JP2006260577A - Authentication output system, device using apparatus, network device, output data managing program, output control program, output system and authentication output method and output method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an authentication output system appropriate for protecting secret of output content as a person who can obtain an output material is restricted as the person himself or herself and output exceeding an area allowed to be output is prevented. <P>SOLUTION: When user authentication succeeds and a job ticket is determined to be not frozen, the host terminal provides print data to either network printer, freezes the job ticket until it receives a print pause notice or a print completion notice, decreases the number of printable copies of the job ticket when it receives the print completion notice and deletes the print data and the job ticket when the number of printable copies is determined to be zero. The network printer receives the print data, controls print process based on the received print data, discarding the print data being printed and sends the print pause notice when print process is interrupted, and transfers the print completion notice when the print process is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, a device, an apparatus, a program, and a method for performing output after obtaining authentication, and in particular, only the person who can obtain an output product can obtain the output, and output exceeds the permitted output range. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an authentication output system, a device using apparatus, a network device, an output data management program, an output control program and an output system, and an authentication output method and output method suitable for protecting confidentiality of output contents by preventing .

When a confidential document is printed by a network printer as a network device, it is desired to protect the confidentiality of the printed material so that the printed material cannot be seen by others. It is also desired to protect copyrighted works such as documents and images viewed on the network.
Conventionally, as a technique for protecting the confidentiality of a printed matter, for example, an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 and a print control apparatus described in Patent Document 2 are known.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, when a print job in confidential print mode is received, if the print job is not currently ready, the print job is transferred to another network printer. At that time, the print job is transferred in the forced print mode only when the transfer destination network printer is nearby and is ready to be printed out immediately. On the other hand, if the print destination cannot be immediately printed even if the destination network printer is far or close, the print job is transferred again in the confidential print mode. As a result, even if a trouble such as a paper jam occurs in the network printer that has made the print request, the printed matter can be reliably acquired by another network printer.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 2, a print job received from a host terminal as a device utilization apparatus that is a request source of a print job is transferred to a preset network printer, and the network printer NW board is When a PDL analysis error or occurrence of a jam in the print engine unit is detected by communication with the PDL board, the transfer destination network printer is instructed to start page analysis processing of the print job. Thus, the print job can be promptly processed from the transfer destination network printer without transferring the print job to another network printer.

On the other hand, conventionally, as a technique for protecting a copyrighted work, for example, a document management method disclosed in Patent Document 3 is known.
The invention described in Patent Document 3 includes a copyright management information setting unit, a document storage unit, a copyright management information storage unit, a copyright management information check unit, and a document creation unit. The copyright management information setting unit sets copyright management information in the document unit stored in the document storage unit, and sets the copyright management information and information indicating the unit in which the copyright management information is set. Are stored in the copyright management information storage unit. The copyright management information check unit is stored in the copyright management information storage unit when the document generation unit requests that a predetermined part of another document stored in the document storage unit be used when the document is generated. The usable part of the predetermined part is determined based on the copyright management information of the constituent unit overlapping the predetermined part.
JP 2002-149385 A JP 2002-189578 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-320289

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, if a print job remains in the transfer source network printer, although the printed matter can be reliably obtained, when the network printer recovers from the trouble, There is a possibility that the same printed matter printed at the transfer destination is printed.
Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, although a printed matter can be acquired reliably and promptly, when a plurality of network printers are instructed to start page analysis processing at a time, the required number of copies is exceeded. The printed matter may be printed.

Therefore, any invention described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 has a problem that the contents of the printed matter may be seen by others.
On the other hand, in the invention described in Patent Document 3, when it is requested to use a predetermined part of another document, it can be used in the predetermined part based on the copyright management information of the constituent unit overlapping the predetermined part. Since the portion is determined, the change of the document in relation to other documents can be restricted, but the document itself can be printed relatively freely. Therefore, there is a problem that the copyrighted work is printed without limitation, which is insufficient to protect the copyrighted work.

Such a problem is not limited to the case where printing is performed, but is similarly assumed when a display device such as a projector or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is connected to a network and displayed on the display device.
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and can be obtained only by the person who can obtain the output material, and exceeds the permitted output range. Authentication output system, device utilization apparatus, network device, output data management program, output control program and output system, and authentication output method suitable for protecting the confidentiality of the output contents by preventing the output from being performed The first object is to provide an output method. Also, an output system that can be obtained only by the person who can obtain the output material, and is suitable for protecting the confidentiality of the output contents and the copyrighted work by preventing the output from exceeding the permitted output range. The second object is to provide a network device, an output control program, and an output method.

[Mode 1] In order to achieve the above object, an authentication output system of mode 1 includes:
An authentication output system in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are connected to be communicable, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output
The device utilization device manages output data storage means for storing the output data, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission for use of the output data, and manages the use of the output data Output data use management means to
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage management means provides the output data of the output data storage means to any one of the plurality of network devices, and outputs an output completion notification to the output data usage management Providing the output data is prohibited until the means is received, and when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated, and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition When the provision of the output data is prohibited,
The network device includes output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
The output control means transmits the output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed in the network device.

With such a configuration, when the device utilization apparatus is authenticated, the output data utilization management means provides output data to any one of the plurality of network devices. The provision of output data is prohibited until an output completion notification is received.
In the network device, when the output data is received by the output data receiving unit, the output control unit performs output control based on the received output data. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus.

In the device utilization apparatus, when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket is updated by the output data utilization management means.
Further, in the device using apparatus, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data use managing unit prohibits the provision of the output data.
Thus, since the job ticket is updated when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted by the network device due to some trouble, the output content can be obtained by another network device. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

Further, since output data is provided to any one of the network devices, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the same output content is output at a time by a plurality of network devices. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output has been interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of output exceeding the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents can be protected as compared with the conventional case.
Furthermore, since output data and job tickets are centrally managed by the device using device, output data and job tickets are managed more strictly than when output data and job tickets are managed by different devices. The effect that it can be also obtained.

  Here, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, in the case where the provision of the output data is prohibited, as the prohibition of the provision or use of the output data, for example, deleting the output data, This includes rejecting the request when provision or use of the output data is requested, rewriting the attribute of the output data to be unusable or unusable, and encoding the output data indecipherably. Hereinafter, an authentication output system of form 3, device utilization apparatuses of forms 16 and 18, network device of form 23, output data management program of forms 34 and 36, output control program of form 41, and authentication output method of forms 52 and 54 The same.

  Further, in the case of prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output completion notification is received, as the prohibition of the provision of the output data, for example, when the provision of the output data is requested, the request is rejected, This includes rewriting the attributes of the output data to be unprovisionable and encoding the output data indecipherably. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 3, the device utilization apparatus of forms 16 and 18, the output data management program of forms 34 and 36, and the authentication output method of forms 52 and 54.

  For example, the job ticket is updated by defining the number of times output data can be provided, subtracting the number of times output can be provided, and adding the number of times output data is provided each time it is provided. It is included. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 4, the device utilization apparatus of forms 17 and 19, the output data management program of forms 35 and 37, and the authentication output method of forms 53 and 55.

  Further, the output control means may have any configuration as long as output control is performed based on the output data. For example, the output control means includes a printing means for performing printing based on the print data, and a display. It includes performing output control on display means for performing display based on data or sound output means for outputting sound based on sound data. For example, a projector or an LCD corresponds to the display means. Hereinafter, in the authentication output system of the forms 4, 9, 11, 67, 68, 73 and 74, the network device of the forms 24, 27, 29, 85, 88, 89, 127 and 128, and the output system of the forms 121 and 122 The same.

  The output data storage means stores the output data at any time and at any time. The output data storage means may store the output data in advance, or may store the output data in advance without storing the output data in advance. The output data may be stored by external input or the like when the system is operating. The same applies to the case where the job ticket is stored in the job ticket storage means. Hereinafter, the authentication output system of modes 4, 9, 11, 67, 68, 73 and 74, the device utilization apparatus of modes 17, 19, 79 and 80, and the networks of modes 27, 29, 85, 88, 89, 127 and 128 The same is true for the device and the output system of forms 121 and 122.

  Acquiring authentication includes, for example, acquiring authentication by an authentication unit and acquiring authentication result information indicating an authentication result. The authentication unit may be provided in a network device, a device using device, or other devices connected to the network. Hereinafter, the same applies to the authentication output system of forms 4, 9, 11, 67, 68, 73 and 74, the device utilization apparatus of forms 17, 19, 79 and 80, and the network devices of forms 27, 29, 88 and 89. .

Also, using a network device means utilizing the function of the network device. Hereinafter, it is the same in other forms.
Usage restrictions include output data output restrictions as well as output data movement restrictions and copy restrictions, and usage authorization includes output data output authorization and output data movement authorization and copy authorization. It is. In addition, defining the contents related to the use restriction or the use permission includes, for example, defining the number of times of provision. Hereinafter, it is the same in other forms.
Further, the management by the output data usage managing means includes, for example, data output permission, data output restriction, and job ticket update. Hereinafter, it is the same in other forms.

The provision of output data includes not only transmitting the output data but also storing the output data in a storage medium such as a memory card. Hereinafter, it is the same in other forms.
In addition, the predetermined condition includes, for example, a condition that defines a use restriction range and a condition that defines a use permission limit. Hereinafter, it is the same in other forms.
Further, the job ticket includes information related to content security management such as the number of permitted outputs (for example, time, number of times) or the remaining number, output permission target information, output permitted location, number of copies, output exclusive control information, and the like. Hereinafter, it is the same in other forms.

[Mode 2] Further, the authentication output system of mode 2 is the authentication output system of mode 1,
The output data use managing means is configured to prohibit the provision of the output data until the output data use managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice.
When the output is interrupted by the network device, the output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interrupt notification to the device using apparatus.
With such a configuration, the device utilization apparatus is prohibited from providing output data until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received.

In the network device, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interrupt notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus.
Here, when the output is interrupted, when the use of the output data is prohibited, for example, the provision of the output data or the use of the output data is prohibited. Rejecting the request if it is done, rewriting the attributes of the output data to unusable or unavailable, and encoding the output data indecipherably. Hereinafter, authentication output system of form 4, device utilization apparatus of forms 17 and 19, network device of form 24, output data management program of forms 35 and 37, output control program of form 42, and authentication output method of forms 53 and 55 The same.

  In the case where the provision of the output data is prohibited until the output interruption notice or the output completion notice is received, the provision of the output data is prohibited, for example, when the provision of the output data is requested, Rejecting, rewriting the output data attributes to be unusable, and encoding the output data indecipherable. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 4, the device utilization apparatus of forms 17 and 19, the output data management program of forms 35 and 37, and the authentication output method of forms 53 and 55.

[Mode 3] Further, the authentication output system according to mode 3 includes:
An authentication output system in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are connected to be communicable, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output
The device utilization device manages output data storage means for storing the output data, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission for use of the output data, and manages the use of the output data Output data use management means to
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means provides the output data of the output data storage means to any one of the plurality of network devices, and receives the job ticket of the job ticket storage means. Update and prohibit the provision of the output data until the output data usage management means receives the output completion notice, and prohibit the provision of the output data when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition Is supposed to
The network device includes output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
The output control means transmits the output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed in the network device.

With such a configuration, when authentication is obtained in the device utilization apparatus, the output data utilization management means provides output data to any one of the plurality of network devices, and the job ticket is updated. The provision of output data is prohibited until an output completion notification is received.
In the network device, when the output data is received by the output data receiving unit, the output control unit performs output control based on the received output data. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus.

In the device using apparatus, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data use managing unit prohibits the provision of the output data.
Thus, since the update of the job ticket becomes valid when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted by the network device due to some trouble, the output contents can be obtained by another network device. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

Further, since output data is provided to any one of the network devices, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the same output content is output at a time by a plurality of network devices. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output has been interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of output exceeding the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents can be protected as compared with the conventional case.
Furthermore, since output data and job tickets are centrally managed by the device using device, output data and job tickets are managed more strictly than when output data and job tickets are managed by different devices. The effect that it can be also obtained.

[Mode 4] Further, the authentication output system of mode 4 is the authentication output system of mode 3,
The output data usage managing means prohibits the provision of the output data until the output data usage managing means receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification. When the output data usage management means receives the output interruption notification, the job ticket The content of is returned to before the update,
When the output is interrupted by the network device, the output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interrupt notification to the device using apparatus.

With such a configuration, the device utilization apparatus is prohibited from providing output data until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received.
In the network device, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interrupt notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus.
In the device utilization apparatus, when the output interruption notification is received, the content of the job ticket is returned to before the update by the output data utilization management means.

[Mode 5] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 5 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 2 and 4,
The device using apparatus includes an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information used for the authentication, and an authentication unit.
The network device has authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means to the device using device,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means,
The output data use managing means provides the output data to a transmission source of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use. It is characterized by.

With this configuration, in the network device, when the authentication information is acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit, the acquired authentication information is transmitted to the device using apparatus by the authentication information transmission unit.
In the device using apparatus, when the authentication information is received by the authentication information receiving means, the use of the output data is authenticated by the authentication means based on the received authentication information. As a result, when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use, the output data use management means provides the output data to the transmission source of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices.
As a result, if the user gives valid authentication information to the network device desired to be output, the output contents can be obtained by the network device.

  Here, the authentication information acquisition means may have any configuration as long as it is configured to acquire authentication information, for example, authentication information may be input from an input device or the like, The authentication information may be acquired or received from an external terminal or the like, or the authentication information may be read from a storage device or a storage medium. The storage device, the storage medium, and the like may be integrated or separate. Thus, acquisition includes at least input, acquisition, reception and reading. The same applies to the authentication output system in the forms 12, 69 and 75, the network device in the forms 25, 30, 86, 90 and 129, and the output system in the form 123.

[Mode 6] Further, the authentication output system of mode 6 is the authentication output system of mode 5,
The output data usage managing means provides the output data when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use and the job ticket is updatable, and provides the output interruption notification or The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output completion notification is received.

In such a configuration, in the device using apparatus, when the authentication unit determines that the output data is eligible for use and the job ticket is updatable, the output data use managing unit outputs the output data. Provided. The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received. Therefore, output data is not provided even if authentication information is received until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received.
Here, the prohibition of update includes, for example, prohibiting the update of the job ticket in response to a request from another network device. Hereinafter, it is the same in other forms.

[Mode 7] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 7 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 2, 4 to 6,
The device utilization apparatus includes utilization history information generation means for generating utilization history information indicating a utilization history of the output data based on a result provided by the output data utilization management means.
In such a configuration, in the device utilization apparatus, utilization history information indicating the utilization history of the output data is generated by the utilization history information generation means based on the result provided by the output data utilization management means.

Thereby, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to grasp how the output data is used by referring to the usage history information.
Thereby, the effect that copyright management can be performed can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to confirm that only the authorized number of copies or only authorized persons are outputting.

[Mode 8] Further, the authentication output system according to mode 8 includes:
An authentication output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output. Because
The device utilization apparatus has output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the first network device,
The first network device includes output data storage means, first output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data stored in the output data storage means for output data received by the first output data reception means. A storage means, a job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data, an output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and an output data storage means. First output control means for performing output control based on the output data,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage management means provides the output data of the output data storage means to the second network device, and until the output data usage management means receives the output completion notification. Prohibiting the provision and use of the output data, or making an output request to the first output control means, prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output is completed by the first network device, and completing the output When the notification is received or when the output is completed in the first network device, the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and when the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data Are prohibited from being provided and used,
The first output control means is configured to perform output based on the output data in response to the output request,
The second network device includes second output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and second output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the second output data receiving means,
The second output control means is configured to transmit the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed in the second network device.

With such a configuration, in the device utilization apparatus, output data is transmitted to the first network device by the output data transmission means.
In the first network device, when the output data is received by the first output data receiving means, the received output data is saved in the output data storage means by the output data saving means. When the authentication is obtained, the output data utilization management means provides the output data to the second network device or makes an output request to the first output control means. In the former case, provision and use of output data is prohibited until an output completion notification is received.

In the second network device, when the second output data receiving means receives the output data, the second output control means performs output control based on the received output data. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device.
In the first network device, when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket is updated by the output data usage managing means.

On the other hand, in the first network device, when an output request is made to the first output control means, the first output control means outputs based on the output data. Next, the output data utilization managing means prohibits the provision of output data until the output is completed. When the output is completed, the job ticket is updated.
Further, in the first network device, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the output data use managing unit prohibits the provision and use of the output data.
Thus, since the job ticket is updated when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted due to some trouble in one of the first network device and the second network device, the output content can be obtained in the other network device. it can. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

  In addition, since the output data is provided to the second network device or the output data is used by the first network device, the same output contents are output at a time by the first network device and the second network device. The possibility of being reduced can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output is interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility that the output is performed beyond the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, since output data and job tickets are centrally managed by the first network device, output data and job tickets are managed more strictly than when output data and job tickets are managed by different devices. The effect that it can be performed is also acquired.
Here, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, in the case where the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, the provision or use of the output data is prohibited, for example, the output data is deleted. , Rejecting the request when the provision or use of the output data is requested, rewriting the attribute of the output data to be unusable or unusable, and encoding the output data indecipherably. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 10, the network device of forms 26 and 28, the output control program of forms 44 and 46, and the authentication output method of forms 59 and 61.

  In addition, if the provision and use of output data is prohibited until the output completion notification is received, or the provision of output data is prohibited until the output is completed, the provision or use of output data is prohibited. Includes, for example, refusing a request to provide or use output data, rewriting the output data attributes to unavailable or unavailable, and encoding the output data indecipherably It is. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 10, the network devices of forms 26 and 28, the output control program of forms 44 and 46, and the authentication output method of forms 59 and 61.

  In addition, as the update of the job ticket, for example, the number of times the output data can be provided or used can be specified, and the number of times available or used can be subtracted every time the data is provided or used. It includes adding the number of times output data is provided or used for each use. Hereinafter, authentication output system of form 11, network devices of forms 27, 29, 127 and 128, output control program of forms 45, 47, 133 and 134, authentication output method of forms 60 and 62, output system of forms 121 and 122 , And the output methods of forms 139 and 140 are the same.

[Mode 9] Further, the authentication output system of mode 9 is the authentication output system of mode 8,
The output data use managing means prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output data use managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice, or the output is used by the first network device. The provision of the output data is prohibited until it is interrupted or the output is completed,
The second output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interruption notification to the first network device when the output is interrupted by the second network device. Features.

With such a configuration, when authentication is obtained in the first network device, output data is provided to the second network device by the output data utilization managing means, or an output request is sent to the first output control means. Is done. In the former case, provision and use of output data is prohibited until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received.
When the output is interrupted in the second network device, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device.
On the other hand, in the first network device, the output data utilization managing means prohibits the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or until the output is completed.

  Here, when the output is interrupted, when the use of the output data is prohibited, the provision or use of the output data is prohibited, for example, the deletion of the output data or the provision or use of the output data is required. Rejecting the request if it is done, rewriting the attributes of the output data to unusable or unavailable, and encoding the output data indecipherably. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 11, the network devices of forms 27 and 29, the output control program of forms 45 and 47, and the authentication output method of forms 60 and 62.

  In addition, in the case where the provision and use of the output data is prohibited until the output interruption notice or the output completion notice is received, or in the case where the provision of the output data is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed, the output data Prohibiting the provision or use of, for example, rejecting the request when provision or use of the output data is requested, rewriting the attribute of the output data to be unusable or unavailable, and changing the output data Encoding indecipherable is included. Hereinafter, authentication output system of form 11, network devices of forms 27, 29, 127 and 128, output control program of forms 45, 47, 133 and 134, authentication output method of forms 60 and 62, output system of forms 121 and 122 , And the output methods of forms 139 and 140 are the same.

[Mode 10] Further, the authentication output system according to mode 10 includes:
An authentication output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output. Because
The device utilization apparatus has output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the first network device,
The first network device includes output data storage means, first output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data stored in the output data storage means for output data received by the first output data reception means. A storage means, a job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data, an output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and an output data storage means. First output control means for performing output control based on the output data,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit provides the output data of the output data storage unit to the second network device, updates the job ticket of the job ticket storage unit, and notifies the output completion Until the output data use managing means receives the request, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or an output request is made to the first output control means to update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, Providing the output data is prohibited until the output is completed by the first network device, and providing and using the output data is prohibited when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. And
The first output control means is configured to perform output based on the output data in response to the output request,
The second network device includes second output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and second output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the second output data receiving means,
The second output control means is configured to transmit the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed in the second network device.

With such a configuration, in the device utilization apparatus, output data is transmitted to the first network device by the output data transmission means.
In the first network device, when the output data is received by the first output data receiving means, the received output data is saved in the output data storage means by the output data saving means. When the authentication is obtained, the output data utilization management means provides the output data to the second network device or makes an output request to the first output control means. In the former case, the provision and use of output data is prohibited until the job ticket is updated and an output completion notification is received.

In the second network device, when the second output data receiving means receives the output data, the second output control means performs output control based on the received output data. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device.
On the other hand, in the first network device, when an output request is made to the first output control means, the job ticket is updated by the output data utilization management means, and the first output control means outputs based on the output data. Is called. Next, the output data utilization managing means prohibits the provision of output data until the output is completed.

Further, in the first network device, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the output data use managing unit prohibits the provision and use of the output data.
As a result, since the update of the job ticket becomes valid when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted due to some trouble in one of the first network device and the second network device, the output content is obtained in the other network device. be able to. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

Since the output data is provided to the second network device or the output data is used by the first network device, the same output contents are output at a time by the first network device and the second network device. The possibility of being reduced can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output has been interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of output exceeding the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents can be protected as compared with the conventional case.
Furthermore, since output data and job tickets are centrally managed by the first network device, output data and job tickets are managed more strictly than when output data and job tickets are managed by different devices. The effect that it can be performed is also acquired.

[Mode 11] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 11 is the authentication output system of mode 10,
The output data usage management unit prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output data usage management unit receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification, or the output is performed by the first network device. Providing the output data is prohibited until it is interrupted or the output is completed, and when the output interrupt notification is received or when the output is interrupted by the first network device, the contents of the job ticket are updated before updating. To return,
The second output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interruption notification to the first network device when the output is interrupted by the second network device. It is characterized by.

  With such a configuration, when the first network device is authenticated, the output data utilization management means provides the output data to the second network device, or the first output control means outputs an output request. Is done. In the former case, provision and use of output data is prohibited until the job ticket is updated and an output interruption notification or output completion notification is received.

When the output is interrupted in the second network device, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device.
In the first network device, when the output interruption notification is received, the content of the job ticket is returned to before the update by the output data utilization managing means.
On the other hand, in the first network device, the output data utilization managing means prohibits the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or until the output is completed. When the output is interrupted, the contents of the job ticket are returned before updating.

[Mode 12] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 12 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 9 and 11,
The first network device includes an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information used for the authentication, a first authentication information acquisition unit that acquires the authentication information, and an authentication unit.
The second network device includes second authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the second authentication information acquisition means to the first network device. ,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means,
The output data usage managing means provides the output data to the second network device when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means. When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means, the output request is made to the first output control means. It is characterized by.

With this configuration, in the second network device, when the authentication information is acquired by the second authentication information acquiring unit, the acquired authentication information is transmitted to the first network device by the authentication information transmitting unit.
In the first network device, when the authentication information is received by the authentication information receiving means, the use of the output data is authenticated by the authentication means based on the received authentication information. As a result, when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use, the output data use management means provides the output data to the second network device.

Further, in the first network device, when the authentication information is acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means, the eligibility of the output data is authenticated by the authentication means based on the acquired authentication information. As a result, if it is determined that the output data is eligible for use, the output data use managing means makes an output request to the first output control means.
Thereby, the effect equivalent to the authentication output system of the form 5 is acquired.

[Mode 13] Further, the authentication output system of mode 13 is the authentication output system of mode 12,
When the output data use managing means determines that the output means is eligible for use of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When the authentication unit determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition unit and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is made, The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device.

  With such a configuration, when the first network device determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the received authentication information and determines that the job ticket can be updated, the output data use managing means Thus, output data is provided to the second network device. The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.

In the first network device, if it is determined that the output data is eligible for use based on the acquired authentication information and it is determined that the job ticket can be updated, the output data use managing means performs the first output. An output request is made to the control means. Then, the update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed.
Therefore, until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or until the output is interrupted or the output is completed, the output data is not provided even if the authentication information is received, and the authentication information is acquired. However, there is no output.

[Mode 14] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 14 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 9, 11 to 13,
The first network device includes usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a provision result and a usage result of the output data usage management means.
With such a configuration, in the first network device, the usage history information indicating the usage history of the output data is generated by the usage history information generation unit based on the provision result of the output data usage management unit and the usage result.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 7 is obtained.

[Mode 15] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 15 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 2, 4 to 7, 9, 11 to 14,
The output data usage managing means is configured to delete the output data and the job ticket when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition.
With such a configuration, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data use management unit deletes the output data and the job ticket.
As a result, the possibility that the output data and the job ticket are illegally used can be reduced, so that the confidentiality of the output contents can be more reliably protected.

[Mode 16] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the device utilization apparatus of mode 16
A device using device that uses a network device,
Output data storage means for storing output data, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or permission for use of the output data, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, With
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage managing means provides the output data of the output data storage means to any one of the plurality of network devices, and an output completion notification is sent to the output data usage managing means. Until the receipt of the output data is prohibited, and when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and when the content of the job ticket is determined to satisfy a predetermined condition Is characterized in that provision of the output data is prohibited.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 1 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the authentication output system of aspect 1 can be obtained.

[Mode 17] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus of aspect 17 is the device utilization apparatus of aspect 16,
The output data usage managing means is configured to prohibit the provision of the output data until the output data usage managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 2 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the authentication output system of aspect 2 can be obtained.

[Form 18] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus of form 18 includes:
A device using device that uses a network device,
Output data storage means for storing output data, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or permission for use of the output data, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, With
The output data usage managing means provides the output data of the output data storage means to any one of the plurality of network devices and updates the job ticket of the job ticket storage means when authentication is obtained. The output data provision is prohibited until the output data use management means receives the output completion notification, and the provision of the output data is prohibited when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. It is characterized by that.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 3 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 3 is obtained.

[Mode 19] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus according to aspect 19 is the same as the device utilization apparatus according to aspect 18.
The output data usage managing means prohibits the provision of the output data until the output data usage managing means receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification. When the output data usage management means receives the output interruption notification, the job ticket It is characterized in that the contents of are returned to before the update.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 4 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 4 is obtained.

[Mode 20] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus according to aspect 20 is the device utilization apparatus according to any one of aspects 17 and 19,
Furthermore, an authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, and an authentication means,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means,
The output data use managing means provides the output data to a transmission source of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use. It is characterized by.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 5 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 5 is obtained.

[Mode 21] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus of aspect 21 is the device utilization apparatus of aspect 20,
The output data usage managing means provides the output data when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use and the job ticket is updatable, and provides the output interruption notification or The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output completion notification is received.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 6 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 6 can be obtained.

[Mode 22] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus of aspect 22 is the device utilization apparatus according to any one of aspects 17, 19 to 21,
Furthermore, it is characterized by comprising usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a result provided by the output data usage managing means.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 7 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 7 is obtained.

[Mode 23] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the network device of mode 23
A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
The output control means transmits an output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed in the network device.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network device in the authentication output system of aspect 1 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the authentication output system of aspect 1 can be obtained.

[Mode 24] Furthermore, the network device of mode 24 is the network device of mode 23,
When the output is interrupted by the network device, the output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits an output interruption notification to the device using apparatus.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network device in the authentication output system of aspect 2 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the authentication output system of aspect 2 can be obtained.

[Mode 25] Furthermore, the network device of mode 25 is the network device of mode 24,
The information processing apparatus further comprises authentication information acquisition means for acquiring authentication information used for the authentication, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means to the device using apparatus.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network device in the authentication output system of aspect 5 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 5 is obtained.

[Mode 26] Furthermore, the network device of mode 26 is
A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for saving the output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use permission, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means Means and
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage management unit provides the output data of the output data storage unit to another network device, and the output data usage management unit receives the output completion notification until the output data usage management unit receives the output completion notification. Prohibit the provision and use of data, or make an output request to the output control means, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output is completed by the network device, receive the output completion notification, or When the output is completed in the network device, the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated. When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, provision and use of the output data are prohibited. And
The output control means performs output based on the output data in response to the output request.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 8 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 8 is obtained.

[Mode 27] Furthermore, the network device of mode 27 is the network device of mode 26,
The output data usage management unit prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output data usage management unit receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification, or the output is interrupted at the network device. Alternatively, the provision of the output data is prohibited until the output is completed.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 9 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 9 is obtained.

[Mode 28] Furthermore, the network device of mode 28 is
A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for saving the output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use permission, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means Means and
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit provides the output data of the output data storage unit to another network device, updates the job ticket of the job ticket storage unit, and notifies the output completion notification. Until the output data usage management means receives, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or an output request is made to the output control means, the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated, and the network device Until the output is completed, the provision of the output data is prohibited. When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the provision and use of the output data are prohibited.
The output control means performs output based on the output data in response to the output request.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 10 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 10 is obtained.

[Mode 29] Furthermore, the network device of mode 29 is the network device of mode 28,
The output data use managing means prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output data use managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice, or the output is interrupted at the network device. Alternatively, the provision of the output data is prohibited until the output is completed, and when the output interruption notification is received or the output is interrupted by the network device, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update. It is characterized by.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 11 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 11 is obtained.

[Mode 30] Furthermore, the network device of mode 30 is the network device of any one of modes 27 and 29,
Furthermore, an authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, an authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and an authentication means,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means,
The output data use managing means provides the output data to the other network device when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means. When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means, the output control means is configured to make the output request. Features.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 12 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 12 is obtained.

[Mode 31] Furthermore, the network device of mode 31 is the network device of mode 30,
When the output data use managing means determines that the output means is eligible for use of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is made and the network The job ticket is prohibited from being updated until the output is interrupted or completed by the device.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 13 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 13 is obtained.

[Mode 32] Furthermore, the network device of mode 32 is the network device of any one of modes 27, 29 to 31,
Furthermore, it is characterized by comprising usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on the provision result and the usage result of the output data usage management means.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 14 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 14 is obtained.

