JP2006309721A - Printing job information display system, printing system, printing job management device, control program for printing job management device, control method for printing job management device, printer, control program for printer, and control method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing job information display system suitable for displaying printing job information concerned in a printing job corresponding to collation information of a system user, for a plurality of printers, in a confidential printing system connected with the plurality of printers having a confidential printing function via a network. <P>SOLUTION: The confidential printing system 1 includes a printing instruction device 2 for generating the printing job and for issuing a printing instruction or the like, the first-third printers 3A-3C for carrying out printing processing based on the printing job, and the first-third printing job managing devices 4A-4C corresponding respectively one-to-one to the first-third printers 3A-3C, and for carrying out holding processing for the printing jobs positioned respectively in the vicinities of the first-third printers 3A-3C, display processing for the printing job information, and the like, and displays the printing job information of the printing jobs held in the first-third printing job managing devices 4A-4C corresponding to the collation information, in a printing job management device 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a confidential printing system that executes a printing process only for a print job for which a system user is authenticated, and in particular, in a confidential printing system in which a plurality of printing apparatuses having a confidential printing function are connected via a network. , A print job information display system, a print job information display program, a print job information display method, and a print job holding suitable for displaying print job information related to a print job of an authenticated system user for the plurality of printing apparatuses The present invention relates to an apparatus, a print job holding apparatus control program, a print job holding apparatus control method, a print job management apparatus, a print job management apparatus control program, a print job management apparatus control method, a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control program, and a printing apparatus control method.

Conventionally, there is an image output control method and an image output apparatus described in Patent Document 1 as a technique that allows a print instructor to obtain a printed material without being viewed by a third party.
In the image output control method and the image output apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an authentication code is transmitted together with print data from a client apparatus, the printer system does not immediately execute print processing, and collation data is received from the received print data. Is generated, the print data is encrypted with the authentication code to generate the storage data, and the storage data and the verification data are associated with each other and stored in the storage device. When the user selects the storage data and inputs the authentication code, the printer server combines the storage data using the input authentication code and determines whether the combination is correctly performed. If it is done correctly, the combined result is printed on the printer system.

In a system that requires user authentication for image printing as in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, print data is temporarily stored in each printer, and printing is performed only on print data for which the user has been authenticated. Processing is to be executed.
Conventionally, for each user, a list of print job information held in the printing apparatus is displayed, and the print job corresponding to the information specified by the user specifying the print job information to be printed from the list is displayed. There is a technique for executing a printing process (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-306273 A JP-A-9-39311

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, for example, when a plurality of print jobs are held separately in a plurality of printing apparatuses connected via a network, all of these held separately are stored. The list of print job information cannot be displayed.
In addition, due to the characteristics of the systems of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the list of print job information is not desired to be shown to a third party, and the list is displayed at a place where it may be seen by a third party. In this case, it is desirable that the user can find the target print job in the shortest possible time.

  Therefore, the present invention was made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and in a confidential printing system in which a plurality of printing apparatuses having a confidential printing function are connected via a network, Print job information display system, print system, print job management apparatus, and print job management apparatus control program suitable for displaying print job information related to a print job corresponding to system user verification information for the plurality of printing apparatuses And a print job management apparatus control method, a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control program, and a printing apparatus control method.

[Mode 1] In order to achieve the above object, a print job information display system according to mode 1 includes:
A print job information display system that holds print jobs for a plurality of printing apparatuses and displays print job information related to a print job corresponding to a predetermined system user among the held print jobs,
Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating the system user;
A plurality of print job holding means corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and holding a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among the print job information of the print jobs held by the respective print job holding means;
Print job information display means for displaying the acquired print job information.

  With such a configuration, for example, the printing apparatus can acquire collation information for collating the system user by the collation information acquisition unit with respect to a plurality of printing systems connected via a network. The plurality of print job holding means can correspond to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and can hold a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information. The print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among the print job information of the print job held by each of the print job holding means can be obtained by the means, and the print job information display means can obtain the print job information. The acquired print job information can be displayed.

Therefore, for example, since it is possible to display information of all print jobs of a system user for a plurality of printing apparatuses connected via a network, the system user can print a plurality of print jobs connected to the network. There is an effect that the contents of the print job transmitted to the apparatus can be easily known from the displayed contents.
Here, the print job includes a variety of information related to print processing. For example, information on a system user who gives an instruction for printing, print processing such as color printing, monochrome printing, and high-quality printing. Information including the setting information relating to the contents of the image data, image data actually printed on a print medium such as print paper, and print data bodies such as document data. The following printing system, printing program and printing method, printing job holding device, printing job holding device control program and printing job holding device control method, printing job management device, printing job management device control program and printing job management device control method, The same applies to each form of the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus control program, and the printing apparatus control method.

