, the type display screen is a screen for displaying a list of types in items set as management items and selecting a type to be operated.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first display example of the type display screen. In FIG. 5, the type display screen 120a has a type selection area 121, a target type display area 122, a batch print key 123, and the like. The type selection area 121 is an area for displaying a list of types belonging to the management item and selecting a type to be operated from the list, and displays keys corresponding to each type. FIG. 5 shows a display example of the type display screen when the user ID is set as the management item. Therefore, a list of user ID types registered in the printing apparatus 10 is displayed in the type selection area 121 of FIG. The target type display area 122 is an area in which the type selected as the type to be operated in the type selection area is displayed. The batch printing key 123 is a key for receiving a batch printing instruction from the user. Here, batch printing refers to performing batch printing on one or more or all stored documents belonging to the type that is the operation target.

  The type display screen may be as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second display example of the type display screen. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIG. The type display screen 120b in FIG. 6 further includes a collective deletion key 124. The batch delete key 124 is a key for accepting a batch delete instruction from the user. Here, batch deletion refers to performing batch deletion processing on one or more or all stored documents belonging to the type of operation target.

  Further, the type display screen may be as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third display example of the type display screen. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in FIG. The type display screen 120c in FIG. 7 further includes an individual data list key 125. The individual data list key 125 is a key for receiving an instruction to switch the display to the individual data list screen from the user. The individual data list screen will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the type display screens 120a, 120b, and 120c are collectively referred to as “type display screen 120” without distinction.

  Progressing to step S103 following step S102, the process branches in accordance with the input on the type display screen 120. That is, when the batch print key 123 is selected, the process proceeds to step S104, where the data management unit 12 searches the data storage unit 15 for document data belonging to the type that is the operation target, and the searched document data Request the printing unit 16 to print. The printing unit 16 prints the document data requested to be printed.

  If the batch delete key 124 is selected, the process advances to step S105, and the data management unit 12 deletes the document data belonging to the type that is the operation target from the data storage unit 15. If the type data list key 125 is selected, the process proceeds to step S106, and the operation panel 11 displays the individual data list screen.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the individual data list screen. In FIG. 8, an individual data list screen 130 a is a screen for displaying a list of all stored documents in the area 131 regardless of the type that is the operation target. If the list does not fit within the screen, the list can be scrolled by selecting the previous key 132 or the next key 133. The print key 134 is a key for accepting a print instruction for the document data selected in the area 131 from the user. The delete key 134 is a key for accepting an instruction to delete the document data selected in the area 131 from the user. The type display key 136 is a key for accepting an instruction to switch display to the type display screen 120 from the user.

  Proceeding to step S107 following step S106, the process branches according to the input on the individual data list screen 130a. That is, when the print key 134 is selected, the process proceeds to step S108, and the data management unit 12 requests the printing unit 16 to print the document data selected in the area 131. The printing unit 16 prints the document data requested to be printed.

  If the delete key 135 is selected, the process advances to step S109, and the data management unit 12 deletes the document data selected in the area 131 from the data storage unit 15. If the type display key 136 is selected, the process returns to step S102 and the type display screen 120 is displayed.

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to operate the accumulated document for each management item type in a batch. Here, since the management item can be changed arbitrarily by the user, if the management item is set in accordance with the use of the printing apparatus 10 or the like, the convenience can be further improved. Further, not only the collective operation but also the individual data list screen 130a and the like can be operated for each document data, so that the specific document data can be easily operated.

  Note that the process of step S101 and the process of step S102 are not necessarily performed continuously. That is, the management item may be set by the administrator (S101), and a general user may perform a batch operation based on the type display screen 120a or the like at completely different timing thereafter.

  Next, an example considering access control for stored documents based on the access control table 14 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the access control table. In the access control table 14 of FIG. 9, whether each group (group A, B, C, D) can be operated (O or X) is defined for each item type. In other words, in the present embodiment, as in general access control, each user is classified into several groups based on a certain standard, and whether or not to operate is defined for each group. From the access control table 14 of FIG. 9, for example, users belonging to group A cannot access confidential documents and ZZ documents, but can access trial documents, temporarily stored documents, stored documents, XX documents, and YY documents. I understand that.