[Mode 33] Furthermore, the network device of mode 33 is the network device of any one of modes 24, 25, 27, 29 to 32,
The output data usage managing means is configured to delete the output data and the job ticket when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 15 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 15 is obtained.

[Form 34] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the output data management program of the form 34
An output data management program for managing output data used in a network device,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing including an output data use management step for managing use of the output data,
The output data use management step provides output data of output data storage means for storing the output data to any one of the plurality of network devices when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication. The job ticket storage prohibits the provision of the output data until the output completion notification is received, and stores the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or permission of the output data when the output completion notification is received. The job ticket of the means is updated, and when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, provision of the output data is prohibited.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device utilization apparatus in mode 16 can be obtained.

[Mode 35] Furthermore, the output data management program of mode 35 is the same as the output data management program of mode 34,
The output data use management step is characterized in that the provision of the output data is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.
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 device utilization apparatus according to mode 17 can be obtained.

[Mode 36] Further, the output data management program of mode 36 is
An output data management program for managing output data used in a network device,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing including an output data use management step for managing use of the output data,
The output data use management step provides output data of output data storage means for storing the output data to any one of the plurality of network devices when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication. Updating the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or permission of use of the output data, and prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output completion notification is received, When it is determined that the content of the ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, provision of the output data is prohibited.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device utilization apparatus in mode 18 are obtained.

[Mode 37] Furthermore, the output data management program of mode 37 is the output data management program of mode 36,
The output data usage management step prohibits the provision of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, and when the output interruption notification is received, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update. It is characterized by that.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device utilization apparatus of mode 19 can be obtained.

[Mode 38] Furthermore, the output data management program of mode 38 is the output data management program of any one of modes 35 and 37.
Furthermore, an authentication information receiving step for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, and a program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of the authentication step,
The authentication step authenticates use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step,
The output data use management step provides the output data to a transmission source of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step. And
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the device utilization apparatus of mode 20 are obtained.

[Mode 39] Furthermore, the output data management program of mode 39 is the same as the output data management program of mode 38,
The output data usage management step provides the output data when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step and the job ticket is updatable, and the output interruption notification or The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output completion notification is received.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device utilization apparatus of mode 21 are obtained.

[Mode 40] Furthermore, the output data management program of mode 40 is the output data management program of any one of modes 35, 37 to 39.
And a program for causing a computer to execute processing including a usage history information generation step for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a result provided by the output data usage management step. To do.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device utilization apparatus in mode 22 are obtained.

[Form 41] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the output control program of the form 41 includes:
An output control program for performing output based on output data,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output data receiving step for receiving the output data and an output control step for performing output control based on the output data received in the output data receiving step,
In the output control step, when the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus.

With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network device of mode 23 are obtained.
Here, the output control step may take any form as long as the output control is performed based on the output data. For example, the output control step may be based on a printing unit that performs printing based on the print data, or on the display data. It includes performing output control on display means for displaying or sound output means for outputting sound based on sound data. Hereinafter, output control program of forms 44, 46, 100, 103, 104, 133 and 134, authentication output method of forms 52, 54, 59, 61, 109, 110, 115 and 116, and output method of forms 139 and 140 The same.

[Form 42] Furthermore, the output control program of form 42 is the output control program of form 41,
In the output control step, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interruption notification is transmitted to the device utilization apparatus.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network device in the form 24 are obtained.

[Form 43] Further, the output control program of form 43 is the output control program of form 42,
Further, to cause a computer to execute a process comprising an authentication information acquisition step for acquiring authentication information used for the authentication, and an authentication information transmission step for transmitting the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step to the device using apparatus. It is characterized by including the following program.

With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network device of mode 25 are obtained.
Here, the authentication information acquisition step may take any form as long as the authentication information is acquired. For example, the authentication information may be input from an input device or the like, or the authentication information is acquired from an external terminal or the like. Alternatively, the authentication information may be received from a storage device or a storage medium. The storage device, the storage medium, and the like may be integrated or separate. Thus, acquisition includes at least input, acquisition, reception and reading. The same applies to the output control programs of forms 48, 101, 105 and 135, the authentication output method of forms 56, 63, 111 and 117, and the output method of form 141.

[Form 44] Furthermore, the output control program of form 44 is
An output control program for performing output based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data; an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the output data receiving step in an output data storage means; and an output data usage managing step for managing the use of the output data; A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output control step for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step provides the output data of the output data storage means to another network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication, and the output data until the output completion notification is received. Prohibiting provision and use, or making an output request to the output control step, prohibiting provision of the output data until the output is completed, and receiving the output completion notification or when the output is completed Updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the usage restriction or permission of the output data, and determines that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the output Prohibit the provision and use of data,
The output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network device of mode 26 are obtained.

[Form 45] Furthermore, the output control program of form 45 is the output control program of form 44,
The output data use management step prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or the output data until the output is interrupted or the output is completed. Prohibiting the provision of
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as the network device in the form 27 can be obtained.

[Form 46] Furthermore, the output control program of form 46 is
An output control program for performing output based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data; an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the output data receiving step in an output data storage means; and an output data usage managing step for managing the use of the output data; A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output control step for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step provides the output data of the output data storage means to another network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication, and the contents relating to the use restriction or permission of use of the output data Update the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket, and prohibit the provision and use of the output data until receiving the output completion notification, or make an output request to the output control step, Updating the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output is completed, and providing the output data when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition Ban the use,
The output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network device in the form 28 are obtained.

[Mode 47] Further, the output control program of mode 47 is the output control program of mode 46,
The output data use management step prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or the output data until the output is interrupted or the output is completed. Is prohibited, and when the output interruption notification is received or when the output is interrupted, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, operations and effects equivalent to those of the network device in mode 29 are obtained.

[Form 48] Furthermore, the output control program of form 48 is the output control program of any one of forms 45 and 47,
Furthermore, an authentication information receiving step for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, an authentication information acquisition step for acquiring the authentication information, and a program for causing a computer to execute processing including the authentication step,
The authentication step authenticates use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step and the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step,
The output data usage management step provides the output data to the other network device when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step. When it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step, the output request is made to the output control step.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network device in the form 30 are obtained.

[Form 49] Furthermore, the output control program of form 49 is the output control program of form 48,
When the output data usage management step determines that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is made and the output The job ticket is prohibited from being updated until is interrupted or the output is completed.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network device in the form 31 are obtained.

[Form 50] Furthermore, the output control program of form 50 is the output control program of any one of forms 45, 47 to 49,
And a program for causing the computer to execute a process including a usage history information generation step for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on the provision result and the usage result of the output data usage management step. 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 those of the network device according to mode 32 are obtained.

[Form 51] Furthermore, the output control program of form 51 is the output control program of any one of forms 42, 43, 45, 47 to 50,
The output data utilization management step is characterized in that the output data and the job ticket are deleted when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as the network device in the form 33 can be obtained.

[Mode 52] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the authentication output method of mode 52 includes:
An authentication output method in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step that performs authentication. And
For the device utilization device,
When authentication is obtained in the authentication step, output data of output data storage means for storing the output data is provided to any one of the plurality of network devices, and until the output completion notification is received, Prohibiting the provision of output data, and when receiving the output completion notification, update the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission of use of the output data, and the job When it is determined that the content of the ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, an output data use management step for prohibiting the provision of the output data is included,
For the network device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
An output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed in the network device.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 1 can be obtained.

[Mode 53] Further, the authentication output method of mode 53 is the same as the authentication output method of mode 52,
The output data utilization management step prohibits the provision of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
In the output control step, when the output is interrupted by the network device, the output data received in the output data reception step is prohibited and the output interrupt notification is transmitted to the device using device. To do.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 2 is obtained.

[Form 54] Further, the authentication output method of form 54 includes:
An authentication output method in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step that performs authentication. And
For the device utilization device,
When authentication is obtained in the authentication step, the output data of the output data storage means for storing the output data is provided to any one of the plurality of network devices, and use restriction or permission of use of the output data is provided. Update the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the content related to the content, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output completion notification is received, and determine that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition And including an output data use management step for prohibiting the provision of the output data,
For the network device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
An output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed in the network device.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 3 is obtained.

[Mode 55] Further, the authentication output method of mode 55 is the same as the authentication output method of mode 54,
The output data usage management step prohibits the provision of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received. ,
In the output control step, when the output is interrupted by the network device, the output data received in the output data reception step is prohibited and the output interrupt notification is transmitted to the device using device. To do.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 4 is obtained.

[Mode 56] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 56 is the authentication output method of any one of modes 53 and 55.
For the network device:
An authentication information acquisition step of acquiring authentication information used for the authentication, and an authentication information transmission step of transmitting the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step to the device using device,
For the device utilization device,
An authentication information receiving step for receiving the authentication information; and the authentication step,
The authentication step authenticates use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step,
The output data use management step provides the output data to a transmission source of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step. And
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 5 is obtained.

[Mode 57] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 57 is the authentication output method of mode 56,
The output data usage management step provides the output data when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step and the job ticket is updatable, and the output interruption notification or The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output completion notification is received.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 6 is obtained.

[Form 58] Furthermore, the authentication output method of form 58 is the authentication output method of any one of forms 53, 55 to 57.
For the device utilization device,
It includes a usage history information generation step of generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a provision result of the output data usage management step.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 7 is obtained.

[Form 59] Further, the authentication output method of form 59 includes:
The first network device and the second network device that perform output based on the output data and the device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step of performing authentication. An authentication output method,
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the first network device;
For the first network device,
A first output data receiving step for receiving the output data, an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the first output data receiving step in an output data storage means, and output data for managing the use of the output data A usage management step, and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step provides the output data of the output data storage means to the second network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step, and until the output completion notification is received, Prohibiting provision and use, or making an output request to the first output control step, prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output is completed by the first network device, and receiving the output completion notification Alternatively, when the output is completed in the first network device, the job ticket is updated in the job ticket storage unit that stores the job ticket that defines the contents related to the use restriction or use permission of the output data, and the contents of the job ticket Provide the use and use of the output data is prohibited.
The first output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request,
For the second network device,
A second output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
A second output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed by the second network device.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 8 is obtained.

[Mode 60] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 60 is the same as the authentication output method of mode 59,
The output data usage management step prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device. Until that time, the provision of the output data is prohibited,
The second output control step prohibits the use of the output data received in the second output data reception step and notifies the first network device of the output interruption when the output is interrupted by the second network device. Is transmitted.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 9 is obtained.

[Form 61] Further, the authentication output method of form 61 includes:
The first network device and the second network device that perform output based on the output data and the device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step of performing authentication. An authentication output method,
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the first network device;
For the first network device,
A first output data receiving step for receiving the output data, an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the first output data receiving step in an output data storage means, and output data for managing the use of the output data A usage management step, and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step provides the output data of the output data storage means to the second network device when the authentication is obtained in the authentication step, and the contents relating to use restriction or use permission of the output data. Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means for storing the specified job ticket, and prohibit the provision and use of the output data until an output completion notification is received, or make an output request to the first output control step When the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated, the output data is prohibited until the output is completed by the first network device, and the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition. , Prohibiting the provision and use of the output data,
The first output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request,
For the second network device,
A second output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
A second output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed by the second network device.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 10 is obtained.

[Mode 62] Further, the authentication output method of mode 62 is the authentication output method of mode 61,
The output data usage management step prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device. Until the output data is prohibited, and when the output interruption notification is received or when the output is interrupted by the first network device, the contents of the job ticket are returned before the update,
The second output control step prohibits the use of the output data received in the second output data reception step and notifies the first network device of the output interruption when the output is interrupted by the second network device. Is transmitted.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 11 is obtained.

[Mode 63] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 63 is the authentication output method of any one of modes 60 and 62,
For the second network device,
A second authentication information acquisition step for acquiring authentication information used for the authentication; and an authentication information transmission step for transmitting the authentication information acquired in the second authentication information acquisition step to the first network device;
For the first network device,
An authentication information receiving step for receiving the authentication information; a first authentication information acquiring step for acquiring the authentication information; and the authentication step.
The authentication step authenticates use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step and the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquisition step,
The output data use management step provides the output data to the second network device when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step. And when the authentication step determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquisition step, the output request is made to the first output control step. And
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 12 is obtained.

[Mode 64] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 64 is the same as the authentication output method of mode 63,
When the output data usage management step determines that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquisition step and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is performed, The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 13 is obtained.

[Mode 65] Further, the authentication output method of mode 65 is the authentication output method of any one of modes 60, 62 to 64,
For the first network device,
It includes a usage history information generation step of generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a provision result and a usage result of the output data usage management step.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 14 is obtained.

[Mode 66] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 66 is the authentication output method of any one of modes 53, 55 to 58, 60, 62 to 65,
The output data utilization management step is characterized in that the output data and the job ticket are deleted when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 15 is obtained.

[Mode 67] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, an authentication output system of mode 67
An authentication output system in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are connected to be communicable, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output
The device utilization apparatus includes: output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the plurality of network devices; job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines content relating to use restriction or permission of the output data; Output data use managing means for managing the use of output data,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage management unit transmits an output permission notification to any one of the plurality of network devices, and outputs an output interruption notification or an output completion notification. Is prohibited until the output permission notification is received, and when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. When the use prohibition notice is sent to the plurality of network devices,
The network device includes output data storage means, output data reception means for receiving the output data, output data storage means for storing output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means, and the output Output control means for performing output control based on the output data of the data storage means,
The output control means performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits the use of the output data and the use of the device when the output is interrupted in the network device. The output interruption notification is transmitted to a device, and when the output is completed at the network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the device using device, and when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is used. Is characterized by prohibiting.

With such a configuration, in the device utilization apparatus, output data is transmitted to each network device by the output data transmission means.
In the network device, when the output data is received by the output data receiving means, the received output data is saved in the output data storage means by the output data saving means.
In the device using apparatus, when the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to any one of the plurality of network devices. The transmission of the output permission notification is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.

In the network device, when the output permission notification is received, the output control means outputs based on the output data in the output data storage means. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus. On the other hand, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interruption notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus.
In the device utilization apparatus, when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket is updated by the output data utilization management means.
Also, in the device utilization apparatus, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the use prohibition notice is transmitted to each network device by the output data utilization management means.

In the network device, when the use prohibition notification is received, the output control means prohibits the use of the output data.
Thus, since the job ticket is updated when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted by the network device due to some trouble, the output content can be obtained by another network device. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

  Further, since the output permission notification is transmitted to any one of the network devices, the possibility that the same output content is output at a time by a plurality of network devices can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output is interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility that the output is performed beyond the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, since the output data is stored in each network device, even if the output is interrupted by the network device due to some trouble, the output can be started at a relatively high speed by other network devices.
Here, prohibiting the use of the output data includes, for example, deleting the output data, rejecting the request when the use of the output data is requested, and rewriting the attribute of the output data to be unavailable. , And encoding the output data indecipherably. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 68, the network device of form 85, the output control program of form 100, and the authentication output method of forms 109 and 110.

  For example, the job ticket is updated by defining the number of times the output data can be used, subtracting the number of times that the output permission notification is transmitted, and each time the output permission notification is transmitted. It includes adding the number of times the output data is used. Hereinafter, an authentication output system of forms 68, 73 and 74, a device utilization apparatus of forms 79 and 80, a network device of forms 88 and 89, an output data management program of forms 94 and 95, an output control program of forms 103 and 104, and This is the same in the authentication output methods of the forms 109, 110, 115 and 116.

[Mode 68] Further, the authentication output system of mode 68 includes:
An authentication output system in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are connected to be communicable, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output
The device utilization apparatus includes: output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the plurality of network devices; job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines content relating to use restriction or permission of the output data; Output data use managing means for managing the use of output data,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to any one of the plurality of network devices, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and interrupts the output. The output permission notification is prohibited from being transmitted until the output data use managing means receives the notification or the output completion notification, and when the output interruption notification is received, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update, and the job When it is determined that the content of the ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, a use prohibition notice is transmitted to the plurality of network devices,
The network device includes output data storage means, output data reception means for receiving the output data, output data storage means for storing output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means, and the output Output control means for performing output control based on the output data of the data storage means,
The output control means performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits the use of the output data and the use of the device when the output is interrupted in the network device. The output interruption notification is transmitted to a device, and when the output is completed at the network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the device using device, and when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is used. Is characterized by prohibiting.

With such a configuration, in the device utilization apparatus, output data is transmitted to each network device by the output data transmission means.
In the network device, when the output data is received by the output data receiving means, the received output data is saved in the output data storage means by the output data saving means.
In the device using apparatus, when the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to any one of the plurality of network devices, and the job ticket is updated. The transmission of the output permission notification is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.

In the network device, when the output permission notification is received, the output control means outputs based on the output data in the output data storage means. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus. On the other hand, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interruption notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus.
In the device utilization apparatus, when the output interruption notification is received, the content of the job ticket is returned to before the update by the output data utilization management means.

Also, in the device utilization apparatus, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the use prohibition notice is transmitted to each network device by the output data utilization management means.
In the network device, when the use prohibition notification is received, the output control means prohibits the use of the output data.
Thus, since the update of the job ticket becomes valid when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted by the network device due to some trouble, the output contents can be obtained by another network device. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

Further, since the output permission notification is transmitted to any one of the network devices, the possibility that the same output content is output at a time by a plurality of network devices can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output has been interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of output exceeding the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents can be protected as compared with the conventional case.
Furthermore, since the output data is stored in each network device, even if the output is interrupted by the network device due to some trouble, the output can be started at a relatively high speed by other network devices.

[Mode 69] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 69 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 67 and 68.
The device using apparatus includes an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information used for the authentication, and an authentication unit.
The network device has authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means to the device using device,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means,
The output data use managing means transmits the output permission notice to a sender of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use. It is characterized by becoming.

With this configuration, in the network device, when the authentication information is acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit, the acquired authentication information is transmitted to the device using apparatus by the authentication information transmission unit.
In the device using apparatus, when the authentication information is received by the authentication information receiving means, the use of the output data is authenticated by the authentication means based on the received authentication information. As a result, when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network devices.
As a result, if the user gives valid authentication information to the network device desired to be output, the output contents can be obtained by the network device.

[Mode 70] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 70 is the authentication output system of mode 69,
The output data usage managing means transmits the output permission notice when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use and the job ticket can be updated, and the output interruption notice Alternatively, the updating of the job ticket is prohibited until the output completion notification is received.
With such a configuration, in the device using apparatus, when the authentication unit determines that the output data is eligible for use and the job ticket is updatable, the output data use managing unit notifies the output permission notification. Is sent. The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received. Therefore, the output permission notification is not transmitted even if the authentication information is received until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.

[Form 71] Furthermore, the authentication output system of form 71 is the authentication output system of any one of forms 67 to 70.
The device utilization apparatus includes utilization history information generation means for generating utilization history information indicating a utilization history of the output data based on a transmission result of the output data utilization management means.
With such a configuration, in the device utilization apparatus, utilization history information indicating the utilization history of the output data is generated by the utilization history information generating means based on the transmission result of the output data utilization managing means.
Thereby, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to grasp how the output data is used by referring to the usage history information.

[Mode 72] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 72 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 67 to 71,
When the output data use managing means determines that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data use managing means transmits the use prohibition notice and deletes the job ticket,
The output control means is configured to delete the output data when the use prohibition notice is received.

With such a configuration, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the device utilization apparatus transmits a utilization prohibition notice and deletes the job ticket by the output data utilization management means.
In the network device, when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is deleted by the output control means.
As a result, the possibility that the output data and the job ticket are illegally used can be reduced, so that the confidentiality of the output contents can be more reliably protected.

[Mode 73] Further, the authentication output system of mode 73 is:
An authentication output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output. Because
The device utilization apparatus has output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the first network device and the second network device,
The first network device includes first output data storage means, first output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data received by the first output data reception means in the first output data storage means. First output data storage means for storing; job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data; output data use management means for managing use of the output data; First output control means for performing output control based on output data of the first output data storage means,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to the second network device, and until the output data use managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice Transmission of output permission notification and use of the output data are prohibited, or an output request is made to the first output control means, and the output is interrupted until the output is interrupted or completed at the first network device. When transmission of permission notification is prohibited and the output completion notification is received or the output is completed in the first network device, the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and the content of the job ticket is a predetermined condition. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, a use prohibition notice is transmitted to the second network device and the output device Is adapted to prohibit the use of the data,
The first output control means is configured to perform output based on the output data in response to the output request,
The second network device has second output data storage means, second output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data received by the second output data reception means in the second output data storage means. Second output data storage means for storing; and second output control means for performing output control based on output data of the second output data storage means;
The second output control means performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits use of the output data when the output is interrupted by the second network device. The output interruption notification is transmitted to the first network device, and when the output is completed at the second network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device and the use prohibition notification is received. In some cases, the use of the output data is prohibited.

With such a configuration, in the device utilization apparatus, output data is transmitted to the first network device and the second network device by the output data transmission means.
In the first network device, when the output data is received by the first output data receiving means, the received output data is saved in the first output data storage means by the first output data saving means. Similarly, in the second network device, when the output data is received by the second output data receiving means, the received output data is saved in the second output data storage means by the second output data saving means.

In the first network device, when the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to the second network device or makes an output request to the first output control means. In the former case, transmission of an output permission notification and use of output data are prohibited until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received.
In the second network device, when the output permission notification is received, the second output control means outputs based on the output data of the second output data storage means. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device. On the other hand, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device.

In the first network device, when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket is updated by the output data usage managing means.
On the other hand, in the first network device, when an output request is made to the first output control means, the first output control means outputs based on the output data of the first output data storage means. Next, the output data utilization managing means prohibits the transmission of the output permission notice until the output is interrupted or the output is completed. When the output is completed, the job ticket is updated.

In the first network device, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data use managing means transmits a use prohibition notice to the second network device and prohibits the use of the output data. The
In the second network device, when the use prohibition notice is received, the use of the output data is prohibited by the second output control means.
Thus, since the job ticket is updated when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted due to some trouble in one of the first network device and the second network device, the output content can be obtained in the other network device. it can. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

  In addition, since the output permission notification is transmitted to the second network device or the output data is used by the first network device, the same output contents are simultaneously obtained by the first network device and the second network device. The possibility of being output can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output is interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility that the output is performed beyond the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

Further, since the output data is stored in the first network device and the second network device, even if the output is interrupted due to some trouble in one of the first network device and the second network device, the other network device is relatively There is also an effect that output can be started at high speed.
Here, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the use of the output data is prohibited, the output is interrupted, the use of the output data is prohibited, or the use prohibition notice is received. If the use of the output data is prohibited, the use of the output data can be prohibited by, for example, deleting the output data or rejecting the request when the use of the output data is requested. Rewriting the attributes of the output data to be unusable and encoding the output data indecipherably. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 74, the network device of forms 88 and 89, the output control program of forms 103 and 104, and the authentication output method of forms 115 and 116.

  In the case where the use of output data is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, the use of the output data is prohibited, for example, when the use of the output data is requested. Rejecting, rewriting the attributes of the output data to unavailable, and encoding the output data indecipherably. The same applies to the authentication output system of form 74, the network device of forms 88 and 89, the output control program of forms 103 and 104, and the authentication output method of forms 115 and 116.

[Form 74] Further, the authentication output system of form 74 includes:
An authentication output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output. Because
The device utilization apparatus has output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the first network device and the second network device,
The first network device includes first output data storage means, first output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data received by the first output data reception means in the first output data storage means. First output data storage means for storing; job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data; output data use management means for managing use of the output data; First output control means for performing output control based on output data of the first output data storage means,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit transmits an output permission notification to the second network device, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit, and outputs an output interruption notification or an output completion notification. Until the output data usage managing means receives it, the transmission of the output permission notice and the use of the output data are prohibited, or an output request is made to the first output control means, and the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage means is Updating, prohibiting transmission of the output permission notice until the output is interrupted at the first network device or until the output is completed, receiving the output interruption notice, or interrupting the output at the first network device In such a case, the content of the job ticket is returned to before the update, and the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. When you strike determination is adapted to prohibit the use of the output data and transmits the use prohibition notification to the second network device,
The first output control means is configured to perform output based on the output data in response to the output request,
The second network device has second output data storage means, second output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data received by the second output data reception means in the second output data storage means. Second output data storage means for storing; and second output control means for performing output control based on output data of the second output data storage means;
The second output control means performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits use of the output data when the output is interrupted by the second network device. The output interruption notification is transmitted to the first network device, and when the output is completed at the second network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device and the use prohibition notification is received. In some cases, the use of the output data is prohibited.

With such a configuration, in the device utilization apparatus, output data is transmitted to the first network device and the second network device by the output data transmission means.
In the first network device, when the output data is received by the first output data receiving means, the received output data is saved in the first output data storage means by the first output data saving means. Similarly, in the second network device, when the output data is received by the second output data receiving means, the received output data is saved in the second output data storage means by the second output data saving means.

In the first network device, when the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to the second network device or makes an output request to the first output control means. In the former case, the transmission of the output permission notification and the use of the output data are prohibited until the job ticket is updated and the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.
In the second network device, when the output permission notification is received, the second output control means outputs based on the output data of the second output data storage means. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device. On the other hand, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device.

In the first network device, when the output interruption notification is received, the content of the job ticket is returned to before the update by the output data utilization managing means.
On the other hand, in the first network device, when an output request is made to the first output control means, the job ticket is updated by the output data utilization management means, and the output of the first output data storage means is made by the first output control means. Output is based on the data. Next, the output data utilization managing means prohibits the transmission of the output permission notice until the output is interrupted or the output is completed. When the output is interrupted, the contents of the job ticket are returned before updating.

In the first network device, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data use managing means transmits a use prohibition notice to the second network device and prohibits the use of the output data. The
In the second network device, when the use prohibition notice is received, the use of the output data is prohibited by the second output control means.
As a result, since the update of the job ticket becomes valid when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted due to some trouble in one of the first network device and the second network device, the output content is obtained in the other network device. be able to. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

In addition, since the output permission notification is transmitted to the second network device or the output data is used by the first network device, the same output contents are simultaneously obtained by the first network device and the second network device. The possibility of being output can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output has been interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of output exceeding the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents can be protected as compared with the conventional case.
Further, since the output data is stored in the first network device and the second network device, even if the output is interrupted due to some trouble in one of the first network device and the second network device, the other network device is relatively There is also an effect that output can be started at high speed.

[Mode 75] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 75 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 73 and 74,
The first network device includes an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information used for the authentication, a first authentication information acquisition unit that acquires the authentication information, and an authentication unit.
The second network device includes second authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the second authentication information acquisition means to the first network device. ,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means,
The output data usage managing means sends the output permission notification to the second network device when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means. When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means, the output request is made to the first output control means. It is characterized by becoming.

With this configuration, in the second network device, when the authentication information is acquired by the second authentication information acquiring unit, the acquired authentication information is transmitted to the first network device by the authentication information transmitting unit.
In the first network device, when the authentication information is received by the authentication information receiving means, the use of the output data is authenticated by the authentication means based on the received authentication information. As a result, when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to the second network device.

Further, in the first network device, when the authentication information is acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means, the eligibility of the output data is authenticated by the authentication means based on the acquired authentication information. As a result, if it is determined that the output data is eligible for use, the output data use managing means makes an output request to the first output control means.
Thereby, the same effect as that in the authentication output system according to aspect 69 is obtained.

[Mode 76] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 76 is the authentication output system of mode 75,
When the output data use managing means determines that the output means is eligible for use of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the job ticket is updatable, Sending the output permission notification, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When the authentication unit determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition unit and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is made, The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device.

  With such a configuration, when the first network device determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the received authentication information and determines that the job ticket can be updated, the output data use managing means Thus, an output permission notification is transmitted to the second network device. The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.

In the first network device, if it is determined that the output data is eligible for use based on the acquired authentication information and it is determined that the job ticket can be updated, the output data use managing means performs the first output. An output request is made to the control means. Then, the update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed.
Therefore, until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or until the output is interrupted or the output is completed, the output permission notification is not transmitted even if the authentication information is received, and the authentication information is acquired. Even if it is done, no output is performed.

[Mode 77] Furthermore, the authentication output system of mode 77 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 73 to 76,
The first network device includes usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a transmission result and a usage result of the output data usage managing means.
With such a configuration, in the first network device, the usage history information indicating the usage history of the output data is generated by the usage history information generation unit based on the transmission result and the usage result of the output data usage management unit.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system according to mode 71 is obtained.

[Mode 78] Further, the authentication output system of mode 78 is the authentication output system of any one of modes 73 to 77,
The output data use managing means is configured to transmit the use prohibition notice and delete the output data and the job ticket when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition.
The second output control means is configured to delete the output data when the use prohibition notice is received.

With such a configuration, in the first network device, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data use managing means transmits a use prohibition notice and the output data and job ticket are received. Deleted.
In the network device, when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is deleted by the second output control means.
As a result, the possibility that the output data and the job ticket are illegally used can be reduced, so that the confidentiality of the output contents can be more reliably protected.

[Mode 79] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a device utilization apparatus according to mode 79,
A device using device that uses a network device,
Managing output data, output data transmitting means for transmitting output data to the plurality of network devices, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission for use of the output data, and managing the use of the output data Output data use management means,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to any one of the plurality of network devices, and the output data use managing means sends an output interruption notice or an output completion notice. Until receiving, prohibiting transmission of the output permission notice, when receiving the output completion notice, updating the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and determining that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition Is configured to transmit a use prohibition notice to the plurality of network devices.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 67 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 67 is obtained.

[Mode 80] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus of mode 80 is
A device using device that uses a network device,
Managing output data, output data transmitting means for transmitting output data to the plurality of network devices, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission for use of the output data, and managing the use of the output data Output data use management means,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit transmits an output permission notification to any one of the plurality of network devices, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit, and outputs an output interruption notification. Alternatively, transmission of the output permission notice is prohibited until the output data use managing means receives the output completion notice, and when the output interruption notice is received, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update, and the job ticket When it is determined that the content of the file satisfies a predetermined condition, a use prohibition notice is transmitted to the plurality of network devices.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 68 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 68 is obtained.

[Form 81] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus of aspect 81 is the device utilization apparatus of any one of aspects 79 and 80.
Furthermore, an authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, and an authentication means,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means,
The output data use managing means transmits the output permission notice to a sender of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use. It is characterized by becoming.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 69 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 69 is obtained.