  The collation information is used to identify an individual or a group, such as information specific to a system user for identifying a system user or group-specific information for identifying a group to which the system user belongs. Information. The following printing system, printing program and printing method, printing job holding device, printing job holding device control program and printing job holding device control method, printing job management device, printing job management device control program and printing job management device control method, The same applies to each form of the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus control program, and the printing apparatus control method.

  The print job information is information that can specify a print job, such as index information set for each print job in advance and the file name of a data file included in the print job. The following printing system, printing program and printing method, printing job holding device, printing job holding device control program and printing job holding device control method, printing job management device, printing job management device control program and printing job management device control method, The same applies to each form of the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus control program, and the printing apparatus control method.

[Mode 2] In order to achieve the above object, a print job information display program according to mode 2 includes:
A print job information display program for holding print jobs for a plurality of printing apparatuses and displaying print job information related to a print job corresponding to a predetermined system user among the held print jobs,
A collation information obtaining step for obtaining collation information related to the system user;
A plurality of print job holding steps corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and holding a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job information acquisition step of acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among the print job information of the print job held by each of the print job holding means;
A program used for causing a computer to execute processing including the print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information is included.

  With this 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 print job information display system according to mode 1 can be obtained.

[Mode 3] In order to achieve the above object, a print job information display method according to mode 3 includes:
A print job information display method for holding print jobs for a plurality of printing apparatuses and displaying print job information related to a print job corresponding to a predetermined system user among the held print jobs,
A collation information obtaining step for obtaining collation information related to the system user;
A plurality of print job holding steps corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and holding a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job information acquisition step of acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among the print job information of the print job held by each of the print job holding means;
A print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the print job information display system according to mode 1 can be obtained.

[Mode 4] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the printing system of mode 4
A plurality of printing apparatuses that execute print processing based on a print job are connected via a network, hold print jobs for the plurality of printing apparatuses, and print corresponding to a predetermined system user among the held print jobs A printing system capable of displaying print job information related to a job,
Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating the system user;
A plurality of print job holding means corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and holding a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among the print job information of the print jobs held by the respective print job holding means;
Print job information display means for displaying the acquired print job information.

  With such a configuration, collation information for collating the system user can be obtained by the collation information obtaining unit, and each of the plurality of printing apparatuses can be obtained by a plurality of print job holding units. It is possible to hold a print job corresponding to each printing apparatus in association with the collation information, and print job information of the print job held by each print job holding unit by the print job information acquisition unit The print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information can be acquired, and the acquired print job information can be displayed by the print job information display means.

  Accordingly, since it is possible to display information of all print jobs of the system user for the printing apparatus connected via the network, the system user can display information on a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network. The effect is that the contents of the print job transmitted by the user can be easily known from the displayed contents.

[Mode 5] Further, the printing system of mode 5 is the printing system of mode 4,
A plurality of print job holding devices respectively corresponding to the plurality of printing devices and a print job management device are connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other;
Each of the print job holding devices is
The print job holding means;
Print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the collation information from the print job management apparatus;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the print job management apparatus, print job information for a print job devised by the search process in response to acquisition request information from the print job management apparatus;
The print job management apparatus
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job information acquisition means;
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to each of the print job holding devices. It is said.

  With such a configuration, the print job holding device can hold the print job for the printing device in association with the collation information by the print job holding unit, and the print job search unit can hold the print job. Based on the collation information from the management device, it is possible to search for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding unit. In response to the acquisition request information from the management apparatus, it is possible to transmit print job information for the print job devised by the search process to the print job management apparatus.

  In addition, the print job management apparatus can acquire collation information for collating system users with the collation information acquisition unit, and the print job information acquisition unit can store the print job held by each of the print job holding apparatuses. Print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information can be acquired from the print job information of the job, and the acquired print job information can be displayed by a print job information display unit. .

Further, the print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to each print job holding device. It is possible.
Accordingly, since it is possible to display information of all print jobs of the system user for the printing apparatus connected via the network, the system user can display information on a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network. The effect is that the contents of the print job transmitted by the user can be easily known from the displayed contents.
Further, the confidential printing function can be added simply by adding the print job holding device and the print job management device to the existing printing system, and the above effects can be easily obtained.