  In order to perform access control, user authentication is assumed, but user authentication is performed via a login screen displayed on the operation panel 11, for example.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a login screen. In FIG. 10, a login screen 140 is a screen displayed on the operation panel 11 when an operation of a stored document is requested by a user. When the user ID is input to the area 141 of the login screen 140, the password is input to the area 142, and the execution key 143 is selected, the authentication unit 13 authenticates the user based on the input user ID and password. . When the user is authenticated, a type display screen is displayed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the type display screen when a user belonging to group A logs in. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those of FIG. FIG. 11 shows a display example of the type display screen when the document attribute is set as the management item. Therefore, a list of document attribute types is displayed in the type selection area 121 of FIG. However, not all types are displayed. Based on the access control table 14, the types of document attributes that can be accessed by users in group A (trial document, temporarily stored document, stored document, XX document, and YY document) ) Only is displayed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an individual data list screen when a user belonging to group A logs in. In FIG. 12, the same parts as those in FIG. FIG. 12 shows a display example of the individual data list screen when the document attribute is set as the management item. Accordingly, not all stored documents are displayed, but only document data belonging to the type of document attribute accessible by users of group A is displayed.

  As described above, since access control can be performed for each type of item, the security of the stored document can be appropriately ensured.

  In the present embodiment, various screens such as the type display screen 120 have been described as an example of being displayed on the operation panel 11. However, these various screens may be displayed on the terminal 20. In this case, operations such as printing and deletion on the stored document can be performed from the terminal 20.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a management item setting screen. It is a figure which shows the 1st display example of a classification display screen. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a display of a classification display screen. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of a display of a classification display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an individual data list screen. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an access control table. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a login screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the classification display screen when the user who belongs to the group A logs in. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the separate data list screen when the user who belongs to the group A logs in.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 10 Printing apparatus 11 Operation panel 12 Data management part 13 Authentication part 14 Access control table 15 Data storage part 16 Printing part 17 Interface part 20 Terminal 30 Network

Claims (8)

A printing device for printing electronic data,
Data storage means for storing the electronic data by adding an attribute composed of a plurality of items;
Item specifying means for specifying an item used for classification of electronic data stored in the data storage means from among the plurality of items;
A type specifying unit for specifying a type to be operated from among the types belonging to the item specified by the item specifying unit;
A printing apparatus comprising: an operation executing unit that collectively executes the operations for one or more electronic data belonging to the type specified by the type specifying unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation executed by the operation execution unit is a printing of the electronic data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation executed by the operation execution unit is a deletion of the electronic data. Electronic data specifying means for specifying electronic data to be operated from a list of electronic data stored in the storage means;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation execution unit performs the operation on the electronic data specified by the electronic data specifying unit. For each type belonging to each of the plurality of items, there is operation enable / disable information that specifies whether or not an operation is possible depending on the user,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation execution unit executes the operation based on the operation availability information. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the type specifying unit is configured to specify a type that is a target of the operation from among types that can be operated by a user who requests the operation based on the operation availability information. . For each type belonging to each of the plurality of items, there is operation enable / disable information that specifies whether or not an operation is possible depending on the user,
The electronic data specifying unit is a target of operation from a list of electronic data belonging to a type that can be operated by a user who requests the operation among the electronic data stored in the storage unit based on the operation availability information. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electronic data is specified. A data processing method in a printing apparatus for printing electronic data,
A data storage procedure for adding and storing an attribute consisting of a plurality of items to the electronic data;
An item specifying procedure for specifying an item used for classification of electronic data stored in the data storing procedure from the plurality of items;
A type specifying procedure for specifying a type to be operated from among the types belonging to the item specified in the item specifying procedure;
A data processing method comprising: an operation execution procedure for collectively executing the operations for one or more electronic data belonging to the type specified in the type specifying procedure.