[Form 82] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus of aspect 82 is the device utilization apparatus of aspect 81,
The output data usage managing means transmits the output permission notice when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use and the job ticket can be updated, and the output interruption notice Alternatively, the updating of the job ticket is prohibited until the output completion notification is received.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 70 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 70 is obtained.

[Form 83] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus according to aspect 83 is the device utilization apparatus according to any one of aspects 79 to 82.
Furthermore, it is characterized by comprising usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a transmission result of the output data usage managing means.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 71 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 71 is obtained.

[Form 84] Furthermore, the device utilization apparatus according to aspect 84 is the device utilization apparatus according to any one of aspects 79 to 83.
The output data usage managing means transmits the usage prohibition notice and deletes the job ticket when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the device utilization apparatus in the authentication output system of aspect 72 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 72 is obtained.

[Mode 85] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a network device of mode 85
A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for storing output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; and output of the output data storage means Output control means for performing output control based on the data,
The output control means performs output based on the output data when an output permission notification is received, and prohibits the use of the output data when the output is interrupted in the network device and notifies the device using apparatus. An output interruption notification is transmitted. When the output is completed at the network device, an output completion notification is transmitted to the device using device. When a use prohibition notification is received, the use of the output data is prohibited. It is characterized by becoming.
With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the network device in the authentication output system of aspect 67 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 67 is obtained.

[Mode 86] Furthermore, the network device of mode 86 is the network device of mode 85,
The information processing apparatus further comprises authentication information acquisition means for acquiring authentication information used for the authentication, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means to the device using apparatus.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network device in the authentication output system of aspect 69 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 69 is obtained.

[Mode 87] Furthermore, the network device of mode 87 is the network device of any one of modes 85 and 86,
The output control means is configured to delete the output data when the use prohibition notice is received.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the network device in the authentication output system of aspect 72 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 72 is obtained.

[Mode 88] Furthermore, the network device of mode 88 is
A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for saving the output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use permission, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means Means and
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to another network device, and the output data use managing means until the output data use managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice. Prohibit transmission of notification and use of the output data, or request output to the output control means, prohibit transmission of the output permission notification until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the network device When the output completion notification is received or when the output is completed in the network device, the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, Sending a usage prohibition notice to the other network device and prohibiting the use of the output data Has become a jar,
The output control means performs output based on the output data in response to the output request.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 73 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 73 is obtained.

[Mode 89] Furthermore, the network device of mode 89 is
A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for saving the output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use permission, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means Means and
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit transmits an output permission notification to another network device, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit, and outputs the output interruption notification or the output completion notification. Until the data usage management means receives, the transmission of the output permission notification and the use of the output data are prohibited, or an output request is made to the output control means, the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated, Until the output is interrupted at the network device or until the output is completed, transmission of the output permission notification is prohibited. When the output interrupt notification is received or when the output is interrupted at the network device, the job ticket When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition by returning the content before the update Wherein being adapted to prohibit the use of the output data and transmits the other use prohibition notification to the network device,
The output control means performs output based on the output data in response to the output request.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 74 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 74 is obtained.

[Mode 90] Furthermore, the network device of mode 90 is the network device of any one of modes 88 and 89,
Furthermore, an authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, an authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and an authentication means,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means,
The output data usage managing means sends the output permission notification to the other network device when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means. When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired and acquired by the authentication information acquisition means, the output control means is configured to make the output request. It is characterized by.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 75 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 75 is obtained.

[Mode 91] Furthermore, the network device of mode 91 is the network device of mode 90,
When the output data use managing means determines that the output means is eligible for use of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the job ticket is updatable, Sending the output permission notification, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is made and the network The job ticket is prohibited from being updated until the output is interrupted or completed by the device.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 76 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 76 is obtained.

[Mode 92] Furthermore, the network device of mode 92 is the network device of any one of modes 88 to 91,
Furthermore, it is characterized by comprising usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on the transmission result and the usage result of the output data usage managing means.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 77 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 77 is obtained.

[Mode 93] Furthermore, the network device of mode 93 is the network device of any one of modes 88 to 92,
When the output data usage managing means determines that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data usage managing means transmits the usage prohibition notice and deletes the output data and the job ticket. Features.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 78 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 78 is obtained.

[Mode 94] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, an output data management program according to mode 94
An output data management program for managing output data used in a network device,
A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output data transmission step for transmitting the output data to a plurality of the network devices, and an output data utilization management step for managing utilization of the output data;
The output data use management step transmits an output permission notification to any one of the plurality of network devices and receives an output interruption notification or an output completion notification when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication. Until the output permission notice is prohibited, and when the output completion notice is received, the job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or the use permission of the output data. When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, a use prohibition notice is transmitted to the plurality of network devices.
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 device utilization apparatus in mode 79 are obtained.

[Mode 95] Furthermore, the output data management program of mode 95 is
An output data management program for managing output data used in a network device,
A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output data transmission step for transmitting the output data to a plurality of the network devices, and an output data utilization management step for managing utilization of the output data;
The output data usage management step transmits an output permission notification to any one of the plurality of network devices when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication, and the usage restriction or usage permission of the output data Update the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents related to, prohibit the transmission of the output permission notification until receiving the output interruption notification or the output completion notification, and received the output interruption notification When the content of the job ticket is returned before update, and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, a use prohibition notice is transmitted to the plurality of network devices.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the device utilization apparatus in mode 80 are obtained.

[Mode 96] Further, the output data management program of mode 96 is the output data management program of any one of modes 94 and 95.
Furthermore, an authentication information receiving step for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, and a program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of the authentication step,
The authentication step authenticates use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step,
The output data usage management step transmits the output permission notification to a source of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step. Features.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device utilization apparatus in mode 81 are obtained.

[Mode 97] Further, the output data management program of mode 97 is the same as the output data management program of mode 96,
When the output data use management step determines that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step and determines that the job ticket is updatable, the output data use management step transmits the output permission notification, and the output interruption notification Alternatively, the update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output completion notification is received.
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 device utilization apparatus in mode 82 are obtained.

[Mode 98] Further, the output data management program of mode 98 is the output data management program of any one of modes 94 to 97,
And a program for causing a computer to execute processing including a usage history information generation step for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a transmission result of the output data usage management step. To do.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device utilization apparatus in mode 83 are obtained.

[Mode 99] Furthermore, the output data management program of mode 99 is the output data management program of any one of modes 94 to 98.
In the output data usage management step, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the usage prohibition notification is transmitted and the job ticket 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 device utilization apparatus in mode 84 are obtained.

[Mode 100] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, an output control program according to mode 100 includes:
An output control program for performing output based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data, an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the output data receiving step in output data storage means, and output control based on the output data of the output data storage means Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing including output control steps to be performed,
The output control step performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits the use of the output data when the output is interrupted and sends an output suspension notification to the device using apparatus. When the transmission is completed and the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the device using apparatus, and when the usage prohibition notification is received, the use of the output data is prohibited.
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 device according to the form 85 are obtained.

[Mode 101] Further, the output control program of mode 101 is the output control program of mode 100,
Further, to cause a computer to execute a process comprising an authentication information acquisition step for acquiring authentication information used for the authentication, and an authentication information transmission step for transmitting the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step to the device using apparatus. It is characterized by including the following program.
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 device in the form 86 can be obtained.

[Mode 102] Further, the output control program of mode 102 is the output control program of any one of modes 100 and 101.
The output control step deletes the output data when the use prohibition notice is received.
With this configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as the network device in the form 87 can be obtained.

[Form 103] Furthermore, the output control program of form 103 is
An output control program for performing output based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data; an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the output data receiving step in an output data storage means; and an output data usage managing step for managing the use of the output data; A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output control step for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step transmits an output permission notification to another network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step for performing authentication, and the output permission notification until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received. Transmission and use of the output data is prohibited, or an output request is made to the output control step, and transmission of the output permission notice is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed, and the output is completed. When the notification is received or when the output is completed, the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or use permission of the output data is updated, and the contents of the job ticket are predetermined. When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, a use prohibition notice is transmitted to the other network device. To prohibit the use of the output data,
The output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, operations and effects equivalent to those of the network device in the form 88 are obtained.

[Form 104] Furthermore, the output control program of form 104 is
An output control program for performing output based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data; an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the output data receiving step in an output data storage means; and an output data usage managing step for managing the use of the output data; A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output control step for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means,
The output data usage management step transmits an output permission notification to another network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step for performing authentication, and a job ticket that defines contents related to usage restrictions or usage permission of the output data Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and prohibit the transmission of the output permission notification and the use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or output to the output control step Make a request, update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibit transmission of the output permission notice until the output is interrupted or the output is completed, receive the output interruption notice, or the output is When the job ticket is interrupted, the content of the job ticket is returned to before the update, and the content of the job ticket is When it is determined that the constant condition is satisfied, prohibit the use of the output data and transmits the use prohibition notification to the other network devices,
The output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request.
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 device of the form 89 are obtained.

[Mode 105] Furthermore, the output control program of mode 105 is the output control program of any one of modes 103 and 104.
Furthermore, an authentication information receiving step for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, an authentication information acquisition step for acquiring the authentication information, and a program for causing a computer to execute processing including the authentication step,
The authentication step authenticates use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step and the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step,
In the output data usage management step, when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step, the output permission notification is sent to the other network device. And when the authentication step determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step, the output request is made to the output control step.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, operations and effects equivalent to those of the network device in the form 90 are obtained.

[Mode 106] Furthermore, the output control program of mode 106 is the same as the output control program of mode 105.
When the output data use management step determines that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step and the job ticket is updatable, Sending the output permission notification, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until receiving the output interruption notification or the output completion notification,
When it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is made and the output The job ticket is prohibited from being updated until is interrupted or the output is completed.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, operations and effects equivalent to those of the network device according to mode 91 are obtained.

[Mode 107] Furthermore, the output control program of mode 107 is the output control program of any one of modes 103 to 106.
And a program for causing the computer to execute processing including a usage history information generation step for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on the transmission result and the usage result of the output data usage management step. It is characterized by.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as the network device in the form 92 are obtained.

[Mode 108] Further, the output control program of mode 108 is the output control program of any one of modes 103 to 107.
In the output data usage management step, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the usage prohibition notification is transmitted and the output data and the job ticket are 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 the network device in the form 93 can be obtained.

[Mode 109] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the authentication output method of mode 109 is:
An authentication output method in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step that performs authentication. And
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the plurality of network devices;
For the network device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
An output data storage step of storing the output data received in the output data reception step in an output data storage means,
For the device utilization device,
When authentication is obtained in the authentication step, an output permission notification is transmitted to any one of the plurality of network devices, and the output permission notification is transmitted until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received. When the output completion notification is received, the job ticket is updated in the job ticket storing means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or permission of the output data, and the content of the job ticket is predetermined. When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, an output data usage management step of transmitting a usage prohibition notification to the plurality of network devices includes:
For the network device, when the output permission notification is received, output is performed based on the output data of the output data storage means, and when the output is interrupted by the network device, the output data Sending the output interruption notification to the device using device while prohibiting the use, and when the output is completed at the network device, sending the output completion notification to the device using device and receiving the use prohibition notification The output control step of prohibiting the use of the output data.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 67 is obtained.

[Mode 110] Further, the authentication output method of mode 110 includes:
An authentication output method in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step that performs authentication. And
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the plurality of network devices;
For the network device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
An output data storage step of storing the output data received in the output data reception step in an output data storage means,
For the device utilization device,
When authentication is obtained in the authentication step, an output permission notification is transmitted to any one of the plurality of network devices, and a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data is stored. Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibit transmission of the output permission notification until receiving an output interruption notification or an output completion notification, and update the contents of the job ticket when the output interruption notification is received Returning to the front, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, an output data usage management step of transmitting a usage prohibition notification to the plurality of network devices,
For the network device:
When the output permission notification is received, output is performed based on the output data of the output data storage means, and when the output is interrupted by the network device, the use of the output data is prohibited and the device utilization device When the output is completed at the network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the device using device, and when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is used. The output control step is prohibited.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 68 is obtained.

[Form 111] Further, the authentication output method of form 111 is the authentication output method of any one of forms 109 and 110,
For the network device:
An authentication information acquisition step of acquiring authentication information, and an authentication information transmission step of transmitting the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step to the device using device,
For the device utilization device,
An authentication information receiving step for receiving the authentication information; and the authentication step,
The authentication step authenticates use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step,
The output data usage management step transmits the output permission notification to a source of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step. Features.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 69 is obtained.

[Mode 112] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 112 is the same as the authentication output method of mode 111,
When the output data use management step determines that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step and determines that the job ticket is updatable, the output data use management step transmits the output permission notification, and the output interruption notification Alternatively, the update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output completion notification is received.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 70 is obtained.

[Form 113] Furthermore, the authentication output method of form 113 is the authentication output method of any one of forms 109 to 112.
For the device utilization device,
It includes a usage history information generation step for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a transmission result of the output data usage management step.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 71 is obtained.

[Form 114] Further, the authentication output method of form 114 is the authentication output method of any one of forms 109 to 113,
When the output data usage management step determines that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data usage management step transmits the usage prohibition notification and deletes the job ticket,
The output control step deletes the output data when the use prohibition notice is received.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 72 is obtained.

[Mode 115] Further, the authentication output method of mode 115 includes:
The first network device and the second network device that perform output based on the output data and the device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step of performing authentication. An authentication output method,
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the first network device and the second network device;
For the first network device,
A first output data receiving step for receiving the output data; and a first output data storing step for storing the output data received in the first output data receiving step in a first output data storage means;
For the second network device,
A second output data receiving step for receiving the output data; and a second output data storing step for storing the output data received in the second output data receiving step in a second output data storage means;
For the first network device,
An output data utilization management step for managing the utilization of the output data; and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data of the first output data storage means;
The output data use management step transmits an output permission notification to the second network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step, and the output permission notification is output until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received. Transmission and use of the output data are prohibited, or an output request is made to the first output control step, and the output permission notification is transmitted until the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device. A job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents relating to usage restrictions or usage permission of the output data when the output completion notification is received or the output is completed at the first network device. When a job ticket is updated and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition , Transmits a use prohibition notification to the second network device to prohibit the use of the output data,
The first output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request,
For the second network device,
When the output permission notification is received, output is performed based on the output data of the second output data storage means, and when the output is interrupted by the second network device, the use of the output data is prohibited. When the output interruption notification is transmitted to the first network device, and when the output is completed at the second network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device and the use prohibition notification is received. Includes a second output control step for prohibiting the use of the output data.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 73 is obtained.

[Mode 116] Further, the authentication output method of mode 116 includes:
The first network device and the second network device that perform output based on the output data and the device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step of performing authentication. An authentication output method,
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the first network device and the second network device;
For the first network device,
A first output data receiving step for receiving the output data; and a first output data storing step for storing the output data received in the first output data receiving step in a first output data storage means;
For the second network device,
A second output data receiving step for receiving the output data; and a second output data storing step for storing the output data received in the second output data receiving step in a second output data storage means;
For the first network device,
An output data utilization management step for managing the utilization of the output data; and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data of the first output data storage means;
In the output data usage management step, when the authentication is obtained in the authentication step, an output permission notification is transmitted to the second network device, and a job ticket that defines contents related to the usage limitation or usage permission of the output data is sent. Updating the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage means and prohibiting the transmission of the output permission notification and the use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or the first output control step Making an output request, updating the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibiting the transmission of the output permission notice until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device, and the output interruption notification Or when the output is interrupted by the first network device, Returning the contents of Yobuchiketto before update, when the contents of the job ticket is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, prohibit the use of the output data and transmits the use prohibition notification to the second network device,
The first output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request,
For the second network device,
When the output permission notification is received, output is performed based on the output data of the second output data storage means, and when the output is interrupted by the second network device, the use of the output data is prohibited. When the output interruption notification is transmitted to the first network device, and when the output is completed at the second network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device and the use prohibition notification is received. Includes a second output control step for prohibiting the use of the output data.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 74 is obtained.

[Mode 117] Further, the authentication output method of mode 117 is the authentication output method of any one of modes 115 and 116.
For the second network device,
A second authentication information acquisition step of acquiring authentication information; and an authentication information transmission step of transmitting the authentication information acquired in the second authentication information acquisition step to the first network device,
For the first network device,
An authentication information receiving step for receiving the authentication information; a first authentication information acquiring step for acquiring the authentication information; and the authentication step.
The authentication step authenticates use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step and the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquisition step,
The output data usage management step sends the output permission notification to the second network device when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step. Transmitting the output request to the first output control step when the authentication step determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquisition step. Features.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 75 is obtained.

[Mode 118] Further, the authentication output method of mode 118 is the same as the authentication output method of mode 117,
When the output data use management step determines that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step and the job ticket is updatable, Sending the output permission notification, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until receiving the output interruption notification or the output completion notification,
When it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquisition step and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is performed, The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 76 is obtained.

[Mode 119] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 119 is the authentication output method of any one of modes 115 to 118,
For the first network device,
It includes a usage history information generation step of generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a transmission result and a usage result of the output data usage management step.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 77 is obtained.

[Mode 120] Furthermore, the authentication output method of mode 120 is the authentication output method of any one of modes 115 to 119,
When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data usage management step transmits the usage prohibition notification and deletes the output data and the job ticket,
The second output control step deletes the output data when the use prohibition notice is received.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 78 is obtained.

[Form 121] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the output system of the form 121
An output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a data management device that manages the output data are communicably connected,
The data management device provides output data storage means for storing the output data and output data provision for providing output data of the output data storage means to the first network device in response to an acquisition request from the first network device Means,
The first network device includes: a job ticket storage unit that stores a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or permission of use of the output data; an output data use management unit that manages use of the output data; and the output data First output control means for performing output control based on
The output data usage management unit acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to the second network device, and the output data usage management unit receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification. Until this is done, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or the acquired output data is output to the first output control means, until the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device. Prohibits the provision of the output data, and when the output completion notification is received or when the output is completed in the first network device, the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated, and the contents of the job ticket are When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited. And,
The first output control means is adapted to perform output based on output data from the output data utilization management means,
The second network device includes output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and second output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
When the output is interrupted by the second network device, the second output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interrupt notification to the first network device. When the output is completed, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device.

With such a configuration, in the first network device, output data is acquired from the data management device by the output data utilization managing means.
In the data management device, output data is provided to the first network device by the output data providing means in response to an acquisition request from the first network device.
In the first network device, when the output data is acquired, the acquired output data is provided to the second network device by the output data use managing unit, or the acquired output data is output to the first output control unit. Is done. In the former case, provision and use of output data is prohibited until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received.

  In the second network device, when the output data is received by the output data receiving means, output control is performed by the second output control means based on the received output data. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device. On the other hand, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device.

In the first network device, when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket is updated by the output data usage managing means.
On the other hand, in the first network device, when the output data is output to the first output control means, the first output control means outputs based on the output data. Next, the output data utilization managing means prohibits the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or until the output is completed. When the output is completed, the job ticket is updated.

Further, in the first network device, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the output data use managing unit prohibits the provision and use of the output data.
Thus, since the job ticket is updated when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted due to some trouble in one of the first network device and the second network device, the output content can be obtained in the other network device. it can. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

  In addition, since the output data is provided to the second network device or the output data is used by the first network device, the same output contents are output at a time by the first network device and the second network device. The possibility of being reduced can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output is interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of output exceeding the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents and the copyrighted work can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

  Here, when it is determined that the contents of the job ticket satisfy the predetermined condition, the output data is provided when the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or when the use of the output data is prohibited when the output is interrupted. Prohibiting the provision or use of, for example, deleting the output data, rejecting the request when provision or use of the output data is requested, or sending a use prohibition notice to the data management device Rewriting the attributes of the output data to be unusable or unusable and encoding the output data indecipherably. The same applies to the output system of form 122, the network device of forms 127 and 128, the output control program of forms 133 and 134, and the output method of forms 139 and 140.

[Form 122] Furthermore, the output system of form 122 is
An output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a data management device that manages the output data are communicably connected,
The data management device provides output data storage means for storing the output data and output data provision for providing output data of the output data storage means to the first network device in response to an acquisition request from the first network device Means,
The first network device includes: a job ticket storage unit that stores a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or permission of use of the output data; an output data use management unit that manages use of the output data; and the output data First output control means for performing output control based on
The output data utilization management means acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to the second network device, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, Until the output data use managing means receives the output completion notification, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or the acquired output data is output to the first output control means, and the job ticket storage means Update the job ticket, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device, receive the output interrupt notification, or the output at the first network device Is interrupted, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update, and the job ticket When the content of is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, being adapted to prohibit the providing and use of the output data,
The first output control means is adapted to perform output based on output data from the output data utilization management means,
The second network device includes output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and second output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
When the output is interrupted by the second network device, the second output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interrupt notification to the first network device. When the output is completed, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device.

With such a configuration, in the first network device, output data is acquired from the data management device by the output data utilization managing means.
In the data management device, output data is provided to the first network device by the output data providing means in response to an acquisition request from the first network device.
In the first network device, when the output data is acquired, the acquired output data is provided to the second network device by the output data use managing unit, or the acquired output data is output to the first output control unit. Is done. In the former case, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited until the job ticket is updated and the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.

  In the second network device, when the output data is received by the output data receiving means, output control is performed by the second output control means based on the received output data. When the output is completed, an output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device. On the other hand, when the output is interrupted, use of the output data is prohibited and an output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device.

In the first network device, when the output interruption notification is received, the content of the job ticket is returned to before the update by the output data utilization managing means.
On the other hand, in the first network device, when output data is output to the first output control means, the job ticket is updated by the output data use management means, and the first output control means outputs based on the output data. Is called. Next, the output data utilization managing means prohibits the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or until the output is completed. When the output is interrupted, the contents of the job ticket are returned before updating.

Further, in the first network device, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the output data use managing unit prohibits the provision and use of the output data.
As a result, since the update of the job ticket becomes valid when the output is completed, even if the output is interrupted due to some trouble in one of the first network device and the second network device, the output content is obtained in the other network device. be able to. Therefore, the effect that only the person who can acquire the output material can obtain it is obtained.

  In addition, since the output data is provided to the second network device or the output data is used by the first network device, the same output contents are output at a time by the first network device and the second network device. The possibility of being reduced can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network device whose output is interrupted is recovered, the use of the output data is prohibited, so that the possibility of output contents being output from the network device can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of output exceeding the permitted range of output can be reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that the confidentiality of the output contents and the copyrighted work can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

[Form 123] Furthermore, the output system of form 123 is the output system of any one of forms 121 and 122.
The first network device includes: authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information used for the authentication; first authentication information acquiring means for acquiring the authentication information; authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means; Authentication means for authenticating eligibility for use of the output data based on the authentication information acquired by the one authentication information acquisition means,
The second network device includes second authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the second authentication information acquisition means to the first network device. ,
The output data usage managing means provides the output data to the second network device when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means. When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means, the output data is output to the first output control means. It is characterized by becoming.

With this configuration, in the second network device, when the authentication information is acquired by the second authentication information acquiring unit, the acquired authentication information is transmitted to the first network device by the authentication information transmitting unit.
In the first network device, when the authentication information is received by the authentication information receiving means, the use of the output data is authenticated by the authentication means based on the received authentication information. As a result, when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use, the output data use management means provides the output data to the second network device.

Further, in the first network device, when the authentication information is acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means, the eligibility of the output data is authenticated by the authentication means based on the acquired authentication information. As a result, when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use, the output data use management means outputs the output data to the first output control means.
As a result, if the user gives valid authentication information to the network device desired to be output, the output contents can be obtained by the network device.

[Form 124] Furthermore, the output system of form 124 is the same as the output system of form 123,
When the output data use managing means determines that the output means is eligible for use of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data to the second network device, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means and the job ticket is updatable, the first output control means The output data is output to the first network device, and the update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device.

  With such a configuration, when the first network device determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the received authentication information and determines that the job ticket can be updated, the output data use managing means Thus, output data is provided to the second network device. The update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received.

In the first network device, if it is determined that the output data is eligible for use based on the acquired authentication information and it is determined that the job ticket can be updated, the output data use managing means performs the first output. Output data is output to the control means. Then, the update of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed.
Therefore, until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or until the output is interrupted or the output is completed, the output data is not provided even if the authentication information is received, and the authentication information is acquired. However, there is no output.

[Form 125] Furthermore, the output system of form 125 is the output system of any one of forms 121 to 124.
The first network device includes usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a provision result and a usage result of the output data usage management means.

With such a configuration, in the first network device, the usage history information indicating the usage history of the output data is generated by the usage history information generation unit based on the provision result of the output data usage management unit and the usage result.
Thereby, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to grasp how the output data is used by referring to the usage history information.

[Mode 126] Further, the output system of mode 126 is the output system of any one of modes 121 to 125,
When the output data usage managing means determines that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the output data usage managing means deletes the job ticket and transmits a usage prohibition notice to the data management device,
The data management device includes output data deleting means for deleting the output data when the use prohibition notice is received.

With such a configuration, in the first network device, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data usage managing unit deletes the job ticket and notifies the data management apparatus of the usage prohibition. Is sent.
In the data management device, when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is deleted by the output data deleting means.
As a result, the possibility that the output data and the job ticket are illegally used can be reduced, so that the confidentiality of the output contents and the copyrighted work can be more reliably protected.

[Mode 127] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the network device of mode 127 is
A network device that performs output based on output data,
Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control based on the output data Output control means,
The output data usage management unit acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to another network device, and until the output data usage management unit receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification. Prohibits the provision and use of the output data, or outputs the acquired output data to the output control means, and provides the output data until the output is interrupted or completed at the network device. When the output completion notification is received or the output is completed at the network device, the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and the content of the job ticket is determined to satisfy a predetermined condition. Is to prohibit the provision and use of the output data,
The output control means performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management means.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of mode 121 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 121 is obtained.

[Mode 128] Furthermore, the network device of mode 128 is
A network device that performs output based on output data,
Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control based on the output data Output control means,
The output data usage management means acquires the output data from a data management device, provides the acquired output data to another network device, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and outputs an output interruption notification or output completion Until the output data usage managing means receives the notification, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or the acquired output data is output to the output control means, and the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated. When the output is interrupted at the network device or until the output is completed, the provision of the output data is prohibited. When the output interrupt notification is received or the output is interrupted at the network device, the job The contents of the ticket are returned before the update, and the contents of the job ticket satisfy a predetermined condition. When it is determined that the plus is adapted to prohibit the provision and use of the output data,
The output control means performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management means.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 122 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 122 is obtained.

[Mode 129] Furthermore, the network device of mode 129 is the network device of any one of modes 127 and 128.
Further, authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, authentication information acquiring means for acquiring the authentication information, authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means, and authentication acquired by the authentication information acquiring means Authenticating means for authenticating eligibility for use of the output data based on information,
The output data use managing means provides the output data to the other network device when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means. When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means, the output data is output to the output control means. It is characterized by.
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 123 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 123 is obtained.

[Mode 130] Furthermore, the network device of mode 130 is the network device of mode 129,
When the output data use managing means determines that the output means is eligible for use of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data to the other network device, and prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means and the job ticket can be updated, the output control means And the updating of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the network device.
With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 124 can be obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 124 can be obtained.

[Mode 131] Furthermore, the network device of mode 131 is the network device of any one of modes 127 to 130.
Furthermore, it is characterized by comprising usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on the provision result and the usage result of the output data usage management means.
With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 125 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 125 is obtained.

[Mode 132] Furthermore, the network device of mode 132 is the network device of any one of modes 127 to 131,
The output data use managing means is configured to delete the job ticket and transmit a use prohibition notice to the data management apparatus when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. And
With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the first network device in the authentication output system of aspect 126 is obtained. Therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 126 is obtained.

[Mode 133] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the output control program of mode 133 is
An output control program for performing output based on output data,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output data use managing step for managing use of the output data, and an output control step for performing output control based on the output data,
The output data usage management step acquires the output data from a data management device, provides the acquired output data to another network device, and provides the output data until receiving an output interruption notification or an output completion notification. Use is prohibited, or the obtained output data is output to the output control step, the output data is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed, and the output completion notification is received. Alternatively, when the output is completed, the job ticket is stored in a job ticket storage unit that stores a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission of use of the output data, and when the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition When determined, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited,
The output control step performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management step.
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 device utilization apparatus according to mode 127 can be obtained.

[Form 134] Furthermore, the output control program of form 134 is
An output control program for performing output based on output data,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output data use managing step for managing use of the output data, and an output control step for performing output control based on the output data,
The output data usage management step acquires the output data from a data management device, provides the acquired output data to another network device, and stores a job ticket that defines contents related to usage restrictions or usage permission of the output data Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and prohibit the provision and use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or output the acquired output data to the output control step Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or the output is completed, and when the output interrupt notification is received or the output is interrupted , Restore the contents of the job ticket before the update, When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, it prohibits the provision and use of the output data,
The output control step performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management step.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the device utilization apparatus in mode 128 are obtained.

[Mode 135] Furthermore, the output control program of mode 135 is the output control program of any one of modes 133 and 134.
Further, an authentication information receiving step for receiving authentication information used for the authentication, an authentication information acquiring step for acquiring the authentication information, an authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step, and an authentication acquired in the authentication information acquiring step Including a program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an authentication step for authenticating eligibility of the output data based on information,
The output data usage management step provides the output data to the other network device when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step. When the authentication step determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step, the output data is output to the output control step.
With this 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 device utilization apparatus according to mode 129 are obtained.

[Aspect 136] Furthermore, the output control program of aspect 136 is the output control program of aspect 135,
When the output data use management step determines that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data to the other network device, and prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information acquired in the authentication information acquisition step and the job ticket is updatable, the output data is sent to the output control step. And the updating of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed.
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 device utilization apparatus according to mode 130 can be obtained.

[Mode 137] Further, the output control program of mode 137 is the output control program of any one of modes 133 to 136.
And a program for causing the computer to execute a process including a usage history information generation step for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on the provision result and the usage result of the output data usage management step. 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 those of the device utilization apparatus according to mode 131 are obtained.

[Mode 138] Furthermore, the output control program of mode 138 is the output control program of any one of modes 133 to 137,
In the output data usage management step, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the job ticket is deleted and a usage prohibition notice is transmitted to the data management device.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device utilization apparatus of mode 132 are obtained.

[Mode 139] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the output method of mode 139 is:
An output method in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a data management device that manages the output data are communicably connected,
For the first network device,
An output data use management step for managing the use of the output data; and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data;
The output data utilization management step acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to the second network device, and outputs the output data until receiving an output interruption notification or an output completion notification. Prohibit provision and use, or output the acquired output data to the first output control step, and provide the output data until the output is interrupted or completed at the first network device. The job of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or the use permission of the output data when the output completion notification is received or the output is completed at the first network device The ticket is updated and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition When I prohibits the provision and use of the output data,
The first output control step performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management step,
For the data management device,
An output data providing step of providing output data of output data storage means for storing the output data to the first network device in response to an acquisition request from the first network device;
For the second network device,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
When the output is interrupted by the second network device, use of the output data received in the output data receiving step is prohibited, and the output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device, and the second network device A second output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 121 is obtained.

[Form 140] Furthermore, the output method of form 140 is:
An output method in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a data management device that manages the output data are communicably connected,
For the first network device,
An output data use management step for managing the use of the output data; and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data;
The output data usage management step acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to the second network device, and defines a job ticket that defines contents related to usage restrictions or permission to use the output data Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and prohibit the provision and use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or the acquired output data is the first output control Output to the step, update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device, and the output interruption notification Received or when the output is interrupted by the first network device , Back to the previous update the contents of the job ticket, when the contents of the job ticket is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, prohibits the provision and use of the output data,
The first output control step performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management step,
For the data management device,
An output data providing step of providing output data of output data storage means for storing the output data to the first network device in response to an acquisition request from the first network device;
For the second network device,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
When the output is interrupted by the second network device, use of the output data received in the output data receiving step is prohibited, and the output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device, and the second network device A second output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 122 is obtained.

[Form 141] Furthermore, the output method of form 141 is the same as the output method of any one of forms 139 and 140,
For the second network device,
A second authentication information acquisition step of acquiring authentication information; and an authentication information transmission step of transmitting the authentication information acquired in the second authentication information acquisition step to the first network device,
For the first network device,
The authentication information receiving step for receiving the authentication information, the first authentication information acquiring step for acquiring the authentication information, the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step, and the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquiring step. Authenticating the eligibility for use of the output data based on,
The output data use management step provides the output data to the second network device when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information receiving step. And when it is determined that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquisition step, the output data is output to the first output control step. Features.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 123 is obtained.

[Form 142] Furthermore, the output method of form 142 is the same as the output method of form 141.
When the output data use management step determines that the output data is eligible for use in the authentication step based on the authentication information received in the authentication information reception step and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data to the second network device and prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received;
When it is determined in the authentication step that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired in the first authentication information acquisition step and the job ticket is updatable, the first output control step And outputting the output data, and prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 124 can be obtained.

[Form 143] Furthermore, the output method of form 143 is the output method of any one of forms 139 to 142.
For the first network device,
It includes a usage history information generation step of generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a provision result and a usage result of the output data usage management step.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of aspect 125 is obtained.

[Aspect 144] Further, the output method of Aspect 144 is the output method of any one of Aspects 139 to 143.
When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the output data usage management step deletes the job ticket and transmits a usage prohibition notice to the data management device,
For the data management device,
When the use prohibition notification is received, an output data deletion step of deleting the output data is included.
With such a configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the authentication output system of mode 126 is obtained.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 9 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an authentication output system, a device using apparatus, a network device, an output data management program and an output control program, and an authentication output method according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, an authentication output system, a device using apparatus, a network device, an output data management program and an output control program, and an authentication output method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. This is applied to the case where printing is performed by the printer 200.

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of a network system.
As shown in FIG. 1, a host terminal 100 and a plurality of network printers 200 are connected to the network 199.

  The host terminal 100 includes a print data generation unit 10 that generates print data, a print data storage unit 11 that stores print data generated by the print data generation unit 10, and a job ticket that stores a job ticket that defines the number of printable copies. Storage unit 12, authentication information receiving unit 13 that receives authentication information, user authentication unit 14 that performs user authentication based on the authentication information received by authentication information receiving unit 13, and use of print data that manages the use of print data And a management unit 15.

  When the user authentication unit 14 obtains user authentication and determines that the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit 12 can be updated, the print data usage management unit 15 sends authentication information from a plurality of network printers 200. The print data in the print data storage unit 11 is provided, and the update of the job ticket is prohibited until the print interruption notice or the print completion notice is received. When the print completion notification is received, the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted, and when it is determined that the number of printable copies is “0”, the print data and the job ticket are deleted. Hereinafter, prohibiting the update of the job ticket is referred to as “freezing the job ticket”.

The host terminal 100 further includes a usage history information generation unit 16 that generates usage history information indicating a usage history of print data based on a result provided by the print data usage management unit 15.
The network printer 200 includes a card reader 20 that reads authentication information from an inserted authentication card, an authentication information transmission unit 21 that transmits the authentication information read by the card reader 20 to the host terminal 100, and print data reception that receives print data. A printer engine 23 including a print head, a head drive unit, and other mechanisms necessary for printing, and a print control unit 24 that performs print control of the printer engine 23 based on print data received by the print data receiving unit 22. It is comprised.

When printing is interrupted by the printer engine 23, the print control unit 24 discards the print data being printed and sends a print interruption notification to the host terminal 100. When the printing is completed by the printer engine 23, the host A print completion notification is transmitted to the terminal 100.
Next, the configuration of the host terminal 100 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the host terminal 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the host terminal 100 includes a CPU 50 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 52 that stores a control program for the CPU 50 in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 52 and the like. And a RAM 54 for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 50, and an I / F 58 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device, which are signals for transferring data The buses 59 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. , A card writer 66 for writing authentication information to the inserted authentication card, and a signal line for connecting to the network 199 are connected.

The CPU 50 includes a microprocessing unit and the like, and activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and print data generation processing and print request reception shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 according to the program. The process and the print result reception process are executed in a time division manner.
First, the print data generation process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing print data generation processing.
When the print data generation process is executed by the CPU 50, the process first proceeds to step S100 as shown in FIG.
In step S100, it is determined whether printing is requested from a document creation application or the like. When it is determined that printing is requested (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102, but when it is determined that printing is not required (No). The process waits in step S100 until printing is requested.

In step S102, a job ID for uniquely identifying the print data is issued, print data including the issued job ID is generated based on the document data edited by the document creation application or the like, and the process proceeds to step S104.
In step S104, user information of the user who is currently using the host terminal 100 is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S106, where a job ticket is generated based on the issued job ID and the acquired user information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of the job ticket 400.
As shown in FIG. 4, the job ticket 400 includes a field 402 that stores a job ID, a field 404 that stores an exclusive flag that indicates whether the job ticket 400 is frozen, and a field 406 that stores the number of printable copies. And a field 408 storing user information. The job ticket 400 further includes a field 410 for storing usage history information every time print data is used.

  In the example of FIG. 4, “001” is stored as the job ID, “0” is stored as the exclusion flag, “3” is stored as the number of printable copies, and “UserA” is stored as the user information. This indicates that the print data with the job ID “001” can be printed only by the user with the user information “UserA”, and the number of printable copies is three. Also, since the exclusive flag has been reset, it indicates that the job ticket is not currently frozen. Here, the number of printable copies may be arbitrarily set by the user, or a predetermined value may be set.

Also, five records are stored as usage history information. This indicates that the print data of the job ID “001” has already been printed five copies, and each print date and time at that time is used as a use history.
Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S108, where the generated print data is stored in the storage device 62, and the process proceeds to step S110, where the generated job ticket is stored in the storage device 62. Return to.

Next, the print request reception process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing print request reception processing.
The print request accepting process is a process for accepting a print request from the network printer 200. When the print request accepting process is executed in the CPU 50, the process first proceeds to step S150 as shown in FIG.
In step S150, 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 S152. When it is determined that this is not the case (No), a print request is received. Until it is received in step S150.

  In step S152, authentication information including a job ID and user information is received, and the process proceeds to step S154 to execute user authentication processing for performing user authentication based on the received authentication information. In the user authentication process, the job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the received authentication information is searched from the storage device 62. As a result, when the corresponding job ticket is searched, it is determined whether or not the user information of the searched job ticket matches the user information included in the received authentication information. When the determination is made, it is determined that the user is eligible for use of the print data. On the other hand, when the corresponding job ticket is not retrieved or when it is determined that the user information does not match, it is determined that the user is not eligible for use of print data.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S156, the result of the user authentication process is determined, and when it is determined that the user is eligible for use of the print data (Yes), the process proceeds to step S158, and the searched job ticket is searched. It is determined whether or not the exclusion flag is set. If it is determined that the exclusion flag is not set (No), it is determined that the job ticket is not frozen, and the process proceeds to step S160.

In step S160, the exclusive flag of the searched job ticket is set, the process proceeds to step S162, the print data corresponding to the job ID of the searched job ticket is read from the storage device 62, and the process proceeds to step S164. The read print data is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S158 that the exclusive flag of the searched job ticket is set (Yes), it is determined that the job ticket is frozen, the process proceeds to step S166, and the request source network is determined. A printing impossible notification is transmitted to the printer 200, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S156 that the user is not qualified to use print data (No), the process proceeds to step S166.

Next, the print result receiving process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing print result reception processing.
The print result receiving process is a process of receiving a print result from the network printer 200. When the print result receiving process is executed by the CPU 50, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the process proceeds to step S200.
In step S200, it is determined whether or not a print completion notification including a job ID has been received. When it is determined that a print completion notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S202 and is included in the received print completion notification. The job ticket corresponding to the job ID to be searched is searched from the storage device 62, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S204, and the number of printable copies of the searched job ticket is set to “1”. Subtract and go to step S206.

In step S206, it is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”. If it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the process proceeds to step S208, and the usage history including the print date and time is obtained. Information is generated, the process proceeds to step S210, and the generated usage history information is added to the searched job ticket and stored in the storage device 62, and the process proceeds to step S212.
In step S212, it is determined whether or not a print interruption notification including a job ID has been received. When it is determined that a print interruption notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S214 and is included in the received print completion notification. The job ticket corresponding to the job ID to be searched is searched from the storage device 62, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S212 that the print interruption notification is not received (No), the series of processes is terminated and the process returns to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S206 that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S216, and the print data corresponding to the job ID included in the received print completion notification is stored in the storage device 62. The process proceeds to step S218, where the job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the received print completion notification is deleted from the storage device 62, and the process proceeds to step S212.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S200 that the print completion notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S212.

Next, the configuration of the network printer 200 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network printer 200.
As shown in FIG. 7, the network printer 200 includes a CPU 70 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 72 that stores a control program for the CPU 70 in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 72 and the like. And a RAM 74 for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 70 and an I / F 78 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device. These signals are signals for transferring data. They are connected to each other via a bus 79 that is a line so that data can be exchanged.

The I / F 78 includes, as external devices, an operation panel 80 including a touch panel that can input and display data as a human interface, a storage device 82 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, a card reader 20, and a printer. The engine 23 and a signal line for connecting to the network 199 are connected.
The CPU 70 comprises a microprocessing unit or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 72, and performs the print control process and the print status monitoring process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Run in splits.

First, the print control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the print control process.
The print control process is a process for performing print control of the printer engine 23. When the print control process is executed in the CPU 70, as shown in FIG. 8, first, the process proceeds to step S300.
In step S300, it is determined whether or not an authentication card has been inserted into the card reader 20. When it is determined that an authentication card has been inserted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S302, but when it is determined that it is not (No). Waits in step S300 until an authentication card is inserted.

In step S302, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 20, the process proceeds to step S304, a print request is transmitted to the host terminal 100, the process proceeds to step S306, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the host terminal 100. Then, the process proceeds to step S308.
In step S308, it is determined whether or not print data has been received. If it is determined that print data has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S310, and print control of the printer engine 23 is performed based on the received print data. The printing process is executed, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S308 that print data is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S312, where it is determined whether a print disable notification is received, and it is determined that a print disable notification is received. In (Yes), the process proceeds to step S314, an error message is displayed on the operation panel 80, a series of processes are terminated, and the original process is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S312 that the print disabled notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S308.

Next, the printing status monitoring process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the printing status monitoring process.
The printing status monitoring process is a process for monitoring the printing status of the printer engine 23. When the printing status monitoring process is executed in the CPU 70, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the process proceeds to step S350.
In step S350, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed by the printer engine 23. If it is determined that printing has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S352 and includes the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed. A print completion notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100, and the process proceeds to step S354.

  In step S354, it is determined whether or not printing has been interrupted by the printer engine 23. If it is determined that printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S356 and includes the job ID of the print data whose printing has been interrupted. A print interruption notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100, the process proceeds to step S358, the print data being printed is discarded, the process proceeds to step S360, an error message is displayed on the operation panel 80, and the series of processes ends. To return to the original process.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S354 that printing is not interrupted by the printer engine 23 (No), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S350 that the printer engine 23 has not completed printing (No), the process proceeds to step S354.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the host terminal 100, the user edits the document data using a document creation application or the like, and requests printing.
In the host terminal 100, when printing is requested, print data and a job ticket are generated through steps S102 to S110, and the generated print data and job ticket are stored in the storage device 62.

Next, at the host terminal 100, the user inserts an authentication card into the card writer 66, and writes the job ID and his / her user information into the authentication card using the card writer 66. Then, it goes to one of the network printers 200 and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 20.
In the network printer 200, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 20 through steps S302 to S306, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the host terminal 100 together with the print request.

  When the host terminal 100 receives the authentication information together with the print request, the user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information via step S154. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen through steps S160 to S164, the print data is read from the storage device 62, and the read print data is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200. The

In the network printer 200, when print data is received, through step S310, print control is performed based on the received print data. When the printing is completed, a printing completion notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100 through step S352.
When the host terminal 100 receives the print completion notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S202 and S204, and the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted. As a result, if the number of printable copies is not “0”, the usage history information is generated through steps S208 and S210, and the generated usage history information is added to the job ticket and stored in the storage device 62.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted will be described.
In the network printer 200, when printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like, a printing interruption notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100 through steps S356 to S360, print data being printed is discarded, and an error message is displayed. .
When the host terminal 100 receives the print interruption notification, the freeze of the job ticket is released through step S214.

  Next, the user removes the authentication card from the card reader 20 in the network printer 200 in which printing is interrupted. Then, it goes to another network printer 200 and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 20. Thereafter, the other network printer 200 and the host terminal 100 perform the same operation as described above, and the other network printer 200 performs printing. The number of printable copies is not subtracted even when printing is interrupted, but is subtracted only after printing is completed in another network printer 200.

Next, a case will be described in which an authentication card is removed during printing processing by one of the network printers 200 and the authentication card is inserted into the card reader 20 in another network printer 200.
In the network printer 200, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 20, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the host terminal 100 together with the print request.

When the host terminal 100 receives the authentication information together with the print request, the user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information. As a result, even if the user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen during the printing process, so that a print impossible notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200 through step S166.
In the network printer 200, when the print disable notification is received, an error message is displayed through step S314, and printing is not performed.

Note that when an authentication card storing unauthorized authentication information is used, user authentication cannot be obtained at the host terminal 100, and therefore a print impossible notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200.
When the number of printable copies becomes “0”, the host terminal 100 deletes the print data and the job ticket through steps S216 and S218.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the host terminal 100 determines that user authentication is obtained and the job ticket is not frozen, print data is sent to any one of the plurality of network printers 200. The job ticket is frozen until the print interruption notification or the print completion notification is received. When the print completion notification is received, the printable copy number of the job ticket is subtracted and the printable copy number is “0”. When the determination is made, the print data and the job ticket are deleted, and the network printer 200 receives the print data, performs print control based on the received print data, and prints when printing is interrupted. When the print data being processed is discarded and a print interruption notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100 and printing is completed, the host terminal It is adapted to send a print completion notification to 00.

As a result, when printing is completed, the number of printable copies is subtracted. Therefore, even if printing is interrupted by the network printer 200 due to a trouble such as a paper jam, the print contents can be obtained by another network printer 200. Therefore, only the person who can obtain the printed material can obtain it.
In addition, since print data is provided to any one of the network printers 200, the possibility that the same print content is printed at a time by a plurality of network printers 200 can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network printer 200 that has stopped printing is recovered, the print data being printed is discarded, so that the possibility of printing the print content on the network printer 200 can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of printing exceeding the number of printable copies can be reduced, the confidentiality of the print content can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, since print data and job tickets are centrally managed by the host terminal 100, print data and job tickets are managed more strictly than when print data and job tickets are managed by different devices. be able to.
Further, in the present embodiment, when the host terminal 100 determines that user authentication is obtained based on the received authentication information and the job ticket is not frozen, the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network printers 200. To provide print data.

Thus, if the user gives an authentication card in which valid authentication information is recorded to the network printer 200 that desires printing, the network printer 200 can obtain the print contents.
Further, in the present embodiment, the host terminal 100 generates usage history information every time print data is used.

Accordingly, it is possible to grasp how the print data is used by referring to the use history information.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the host terminal 100 determines that the number of printable copies is “0”, the print data and the job ticket are deleted.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the print data and the job ticket are illegally used, so that the confidentiality of the print contents can be more reliably protected.

  In the first embodiment, the host terminal 100 corresponds to the device utilization apparatus of the forms 1, 2, 5, 7, 16, 17, 20 to 25, 41 to 43, 52, 53, 56 or 58, The print data storage unit 11 and the storage device 62 correspond to the output data storage means of the form 1, 16, 34, or 52. The job ticket storage unit 12 and the storage device 62 correspond to the job ticket storage unit of the form 1, 16, 34, or 52, and the authentication information receiving unit 13, the I / F 58, and step S152 are the authentications of the form 5 or 20. Corresponding to the information receiving means, step S152 corresponds to the authentication information receiving step of form 38 or 56.

  In the first embodiment, the user authentication unit 14 and step S154 correspond to the authentication means of the form 5, 6, 20 or 21, and the step S154 includes the form 34, 38, 39, 52, 56 or 57 corresponding to the authentication step 57, the print data use managing unit 15, the I / F 58, and steps S156 to S164, S200 to S206, and S212 to S218 are the forms 1, 2, 5 to 7, 15 to 17, 20 to 22 or This corresponds to 33 output data utilization management means. Steps S156 to S164, S200 to S206, and S212 to S218 correspond to the output data usage management steps of forms 34, 35, 38 to 40, 51 to 53, 56 to 58, or 66, and the usage history information generation unit 16 And step S208 corresponds to the usage history information generating means of form 7 or 22.

  Further, in the first embodiment, step S208 corresponds to the usage history information generation step of form 40 or 58, and the network printer 200 has forms 1, 2, 5, 16, 20, 23 to 25, 33. , 34, 38, 52, 53 or 56 network devices. Further, the card reader 20 and step S302 correspond to the authentication information acquisition means of form 5 or 25, and step S302 corresponds to the authentication information acquisition step of form 43 or 56, and the authentication information transmission unit 21, I / F 78 and Step S306 corresponds to the authentication information transmitting means of form 5 or 25.

  In the first embodiment, step S306 corresponds to the authentication information transmission step of form 43 or 56, and the print data receiving unit 22, I / F 78, and step S308 receive the output data of form 1 or 23. Corresponding to the means, step S308 corresponds to the output data receiving step of the form 41, 52 or 53. Further, the print control unit 24, I / F 78, and step S310 correspond to the output control means of the form 1, 2, 23, or 24, and step S310 corresponds to the output control step of the form 41, 42, 52, or 53. The print data corresponds to the output data of modes 1, 2, 5 to 7, 15 to 17, 20 to 24, 33 to 35, 38 to 42, 51 to 53, 56 to 58 or 66.

In the first embodiment, the print interruption notice corresponds to the output interruption notice of form 2, 6, 17, 21, 24, 35, 39, 42, 53 or 57, and the print completion notice is form. It corresponds to the output completion notification of 1, 2, 6, 16, 17, 21, 23, 34, 35, 39, 41, 52, 53 or 57.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 10 to 15 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the authentication output system, device utilization apparatus, network device, output data management program and output control program, and authentication output method according to the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, an authentication output system, a device using apparatus, a network device, an output data management program and an output control program, and an authentication output method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. The present invention is applied to the case where printing is performed by the printers 200 and 300, and is different from the first embodiment in that the print data and the job ticket are managed not by the host terminal 100 but by the network printer 300. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of the network system.
As shown in FIG. 10, a host terminal 100, a plurality of network printers 200, and a network printer 300 that manages print data and job tickets are connected to the network 199.

The host terminal 100 includes a print data generation unit 10 and a print data transmission unit 17 that transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit 10 to the network printer 300.
The network printer 300 includes a print data storage unit 30, a print data reception unit 31 that receives print data, a print data storage unit 32 that stores print data received by the print data reception unit 31 in the print data storage unit 30, Based on the authentication information receiving unit 33 that receives the authentication information, the card reader 34 that reads the authentication information from the inserted authentication card, the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit 33 and the authentication information read by the card reader 34 And a user authentication unit 35 that performs authentication.

  The network printer 300 further includes a job ticket storage unit 36 that stores a job ticket, a print data usage management unit 37 that manages the use of print data, a printer that includes a print head, a head drive unit, and other mechanisms necessary for printing. The engine 38 includes a print control unit 39 that performs print control of the printer engine 38 based on the print data in the print data storage unit 30.

  When the print data usage management unit 37 determines that user authentication is obtained by the user authentication unit 35 based on the authentication information received by the authentication information reception unit 33 and the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit 36 is not frozen, The print data in the print data storage unit 30 is provided to the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network printers 200, and the job ticket is frozen until the print interruption notification or the print completion notification is received. If the user authentication unit 35 obtains user authentication based on the authentication information read by the card reader 34 and determines that the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit 36 is not frozen, a print request is sent to the print control unit 39. The job ticket is frozen until printing is interrupted or completed by the printer engine 38. When the print completion notification is received or when printing is completed by the printer engine 38, the printable copy number of the job ticket is subtracted, and when it is determined that the printable copy number is “0”, the print data and job ticket are subtracted. Is deleted.

The print control unit 39 performs printing based on the print data in the print data storage unit 30 in response to a print request from the print data use management unit 37.
The network printer 300 further includes a usage history information generation unit 40 that generates usage history information based on the provision result and usage result of the print data usage management unit 37.
The network printer 200 is different only in that the communication target is not the host terminal 100 but the network printer 300.

Next, the configuration of the host terminal 100 will be described.
The CPU 50 activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and performs print data generation processing, print request reception processing, and print result reception processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 according to the program. Instead, the print data generation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing print data generation processing.
When the print data generation process is executed by the CPU 50, the process first proceeds to step S400 as shown in FIG.
In step S400, it is determined whether printing is requested from a document creation application or the like. When it is determined that printing is requested (Yes), the process proceeds to step S402. When it is determined that printing is not required (No), The process waits in step S400 until printing is requested.

  In step S402, a job ID is issued, print data including the issued job ID is generated based on document data edited by a document creation application, etc., the process proceeds to step S404, and the host terminal 100 is currently used. The process proceeds to step S406, generates a job ticket based on the issued job ID and the acquired user information, and proceeds to step S408.

In step S408, a save request is transmitted to the network printer 300, the process proceeds to step S410, the generated print data is transmitted to the network printer 300, the process proceeds to step S412, and the generated job ticket is transmitted to the network printer 300. Then, the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.
Next, the configuration of the network printer 300 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network printer 300.
As shown in FIG. 12, the network printer 300 includes a CPU 90 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 92 that stores a control program for the CPU 90 in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 92 and the like. And a RAM 94 for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 90 and an I / F 98 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device. These signals are signals for transferring data. The buses 99 are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

The I / F 98 includes, as external devices, an operation panel 81 including a touch panel that can input and display data as a human interface, a storage device 83 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, a card reader 34, a printer The engine 38 and a signal line for connecting to the network 199 are connected.
The CPU 90 includes a microprocessing unit and the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 92, and according to the program, print data storage processing, print control processing, and printing status shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Each monitoring process is executed in time division. In addition, processes equivalent to the print request reception process and the print result reception process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 are executed in a time-sharing manner.

First, the print data storing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing print data storage processing.
The print data storage process is a process of storing print data from the host terminal 100. When the print data storage process is executed by the CPU 90, the process first proceeds to step S500 as shown in FIG.

In step S500, it is determined whether or not a storage request has been received. When it is determined that a storage request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S502. When it is determined that this is not the case (No), a storage request is received. Until it is received in step S500.
In step S502, print data is received, the process proceeds to step S504, the received print data is stored in the storage device 83, the process proceeds to step S506, the job ticket is received, the process proceeds to step S508, and the reception is performed. The stored job ticket is stored in the storage device 83, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.

Next, the print control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the print control process.
The print control process is a process for performing print control of the printer engine 38. When the print control process is executed by the CPU 90, the process first proceeds to step S550 as shown in FIG.
In step S550, it is determined whether or not an authentication card has been inserted into the card reader 34. If it is determined that an authentication card has been inserted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S552, but if not (No). Waits in step S550 until an authentication card is inserted.

  In step S552, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 34, and the process proceeds to step S554 to execute user authentication processing for performing user authentication based on the read authentication information. The user authentication process searches the storage device 83 for a job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the read authentication information. As a result, when the corresponding job ticket is searched, it is determined whether or not the user information of the searched job ticket matches the user information included in the read authentication information. When it is determined, it is determined that the user is eligible for use of print data. On the other hand, when the corresponding job ticket is not retrieved or when it is determined that the user information does not match, it is determined that the user is not eligible for use of print data.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S556, the result of the user authentication process is determined, and when it is determined that the user is eligible for use of print data (Yes), the process proceeds to step S558, and the searched job ticket is searched. It is determined whether or not the exclusive flag is set. If it is determined that the exclusive flag is not set (No), it is determined that the job ticket is not frozen, and the process proceeds to step S560.

  In step S560, the exclusive flag of the searched job ticket is set, the process proceeds to step S562, the print data corresponding to the job ID of the searched job ticket is read from the storage device 83, and the process proceeds to step S564. Based on the read print data, a print process for performing print control of the printer engine 38 is executed, a series of processes are terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S558 that the exclusion flag of the retrieved job ticket is set (Yes), it is determined that the job ticket is frozen, and the process proceeds to step S566 to operate the error message. Displayed on the panel 81, the series of processing ends, and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S556 that the user is not qualified to use print data (No), the process proceeds to step S566.

Next, the printing status monitoring process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the printing status monitoring process.
The printing status monitoring process is a process for monitoring the printing status of the printer engine 38. When the printing status monitoring process is executed by the CPU 90, the process first proceeds to step S600 as shown in FIG.

  In step S600, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed by the printer engine 38. When it is determined that printing has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S602 and corresponds to the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed. The job ticket to be searched is searched from the storage device 83, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S604, and “1” is subtracted from the number of printable copies of the searched job ticket, and step S606 is performed. Migrate to

In step S606, it is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”. If it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the process proceeds to step S608, and the usage history including the print date and time is obtained. Information is generated, the process proceeds to step S610, and the generated usage history information is added to the searched job ticket and stored in the storage device 83, and the process proceeds to step S612.
In step S612, it is determined whether or not printing has been interrupted by the printer engine 38. If it is determined that printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S614 and corresponds to the job ID of the print data whose printing has been interrupted. The job ticket to be searched is searched from the storage device 83, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S616, an error message is displayed on the operation panel 81, a series of processing is terminated, and the original Return to processing.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S612 that printing is not interrupted by the printer engine 38 (No), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S606 that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S618, and print data corresponding to the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed is stored from the storage device 83. The job ticket corresponding to the job ID of the print data that has been printed is deleted from the storage device 83, and the process proceeds to step S612.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S600 that the printer engine 38 does not complete printing (No), the process proceeds to step S612.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
In the host terminal 100, the user edits the document data using a document creation application or the like, and requests printing.
In the host terminal 100, when printing is requested, print data and a job ticket are generated through steps S402 to S412 and the generated print data and job ticket are transmitted to the network printer 300 together with a storage request.
When the network printer 300 receives the print data and job ticket together with the save request, the received print data and job ticket are saved in the storage device 83 through steps S504 and S506.

First, a case where printing is performed by the network printer 200 will be described.
The user goes to one of the network printers 200 and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 20.
In the network printer 200, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 20 through steps S302 to S306, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the network printer 300 together with the print request.

  In the network printer 300, when the authentication information is received together with the print request, the user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information through step S154. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen through steps S160 to S164, the print data is read from the storage device 83, and the read print data is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200. The

In the network printer 200, when print data is received, through step S310, print control is performed based on the received print data. When printing is completed, a print completion notification is transmitted to the network printer 300 via step S352.
When the network printer 300 receives the print completion notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S202 and S204, and the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted. As a result, if the number of printable copies is not “0”, the usage history information is generated through steps S208 and S210, and the generated usage history information is added to the job ticket and stored in the storage device 83.

Next, a case where printing is performed by the network printer 300 will be described.
The user goes to the network printer 300 and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 34.
In the network printer 300, when an authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 34 through steps S552 and S554, and user authentication is performed based on the read authentication information. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen through steps S560 to S564, the print data is read from the storage device 83, and print control is performed based on the read print data. When printing is completed, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S602 and S604, and the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted. As a result, if the number of printable copies is not “0”, the usage history information is generated through steps S608 and S610, and the generated usage history information is added to the job ticket and stored in the storage device 83.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted by the network printer 200 will be described.
In the network printer 200, when printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like, a printing interruption notification is transmitted to the network printer 300 through steps S356 to S360, print data being printed is discarded, and an error message is displayed. .
When the network printer 300 receives the print interruption notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through step S214.

  Next, the user removes the authentication card from the card reader 20 in the network printer 200 in which printing is interrupted. Then, it goes to another network printer 200 and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 20. Thereafter, the other network printer 200 and the network printer 300 perform the same operation as described above, and the other network printer 200 performs printing. The number of printable copies is not subtracted even when printing is interrupted, but is subtracted only after printing is completed in another network printer 200.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted by the network printer 300 will be described.
In the network printer 300, when printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S614 and S616, and an error message is displayed.
Next, the user removes the authentication card from the card reader 34 in the network printer 300. Then, it goes to another network printer 200 and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 20. Thereafter, the other network printer 200 and the network printer 300 perform the same operation as described above, and the other network printer 200 performs printing. The number of printable copies is not subtracted even when printing is interrupted, but is subtracted only after printing is completed in another network printer 200.

Next, a case will be described in which an authentication card is removed during printing processing by one of the network printers 200 or 300 and the authentication card is inserted into the card reader 20 in another network printer 200.
In the network printer 200, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 20, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the network printer 300 together with the print request.

When the network printer 300 receives the authentication information together with the print request, the user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information. As a result, even if the user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen during the printing process, so that a print impossible notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200 through step S166.
In the network printer 200, when the print disable notification is received, an error message is displayed through step S314, and printing is not performed.

Next, a case will be described in which an authentication card is removed during printing processing by one of the network printers 200 and the authentication card is inserted into the card reader 34 in the network printer 300.
In the network printer 300, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 34, and user authentication is performed based on the read authentication information. As a result, even if user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen during the printing process, so an error message is displayed through step S566, and printing is not performed.

If an authentication card storing unauthorized authentication information is used, the user authentication cannot be obtained in the network printer 300. Therefore, a print impossible notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200 or an error message is displayed. The
When the number of printable copies becomes “0”, the network printer 300 deletes the print data and the job ticket through steps S216, S218 or steps S618, S620.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, the host terminal 100 generates print data, and transmits the generated print data to the network printer 300. The network printer 300 receives the print data, The received print data is stored in the storage device 83. When it is determined that the user authentication is obtained and the job ticket is not frozen, the print data is provided to any one of the plurality of network printers 200, and printing is performed. The job ticket is frozen until the interruption notification or the print completion notification is received, or the print control is performed based on the print data of the storage device 83, and the job ticket is frozen until the printing is interrupted or the printing is completed. When printing completion notification is received or printing is completed, the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted and printed. When it is determined that the possible number of copies is “0”, the print data and the job ticket are deleted, and the network printer 200 receives the print data and performs print control based on the received print data. When printing is interrupted, the print data being printed is discarded and a print interruption notification is transmitted to the network printer 300. When printing is completed, a print completion notification is transmitted to the network printer 300. Yes.

As a result, when printing is completed, the number of printable copies is subtracted. Therefore, even if printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like in one of the network printers 200 and 300, the contents of printing are performed by other network printers 200 and 300. Can be obtained. Therefore, only the person who can obtain the printed material can obtain it.
Further, since the print data is provided to the network printer 200 or the print data is used by the network printer 300, the possibility that the same print contents are printed at a time by the network printers 200 and 300 is reduced. can do. Furthermore, even if the network printer 200, 300 that has stopped printing is restored, the print data that is being printed is discarded, so that the possibility that the network printer 200, 300 prints the print contents can be reduced. . Therefore, since the possibility of printing exceeding the number of printable copies can be reduced, the confidentiality of the print content can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, since print data and job tickets are centrally managed by the network printer 300, print data and job tickets are managed more strictly than when print data and job tickets are managed by different devices. be able to.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the network printer 300 determines that user authentication is obtained based on the received authentication information and the job ticket is not frozen, the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network printers 200. Print data is provided, and when it is determined that user authentication is obtained based on the read authentication information and the job ticket is not frozen, print control is performed based on the print data in the storage device 83. .

As a result, if the user gives an authentication card in which valid authentication information is recorded to the network printer 200, 300 that desires printing, the network printer 200, 300 can obtain the print contents.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the network printer 300 generates usage history information every time print data is used.

Accordingly, it is possible to grasp how the print data is used by referring to the use history information.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the network printer 300 determines that the number of printable copies is “0”, the print data and the job ticket are deleted.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the print data and the job ticket are illegally used, so that the confidentiality of the print contents can be more reliably protected.

  In the second embodiment, the host terminal 100 corresponds to the device utilization apparatus of form 8 or 59, and the print data transmission unit 17, I / F 58 and step S410 correspond to the output data transmission unit of form 8. Step S410 corresponds to the output data transmission step of the form 59. The network printer 300 corresponds to the first network device in forms 8, 9, 12 to 14, 59, 60, 63 to 65, and the print data storage unit 30 and the storage device 83 are in forms 8, 26, 44 or This corresponds to 59 output data storage means.

  In the second embodiment, the job ticket storage unit 36 and the storage device 83 correspond to the job ticket storage unit of the eighth, 26, 44, or 59, the print data receiving unit 31, the I / F 98, and the step. Step S502 corresponds to the first output data receiving unit according to mode 8 or the output data receiving unit according to mode 26. Step S502 corresponds to the first output data reception step of form 59 or the output data reception step of form 44, and the print data storage unit 32 and step S504 correspond to the output data storage means of form 8 or 26. Step S504 corresponds to the output data storing step of the form 44 or 59.

  In the second embodiment, the authentication information receiving unit 33, I / F 98, and step S152 correspond to the authentication information receiving means of the form 12, 13, 30, or 31, and step S152 is the form 48, 49. , 63 or 64, the card reader 34 and step S552 correspond to the first authentication information acquisition means of form 12 or 13, or the authentication information acquisition means of form 30 or 31. Step S552 corresponds to the first authentication information acquisition step of form 63 or 64, or the authentication information acquisition step of form 48 or 49, and the user authentication unit 35 and steps S154 and S554 are the forms 12, 13, 30, or This corresponds to 31 authentication means.

  In the second embodiment, steps S154 and S554 correspond to the authentication steps of forms 44, 48, 49, 59, 63, or 64, and the print data use management unit 37, I / F 98, and steps S156 to S164, S200 to S206, S212 to S218, S556 to S562, S600 to S606, and S612 to S620 correspond to the output data use management means of the eighth, ninth, twelve to fifteen, twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh, thirty-three to thirty-three. . Steps S156 to S164, S200 to S206, S212 to S218, S556 to S562, S600 to S606, and S612 to S620 are output data utilization management steps of forms 44, 45, 48 to 51, 59, 60, 63 to 66. It corresponds to.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the print control unit 39 and step S564 correspond to the first output control means of form 8 or 12, or the output control means of form 26 or 30, and step S564 is form 59. Alternatively, this corresponds to 63 first output control steps or form 44 or 48 output control steps. Further, the usage history information generation unit 40 and steps S208 and S608 correspond to the usage history information generation means in the form 14 or 32, and steps S208 and S608 correspond to the usage history information generation step in the form 50 or 65. The printer 200 corresponds to the second network device in the form 8, 9, 12, 59, 60, or 63.

  In the second embodiment, the card reader 20 and step S302 correspond to the second authentication information acquisition unit of form 12, and step S302 corresponds to the second authentication information acquisition step of form 63, and authentication. The information transmission unit 21, I / F 78, and step S306 correspond to the authentication information transmission unit of the twelfth aspect. Step S306 corresponds to the authentication information transmission step of form 63, the print data receiving unit 22, I / F 78, and step S308 correspond to the second output data receiving means of form 8, and step S308 corresponds to form 59. Or it corresponds to 60 second output data reception steps.

  In the second embodiment, the print control unit 24, the I / F 78, and step S310 correspond to the second output control means in the form 8 or 9, and the step S310 is the second output in the form 59 or 60. Corresponding to the control step, the print data corresponds to the output data of forms 8, 9, 12 to 15, 26, 27, 30 to 33, 44, 45, 48 to 51, 59, 60, 63 to 66. . Further, the print interruption notification corresponds to the output interruption notification of the forms 9, 13, 27, 31, 45, 49, 60 or 64, and the printing completion notifications are the forms 8, 9, 13, 26, 27, 31, 44. , 45, 49, 59, 60, or 64.

  In the first and second embodiments, the printable copy number of the job ticket is subtracted, and when the printable copy number becomes “0”, the print data and the job ticket are deleted. However, not limited to this, the number of printable copies and the number of printed copies are specified in the job ticket, the number of printed copies of the job ticket is added, and when the number of printed copies reaches the number of printable copies, the print data and job It can also be configured to delete a ticket. Specifically, the job ticket is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of the job ticket 400.
As shown in FIG. 16, the job ticket 400 includes a field 402 that stores a job ID, a field 404 that stores an exclusive flag, a field 406 that stores the number of printable copies, a field 412 that stores the number of printed copies, And a field 408 storing user information.

In the example of FIG. 16, “8” is stored as the number of printable copies and “5” is stored as the number of printed copies. This indicates that the print data of the job ID “001” has 8 printable copies, of which 5 copies have already been printed.
In the first and second embodiments, the user information is defined in the job ticket, and the user authentication is performed based on the authentication information and the job ticket. It can also be configured such that any user can print by not performing authentication. In this case, it is preferable to record user information and printing date and time as usage history information. Specifically, the job ticket is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of the job ticket 400.
As shown in FIG. 17, the job ticket 400 includes a field 402 that stores a job ID, a field 404 that stores an exclusive flag, a field 406 that stores the number of printable copies, and a field 412 that stores the number of printed copies. It is configured to include. Further, a field 414 for storing usage history information is added every time print data is used.

In the example of FIG. 17, five records are stored as usage history information. This indicates that the print data of job ID “001” has already been printed five copies, and each user information and print date and time at that time are shown as a usage history. Here, as the user information, for example, the host ID and IP address of the host terminal 100 may be set in addition to the user ID.
In the first and second embodiments, the printable number of copies of the job ticket is subtracted after the printing is interrupted or the printing is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the job ticket is frozen. It can also be configured to subtract the printable number of job tickets before. Specifically, the job ticket update process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18 is executed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing job ticket update processing.
When the job ticket update process is executed in the CPUs 50 and 90, as shown in FIG. 18, first, the process proceeds to step S700.
In step S700, “1” is subtracted from the number of printable copies of the job ticket, the process proceeds to step S702, the job ticket is frozen, the process proceeds to step S704, and it is determined whether printing is interrupted. When it is determined that it has not been interrupted (No), the process proceeds to step S706.

In step S706, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed. If it is determined that printing has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S708 to release the job ticket from freezing, and the process proceeds to step S710. It is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”, and when it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S710 that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S712, the print data is deleted, the process proceeds to step S714, the job ticket is deleted, A series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S706 that printing has not been completed (No), the process proceeds to step S704.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S704 that the printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S716, the job ticket is released from the freeze, and the process proceeds to step S718, where the printable number of job tickets is set to “1”. ”Is added, and a series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

In this case, steps S700 to S718 are the output data use management means of the form 3, 4, 10, 11, 18, 19, 28 or 29, or the forms 36, 37, 46, 47, 54, 55, 61 or 62. This corresponds to the output data usage management step.
In the first and second embodiments, the number of printable copies is defined in the job ticket and the number of print copies is limited. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of printable pages is set to the job ticket. The number of printed pages can be limited.

In the first and second embodiments, the host terminal 100 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a printer server may be used instead of the host terminal 100. .
In the first and second embodiments, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card readers 20 and 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication information is input from the operation panels 80 and 81. It can also be configured as follows. In this case, the card readers 20 and 34 are unnecessary.

  In the first and second embodiments, the card readers 20 and 34 are provided integrally with the network printers 200 and 300. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the card readers 20 and 34 are provided as separate devices. You can also Specifically, a user authentication device having the card readers 20 and 34 is connected to be able to communicate with the network printers 200 and 300, and the network printers 200 and 300 input the authentication information by receiving the authentication information from the user authentication device. To do.

  In the first and second embodiments, the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 9, 11, 13 to 15, and 18 are executed. In either case, the control program stored in advance in the ROMs 52, 72, and 92 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program is stored in the RAM 54, the storage medium storing the program showing these procedures. 74 and 94 may be read 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, the authentication output system, the device using apparatus, the network device, the output data management program and the output control program, and the authentication output method according to the present invention use an authentication card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but can be applied to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention. Instead of the network printers 200 and 300, for example, a projector, a home gateway, a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a network storage, an audio device, a mobile phone, a PHS (registered trademark) (Personal Handyphone System), a watch-type PDA, an STB It can be applied to (Set Top Box), POS (Point Of Sale) terminals, FAX machines, telephones (including IP telephones), and other output devices.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 19 to 29 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the authentication output system, device utilization apparatus, network device, output data management program and output control program, and authentication output method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, an authentication output system, a device using apparatus, a network device, an output data management program and an output control program, and an authentication output method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. This is applied to the case where printing is performed by the printer 200a.

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of the network system.
As shown in FIG. 19, a host terminal 100a and a plurality of network printers 200a are connected to the network 199a.

  The host terminal 100a includes a print data generation unit 10a that generates print data, a print data transmission unit 11a that transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit 10a to all the network printers 200a, and a job that defines the number of printable copies. Job ticket storage unit 12a that stores a ticket, authentication information reception unit 13a that receives authentication information, user authentication unit 14a that performs user authentication based on authentication information received by the authentication information reception unit 13a, and use of print data And a print data use management unit 15a for managing the print data.

  When the user authentication unit 14a obtains user authentication and determines that the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit 12a can be updated, the print data use management unit 15a transmits the authentication information from the plurality of network printers 200a. Until the print permission notification is transmitted and the print interruption notification or the print completion notification is received, the update of the job ticket is prohibited. When the print completion notification is received, the printable copy number of the job ticket is subtracted. When it is determined that the printable copy number is “0”, a data deletion notification is transmitted to all the network printers 200a and the job is printed. Delete the ticket.

The host terminal 100a further includes a usage history information generation unit 16a that generates usage history information indicating a usage history of print data based on a transmission result of the print data usage management unit 15a.
The network printer 200a includes a print data storage unit 20a, a print data reception unit 21a that receives print data, a print data storage unit 22a that stores print data received by the print data reception unit 21a in the print data storage unit 20a, A card reader 23a that reads the authentication information from the inserted authentication card, an authentication information transmission unit 24a that transmits the authentication information read by the card reader 23a to the host terminal 100a, a print head, a head drive unit, and other mechanisms necessary for printing And a print control unit 26a that performs print control of the printer engine 25a based on the print data of the print data storage unit 20a.

  The print control unit 26a performs printing based on the print data in the print data storage unit 20a when receiving the print permission notification, and discards the print data being printed when the printer engine 25a interrupts printing. At the same time, a print interruption notice is transmitted to the host terminal 100a. When printing is completed by the printer engine 25a, a print completion notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100a. When a data deletion notification is received, the print data is deleted.

Next, the configuration of the host terminal 100a will be described.
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the host terminal 100a.
As shown in FIG. 20, the host terminal 100a includes a CPU 50a that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 52a that stores a control program for the CPU 50a in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 52a. And a RAM 54a for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 50a, and an I / F 58a that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device, and these are signals for transferring data. The buses 59a are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

  The I / F 58a includes, as external devices, an input device 60a including a keyboard and a mouse that can input data as a human interface, a storage device 62a that stores data, tables, and the like as files, and a screen based on an image signal. , A card writer 66a for writing authentication information to the inserted authentication card, and a signal line for connecting to the network 199a.

The CPU 50a is composed of a microprocessing unit or the like, and activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52a, and in accordance with the program, print data generation processing and print request acceptance shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The process and the print result reception process are executed in a time-sharing manner.
First, the print data generation process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing print data generation processing.
When the print data generation process is executed in the CPU 50a, as shown in FIG. 21, first, the process proceeds to step S100a.
In step S100a, it is determined whether printing is requested from a document creation application or the like. When it is determined that printing is requested (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102a, but when it is determined that printing is not required (No). The process waits in step S100a until printing is requested.

In step S102a, a job ID for uniquely identifying the print data is issued, print data including the issued job ID is generated based on the document data edited by the document creation application or the like, and the process proceeds to step S104a.
In step S104a, user information of a user who is currently using the host terminal 100a is acquired, the process proceeds to step S106a, and a job ticket is generated based on the issued job ID and the acquired user information.

FIG. 22 shows the data structure of the job ticket 400a.
As shown in FIG. 22, the job ticket 400a includes a field 402a that stores a job ID, a field 404a that stores an exclusive flag indicating whether the job ticket 400a is frozen, and a field 406a that stores the number of printable copies. And a field 408a storing user information. The job ticket 400a further includes a field 410a for storing usage history information every time print data is used.

  In the example of FIG. 22, “001” is stored as a job ID, “0” is stored as an exclusive flag, “3” is stored as the number of printable copies, and “UserA” is stored as user information. This indicates that the print data with the job ID “001” can be printed only by the user with the user information “UserA”, and the number of printable copies is three. Also, since the exclusive flag has been reset, it indicates that the job ticket is not currently frozen. Here, the number of printable copies may be arbitrarily set by the user, or a predetermined value may be set.

Also, five records are stored as usage history information. This indicates that the print data of the job ID “001” has already been printed five copies, and each print date and time at that time is used as a use history.
Next, the process proceeds to step S108a, a save request is transmitted to all network printers 200a, the process proceeds to step S110a, the generated print data is transmitted to all network printers 200a, the process proceeds to step S112a, and the generation is performed. The stored job ticket is stored in the storage device 62a, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.

Next, the print request reception process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing print request reception processing.
The print request accepting process is a process for accepting a print request from the network printer 200a. When the print request accepting process is executed in the CPU 50a, as shown in FIG. 23, the process first proceeds to step S150a.
In step S150a, it is determined whether or not a print request has been received. If it is determined that a print request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S152a. If not (No), a print request is received. Until step S150a is received.

  In step S152a, authentication information including a job ID and user information is received, and the process proceeds to step S154a to execute user authentication processing for performing user authentication based on the received authentication information. In the user authentication process, the job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the received authentication information is searched from the storage device 62a. As a result, when the corresponding job ticket is searched, it is determined whether or not the user information of the searched job ticket matches the user information included in the received authentication information. When the determination is made, it is determined that the user is eligible for use of the print data. On the other hand, when the corresponding job ticket is not retrieved or when it is determined that the user information does not match, it is determined that the user is not eligible for use of print data.

Next, the process proceeds to step S156a, the result of the user authentication process is determined, and when it is determined that the user is eligible for use of print data (Yes), the process proceeds to step S158a, and the searched job ticket is searched. It is determined whether or not the exclusive flag is set, and when it is determined that the exclusive flag is not set (No), it is determined that the job ticket is not frozen, and the process proceeds to step S160a.
In step S160a, the exclusion flag of the retrieved job ticket is set, the process proceeds to step S162a, a print permission notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200a, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored. .

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S158a that the exclusive flag of the searched job ticket is set (Yes), it is determined that the job ticket is frozen, and the process proceeds to step S164a to request the request source network. A printing impossible notification is transmitted to the printer 200a, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S156a that the user is not qualified to use print data (No), the process proceeds to step S164a.

Next, the print result receiving process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the print result receiving process.
The print result receiving process is a process of receiving a print result from the network printer 200a. When the print result receiving process is executed by the CPU 50a, as shown in FIG. 24, first, the process proceeds to step S200a.

  In step S200a, it is determined whether or not a print completion notification including a job ID has been received. When it is determined that a print completion notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S202a and is included in the received print completion notification. The job ticket corresponding to the job ID to be searched is searched from the storage device 62a, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S204a, and the number of printable copies of the searched job ticket is set to “1”. The value is subtracted and the process proceeds to step S206a.

  In step S206a, it is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”. If it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the process proceeds to step S208a, and the usage history including the print date and time Information is generated, the process proceeds to step S210a, and the generated usage history information is added to the searched job ticket and stored in the storage device 62a, and the process proceeds to step S212a.

  In step S212a, it is determined whether or not a print interruption notification including a job ID has been received. When it is determined that a print interruption notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S214a and is included in the received print completion notification. The job ticket corresponding to the job ID to be searched is searched from the storage device 62a, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S212a that the print interruption notification is not received (No), the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S206a that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S216a, and a data deletion notification including the job ID included in the received print completion notification is sent to all networks. The job ticket is transmitted to the printer 200a, the process proceeds to step S218a, the job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the received print completion notification is deleted from the storage device 62a, and the process proceeds to step S212a.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S200a that the print completion notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S212a.

Next, the configuration of the network printer 200a will be described.
FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network printer 200a.
As shown in FIG. 25, the network printer 200a includes a CPU 70a that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 72a that stores a control program for the CPU 70a in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 72a. And a RAM 74a for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 70a, and an I / F 78a that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device. These signals are signals for transferring data. A bus 79a, which is a line, is connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

The I / F 78a includes, as external devices, an operation panel 80a including a touch panel that can input and display data as a human interface, a storage device 82a that stores data and tables as files, a card reader 23a, a printer, and the like. The engine 25a and a signal line for connecting to the network 199a are connected.
The CPU 70a is composed of a microprocessing unit or the like, and starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 72a, and in accordance with the program, print data storage processing, print control processing, and printing status shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The monitoring process and the print data deletion process are executed in time division.

First, the print data storing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing print data storage processing.
The print data storage process is a process of storing print data from the host terminal 100a. When the print data storage process is executed in the CPU 70a, the process first proceeds to step S300a as shown in FIG.

In step S300a, it is determined whether or not a storage request has been received. When it is determined that a storage request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S302a. When it is determined that this is not the case (No), a storage request is received. Until it is received in step S300a.
In step S302a, print data is received, the process proceeds to step S304a, where the received print data is stored in the storage device 82a, a series of processes are terminated, and the original process is restored.

Next, the print control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the print control process.
The print control process is a process for performing print control of the printer engine 25a. When the print control process is executed in the CPU 70a, as shown in FIG. 27, first, the process proceeds to step S350a.
In step S350a, it is determined whether or not an authentication card has been inserted into the card reader 23a. When it is determined that an authentication card has been inserted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S352a, but when it is determined that this is not the case (No). Waits in step S350a until an authentication card is inserted.

In step S352a, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 23a, the process proceeds to step S354a, a print request is transmitted to the host terminal 100a, the process proceeds to step S356a, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the host terminal 100a. Then, the process proceeds to step S358a.
In step S358a, it is determined whether or not a print permission notification has been received. If it is determined that a print permission notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S360a and corresponds to the job ID included in the read authentication information. Print data to be read from the storage device 82a, the process proceeds to step S362a, print processing for performing print control of the printer engine 25a based on the read print data is executed, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored. Let

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S358a that the print permission notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S364a, where it is determined whether the print disable notification is received, and it is determined that the print disable notification is received. If yes (Yes), the process proceeds to step S366a, an error message is displayed on the operation panel 80a, a series of processes are terminated, and the process returns to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S364a that the print disabled notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S358a.

Next, the printing status monitoring process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the printing status monitoring process.
The printing status monitoring process is a process for monitoring the printing status of the printer engine 25a. When the printing status monitoring process is executed in the CPU 70a, as shown in FIG. 28, the process first proceeds to step S400a.

In step S400a, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed by the printer engine 25a. When it is determined that printing has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S402a and includes the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed. A print completion notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100a, and the process proceeds to step S404a.
In step S404a, it is determined whether or not printing has been interrupted by the printer engine 25a. When it is determined that printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S406a and includes the job ID of the print data whose printing has been interrupted. A print interruption notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100a, the process proceeds to step S408a, the print data being printed is discarded, the process proceeds to step S410a, an error message is displayed on the operation panel 80a, and the series of processes ends. To return to the original process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404a that printing is not interrupted by the printer engine 25a (No), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S400a that the printer engine 25a has not completed printing (No), the process proceeds to step S404a.
Next, the print data deletion process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing print data deletion processing.
When the print data deletion process is executed in the CPU 70a, as shown in FIG. 29, first, the process proceeds to step S450a.
In step S450a, it is determined whether or not a data deletion notification has been received. When it is determined that a data deletion notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S452a, but when it is determined that this is not the case (No), The process waits in step S450a until a data deletion notification is received.

In step S452a, the print data corresponding to the job ID included in the received data deletion notification is deleted from the storage device 82a, the series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
The user uses the document creation application or the like to edit the document data and requests printing on the host terminal 100a.

In the host terminal 100a, when printing is requested, print data and a job ticket are generated through steps S102a to S110a, and the generated print data is transmitted to all network printers 200a together with a storage request. Further, the job ticket generated through step S112a is stored in the storage device 62a.
In the network printer 200a, when the print data is received together with the save request, the received print data is saved in the storage device 82a through step S304a.

Next, at the host terminal 100a, the user inserts an authentication card into the card writer 66a, and writes the job ID and his / her user information into the authentication card using the card writer 66a. Then, the user goes to one of the network printers 200a and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 23a.
In the network printer 200a, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 23a through steps S352a to S356a, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the host terminal 100a together with the print request.

In the host terminal 100a, when the authentication information is received together with the print request, the user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information through step S154a. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen through steps S160a and S162a, and a print permission notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200a.
When the network printer 200a receives the print permission notification, the print data is read from the storage device 82a through steps S360a and S362a, and print control is performed based on the read print data. When the printing is completed, a printing completion notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100a through step S402a.

  When the host terminal 100a receives the print completion notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S202a and S204a, and the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted. As a result, if the number of printable copies is not “0”, the usage history information is generated through steps S208a and S210a, and the generated usage history information is added to the job ticket and stored in the storage device 62a.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted will be described.
In the network printer 200a, when printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like, a printing interruption notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100a through steps S406a to S410a, print data being printed is discarded, and an error message is displayed. .
When the host terminal 100a receives the print interruption notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through step S214a.

  Next, the user removes the authentication card from the card reader 23a in the network printer 200a in which printing is interrupted. Then, it goes to another network printer 200a and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 23a. Thereafter, the other network printer 200a and the host terminal 100a perform the same operation as described above, and the other network printer 200a performs printing. The number of printable copies is not subtracted even when printing is interrupted, but is subtracted only after printing is completed in another network printer 200a.

Next, a case will be described in which an authentication card is removed during printing processing by one of the network printers 200a, and the authentication card is inserted into the card reader 23a in another network printer 200a.
In the network printer 200a, when the authentication card is inserted, the card reader 23a reads the authentication information from the authentication card, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the host terminal 100a together with the print request.

When the host terminal 100a receives the authentication information together with the print request, user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information. As a result, even if user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen during the printing process, and therefore, a print impossible notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200a through step S164a.
In the network printer 200a, when the print disable notification is received, an error message is displayed through step S366a, and printing is not performed.

Note that when an authentication card storing unauthorized authentication information is used, user authentication cannot be obtained at the host terminal 100a, and therefore a print impossible notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200a.
When the number of printable copies becomes “0”, the host terminal 100a transmits a data deletion notification to all the network printers 200a through steps S216a and S218a, and the job ticket is deleted.
When the network printer 200a receives the data deletion notification, the print data is deleted through step S452a.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the host terminal 100a transmits print data to all the network printers 200a and determines that user authentication is obtained and the job ticket is not frozen, a plurality of networks A print permission notification is transmitted to any one of the printers 200a, the job ticket is frozen until a print interruption notification or a print completion notification is received, and when a print completion notification is received, the number of printable copies of the job ticket is set. When it is determined that the number of printable copies is “0”, a data deletion notification is transmitted to all the network printers 200a and the job ticket is deleted. The network printer 200a receives the print data. The received print data is stored in the storage device 82a, and a print permission notification is sent. When printing is completed, printing is performed based on the print data stored in the storage device 82a. When printing is interrupted, the print data being printed is discarded and a print interruption notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100a to complete printing. At this time, a print completion notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100a, and when a data deletion notification is received, the print data is deleted.

As a result, when printing is completed, the number of printable copies is subtracted. Therefore, even if printing is interrupted by the network printer 200a due to a trouble such as a paper jam, the print contents can be obtained by another network printer 200a. Therefore, only the person who can obtain the printed material can obtain it.
In addition, since the print permission notification is transmitted to any one of the network printers 200a, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the same print content is printed at a time by the plurality of network printers 200a. Furthermore, even if the network printer 200a that has stopped printing is restored, the print data being printed is discarded, so that the possibility of printing the print content on the network printer 200a can be reduced. Therefore, since the possibility of printing exceeding the number of printable copies can be reduced, the confidentiality of the print content can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, since the print data is stored in each network printer 200a, even if printing is interrupted by the network printer 200a due to a problem such as a paper jam, printing can be started at a relatively high speed by the other network printer 200a. .
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the host terminal 100a determines that user authentication is obtained based on the received authentication information and the job ticket is not frozen, the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network printers 200a. A print permission notice is sent to.

As a result, if the user gives an authentication card in which valid authentication information is recorded to the network printer 200a that desires printing, the network printer 200a can obtain the print contents.
Further, in the present embodiment, the host terminal 100a generates usage history information every time print data is used.

Accordingly, it is possible to grasp how the print data is used by referring to the use history information.
Further, in the present embodiment, when the host terminal 100a determines that the number of printable copies is “0”, the host terminal 100a transmits a data deletion notification to all the network printers 200a and deletes the job ticket. The network printer 200a deletes the print data when receiving the data deletion notification.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the print data and the job ticket are illegally used, so that the confidentiality of the print contents can be more reliably protected.

  In the third embodiment, the host terminal 100a corresponds to the device utilization apparatus of the forms 67, 69, 71, 79, 81 to 86, 100, 101, 109, 111 or 113, and the job ticket storage unit 12a and The storage device 62a corresponds to the job ticket storage means of the form 67, 79, 94 or 109. The print data transmission unit 11a, I / F 58a, and step S110a correspond to the output data transmission unit of form 67 or 79, and step S110a corresponds to the output data transmission step of form 94 or 109, and the authentication information reception unit. 13a, I / F 58a, and step S152a correspond to the authentication information receiving means of form 69 or 81.

  In the third embodiment, step S152a corresponds to the authentication information receiving step of form 96 or 111, and the user authentication unit 14a and step S154a correspond to the authentication means of form 69, 70, 81, or 82. Step S154a corresponds to the authentication step of the form 94, 96, 97, 109, 111, or 112. The print data usage management unit 15a, the I / F 58a, and steps S156a to S162a, S200a to S206a, and S212a to S218a correspond to the output data usage management means of the forms 67, 69 to 72, 79, 81 to 84, and S156a to S162a, S200a to S206a, and S212a to S218a correspond to output data use management steps of forms 94, 96 to 99, 109, 111 to 114.

  In the third embodiment, the usage history information generating unit 16a and step S208a correspond to the usage history information generating means of form 71 or 83, and step S208a is the usage history information generation step of form 98 or 113. The network printer 200a corresponds to the network devices of the forms 67, 69, 79, 81, 85 to 87, 94, 96, 109, or 111. The print data storage unit 20a and the storage device 82a correspond to the output data storage means in the form 67, 85, 100, or 109, and the print data reception unit 21a, I / F 78a, and step S302a are output in the form 67 or 85. It corresponds to the data receiving means.

  In the third embodiment, step S302a corresponds to the output data receiving step of form 100 or 109, and the print data storage unit 22a and step S304a correspond to the output data storage means of form 67 or 85. Step S304a corresponds to the output data storing step of the form 100 or 109. Further, the card reader 23a and step S352a correspond to the authentication information acquisition means of form 69 or 86, and step S352a corresponds to the authentication information acquisition step of form 101 or 111, and the authentication information transmission unit 24a, I / F 78a and Step S356a corresponds to the authentication information transmitting means of form 69 or 86.

  In the third embodiment, step S356a corresponds to the authentication information transmission step of form 101 or 111, and the print control unit 26a, I / F 78a and steps S360a, S362a are forms 67, 72, 85 or Corresponding to output control means 87, steps S360a and S362a correspond to output control steps of form 100, 102, 109 or 114. The print data corresponds to output data of forms 67, 69 to 72, 79, 81 to 83, 85, 87, 94, 96 to 98, 100, 102, 109, 111 to 114. This corresponds to the output interruption notification in modes 67, 70, 79, 82, 85, 94, 97, 100, 109, or 112.

  In the third embodiment, the print completion notification corresponds to the output completion notification in modes 67, 70, 79, 82, 85, 94, 97, 100, 109, or 112. 67, 69, 70, 79, 81, 82, 85, 94, 96, 97, 100, 109, 111, or 112. The data deletion notification corresponds to the usage prohibition notification in the forms 67, 72, 79, 84, 85, 87, 94, 99, 100, 102, 109, or 114.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 30 to 35 are diagrams showing a fourth embodiment of the authentication output system, device utilization apparatus, network device, output data management program and output control program, and authentication output method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, an authentication output system, a device using apparatus, a network device, an output data management program and an output control program, and an authentication output method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. The present invention is applied to the case where printing is performed by the printers 200a and 300a. The difference from the third embodiment is that the job ticket is managed not by the host terminal 100a but by the network printer 300a. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the third embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those in the third embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of the network system.
As shown in FIG. 30, a host terminal 100a, a plurality of network printers 200a, and a network printer 300a that manages job tickets are connected to the network 199a.

The host terminal 100a includes a print data generation unit 10a and a print data transmission unit 11a.
The network printer 300a includes a print data storage unit 30a, a print data reception unit 31a that receives print data, a print data storage unit 32a that stores print data received by the print data reception unit 31a in the print data storage unit 30a, Based on the authentication information receiving unit 33a that receives the authentication information, the card reader 34a that reads the authentication information from the inserted authentication card, the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit 33a and the authentication information read by the card reader 34a And a user authentication unit 35a that performs authentication.

  The network printer 300a further includes a job ticket storage unit 36a that stores a job ticket, a print data use management unit 37a that manages the use of print data, a print head, a head drive unit, and other printers that are necessary for printing. The engine 38a includes a print control unit 39a that performs print control of the printer engine 38a based on print data stored in the print data storage unit 30a.

  When the print data use managing unit 37a determines that user authentication is obtained by the user authenticating unit 35a based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit 33a and the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit 36a is not frozen, A print permission notification is transmitted to the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network printers 200a, and the job ticket is frozen until a print interruption notification or a print completion notification is received. When it is determined that user authentication is obtained by the user authentication unit 35a based on the authentication information read by the card reader 34a and the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit 36a is not frozen, a print request is sent to the print control unit 39a. The job ticket is frozen until printing is interrupted or completed by the printer engine 38a. When printing completion notification is received or printing is completed by the printer engine 38a, the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted, and when it is determined that the number of printable copies is “0”, all the network printers 200a. A data deletion notification is sent to the printer and the print data and job ticket are deleted.

The print control unit 39a performs printing based on the print data in the print data storage unit 30a in response to a print request from the print data use management unit 37a.
The network printer 300a further includes a usage history information generation unit 40a that generates usage history information based on the transmission result and the usage result of the print data usage management unit 37a.

The network printer 200a is different only in that the communication target is not the host terminal 100a but the network printer 300a.
Next, the configuration of the host terminal 100a will be described.
The CPU 50a activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52a, and performs print data generation processing, print request reception processing, and print result reception processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 21, 23, and 24 according to the program. Instead, the print data generation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 31 is executed.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing print data generation processing.
When the print data generation process is executed by the CPU 50a, as shown in FIG. 31, first, the process proceeds to step S500a.
In step S500a, it is determined whether printing is requested from a document creation application or the like. When it is determined that printing is requested (Yes), the process proceeds to step S502a, but when it is determined that printing is not required (No). The process waits in step S500a until printing is requested.

  In step S502a, a job ID is issued, print data including the issued job ID is generated based on the document data edited by the document creation application or the like, the process proceeds to step S504a, and the host terminal 100a is currently used. The user information of the current user is acquired, the process proceeds to step S506a, a job ticket is generated based on the issued job ID and the acquired user information, and the process proceeds to step S508a.

  In step S508a, a storage request is transmitted to all the network printers 200a and 300a, and the process proceeds to step S510a. The generated print data is transmitted to all the network printers 200a and 300a, and the process proceeds to step S512a. Then, the generated job ticket is transmitted to the network printer 300a, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

Next, the configuration of the network printer 300a will be described.
FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network printer 300a.
As shown in FIG. 32, the network printer 300a includes a CPU 90a that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 92a that stores a control program for the CPU 90a in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 92a. And a RAM 94a for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 90a, and an I / F 98a that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device. These signals are signals for transferring data. The buses 99a are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

The I / F 98a includes, as external devices, an operation panel 81a including a touch panel that can input and display data as a human interface, a storage device 83a that stores data, tables, and the like as files, a card reader 34a, a printer The engine 38a and a signal line for connecting to the network 199a are connected.
The CPU 90a is composed of a microprocessing unit or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 92a, and according to the program, print data storage processing, print control processing, and printing status shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Each monitoring process is executed in time division. In addition, processes equivalent to the print request reception process and the print result reception process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 23 and 24 are executed in a time-sharing manner. However, in the print result receiving process, the process corresponding to step S218a is a process of deleting the print data and the job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the received print completion notification from the storage device 83a.

First, the print data storing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing print data storage processing.
The print data saving process is a process for saving print data from the host terminal 100a. When the print data saving process is executed in the CPU 90a, the process first proceeds to step S600a as shown in FIG.

In step S600a, it is determined whether or not a save request has been received. If it is determined that a save request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S602a. If not (No), a save request is received. Until step S600a is received.
In step S602a, print data is received, the process proceeds to step S604a, the received print data is stored in the storage device 83a, the process proceeds to step S606a, the job ticket is received, the process proceeds to step S608a, and the reception is received. The stored job ticket is stored in the storage device 83a, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.

Next, the print control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the print control process.
The print control process is a process for performing print control of the printer engine 38a. When the print control process is executed by the CPU 90a, as shown in FIG. 34, first, the process proceeds to step S650a.
In step S650a, it is determined whether an authentication card has been inserted into the card reader 34a. When it is determined that an authentication card has been inserted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S652a, but when it is determined that it is not (No). Waits in step S650a until an authentication card is inserted.

  In step S652a, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 34a, and the process proceeds to step S654a to execute user authentication processing for performing user authentication based on the read authentication information. In the user authentication process, a job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the read authentication information is searched from the storage device 83a. As a result, when the corresponding job ticket is searched, it is determined whether or not the user information of the searched job ticket matches the user information included in the read authentication information. When it is determined, it is determined that the user is eligible for use of print data. On the other hand, when the corresponding job ticket is not retrieved or when it is determined that the user information does not match, it is determined that the user is not eligible for use of print data.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S656a, the result of the user authentication process is determined, and when it is determined that the user is eligible for use of print data (Yes), the process proceeds to step S658a, and the searched job ticket is searched. It is determined whether or not the exclusive flag is set. If it is determined that the exclusive flag is not set (No), it is determined that the job ticket is not frozen, and the process proceeds to step S660a.

  In step S660a, the exclusive flag of the searched job ticket is set, the process proceeds to step S662a, the print data corresponding to the job ID of the searched job ticket is read from the storage device 83a, the process proceeds to step S664a, Based on the read print data, a print process for performing print control of the printer engine 38a is executed, a series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S658a that the exclusive flag of the retrieved job ticket is set (Yes), it is determined that the job ticket is frozen, and the process proceeds to step S666a to operate the error message. Displayed on the panel 81a, the series of processing ends, and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S656a that the user is not qualified to use print data (No), the process proceeds to step S666a.

Next, the printing status monitoring process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the printing status monitoring process.
The printing status monitoring process is a process for monitoring the printing status of the printer engine 38a. When the printing status monitoring process is executed by the CPU 90a, as shown in FIG. 35, the process first proceeds to step S700a.

  In step S700a, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed by the printer engine 38a. When it is determined that printing has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S702a and corresponds to the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed. The job ticket to be searched is searched from the storage device 83a, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S704a, and “1” is subtracted from the number of printable copies of the searched job ticket, and step S706a is performed. Migrate to

  In step S706a, it is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”. When it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the process proceeds to step S708a, and the usage history including the printing date and time is included. Information is generated, the process proceeds to step S710a, and the generated usage history information is added to the searched job ticket and stored in the storage device 83a, and the process proceeds to step S712a.

  In step S712a, it is determined whether or not printing has been interrupted by the printer engine 38a. When it is determined that printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S714a and corresponds to the job ID of the print data whose printing has been interrupted. The job ticket to be searched is searched from the storage device 83a, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S716a, an error message is displayed on the operation panel 81a, a series of processing is terminated, and the original Return to processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S712a that printing is not interrupted by the printer engine 38a (No), a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S706a that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S718a, and a data deletion notification including the job ID of the print data that has been printed is sent to all network printers. 200a, the process proceeds to step S720a, and the print data corresponding to the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed is deleted from the storage device 83a. The process proceeds to step S722a, and the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed. Is deleted from the storage device 83a, and the process proceeds to step S712a.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S700a that the printer engine 38a does not complete printing (No), the process proceeds to step S712a.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
The user uses the document creation application or the like to edit the document data and requests printing on the host terminal 100a.

  In the host terminal 100a, when printing is requested, print data and a job ticket are generated through steps S502a to S512a, and the generated print data is transmitted to all network printers 200a together with the storage request and generated. The print data and the job ticket are transmitted to the network printer 300a together with the storage request.

In the network printer 200a, when the print data is received together with the save request, the received print data is saved in the storage device 82a through step S304a.
In the network printer 300a, when the print data and job ticket are received together with the save request, the received print data and job ticket are saved in the storage device 83a through steps S604a and S606a.

First, a case where printing is performed by the network printer 200a will be described.
The user goes to one of the network printers 200a and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 23a.
In the network printer 200a, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 23a through steps S352a to S356a, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the network printer 300a together with the print request.

In the network printer 300a, when the authentication information is received together with the print request, user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information through step S154a. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen through steps S160a and S162a, and a print permission notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200a.
When the network printer 200a receives the print permission notification, the print data is read from the storage device 82a through steps S360a and S362a, and print control is performed based on the read print data. When printing is completed, a print completion notification is transmitted to the network printer 300a through step S402a.

  When the network printer 300a receives a print completion notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S202a and S204a, and the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted. As a result, if the number of printable copies is not “0”, the usage history information is generated through steps S208a and S210a, and the generated usage history information is added to the job ticket and stored in the storage device 83a.

Next, a case where printing is performed by the network printer 300a will be described.
The user goes to the network printer 300a and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 34a.
In the network printer 300a, when an authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 34a through steps S652a and S654a, and user authentication is performed based on the read authentication information. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen through steps S660a to S664a, the print data is read from the storage device 83a, and print control is performed based on the read print data. When printing is completed, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S702a and S704a, and the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted. As a result, if the number of printable copies is not “0”, usage history information is generated through steps S708a and S710a, and the generated usage history information is added to the job ticket and stored in the storage device 83a.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted by the network printer 200a will be described.
In the network printer 200a, when printing is interrupted due to a trouble such as a paper jam, a printing interruption notification is transmitted to the network printer 300a through steps S406a to S410a, print data being printed is discarded, and an error message is displayed. .
When the network printer 300a receives the print interruption notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through step S214a.

  Next, the user removes the authentication card from the card reader 23a in the network printer 200a in which printing is interrupted. Then, it goes to another network printer 200a and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 23a. Thereafter, the other network printer 200a and the network printer 300a perform the same operation as described above, and printing is performed by the other network printer 200a. The number of printable copies is not subtracted even when printing is interrupted, but is subtracted only after printing is completed in another network printer 200a.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted by the network printer 300a will be described.
In the network printer 300a, when printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S714a and S716a, and an error message is displayed.
Next, the user removes the authentication card from the card reader 34a in the network printer 300a. Then, it goes to another network printer 200a and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 23a. Thereafter, the other network printer 200a and the network printer 300a perform the same operation as described above, and the other network printer 200a performs printing. The number of printable copies is not subtracted even when printing is interrupted, but is subtracted only after printing is completed in another network printer 200a.

Next, a case will be described in which an authentication card is removed during printing processing by any one of the network printer 200a or the network printer 300a, and the authentication card is inserted into the card reader 23a in another network printer 200a.
In the network printer 200a, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 23a, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the network printer 300a together with the print request.

When the network printer 300a receives the authentication information together with the print request, user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information. As a result, even if user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen during the printing process, and therefore, a print impossible notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200a through step S164a.
In the network printer 200a, when the print disable notification is received, an error message is displayed through step S366a, and printing is not performed.

Next, a case will be described in which an authentication card is removed during printing processing by any of the network printers 200a, and the authentication card is inserted into the card reader 34a in the network printer 300a.
In the network printer 300a, when an authentication card is inserted, authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 34a, and user authentication is performed based on the read authentication information. As a result, even if user authentication is obtained, since the job ticket is frozen during the printing process, an error message is displayed through step S666a, and printing is not performed.

Note that if an authentication card storing unauthorized authentication information is used, the network printer 300a cannot obtain user authentication, so a print disabled notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 200a or an error message is displayed. The
When the number of printable copies becomes “0”, the network printer 300a transmits a data deletion notification to all the network printers 200a through steps S216a, S218a or steps S718a to S722a, and print data and job tickets are received. Deleted.
When the network printer 200a receives the data deletion notification, the print data is deleted through step S452a.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, the host terminal 100a generates print data and transmits the generated print data to all the network printers 200a and 300a. The network printer 300a When print data is received, the received print data is stored in the storage device 83a, and when it is determined that user authentication is obtained and the job ticket is not frozen, printing is performed on any one of the plurality of network printers 200a. Until the permission notification is transmitted and the print interruption notification or the print completion notification is received, the job ticket is frozen, or the print control is performed based on the print data in the storage device 83a, until the printing is interrupted or the printing is completed. Freezes the job ticket, receives a print completion notification, or prints When completed, the printable copy number of the job ticket is subtracted, and when it is determined that the printable copy number is “0”, a data deletion notification is transmitted to all the network printers 200a and the print data and job ticket are deleted. The network printer 200a receives the print data, stores the received print data in the storage device 82a, and when receiving the print permission notification, performs printing based on the print data in the storage device 82a. When printing is interrupted, the print data being printed is discarded and a print interruption notice is sent to the network printer 300a. When printing is completed, a print completion notice is sent to the network printer 300a to delete the data. When the notification is received, the print data is deleted.

As a result, the number of printable copies is subtracted when printing is completed. Therefore, even if printing is interrupted due to a problem such as a paper jam in one of the network printers 200a and 300a, the contents printed by other network printers 200a and 300a. Can be obtained. Therefore, only the person who can obtain the printed material can obtain it.
In addition, since the print permission notification is transmitted to the network printer 200a or the print data is used by the network printer 300a, there is a possibility that the same print contents may be printed at one time by the network printers 200a and 300a. Can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the network printer 200a, 300a whose printing has been interrupted is restored, the print data being printed is discarded, so that the possibility that the network printer 200a, 300a prints the print contents can be reduced. . Therefore, since the possibility of printing exceeding the number of printable copies can be reduced, the confidentiality of the print content can be protected as compared with the conventional case.

Further, since the print data is stored in each network printer 200a and network printer 300a, even if printing is interrupted in the network printers 200a and 300a due to a trouble such as a paper jam, the other network printers 200a and 300a are relatively high speed. Printing can be started.
Further, in the present embodiment, when the network printer 300a determines that user authentication is obtained based on the received authentication information and the job ticket is not frozen, the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network printers 200a. When the print authorization notification is transmitted and it is determined that the user authentication is obtained based on the read authentication information and the job ticket is not frozen, the print control is performed based on the print data of the storage device 83a. Yes.

Thus, if the user gives an authentication card in which valid authentication information is recorded to the network printer 200a, 300a that desires printing, the user can obtain the contents of printing by the network printer 200a, 300a.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the network printer 300a generates usage history information every time print data is used.

Accordingly, it is possible to grasp how the print data is used by referring to the use history information.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the network printer 300a determines that the number of printable copies is “0”, the network printer 300a transmits a data deletion notification to all the network printers 200a and deletes the print data and job ticket. When the network printer 200a receives the data deletion notification, the network printer 200a deletes the print data.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the print data and the job ticket are illegally used, so that the confidentiality of the print contents can be more reliably protected.
In the fourth embodiment, the host terminal 100a corresponds to the device utilization apparatus of form 73 or 115, and the print data transmission unit 11a, I / F 58a, and step S510a correspond to the output data transmission unit of form 73. Step S510a corresponds to the output data transmission step of the form 115. The network printer 300a corresponds to the first network device of forms 73, 75 to 77, 115, 117 to 119, and the print data storage unit 30a and the storage device 83a are the first output data storage means of form 73 or 115. , Or output data storage means of form 88 or 103.

  In the fourth embodiment, the job ticket storage unit 36a and the storage device 83a correspond to the job ticket storage unit of the form 73, 88, 103, or 115, the print data reception unit 31a, the I / F 98a, and the step. S602a corresponds to the first output data receiving means of form 73 or the output data receiving means of form 88. Step S602a corresponds to the first output data receiving step of form 115 or the output data receiving step of form 103, and the print data storage unit 32a and step S604a are the first output data storage means of form 73, or form. This corresponds to 88 output data storage means.

  In the fourth embodiment, step S604a corresponds to the first output data storage step of form 115 or the output data storage step of form 103, and the authentication information receiving unit 33a, I / F 98a, and step S152a are , 75, 76, 90 or 91, corresponding to the authentication information receiving means. Step S152a corresponds to the authentication information receiving step of the form 105, 106, 117 or 118, and the card reader 34a and step S652a are the first authentication information acquisition means of the form 75 or 76, or the authentication of the form 90 or 91. It corresponds to information acquisition means.

  In the fourth embodiment, step S652a corresponds to the first authentication information acquisition step of form 117 or 118, or the authentication information acquisition step of form 105 or 106, and the user authentication unit 35a and steps S154a and S654a. Corresponds to authentication means of form 75, 76, 90 or 91. Steps S154a and S654a correspond to the authentication steps of the forms 103, 105, 106, 115, 117, and 118, and the print data use management unit 37a, the I / F 98a, and steps S156a to S162a, S200a to S206a, and S212a to S218a. , S656a to S660a, S700a to S706a, and S712a to S722a correspond to the output data utilization managing means of the forms 73, 75 to 78, 88, 90 to 93.

  In the fourth embodiment, steps S156a to S162a, S200a to S206a, S212a to S218a, S656a to S660a, S700a to S706a, and S712a to S722a are in the form 103, 105 to 108, 115, 117 to 120, respectively. It corresponds to the output data usage management step. The print control unit 39a and steps S662a and S664a correspond to the first output control means of form 73 or 75, or the output control means of form 88 or 90, and steps S662a and S664a correspond to the first output of form 115 or 117. This corresponds to the output control step, or the output control step of the form 103 or 105.

  In the fourth embodiment, the usage history information generation unit 40a and steps S208a and S708a correspond to the usage history information generation means of the form 77 or 92, and steps S208a and S708a are the usage of the form 107 or 119. Corresponding to the history information generation step, the network printer 200a corresponds to the second network device in the form 73, 75, 115, or 117. The print data storage unit 20a and the storage device 82a correspond to the second output data storage unit of form 73 or 115, and the print data reception unit 21a, I / F 78a, and step S302a receive the second output data reception of form 73. Corresponding to the means, step S302a corresponds to the second output data receiving step of the form 115.

  In the fourth embodiment, the print data storage unit 22a and step S304a correspond to the second output data storage unit of form 73, and step S304a corresponds to the second output data storage step of form 115. The card reader 23a and step S352a correspond to the second authentication information acquisition unit of form 75. Step S352a corresponds to the second authentication information acquisition step of form 117, authentication information transmission unit 24a, I / F 78a, and step S356a correspond to form 75 of authentication information transmission means, and step S356a corresponds to form 117. This corresponds to the authentication information transmission step.

  In the fourth embodiment, the print control unit 26a, the I / F 78a, and steps S360a and S362a correspond to the second output control unit in the form 73 or 78, and the steps S360a and S362a are in the form 115 or 120. The print data corresponds to the output data of the forms 73, 75 to 78, 88, 90 to 93, 103, 105 to 108, 115, 117 to 120. Further, the print interruption notification corresponds to the output interruption notification in the form 73, 76, 88, 91, 103, 106, 115 or 118, and the print completion notice is in the form 73, 76, 88, 91, 103, 106, 115. The print permission notification corresponds to the output permission notification of the forms 73, 75, 76, 88, 90, 91, 103, 105, 106, 115, 117, or 118.

In the fourth embodiment, the data deletion notification corresponds to the usage prohibition notification in modes 73, 78, 88, 93, 103, 108, 115, or 120.
In the third and fourth embodiments, the printable copy number of the job ticket is subtracted, and the print data and the job ticket are deleted when the printable copy number becomes “0”. However, not limited to this, the number of printable copies and the number of printed copies are specified in the job ticket, the number of printed copies of the job ticket is added, and when the number of printed copies reaches the number of printable copies, the print data and job It can also be configured to delete a ticket. Specifically, the job ticket is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 36 shows the data structure of the job ticket 400a.
As shown in FIG. 36, the job ticket 400a includes a field 402a that stores a job ID, a field 404a that stores an exclusive flag, a field 406a that stores the number of printable copies, a field 412a that stores the number of printed copies, And a field 408a in which user information is stored.

In the example of FIG. 36, “8” is stored as the number of printable copies and “5” is stored as the number of printed copies. This indicates that the print data of the job ID “001” has 8 printable copies, of which 5 copies have already been printed.
In the third and fourth embodiments, the user information is defined in the job ticket, and the user authentication is performed based on the authentication information and the job ticket. It can also be configured such that any user can print by not performing authentication. In this case, it is preferable to record user information and printing date and time as usage history information. Specifically, the job ticket is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 37 shows the data structure of the job ticket 400a.
As shown in FIG. 37, the job ticket 400a includes a field 402a that stores a job ID, a field 404a that stores an exclusive flag, a field 406a that stores the number of printable copies, and a field 412a that stores the number of printed copies. It is configured to include. Further, a field 414a for storing usage history information is added every time print data is used.

In the example of FIG. 37, five records are stored as usage history information. This indicates that the print data of job ID “001” has already been printed five copies, and each user information and print date and time at that time are shown as a usage history. Here, as the user information, for example, the host ID and IP address of the host terminal 100a may be set in addition to the user ID.
In the third and fourth embodiments, the printable number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted after printing is interrupted or completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the job ticket is frozen. It can also be configured to subtract the printable number of job tickets before. Specifically, the job ticket update process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 38 is executed.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing job ticket update processing.
When the job ticket update process is executed in the CPUs 50a and 90a, as shown in FIG. 38, the process first proceeds to step S800a.
In step S800a, “1” is subtracted from the number of printable copies of the job ticket, the process proceeds to step S802a, the job ticket is frozen, the process proceeds to step S804a, and it is determined whether printing has been interrupted. When it is determined that the process is not interrupted (No), the process proceeds to step S806a.

In step S806a, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed. When it is determined that printing has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S808a, the job ticket is released from the freeze, and the process proceeds to step S810a. It is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”, and when it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S810a that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S812a, the print data is deleted, the process proceeds to step S814a, the job ticket is deleted, A series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S806a that printing has not been completed (No), the process proceeds to step S804a.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S804a that printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S816a, the job ticket is released from the freeze, and the process proceeds to step S818a, where the number of printable copies of the job ticket is set to “1”. ”Is added, and a series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

In this case, steps S800a to S818a correspond to the output data use management means of form 68, 74, 80 or 89, or the output data use management step of form 95, 104, 110 or 116.
In the third and fourth embodiments, the number of printable copies is defined in the job ticket and the number of print copies is limited. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of printed pages can be limited.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the host terminal 100a is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a printer server can be used instead of the host terminal 100a. .
In the third and fourth embodiments, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card readers 23a and 34a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication information is input from the operation panels 80a and 81a. It can also be configured as follows. In this case, the card readers 23a and 34a are not necessary.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the card readers 23a and 34a are provided integrally with the network printers 200a and 300a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card readers 23a and 34a are provided as separate devices. You can also Specifically, a user authentication device having card readers 23a and 34a is connected to be able to communicate with the network printers 200a and 300a, and the network printers 200a and 300a input the authentication information by receiving the authentication information from the user authentication device. To do.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 21, 23, 24, 26 to 29, 31, 33 to 35, and 38 is executed. In any case, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROMs 52a, 72a, and 92a is executed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program is stored in the RAM 54a, 74a and 94a may be read 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 third and fourth embodiments, the authentication output system, the device using device, the network device, the output data management program and the output control program, and the authentication output method according to the present invention use an authentication card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but can be applied to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention. Instead of the network printers 200a and 300a, for example, projectors, home gateways, personal computers, PDAs, network storages, audio devices, mobile phones, PHS, watch-type PDAs, STBs, POS terminals, FAX machines, telephones (including IP phones) .), Can be applied to other output devices.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 39 to 53 are diagrams showing a fifth embodiment of the output system, the network device, and the output method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the output system, the network device, and the output method according to the present invention are applied to a case where printing is performed by the network printers 200b and 300b using an authentication card as shown in FIG. .

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 39 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of the network system.
As shown in FIG. 39, the network 199b is connected to a host terminal 100b, a network printer 200b that manages a job ticket that defines the number of printable copies, and a plurality of network printers 300b.

  The host terminal 100b includes a print data generation unit 10b that generates print data, a print data storage unit 11b that stores print data generated by the print data generation unit 10b, and print data storage in response to an acquisition request from the network printer 200b. A print data providing unit 12b for providing the print data of the unit 11b to the network printer 200b, and a print data deleting unit 13b for deleting the print data of the print data storage unit 11b in response to a data deletion notification from the network printer 200b. Configured.

The network printer 200b includes a job ticket storage unit 20b that stores a job ticket, an authentication information reception unit 21b that receives authentication information, a card reader 22b that reads authentication information from an inserted authentication card, and an authentication information reception unit 21b. And a user authentication unit 23b that performs user authentication based on the received authentication information and the authentication information read by the card reader 22b.
The network printer 200b further includes a print data use management unit 24b that manages use of print data, a printer engine 25b that includes a print head, a head drive unit, and other mechanisms necessary for printing, and a printer engine 25b based on the print data. And a printing control unit 26b for performing printing control.

  When the print data use managing unit 24b determines that user authentication is obtained by the user authenticating unit 23b based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit 21b and the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit 20b is not frozen, Print data is acquired from the host terminal 100b, the acquired print data is transmitted to the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network printers 300b, and the job ticket is frozen until a print interruption notification or print completion notification is received. Further, when it is determined that user authentication is obtained by the user authentication unit 23b based on the authentication information read by the card reader 22b and the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit 20b is not frozen, print data is acquired from the host terminal 100b. Then, the acquired print data is output to the print control unit 26b, and the job ticket is frozen until the printing is interrupted or completed by the printer engine 25b. When printing completion notification is received or printing is completed by the printer engine 25b, the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted, and when it is determined that the number of printable copies is “0”, data is sent to the host terminal 100b. Send a delete notification and delete the job ticket.

The print control unit 26b performs printing based on the print data from the print data use management unit 24b.
The network printer 200b further includes a usage history information generation unit 27b that generates usage history information indicating a usage history of print data based on the provision result and usage result of the print data usage management unit 24b.

The network printer 300b includes a card reader 30b that reads authentication information from the inserted authentication card, an authentication information transmission unit 31b that transmits the authentication information read by the card reader 30b to the network printer 200b, and print data reception that receives print data. A printer engine 33b that includes a print head, a head drive unit, and other mechanisms necessary for printing; a print control unit 34b that performs print control of the printer engine 33b based on print data received by the print data receiving unit 32b; It is comprised.
When printing is interrupted by the printer engine 33b, the print control unit 34b discards the print data being printed and transmits a print interruption notification to the network printer 200b. When the printing is completed by the printer engine 33b, the print controller 34b A print completion notification is transmitted to the printer 200b.

Next, the configuration of the host terminal 100b will be described.
FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the host terminal 100b.
As shown in FIG. 40, the host terminal 100b includes a CPU 50b that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 52b that stores a control program for the CPU 50b in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 52b. And a RAM 54b for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 50b, and an I / F 58b that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device. These signals are signals for transferring data. The buses 59b are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

  The I / F 58b includes, as external devices, an input device 60b including a keyboard and a mouse that can input data as a human interface, a storage device 62b that stores data, tables, and the like as files, and a screen based on image signals. Are displayed, a card writer 66b for writing authentication information to the inserted authentication card, and a signal line for connecting to the network 199b.

The CPU 50b is composed of a microprocessing unit or the like, and activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52b, and print data generation processing and print data provision shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 41, 43, and 44 according to the program. Each of the processing and the print data deletion processing is executed in a time division manner.
First, the print data generation process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing print data generation processing.
When the print data generation process is executed by the CPU 50b, as shown in FIG. 41, the process first proceeds to step S100b.
In step S100b, it is determined whether printing is requested from a document creation application or the like. When it is determined that printing is requested (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102b, but when it is determined that printing is not required (No). The process waits in step S100b until printing is requested.

In step S102b, a job ID for uniquely identifying the print data is issued, print data including the issued job ID is generated based on the document data edited by the document creation application or the like, and the process proceeds to step S104b.
In step S104b, user information of a user who is currently using the host terminal 100b is acquired, the process proceeds to step S106b, and a job ticket is generated based on the issued job ID and the acquired user information.

FIG. 42 shows the data structure of the job ticket 400b.
As shown in FIG. 42, the job ticket 400b includes a field 402b that stores a job ID, a field 404b that stores an exclusive flag indicating whether the job ticket 400b is frozen, and a field 406b that stores the number of printable copies. And a field 408b storing user information. The job ticket 400b further includes a field 410b for storing usage history information every time print data is used.

  In the example of FIG. 42, “001” is stored as the job ID, “0” as the exclusive flag, “3” as the number of printable copies, and “UserA” as the user information. This indicates that the print data with the job ID “001” can be printed only by the user with the user information “UserA”, and the number of printable copies is three. Also, since the exclusive flag has been reset, it indicates that the job ticket is not currently frozen. Here, the number of printable copies may be arbitrarily set by the user, or a predetermined value may be set.

Also, five records are stored as usage history information. This indicates that the print data of the job ID “001” has already been printed five copies, and each print date and time at that time is used as a use history.
Next, the process proceeds to step S108b, the generated print data is stored in the storage device 62b, the process proceeds to step S110b, a storage request is transmitted to the network printer 200b, the process proceeds to step S112b, and the generated job ticket is stored. The data is transmitted to the network printer 200b, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

Next, the print data providing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing print data provision processing.
The print data providing process is a process for providing print data in response to an acquisition request from the network printer 200b. When the print data providing process is executed by the CPU 50b, as shown in FIG. 43, the process first proceeds to step S150b. ing.

In step S150b, it is determined whether or not an acquisition request including a job ID has been received. When it is determined that an acquisition request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S152b, but when it is determined that this is not the case (No). Waits in step S150b until an acquisition request is received.
In step S152b, the print data corresponding to the job ID included in the received acquisition request is read from the storage device 62b, the process proceeds to step S154b, the read print data is transmitted to the network printer 200b, and the series of processing ends. To return to the original process.

Next, the print data deletion process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing print data deletion processing.
When the print data deletion process is executed by the CPU 50b, first, the process proceeds to step S200b as shown in FIG.
In step S200b, it is determined whether or not a data deletion notification including a job ID has been received. When it is determined that a data deletion notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S202b. No) waits in step S200b until a data deletion notification is received.

In step S202b, the print data corresponding to the job ID included in the received data deletion notification is deleted from the storage device 62b, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored.
Next, the configuration of the network printer 200b will be described.
FIG. 45 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network printer 200b.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the network printer 200b includes a CPU 70b that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 72b that stores a control program for the CPU 70b in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 72b. And a RAM 74b for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 70b, and an I / F 78b that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device. These are signals for transferring data. A bus 79b, which is a line, is connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

The I / F 78b includes, as external devices, an operation panel 80b including a touch panel that can input and display data as a human interface, a storage device 82b that stores data, tables, and the like as files, a card reader 22b, a printer The engine 25b and a signal line for connecting to the network 199b are connected.
The CPU 70b is composed of a microprocessing unit or the like, and starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 72b. According to the program, the job ticket storage process, the print control process, the print status shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The monitoring process, the print request reception process, and the print result reception process are each executed in a time-sharing manner.

First, the job ticket storage process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing job ticket storage processing.
The job ticket saving process is a process for saving a job ticket from the host terminal 100b. When the job ticket is executed in the CPU 70b, as shown in FIG. 46, first, the process proceeds to step S300b.

In step S300b, it is determined whether or not a storage request has been received. When it is determined that a storage request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S302b. When it is determined that this is not the case (No), a storage request is received. Until step S300b.
In step S302b, a job ticket is received, the process proceeds to step S304b, the received job ticket is stored in the storage device 82b, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.

Next, the print control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the print control process.
The print control process is a process for performing print control of the printer engine 25b. When the print control process is executed in the CPU 70b, as shown in FIG. 47, first, the process proceeds to step S350b.
In step S350b, it is determined whether or not an authentication card has been inserted into the card reader 22b. When it is determined that an authentication card has been inserted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S352b, but when this is not the case (No). Waits in step S350b until an authentication card is inserted.

  In step S352b, authentication information including the job ID and user information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 22b, and the process proceeds to step S354b to execute user authentication processing for performing user authentication based on the read authentication information. In the user authentication process, the job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the read authentication information is searched from the storage device 82b. As a result, when the corresponding job ticket is searched, it is determined whether or not the user information of the searched job ticket matches the user information included in the read authentication information. When it is determined, it is determined that the user is eligible for use of print data. On the other hand, when the corresponding job ticket is not retrieved or when it is determined that the user information does not match, it is determined that the user is not eligible for use of print data. The same applies to step S452b.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S356b, the result of the user authentication process is determined, and when it is determined that the user is eligible for use of print data (Yes), the process proceeds to step S358b, and the searched job ticket is searched. It is determined whether or not the exclusive flag is set, and when it is determined that the exclusive flag is not set (No), it is determined that the job ticket is not frozen, and the process proceeds to step S360b.

  In step S360b, the exclusive flag of the retrieved job ticket is set, the process proceeds to step S362b, an acquisition request including the job ID included in the read authentication information is transmitted to the host terminal 100b, and the process proceeds to step S364b. Then, the print data is received, the process proceeds to step S366b, a print process for performing print control of the printer engine 25b based on the received print data is executed, a series of processes are terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S358b that the exclusive flag of the searched job ticket is set (Yes), it is determined that the job ticket is frozen, and the process proceeds to step S368b to operate the error message. The information is displayed on the panel 80b, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S356b that the user is not qualified to use print data (No), the process proceeds to step S368b.

Next, the printing status monitoring process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing the printing status monitoring process.
The printing status monitoring process is a process for monitoring the printing status of the printer engine 25b. When the printing status monitoring process is executed in the CPU 70b, as shown in FIG. 48, the process first proceeds to step S400b.

  In step S400b, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed by the printer engine 25b. When it is determined that printing has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S402b and corresponds to the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed. The job ticket to be searched is searched from the storage device 82b, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S404b, and “1” is subtracted from the number of printable copies of the searched job ticket, and step S406b. Migrate to

  In step S406b, it is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”. If it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the process proceeds to step S408b, and the usage history including the printing date and time is included. Information is generated, the process proceeds to step S410b, and the generated usage history information is added to the retrieved job ticket and stored in the storage device 82b, and the process proceeds to step S412b.

  In step S412b, it is determined whether or not printing has been interrupted by the printer engine 25b. If it is determined that printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S414b and corresponds to the job ID of the print data whose printing has been interrupted. The job ticket to be searched is searched from the storage device 82b, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S416b, the print data being printed is discarded, the process proceeds to step S418b, and an error occurs. A message is displayed on the operation panel 80b, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S412b that printing is not interrupted by the printer engine 25b (No), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S406b that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S420b, and a data deletion notification including the job ID of the print data that has been printed is sent to the host terminal 100b. In step S422b, the job ticket corresponding to the job ID of the print data that has been printed is deleted from the storage device 82b, and the process proceeds to step S412b.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S400b that the printer engine 25b does not complete printing (No), the process proceeds to step S412b.
Next, the print request acceptance process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing print request acceptance processing.
The print request accepting process is a process for accepting a print request from the network printer 300b. When the print request accepting process is executed in the CPU 70b, the process first proceeds to step S450b as shown in FIG.

In step S450b, it is determined whether a print request has been received. When it is determined that a print request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S452b. Until step S450b is received.
In step S452b, authentication information is received, the process proceeds to step S454b, a user authentication process for performing user authentication based on the received authentication information is executed, and the process proceeds to step S456b.

  In step S456b, the result of the user authentication process is determined. If it is determined that the user is eligible for use of print data (Yes), the process proceeds to step S458b, and the exclusive flag of the searched job ticket is set. If the exclusive flag is not set (No), it is determined that the job ticket is not frozen, and the process proceeds to step S460b.

  In step S460b, the exclusion flag of the retrieved job ticket is set, the process proceeds to step S462b, an acquisition request including the job ID included in the received authentication information is transmitted to the host terminal 100b, and the process proceeds to step S464b. The print data is received, the process proceeds to step S466b, the received print data is transmitted to the requesting network printer 300b, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S458b that the exclusive flag of the searched job ticket is set (Yes), it is determined that the job ticket is frozen, and the process proceeds to step S468b, and the request source network is determined. A print impossible notification is transmitted to the printer 300b, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S456b that the user is not qualified to use print data (No), the process proceeds to step S468b.

Next, the print result receiving process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing print result reception processing.
The print result receiving process is a process of receiving a print result from the network printer 300b. When the print result receiving process is executed in the CPU 70b, as shown in FIG. 50, first, the process proceeds to step S500b.

  In step S500b, it is determined whether or not a print completion notification including a job ID has been received. When it is determined that a print completion notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S502b and is included in the received print completion notification. The job ticket corresponding to the job ID to be searched is searched from the storage device 82b, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the process proceeds to step S504b, and the number of printable copies of the searched job ticket is set to “1”. Subtract and go to step S506b.

  In step S506b, it is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”. When it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the process proceeds to step S508b, and the usage history including the print date and time is obtained. Information is generated, the process proceeds to step S510b, and the generated usage history information is added to the retrieved job ticket and stored in the storage device 82b, and the process proceeds to step S512b.

  In step S512b, it is determined whether or not a print interruption notification including a job ID has been received. When it is determined that a print interruption notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S514b and is included in the received print completion notification. The job ticket corresponding to the job ID to be searched is searched from the storage device 82b, the exclusion flag of the searched job ticket is reset, the series of processes are terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S512b that the print interruption notification is not received (No), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S506b that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S516b, and a data deletion notification including the job ID included in the received print completion notification is sent to the host terminal 100b. In step S518b, the job ticket corresponding to the job ID included in the received print completion notification is deleted from the storage device 82b, and the process proceeds to step S512b.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S500b that the print completion notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S512b.
Next, the configuration of the network printer 300b will be described.
FIG. 51 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network printer 300b.

  As shown in FIG. 51, the network printer 300b includes a CPU 90b that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 92b that stores a control program for the CPU 90b in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 92b. And a RAM 94b for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 90b, and an I / F 98b for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device. These signals are signals for transferring data. The buses 99b, which are lines, are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

The I / F 98b includes, as external devices, an operation panel 81b including a touch panel that can input and display data as a human interface, a storage device 83b that stores data, tables, and the like as files, a card reader 30b, a printer The engine 33b and a signal line for connecting to the network 199b are connected.
The CPU 90b is composed of a microprocessing unit or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 92b, and performs the print control process and the print status monitoring process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 52 and 53 according to the program. It is designed to run in splits.

First, the print control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing the print control process.
The print control process is a process for performing print control of the printer engine 33b. When the print control process is executed by the CPU 90b, as shown in FIG. 52, the process first proceeds to step S600b.
In step S600b, it is determined whether or not an authentication card has been inserted into the card reader 30b. When it is determined that an authentication card has been inserted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S602b, but when this is not the case (No). Waits in step S600b until an authentication card is inserted.

In step S602b, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 30b, the process proceeds to step S604b, a print request is transmitted to the network printer 200b, the process proceeds to step S606b, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the network printer 200b. Then, the process proceeds to step S608b.
In step S608b, it is determined whether or not print data has been received. If it is determined that print data has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S610b, and print control of the printer engine 33b is performed based on the received print data. The printing process is executed, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S608b that print data is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S612b, where it is determined whether a print disable notification is received, and it is determined that a print disable notification is received. In (Yes), the process proceeds to step S614b, an error message is displayed on the operation panel 81b, a series of processes are terminated, and the original process is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S612b that the print disabled notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S608b.

Next, the printing status monitoring process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing the printing status monitoring process.
The print status monitoring process is a process for monitoring the print status of the printer engine 33b. When the print status monitoring process is executed in the CPU 90b, as shown in FIG. 53, the process first proceeds to step S650b.

In step S650b, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed by the printer engine 33b. When it is determined that printing has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S652b and includes the job ID of the print data for which printing has been completed. A print completion notification is transmitted to the network printer 200b, and the process proceeds to step S654b.
In step S654b, it is determined whether or not printing has been interrupted by the printer engine 33b. If it is determined that printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S656b and includes the job ID of the print data whose printing has been interrupted. A print interruption notification is transmitted to the network printer 200b, the process proceeds to step S658b, the print data being printed is discarded, the process proceeds to step S660b, an error message is displayed on the operation panel 81b, and the series of processes ends. To return to the original process.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S654b that printing is not interrupted by the printer engine 33b (No), a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S650b that the printer engine 33b has not completed printing (No), the process proceeds to step S654b.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The user uses the document creation application or the like to edit the document data and requests printing on the host terminal 100b.
In the host terminal 100b, when printing is requested, print data and a job ticket are generated through steps S102b to S112b, the generated print data is stored in the storage device 62b, and the generated job ticket is stored together with the storage request. It is transmitted to the network printer 200b.

In the network printer 200b, when the job ticket is received together with the save request, the received job ticket is saved in the storage device 82b through step S304b.
First, a case where printing is performed by the network printer 200b will be described.
In the host terminal 100b, the user inserts an authentication card into the card writer 66b, and writes the job ID and his / her user information into the authentication card using the card writer 66b. Then, the user goes to the network printer 200b and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 22b.

  In the network printer 200b, when an authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 22b through steps S352b and S354b, and user authentication is performed based on the read authentication information. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen through steps S360b and S362b, and an acquisition request is transmitted to the host terminal 100b.

When the host terminal 100b receives the acquisition request, the print data is read from the storage device 62b through steps S152b and S154b, and the read print data is transmitted to the network printer 200b.
When the network printer 200b receives the print data, the print control is performed based on the received print data through step S366b. When printing is completed, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S402b and S404b, and the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted. As a result, if the number of printable copies is not “0”, the usage history information is generated through steps S408b and S410b, and the generated usage history information is added to the job ticket and stored in the storage device 82b.

Next, a case where printing is performed by the network printer 300b will be described.
The user goes to one of the network printers 300b and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 30b.
In the network printer 300b, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 30b through steps S602b to S606b, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the network printer 200b together with the print request.

When the network printer 200b receives the authentication information together with the print request, the user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information through step S454b. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen through steps S460b and S462b, and an acquisition request is transmitted to the host terminal 100b.
When the host terminal 100b receives the acquisition request, the print data is read from the storage device 62b, and the read print data is transmitted to the network printer 200b.

When the network printer 200b receives the print data, the received print data is transmitted to the requesting network printer 300b through step S466b.
When the network printer 300b receives the print data, the print control is performed based on the received print data through step S610b. When printing is completed, a print completion notification is transmitted to the network printer 200b through step S652b.

  When the network printer 200b receives the print completion notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S502b and S504b, and the number of printable copies of the job ticket is subtracted. As a result, if the number of printable copies is not “0”, the usage history information is generated through steps S508b and S510b, and the generated usage history information is added to the job ticket and stored in the storage device 82b.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted by the network printer 200b will be described.
In the network printer 200b, when printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like, the job ticket is unfrozen through steps S414b to S418b, the print data being printed is discarded, and an error message is displayed.
Next, the user removes the authentication card from the card reader 22b in the network printer 200b. Then, it goes to the other network printer 300b and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 30b. Thereafter, the network printer 200b and the other network printer 300b perform the same operation as described above, and the other network printer 300b performs printing. The number of printable copies is not subtracted even when printing is interrupted, but is subtracted only after printing is completed in another network printer 300b.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted by the network printer 300b will be described.
In the network printer 300b, when printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like, a printing interruption notification is transmitted to the network printer 200b through steps S656b to S660b, print data being printed is discarded, and an error message is displayed. .
When the network printer 200b receives the print interruption notification, the job ticket is unfrozen through step S514b.

  Next, the user removes the authentication card from the card reader 30b in the network printer 300b in which printing is interrupted. Then, it goes to the other network printer 300b and inserts the authentication card into the card reader 30b. Thereafter, the network printer 200b and the other network printer 300b perform the same operation as described above, and the other network printer 300b performs printing. The number of printable copies is not subtracted even when printing is interrupted, but is subtracted only after printing is completed in another network printer 300b.

Next, a case will be described in which the authentication card is removed during the printing process by the network printer 200b or any one of the network printers 300b, and the authentication card is inserted into the card reader 30b in the other network printer 300b.
In the network printer 300b, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 30b, and the read authentication information is transmitted to the network printer 200b together with the print request.

When the network printer 200b receives the authentication information together with the print request, user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information. As a result, even if the user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen during the printing process, and thus a print impossible notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 300b through step S468b.
In the network printer 300b, when the print disable notification is received, an error message is displayed through step S614b, and printing is not performed.

Next, a case will be described in which an authentication card is removed during printing processing by any of the network printers 300b, and the authentication card is inserted into the card reader 22b in the network printer 200b.
In the network printer 200b, when the authentication card is inserted, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card reader 22b, and user authentication is performed based on the read authentication information. As a result, even if user authentication is obtained, the job ticket is frozen during the printing process, so an error message is displayed through step S368b, and printing is not performed.

Note that if an authentication card storing unauthorized authentication information is used, the network printer 200b cannot obtain user authentication, so a print disabled notification is transmitted to the requesting network printer 300b or an error message is displayed. The
When the number of printable copies becomes “0”, the network printer 200b transmits a data deletion notification to the host terminal 100b through steps S420b and S422b or steps S516b and S518b, and the job ticket is deleted.

When the host terminal 100b receives the data deletion notification, the print data is deleted through step S202b.
Thus, in this embodiment, the host terminal 100b provides the print data to the network printer 200b in response to the acquisition request, and deletes the print data in response to the data deletion notification. When it is determined that the user authentication is obtained and the job ticket is not frozen, the print data is acquired from the host terminal 100b and the acquired print data is transmitted to any one of the plurality of network printers 300b. The job ticket is frozen until the print interruption notification or the print completion notification is received, or the print control is performed based on the acquired print data, and the job ticket is frozen until the printing is interrupted or the printing is completed. When a print completion notification is received or printing is complete, print a job ticket When the number of function copies is subtracted and it is determined that the number of printable copies is “0”, a data deletion notification is transmitted to the host terminal 100b and the job ticket is deleted. When print is interrupted, the print data being printed is discarded and a print interruption notification is transmitted to the network printer 200b. When printing is completed, the print control is performed based on the received print data. The print completion notification is transmitted to the network printer 200b.

As a result, the number of printable copies is subtracted when printing is completed. Therefore, even if printing is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like in one of the network printers 200b and 300b, the contents printed by the other network printers 200b and 300b. Can be obtained. Therefore, only the person who can obtain the printed material can obtain it.
Further, since the print data is provided to the network printer 300b or the print data is used by the network printer 200b, the possibility that the same print contents are printed at one time by the network printers 200b and 300b is reduced. can do. Furthermore, even if the network printers 200b and 300b whose printing has been interrupted are restored, the print data being printed is discarded, so that the possibility of printing the print contents on the network printers 200b and 300b can be reduced. . Therefore, since the possibility of printing exceeding the number of printable copies can be reduced, it is possible to protect the confidentiality of the print contents as compared with the prior art, and the print data relates to the copyrighted work. In case you can protect your work.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the network printer 200b determines that user authentication is obtained based on the received authentication information and the job ticket is not frozen, the authentication information transmission source among the plurality of network printers 300b. The print data is transmitted to the printer, and when it is determined that the user authentication is obtained based on the read authentication information and the job ticket is not frozen, the print control is performed based on the acquired print data.

Thus, if the user gives an authentication card in which valid authentication information is recorded to the network printers 200b and 300b that desire printing, the contents of printing can be obtained by the network printers 200b and 300b.
Further, in the present embodiment, the network printer 200b generates usage history information every time print data is used.

Accordingly, it is possible to grasp how the print data is used by referring to the use history information.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the network printer 200b determines that the number of printable copies is “0”, the network printer 200b transmits a data deletion notification to the host terminal 100b and deletes the job ticket. When the host terminal 100b receives the data deletion notification, the host terminal 100b deletes the print data.

As a result, the possibility that the print data and the job ticket are illegally used can be reduced, so that the confidentiality of the print contents and the copyrighted work can be more reliably protected.
In the fifth embodiment, the host terminal 100b corresponds to the data management device in the form 121, 126, 127, 132, 133, 138, 139 or 144, and the print data storage unit 11b and the storage device 62b are in the form. This corresponds to the output data storage means 121 or 139. Further, the print data providing unit 12b, the I / F 58b, and steps S150b to S154b correspond to the output data providing unit of form 121, and steps S150b to S154b correspond to the output data providing step of form 139, and the print data deleting unit. 13b, I / F 58b, and steps S200b and S202b correspond to the output data deleting means of the form 126.

  In the fifth embodiment, steps S200b and S202b correspond to the output data deletion step of form 144, and the network printer 200b uses the first network device of forms 121, 123 to 125, 139, and 141 to 143. The job ticket storage unit 20b and the storage device 82b correspond to the job ticket storage unit of the form 121, 127, 133, or 139. The authentication information receiving unit 21b, the I / F 78b, and step S452b correspond to the authentication information receiving unit of the form 123, 124, 129, or 130, and the step S452b is the authentication information receiving step of the form 135, 136, 141, or 142. It corresponds to.

  In the fifth embodiment, the card reader 22b and step S352b correspond to the first authentication information acquisition unit in the form 123 or 124, or the authentication information acquisition unit in the form 129 or 130, and the step S352b This corresponds to the first authentication information acquisition step 141 or 142, or the authentication information acquisition step of form 135 or 136. Further, the user authentication unit 23b and steps S354b and S454b correspond to authentication means of form 123, 124, 129 or 130, and steps S354b and S454b correspond to authentication steps of form 135, 136, 141 or 142 and print. The data use management unit 24b, the I / F 78b, and the steps S356b to S364b, S400b to S406b, S412b to S422b, S456b to S466b, S500b to S506b, and S512b to S518b use the output data of the forms 121, 123 to 127, and 129 to 132. It corresponds to management means.

  In the fifth embodiment, steps S356b to S364b, S400b to S406b, S412b to S422b, S456b to S466b, S500b to S506b, and S512b to S518b are output data of Embodiments 133, 135 to 139, and 141 to 144. It corresponds to the usage management step. Further, the print control unit 26b and step S366b correspond to the first output control means of the form 121, 123 or 124, or the output control means of the form 127, 129 or 130, and the step S366b corresponds to the form 139, 141 or 142. This corresponds to the first output control step or the output control step of the form 133, 135, or 136.

  In the fifth embodiment, the usage history information generation unit 27b and step S408b correspond to the usage history information generation means of the form 125 or 131, and step S408b is the usage history information generation step of the form 137 or 143. The network printer 300b corresponds to the second network device in the form 121, 123, 124, 139, 141, or 142. Further, the card reader 30b and step S602b correspond to the second authentication information acquisition unit of form 123, and step S602b corresponds to the second authentication information acquisition step of form 141, and the authentication information transmission unit 31b, I / F 98b, and Step S606b corresponds to the authentication information transmission unit of the form 123.

  In the fifth embodiment, step S606b corresponds to the authentication information transmission step of form 141, and the print data reception unit 32b, I / F 98b, and step S608b correspond to the output data reception unit of form 121. Step S608b corresponds to the output data receiving step of the form 139. In addition, the print control unit 34b, the I / F 98b, and step S610b correspond to the second output control unit of the form 121, the step S610b corresponds to the second output control step of the form 139, and the print data includes the form 121, It corresponds to output data of 123 to 127, 129 to 131, 133, 135 to 137, 139, 141 to 144.

  In the fifth embodiment, the print interruption notification corresponds to the output interruption notification of the forms 121, 124, 127, 130, 133, 136, 139 or 142, and the print completion notification is the forms 121, 124, 127, 130, 133, 136, 139 or 142 corresponding to the output completion notification. The data deletion notification corresponds to the usage prohibition notification in the form 126, 132, 138, or 144.

  In the fifth embodiment, the printable copy number and the job ticket are deleted when the printable copy number of the job ticket is subtracted and the printable copy number becomes “0”. The number of printable copies and the number of printed copies are specified in the job ticket, and the number of printed copies of the job ticket is added. When the number of printed copies reaches the number of printable copies, the print data and job ticket are deleted. It can also be configured to. Specifically, the job ticket is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 54 shows the data structure of the job ticket 400b.
As shown in FIG. 54, the job ticket 400b includes a field 402b that stores a job ID, a field 404b that stores an exclusive flag, a field 406b that stores the number of printable copies, a field 412b that stores the number of printed copies, And a field 408b in which user information is stored.

In the example of FIG. 54, “8” is stored as the number of printable copies and “5” is stored as the number of printed copies. This indicates that the print data of the job ID “001” has 8 printable copies, of which 5 copies have already been printed.
In the fifth embodiment, the user information is defined in the job ticket and the user authentication is performed based on the authentication information and the job ticket. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user authentication is performed. It can also be configured so that any user can print by not having it. In this case, it is preferable to record user information and printing date and time as usage history information. Specifically, the job ticket is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 55 shows the data structure of the job ticket 400b.
As shown in FIG. 55, the job ticket 400b includes a field 402b that stores a job ID, a field 404b that stores an exclusive flag, a field 406b that stores the number of printable copies, and a field 412b that stores the number of printed copies. It is configured to include. Further, a field 414b for storing usage history information is added every time print data is used.

In the example of FIG. 55, five records are stored as usage history information. This shows that the print data of job ID “001” has already been printed five copies, and each user information and print date and time at that time are shown as a usage history. Here, as the user information, for example, the host ID and IP address of the host terminal 100b may be set in addition to the user ID.
In the fifth embodiment, the printable number of copies of the job ticket is subtracted after the printing is interrupted or completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be configured to subtract the printable number of tickets. Specifically, the job ticket update process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 56 is executed.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing job ticket update processing.
When the job ticket update process is executed by the CPU 70b, as shown in FIG. 56, the process first proceeds to step S700b.
In step S700b, “1” is subtracted from the number of printable copies of the job ticket, the process proceeds to step S702b, the job ticket is frozen, the process proceeds to step S704b, and it is determined whether printing has been interrupted. When it is determined that the process is not interrupted (No), the process proceeds to step S706b.

In step S706b, it is determined whether or not printing is completed. When it is determined that printing is completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S708b, the job ticket is released from the freeze, and the process proceeds to step S710b. It is determined whether or not the number of printable copies is “0”, and when it is determined that the number of printable copies is not “0” (No), the series of processes is terminated and the process returns to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S710b that the number of printable copies is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S712b, the print data is deleted, the process proceeds to step S714b, the job ticket is deleted, A series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S706b that printing has not been completed (No), the process proceeds to step S704b.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S704b that printing has been interrupted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S716b, the job ticket is released from the freeze, and the process proceeds to step S718b, where the number of printable copies of the job ticket is set to “1”. ”Is added, and a series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

In this case, steps S700b to S718b correspond to the output data utilization management means of form 122 or 128, or the output data utilization management step of form 134 or 140.
Further, in the fifth embodiment described above, the host terminal 100b is configured to generate a job ticket with the print data is not limited to this, the work, such as documents and images to be viewed on the network 199b when printing is to connect the job ticket issuing device for issuing a job ticket to the network 199b, the job ticket issuing device may also be configured to issue a job ticket in exchange for payment of the price. In this case, for example, the issued job ticket may be recorded on the authentication card and read into the network printer 200b by the card reader 22b. In this case, user authentication is not required because an unspecified number is to print work. Thus, step S354b, it is not necessary to provide the user authentication process S454b.

In the fifth embodiment, the number of printable copies is specified in the job ticket and the number of print copies is limited. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of printable pages is specified in the job ticket. In addition, the print page number may be limited.
In the fifth embodiment, the host terminal 100b is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the host terminal 100b, a printer server, a file server, or other data server is used. It can also be configured.

Further, in the fifth embodiment, the authentication information is read from the authentication card by the card readers 22b and 30b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication information is input from the operation panels 80b and 81b. You can also In this case, the card readers 22b and 30b are not necessary.
In the fifth embodiment, the card readers 22b and 30b are provided integrally with the network printers 200b and 300b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card readers 22b and 30b can be provided as separate devices. . Specifically, a user authentication device having card readers 22b and 30b is connected to be able to communicate with the network printers 200b and 300b, and the network printers 200b and 300b input the authentication information by receiving the authentication information from the user authentication device. To do.

  In the fifth embodiment, the ROMs 52b and 72b are used for executing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 41, 43, 44, 46 to 50, 52, 53 and 56. The control program stored in advance in 92b has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program is read into the RAM 54b, 74b, 94b from the storage medium storing the program showing these procedures. You may make it perform.

  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 fifth embodiment, the output system, the network device, and the output method according to the present invention are applied to the case where printing is performed by the network printers 200b and 300b using an authentication card. The present invention is not limited, and can be applied to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention. Instead of the network printers 200b and 300b, for example, projectors, home gateways, personal computers, PDAs, network storages, audio devices, mobile phones, PHS, watch-type PDAs, STBs, POS terminals, FAX machines, telephones (including IP phones) .), Can be applied to other output devices.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of a network system. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a host terminal 100. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data generation processing. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a job ticket 400. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a print request reception process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print result reception processing. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a network printer 200. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing status monitoring process. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of a network system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data generation processing. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a network printer 300. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data storage processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing status monitoring process. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a job ticket 400. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a job ticket 400. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a job ticket update process. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of a network system. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the host terminal 100a. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data generation processing. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the job ticket 400a. It is a flowchart which shows a print request reception process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print result reception processing. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the network printer 200a. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data storage processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing status monitoring process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data deletion processing. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of a network system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data generation processing. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the network printer 300a. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data storage processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing status monitoring process. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the job ticket 400a. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the job ticket 400a. It is a flowchart which shows a job ticket update process. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of a network system. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the host terminal 100b. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data generation processing. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the job ticket 400b. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data provision processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data deletion processing. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the network printer 200b. It is a flowchart which shows a job ticket preservation | save process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing status monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows a print request reception process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print result reception processing. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the network printer 300b. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing status monitoring process. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the job ticket 400b. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the job ticket 400b. It is a flowchart which shows a job ticket update process.

Explanation of symbols

100, 100a, 100b ... Host terminal, 200, 200a, 200b, 300, 300a, 300b ... Network printer, 10, 10a, 10b ... Print data generation unit, 11, 11b, 20a, 30, 30a ... Print data storage unit, 12, 12a, 20b, 36, 36a ... job ticket storage unit, 12b ... print data providing unit, 13, 13a, 21b, 33, 33a ... authentication information receiving unit, 13b ... print data deleting unit, 14, 14a, 23b, 35, 35a ... user authentication unit, 15, 15a, 24b, 37, 37a ... print data usage management unit, 16, 16a, 27b, 40, 40a ... usage history information generation unit, 11a, 17 ... print data transmission unit, 20 , 22b, 23a, 30b, 34, 34a... Card reader, 21, 24a, 31b Authentication information transmission unit, 21a, 22, 31, 31a, 32b ... print data reception unit, 23, 25a, 25b, 33b, 38, 38a ... printer engine, 24, 26a, 26b, 34b, 39, 39a ... print control unit , 22a, 32, 32a ... print data storage unit, 50, 50a, 50b, 70, 70a, 70b, 90, 90a, 90b ... CPU, 52, 52a, 52b, 72, 72a, 72b, 92, 92a, 92b ... ROM, 54, 54a, 54b, 74, 74a, 74b, 94, 94a, 94b ... RAM, 58, 58a, 58b, 78, 78a, 78b, 98, 98a, 98b ... I / F, 59, 59a, 59b, 79, 79a, 79b, 99, 99a, 99b ... bus, 60, 60a, 60b ... input device, 62, 62a, 62b, 2, 82a, 82b, 83, 83a, 83b ... storage device, 64, 64a, 64b ... display device, 66, 66a, 66b ... card writer, 80, 80a, 80b, 81, 81a, 81b ... operation panel, 400, 400a, 400b ... Job ticket

Claims (48)

An authentication output system in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device obtains authentication and outputs.
The device utilization device manages output data storage means for storing the output data, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission for use of the output data, and manages the use of the output data Output data use management means to
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage management means provides the output data of the output data storage means to any one of the plurality of network devices, and outputs an output completion notification to the output data usage management Providing the output data is prohibited until the means is received, and when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated, and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition When the provision of the output data is prohibited,
The network device includes output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
Authentication output system wherein the output control means, when the output in the network device is completed, characterized in that is adapted to transmit the output completion notification to the device using apparatus. In claim 1,
The output data usage managing means is configured to prohibit the provision of the output data until the output data usage managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice.
The output control means, when the output in the network device is interrupted, the authentication, characterized in that is adapted to transmit the output interruption notification to the device using apparatus with which prohibit the use of the output data Output system. An authentication output system in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are connected to be communicable, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output
The device utilization device manages output data storage means for storing the output data, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission for use of the output data, and manages the use of the output data Output data use management means to
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means provides the output data of the output data storage means to any one of the plurality of network devices, and receives the job ticket of the job ticket storage means. Update and prohibit the provision of the output data until the output data usage management means receives the output completion notice, and prohibit the provision of the output data when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition Is supposed to
The network device includes output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
The authentication output system, wherein the output control means is configured to transmit the output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed in the network device. In claim 3,
The output data usage management means prohibits the provision of the output data until the output data usage management means receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification, and when the output data usage management means receives the output ticket, the job ticket The content of is now back before the update,
The output control means, when the output in the network device is interrupted, the authentication, characterized in that is adapted to transmit the output interruption notification to the device using apparatus with which prohibit the use of the output data Output system. In any one of Claim 2 and 4,
The device using apparatus includes an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information used for the authentication, and an authentication unit.
The network device has authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means to the device using device,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means,
The output data use managing means provides the output data to a transmission source of the authentication information among the plurality of network devices when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use. An authentication output system characterized by In claim 5,
The output data use management means provides the output data when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use and the job ticket is updatable, and provides the output interruption notification or The authentication output system is configured to prohibit the update of the job ticket until the output completion notification is received. In any one of claims 2, 4 to 6,
2. The authentication output system according to claim 1, wherein the device utilization apparatus includes utilization history information generation means for generating utilization history information indicating a utilization history of the output data based on a result provided by the output data utilization management means. An authentication output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output. Because
The device utilization apparatus has output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the first network device,
The first network device includes output data storage means, first output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data stored in the output data storage means for output data received by the first output data reception means. A storage means, a job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data, an output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and an output data storage means. First output control means for performing output control based on the output data,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage management means provides the output data of the output data storage means to the second network device, and until the output data usage management means receives the output completion notification. Prohibiting the provision and use of the output data, or making an output request to the first output control means, prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output is completed by the first network device, and completing the output When the notification is received or when the output is completed in the first network device, the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and when the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition, the output data Are prohibited from being provided and used,
The first output control means is configured to perform output based on the output data in response to the output request,
The second network device includes second output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and second output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the second output data receiving means,
The authentication output system characterized in that the second output control means transmits the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed by the second network device. In claim 8,
The output data use managing means prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output data use managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice, or the output is used by the first network device. The provision of the output data is prohibited until it is interrupted or the output is completed,
The second output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interruption notification to the first network device when the output is interrupted by the second network device. A featured authentication output system. An authentication output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output. there is,
The device utilization apparatus has output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the first network device,
The first network device includes output data storage means, first output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data stored in the output data storage means for output data received by the first output data reception means. A storage means, a job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data, an output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and an output data storage means. First output control means for performing output control based on the output data,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit provides the output data of the output data storage unit to the second network device, updates the job ticket of the job ticket storage unit, and notifies the output completion Until the output data use management means receives the request, prohibits the provision and use of the output data, or issues an output request to the first output control means, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, Providing the output data is prohibited until the output is completed by the first network device, and providing and using the output data is prohibited when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. and,
The first output control means is configured to perform output based on the output data in response to the output request,
The second network device includes second output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and second output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the second output data receiving means,
The authentication output system, wherein the second output control means transmits the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed by the second network device. In claim 10,
The output data usage management unit prohibits the provision and use of the output data until the output data usage management unit receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification, or the output is performed by the first network device. until interrupted or the output is completed and prohibits the provision of the output data, when the output receiving the output interruption notice or in the first network device is interrupted, before updating the content of the job ticket are adapted to return,
The second output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interruption notification to the first network device when the output is interrupted by the second network device. authentication output system according to claim. In any one of Claims 9 and 11,
The first network device includes an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information used for the authentication, a first authentication information acquisition unit that acquires the authentication information, and an authentication unit.
The second network device includes second authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the second authentication information acquisition means to the first network device. ,
The authentication means is adapted to authenticate use eligibility of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means,
The output data usage managing means provides the output data to the second network device when the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means. When the authentication means determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition means, the output request is made to the first output control means. An authentication output system characterized by In claim 12,
When the output data use managing means determines that the output means is eligible for use of the output data based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means and the job ticket is updatable, Providing the output data, prohibiting the update of the job ticket until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received,
When the authentication unit determines that the output data is eligible for use based on the authentication information acquired by the first authentication information acquisition unit and the job ticket is updatable, the output request is performed, The authentication output system, wherein the output of the job ticket is prohibited until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device. In any one of claims 9, 11 to 13,
The first network device has usage history information generating means for generating usage history information indicating a usage history of the output data based on a provision result and a usage result of the output data usage management means. system. In any one of claims 2, 4 to 7, 9, 11 to 14,
Authentication output system the output data utilization management means, when the contents of the job ticket is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, characterized in that is adapted to delete the output data and the job ticket. A device using device that uses a network device,
Output data storage means for storing output data, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or permission for use of the output data, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, With
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage managing means provides the output data of the output data storage means to any one of the plurality of network devices, and an output completion notification is sent to the output data usage managing means. There until it receives prohibits the provision of the output data, when receiving the output completion notification, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit, when the contents of the job ticket is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied Is a device utilization apparatus that is prohibited from providing the output data. A device using device that uses a network device,
Output data storage means for storing output data, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or permission for use of the output data, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, With
The output data utilization managing means provides the output data of the output data storage means to any one of the plurality of network devices and updates the job ticket of the job ticket storage means when authentication is obtained. The output data provision is prohibited until the output data usage management means receives the output completion notice, and when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the provision of the output data is prohibited. A device utilization apparatus characterized by that. A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
The network device according to claim 1, wherein when the output is completed by the network device, the output control means transmits an output completion notification to the device using apparatus. A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for saving the output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use permission, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means Means and
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage management unit provides the output data of the output data storage unit to another network device, and the output data usage management unit receives the output completion notification until the output data usage management unit receives the output completion notification. Prohibit the provision and use of data, or make an output request to the output control means, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output is completed by the network device, receive the output completion notification, or When the output is completed in the network device, the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated. When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, provision and use of the output data are prohibited. And
The network device according to claim 1, wherein the output control means performs output based on the output data in response to the output request. A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for saving the output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use permission, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means Means and
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit provides the output data of the output data storage unit to another network device, updates the job ticket of the job ticket storage unit, and notifies the output completion notification. Until the output data usage management means receives, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or an output request is made to the output control means, the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated, and the network device Until the output is completed, the provision of the output data is prohibited. When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the provision and use of the output data are prohibited.
The network device according to claim 1, wherein the output control means performs output based on the output data in response to the output request. An output data management program for managing output data used in a network device,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing including an output data use management step for managing use of the output data,
The output data use management step provides output data of output data storage means for storing the output data to any one of the plurality of network devices when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication. The job ticket storage prohibits the provision of the output data until the output completion notification is received, and stores the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or permission of the output data when the output completion notification is received. An output data management program that updates the job ticket of the means and prohibits the provision of the output data when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. An output data management program for managing output data used in a network device,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing including an output data use management step for managing use of the output data,
The output data use management step provides output data of output data storage means for storing the output data to any one of the plurality of network devices when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication. Updating the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or permission of use of the output data, and prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output completion notification is received, An output data management program for prohibiting the provision of the output data when it is determined that the content of the ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. An output control program for performing output based on output data,
Including a program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output data receiving step for receiving the output data and an output control step for performing output control based on the output data received in the output data receiving step,
The output control step transmits an output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed. An output control program for performing output based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data; an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the output data receiving step in an output data storage means; and an output data usage managing step for managing the use of the output data; A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output control step for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step provides the output data of the output data storage means to another network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication, and the output data until the output completion notification is received. Prohibiting provision and use, or making an output request to the output control step, prohibiting provision of the output data until the output is completed, and receiving the output completion notification or when the output is completed Updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the usage restriction or permission of the output data, and determines that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, the output Prohibit the provision and use of data,
The output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request. An output control program for performing output based on output data,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data; an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the output data receiving step in an output data storage means; and an output data usage managing step for managing the use of the output data; A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an output control step for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step provides the output data of the output data storage means to another network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step of performing authentication, and the contents relating to the use restriction or permission of use of the output data Update the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket, and prohibit the provision and use of the output data until receiving the output completion notification, or make an output request to the output control step, Updating the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output is completed, and providing the output data when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition Ban the use,
The output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request. An authentication output method in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step that performs authentication. And
For the device utilization device,
When authentication is obtained in the authentication step, output data of output data storage means for storing the output data is provided to any one of the plurality of network devices, and until the output completion notification is received, Prohibiting the provision of output data, and when receiving the output completion notification, update the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission of use of the output data, and the job When it is determined that the content of the ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, an output data use management step for prohibiting the provision of the output data is included,
For the network device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
And an output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed in the network device. An authentication output method in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step that performs authentication. And
For the device utilization device,
When authentication is obtained in the authentication step, the output data of the output data storage means for storing the output data is provided to any one of the plurality of network devices, and use restriction or permission of use of the output data is provided. Update the job ticket of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the content related to the content, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output completion notification is received, and determine that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition And including an output data use management step for prohibiting the provision of the output data,
For the network device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
And an output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the device using apparatus when the output is completed in the network device. The first network device and the second network device that perform output based on the output data and the device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step of performing authentication. An authentication output method,
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the first network device;
For the first network device,
A first output data receiving step for receiving the output data, an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the first output data receiving step in an output data storage means, and output data for managing the use of the output data A usage management step, and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step provides the output data of the output data storage means to the second network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step, and until the output completion notification is received, Prohibiting provision and use, or making an output request to the first output control step, prohibiting the provision of the output data until the output is completed by the first network device, and receiving the output completion notification Alternatively, when the output is completed in the first network device, the job ticket is updated in the job ticket storage unit that stores the job ticket that defines the contents related to the use restriction or use permission of the output data, and the contents of the job ticket Provide the use and use of the output data is prohibited.
The first output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request,
For the second network device,
A second output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
And a second output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed at the second network device. The first network device and the second network device that perform output based on the output data and the device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step of performing authentication. An authentication output method,
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the first network device;
For the first network device,
A first output data receiving step for receiving the output data, an output data storing step for storing the output data received in the first output data receiving step in an output data storage means, and output data for managing the use of the output data A usage management step, and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data of the output data storage means,
The output data use management step provides the output data of the output data storage means to the second network device when the authentication is obtained in the authentication step, and the contents relating to use restriction or use permission of the output data. Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means for storing the specified job ticket, and prohibit the provision and use of the output data until an output completion notification is received, or make an output request to the first output control step When the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated, the output data is prohibited until the output is completed by the first network device, and the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition. , Prohibiting the provision and use of the output data,
The first output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request,
For the second network device,
A second output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
And a second output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed at the second network device. An authentication output system in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are connected to be communicable, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output
The device utilization apparatus includes: output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the plurality of network devices; job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines content relating to use restriction or permission of the output data; Output data use managing means for managing the use of output data,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data usage management unit transmits an output permission notification to any one of the plurality of network devices, and outputs an output interruption notification or an output completion notification. Is prohibited until the output permission notification is received, and when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. When the use prohibition notice is sent to the plurality of network devices,
The network device includes output data storage means, output data reception means for receiving the output data, output data storage means for storing output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means, and the output Output control means for performing output control based on the output data of the data storage means,
The output control means performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits the use of the output data and the use of the device when the output is interrupted by the network device. When the output interruption notification is transmitted to the device and the output is completed at the network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the device using device, and when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is used. An authentication output system characterized by prohibiting An authentication output system in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are connected to be communicable, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output
The device utilization apparatus includes: output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the plurality of network devices; job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines content relating to use restriction or permission of the output data; Output data use managing means for managing the use of output data,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to any one of the plurality of network devices, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and interrupts the output. The output permission notification is prohibited from being transmitted until the output data use managing means receives the notification or the output completion notification, and when the output interruption notification is received, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update, and the job When it is determined that the content of the ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, a use prohibition notice is transmitted to the plurality of network devices,
The network device includes output data storage means, output data reception means for receiving the output data, output data storage means for storing output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means, and the output Output control means for performing output control based on the output data of the data storage means,
The output control means performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits the use of the output data and the use of the device when the output is interrupted by the network device. When the output interruption notification is transmitted to the device and the output is completed at the network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the device using device, and when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is used. An authentication output system characterized by prohibiting An authentication output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output. Because
The device utilization apparatus has output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the first network device and the second network device,
The first network device includes first output data storage means, first output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data received by the first output data reception means in the first output data storage means. First output data storage means for storing; job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data; output data use management means for managing use of the output data; First output control means for performing output control based on output data of the first output data storage means,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to the second network device, and until the output data use managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice Transmission of output permission notification and use of the output data are prohibited, or an output request is made to the first output control means, and the output is interrupted until the output is interrupted or completed at the first network device. When transmission of permission notification is prohibited and the output completion notification is received or the output is completed in the first network device, the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and the content of the job ticket is a predetermined condition. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, a use prohibition notice is transmitted to the second network device and the output device Is adapted to prohibit the use of the data,
The first output control means is configured to perform output based on the output data in response to the output request,
The second network device has second output data storage means, second output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data received by the second output data reception means in the second output data storage means. Second output data storage means for storing; and second output control means for performing output control based on output data of the second output data storage means;
The second output control means performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits use of the output data when the output is interrupted by the second network device. In addition, the output interruption notification is transmitted to the first network device, and when the output is completed in the second network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device and the use prohibition notification is received. In some cases, the authentication output system is configured to prohibit use of the output data. An authentication output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected to each other, and authentication is performed and the network device performs output. Because
The device utilization apparatus has output data transmission means for transmitting the output data to the first network device and the second network device,
The first network device includes first output data storage means, first output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data received by the first output data reception means in the first output data storage means. First output data storage means for storing; job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data; output data use management means for managing use of the output data; First output control means for performing output control based on output data of the first output data storage means,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit transmits an output permission notification to the second network device, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit, and outputs an output interruption notification or an output completion notification. Until the output data usage managing means receives it, the transmission of the output permission notice and the use of the output data are prohibited, or an output request is made to the first output control means, and the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage means is Updating, prohibiting transmission of the output permission notice until the output is interrupted at the first network device or until the output is completed, receiving the output interruption notice, or interrupting the output at the first network device In such a case, the content of the job ticket is returned to before the update, and the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition. When you strike determination is adapted to prohibit the use of the output data and transmits the use prohibition notification to the second network device,
The first output control means is configured to perform output based on the output data in response to the output request,
The second network device has second output data storage means, second output data reception means for receiving the output data, and output data received by the second output data reception means in the second output data storage means. Second output data storage means for storing; and second output control means for performing output control based on output data of the second output data storage means;
The second output control means performs output based on the output data when the output permission notification is received, and prohibits use of the output data when the output is interrupted by the second network device. In addition, the output interruption notification is transmitted to the first network device, and when the output is completed in the second network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device and the use prohibition notification is received. In some cases, the authentication output system is configured to prohibit use of the output data. A device using device that uses a network device,
Managing output data, output data transmitting means for transmitting output data to the plurality of network devices, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission for use of the output data, and managing the use of the output data Output data use management means,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to any one of the plurality of network devices, and the output data use managing means sends an output interruption notice or an output completion notice. The transmission of the output permission notification is prohibited until reception, and when the output completion notification is received, the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and when the content of the job ticket satisfies the predetermined condition Transmits a use prohibition notice to the plurality of network devices. A device using device that uses a network device,
Managing output data, output data transmitting means for transmitting output data to the plurality of network devices, job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines the use restriction or permission for use of the output data, and managing the use of the output data Output data use management means,
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit transmits an output permission notification to any one of the plurality of network devices, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit, and outputs an output interruption notification. Alternatively, transmission of the output permission notice is prohibited until the output data use managing means receives the output completion notice, and when the output interruption notice is received, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update, and the job ticket A device utilization apparatus configured to transmit a use prohibition notice to the plurality of network devices when it is determined that the content of the information satisfies a predetermined condition. A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for storing output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; and output of the output data storage means Output control means for performing output control based on the data,
The output control means performs output based on the output data when an output permission notification is received, and prohibits the use of the output data when the output is interrupted in the network device and notifies the device using apparatus. An output interruption notification is transmitted. When the output is completed at the network device, an output completion notification is transmitted to the device using device. When a use prohibition notification is received, the use of the output data is prohibited. A network device characterized by A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for saving the output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use permission, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means Means and
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing means transmits an output permission notice to another network device, and the output data use managing means until the output data use managing means receives the output interruption notice or the output completion notice. Prohibit transmission of notification and use of the output data, or request output to the output control means, prohibit transmission of the output permission notification until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the network device When the output completion notification is received or when the output is completed in the network device, the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, Sending a usage prohibition notice to the other network device and prohibiting the use of the output data Has become a jar,
The network device according to claim 1, wherein the output control means performs output based on the output data in response to the output request. A network device that performs output based on output data,
Output data storage means; output data reception means for receiving the output data; output data storage means for saving the output data received by the output data reception means in the output data storage means; Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use permission, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control for performing output control based on output data of the output data storage means Means and
When the authentication is obtained, the output data use managing unit transmits an output permission notification to another network device, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage unit, and outputs the output interruption notification or the output completion notification. Until the data usage management means receives, the transmission of the output permission notification and the use of the output data are prohibited, or an output request is made to the output control means, the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated, Until the output is interrupted at the network device or until the output is completed, transmission of the output permission notification is prohibited. When the output interrupt notification is received or when the output is interrupted at the network device, the job ticket When it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition by returning the content before the update Wherein being adapted to prohibit the use of the output data and transmits the other use prohibition notification to the network device,
The network device according to claim 1, wherein the output control means performs output based on the output data in response to the output request. An authentication output method in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step that performs authentication. And
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the plurality of network devices;
For the network device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
An output data storage step of storing the output data received in the output data reception step in an output data storage means,
For the device utilization device,
When authentication is obtained in the authentication step, an output permission notification is transmitted to any one of the plurality of network devices, and the output permission notification is transmitted until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received. When the output completion notification is received, the job ticket is updated in the job ticket storing means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or permission of the output data, and the content of the job ticket is predetermined. When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, an output data usage management step of transmitting a usage prohibition notification to the plurality of network devices includes:
For the network device, when the output permission notification is further received, output is performed based on the output data of the output data storage means, and when the output is interrupted by the network device, the output data Sending the output interruption notification to the device using device while prohibiting the use, and when the output is completed at the network device, sending the output completion notification to the device using device and receiving the use prohibition notification And an output control step for prohibiting use of the output data. An authentication output method in which a plurality of network devices that perform output based on output data and a device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step that performs authentication. And
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the plurality of network devices;
For the network device:
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
An output data storage step of storing the output data received in the output data reception step in an output data storage means,
For the device utilization device,
When authentication is obtained in the authentication step, an output permission notification is transmitted to any one of the plurality of network devices, and a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data is stored. Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibit transmission of the output permission notification until receiving an output interruption notification or an output completion notification, and update the contents of the job ticket when the output interruption notification is received Returning to the front, when it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition, an output data usage management step of transmitting a usage prohibition notification to the plurality of network devices,
For the network device:
When the output permission notification is received, output is performed based on the output data of the output data storage means, and when the output is interrupted by the network device, the use of the output data is prohibited and the device utilization device When the output is completed at the network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the device using device, and when the use prohibition notification is received, the output data is used. An authentication output method comprising an output control step for prohibiting. The first network device and the second network device that perform output based on the output data and the device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step of performing authentication. An authentication output method,
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the first network device and the second network device;
For the first network device,
A first output data receiving step for receiving the output data; and a first output data storing step for storing the output data received in the first output data receiving step in a first output data storage means;
For the second network device,
A second output data receiving step for receiving the output data; and a second output data storing step for storing the output data received in the second output data receiving step in a second output data storage means;
For the first network device,
An output data utilization management step for managing the utilization of the output data; and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data of the first output data storage means;
The output data use management step transmits an output permission notification to the second network device when authentication is obtained in the authentication step, and the output permission notification is output until an output interruption notification or an output completion notification is received. Transmission and use of the output data are prohibited, or an output request is made to the first output control step, and the output permission notification is transmitted until the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device. A job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents relating to usage restrictions or usage permission of the output data when the output completion notification is received or the output is completed at the first network device. When a job ticket is updated and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition , Transmits a use prohibition notification to the second network device to prohibit the use of the output data,
The first output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request,
For the second network device,
When the output permission notification is received, output is performed based on the output data of the second output data storage means, and when the output is interrupted by the second network device, the use of the output data is prohibited. When the output interruption notification is transmitted to the first network device, and when the output is completed at the second network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device and the use prohibition notification is received. Includes a second output control step for prohibiting the use of the output data. The first network device and the second network device that perform output based on the output data and the device using apparatus that uses the network device are communicably connected, and the network device performs output through an authentication step of performing authentication. An authentication output method,
For the device utilization device,
An output data transmission step of transmitting the output data to the first network device and the second network device;
For the first network device,
A first output data receiving step for receiving the output data; and a first output data storing step for storing the output data received in the first output data receiving step in a first output data storage means;
For the second network device,
A second output data receiving step for receiving the output data; and a second output data storing step for storing the output data received in the second output data receiving step in a second output data storage means;
For the first network device,
An output data utilization management step for managing the utilization of the output data; and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data of the first output data storage means;
In the output data usage management step, when the authentication is obtained in the authentication step, an output permission notification is transmitted to the second network device, and a job ticket that defines contents related to the usage limitation or usage permission of the output data is sent. Updating the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage means and prohibiting the transmission of the output permission notification and the use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or the first output control step Making an output request, updating the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibiting the transmission of the output permission notice until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device, and the output interruption notification Or when the output is interrupted by the first network device, Returning the contents of Yobuchiketto before update, when the contents of the job ticket is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, prohibit the use of the output data and transmits the use prohibition notification to the second network device,
The first output control step performs output based on the output data in response to the output request,
For the second network device,
When the output permission notification is received, output is performed based on the output data of the second output data storage means, and when the output is interrupted by the second network device, the use of the output data is prohibited. When the output interruption notification is transmitted to the first network device, and when the output is completed at the second network device, the output completion notification is transmitted to the first network device and the use prohibition notification is received. Includes a second output control step for prohibiting the use of the output data. An output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a data management device that manages the output data are communicably connected,
The data management device provides output data storage means for storing the output data and output data provision for providing output data of the output data storage means to the first network device in response to an acquisition request from the first network device Means,
The first network device includes: a job ticket storage unit that stores a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or permission of use of the output data; an output data use management unit that manages use of the output data; and the output data First output control means for performing output control based on
The output data usage management unit acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to the second network device, and the output data usage management unit receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification. Until this is done, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or the acquired output data is output to the first output control means, until the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device. Prohibits the provision of the output data, and when the output completion notification is received or when the output is completed in the first network device, the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated, and the contents of the job ticket are When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited. And,
The first output control means is adapted to perform output based on output data from the output data utilization management means,
The second network device includes output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and second output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
When the output is interrupted by the second network device, the second output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interrupt notification to the first network device. The output system is configured to transmit the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed. An output system in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a data management device that manages the output data are communicably connected,
The data management device provides output data storage means for storing the output data and output data provision for providing output data of the output data storage means to the first network device in response to an acquisition request from the first network device Means,
The first network device includes: a job ticket storage unit that stores a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or permission of use of the output data; an output data use management unit that manages use of the output data; and the output data First output control means for performing output control based on
The output data utilization management means acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to the second network device, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, Until the output data use managing means receives the output completion notification, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or the acquired output data is output to the first output control means, and the job ticket storage means Update the job ticket, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or the output is completed at the first network device, receive the output interrupt notification, or the output at the first network device Is interrupted, the contents of the job ticket are returned to before the update, and the job ticket When the content of is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, being adapted to prohibit the providing and use of the output data,
The first output control means is adapted to perform output based on output data from the output data utilization management means,
The second network device includes output data receiving means for receiving the output data, and second output control means for performing output control based on the output data received by the output data receiving means,
When the output is interrupted by the second network device, the second output control means prohibits the use of the output data and transmits the output interrupt notification to the first network device. The output system is configured to transmit the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed. A network device that performs output based on output data,
Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control based on the output data Output control means,
The output data usage management unit acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to another network device, and until the output data usage management unit receives the output interruption notification or the output completion notification. Prohibits the provision and use of the output data, or outputs the acquired output data to the output control means, and provides the output data until the output is interrupted or completed at the network device. When the output completion notification is received or the output is completed at the network device, the job ticket stored in the job ticket storage unit is updated, and the content of the job ticket is determined to satisfy a predetermined condition. Is to prohibit the provision and use of the output data,
The network device according to claim 1, wherein the output control means performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management means. A network device that performs output based on output data,
Job ticket storage means for storing a job ticket that defines contents related to use restriction or use permission of the output data, output data use management means for managing use of the output data, and output control based on the output data Output control means,
The output data usage management means acquires the output data from a data management device, provides the acquired output data to another network device, updates the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and outputs an output interruption notification or output completion Until the output data usage managing means receives the notification, the provision and use of the output data is prohibited, or the acquired output data is output to the output control means, and the job ticket in the job ticket storage means is updated. When the output is interrupted at the network device or until the output is completed, the provision of the output data is prohibited. When the output interrupt notification is received or the output is interrupted at the network device, the job The contents of the ticket are returned before the update, and the contents of the job ticket satisfy a predetermined condition. When it is determined that the plus is adapted to prohibit the provision and use of the output data,
The network device according to claim 1, wherein the output control means performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management means. An output method in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a data management device that manages the output data are communicably connected,
For the first network device,
An output data use management step for managing the use of the output data; and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data;
The output data utilization management step acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to the second network device, and outputs the output data until receiving an output interruption notification or an output completion notification. Prohibit provision and use, or output the acquired output data to the first output control step, and provide the output data until the output is interrupted or completed at the first network device. The job of the job ticket storage means for storing the job ticket that defines the contents relating to the use restriction or the use permission of the output data when the output completion notification is received or the output is completed at the first network device The ticket is updated and it is determined that the content of the job ticket satisfies a predetermined condition When I prohibits the provision and use of the output data,
The first output control step performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management step,
For the data management device,
An output data providing step of providing output data of output data storage means for storing the output data to the first network device in response to an acquisition request from the first network device;
For the second network device,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
When the output is interrupted by the second network device, use of the output data received in the output data receiving step is prohibited, and the output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device, and the second network device And a second output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed. An output method in which a first network device and a second network device that perform output based on output data, and a data management device that manages the output data are communicably connected,
For the first network device,
An output data use management step for managing the use of the output data; and a first output control step for performing output control based on the output data;
The output data usage management step acquires the output data from the data management device, provides the acquired output data to the second network device, and defines a job ticket that defines contents related to usage restrictions or permission to use the output data Update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, and prohibit the provision and use of the output data until the output interruption notification or the output completion notification is received, or the acquired output data is the first output control Output to the step, update the job ticket in the job ticket storage means, prohibit the provision of the output data until the output is interrupted or the output is completed in the first network device, and the output interruption notification Received or when the output is interrupted by the first network device , Back to the previous update the contents of the job ticket, when the contents of the job ticket is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, prohibits the provision and use of the output data,
The first output control step performs output based on output data from the output data utilization management step,
For the data management device,
An output data providing step of providing output data of output data storage means for storing the output data to the first network device in response to an acquisition request from the first network device;
For the second network device,
An output data receiving step for receiving the output data;
When the output is interrupted by the second network device, use of the output data received in the output data receiving step is prohibited, and the output interrupt notification is transmitted to the first network device, and the second network device And a second output control step of transmitting the output completion notification to the first network device when the output is completed.

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