[Mode 6] Further, the printing system of mode 6 is the printing system of mode 4,
The plurality of printing devices and the print job management device are connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other,
Each of the printing devices is
The print job holding means;
Print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the collation information from the print job management apparatus;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the print job management apparatus, print job information for a print job devised by the search process in response to acquisition request information from the print job management apparatus;
The print job management apparatus
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job information acquisition means;
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to each of the printing apparatuses. Yes.

  With such a configuration, the printing apparatus can hold the print job for the printing apparatus in association with the collation information by the print job holding unit, and the print job management unit can hold the print job management unit. Based on the collation information from the print job, the print job corresponding to the collation information can be retrieved from the print jobs held by the print job holding means. In response to the acquisition request information from the print job information, it is possible to send print job information for the print job devised by the search process to the print job management apparatus.

  In addition, the print job management apparatus can acquire collation information for collating system users with the collation information acquisition unit, and the print job information acquisition unit can store the print job held by each of the print job holding apparatuses. Print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information can be acquired from the print job information of the job, and the acquired print job information can be displayed by a print job information display unit. .

Further, the print job information acquisition unit may transmit the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to each printing apparatus. Is possible.
Accordingly, since it is possible to display information of all print jobs of the system user for the printing apparatus connected via the network, the system user can display information on a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network. The effect is that the contents of the print job transmitted by the user can be easily known from the displayed contents.
In addition, since the printing device has a print job holding function, a search function, etc., the configuration of the confidential printing system can be simplified compared to when these functions are separated. An effect is obtained.

[Mode 7] A printing system according to mode 7 is the printing system according to mode 4,
In response to an instruction from a system user, a plurality of print instruction devices that issue print instructions for the print job to the printing devices and a print job management device are connected to each other via a network so that data communication can be performed with each other. And
Each of the printing instruction devices
The print job holding means;
Print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the collation information from the print job management apparatus;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the print job management apparatus, print job information for a print job devised by the search process in response to acquisition request information from the print job management apparatus;
The print job management apparatus
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job information acquisition means;
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to each of the print instruction devices. It is said.

  With such a configuration, the print instruction apparatus can hold the print job for the printing apparatus in association with the collation information by the print job holding unit, and the print job management unit can hold the print job management unit. Based on the collation information from the apparatus, it is possible to search for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding unit. According to the acquisition request information from the apparatus, it is possible to transmit print job information for the print job devised by the search process to the print job management apparatus.

In addition, the print job management apparatus can acquire collation information for collating system users with the collation information acquisition unit, and the print job information acquisition unit can store the print job held by each of the print job holding apparatuses. The print job information for the authenticated system user can be acquired from the print job information of the job, and the acquired print job information can be displayed by the print job information display means.
Further, the print job information acquisition unit may transmit the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to each printing apparatus. Is possible.

Accordingly, since it is possible to display information of all print jobs of the system user for the printing apparatus connected via the network, the system user can display information on a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network. The effect is that the contents of the print job transmitted by the user can be easily known from the displayed contents.
In addition, the print job holding function, search function, etc. are provided in the print instruction device used by the system user to issue a print instruction to the print device. As compared with the above, there is an effect that the configuration of the confidential printing system can be simplified.

[Mode 8] Furthermore, the printing system of mode 8 is the printing system of any one of modes 5 to 7,
The print job acquisition unit is configured to transmit the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit to each device connected to the network, and based on response information with respect to the transmitted verification information Send request information,
The apparatus including the print job search unit includes a search result information transmission unit that transmits search result information of the print job search unit to the print job management apparatus based on the collation information.

  With such a configuration, collation information is broadcasted, and an effect is obtained that an apparatus holding a print job corresponding to the collation information of the system user can be detected with a small number of communications. .

[Form 9] Furthermore, the printing system of form 9 is the printing system of any one of forms 5 to 7,
The print job management apparatus
Search information transmission means for transmitting search information for searching for an apparatus provided with the print job search means to each apparatus connected to the network,
The print job acquisition unit performs a process for transmitting the collation information based on response information from each device with respect to the search information,
The apparatus including the print job search means includes response information transmission means for transmitting response information for the search information to the print job management apparatus.

  With such a configuration, the collation information is transmitted only to an apparatus having a print job holding unit without transmitting collation information to an unnecessary apparatus such as broadcasting collation information of a system user. Therefore, the effect that processing can be performed relatively safely is obtained.

[Mode 10] Further, the printing system of mode 10 is the printing system of mode 4,
Each of the printing devices is
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job holding means;
A print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the matching information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the matching information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information for the collation information acquired in the self-printing apparatus from another printing apparatus;
In response to acquisition request information from another printing apparatus, print job information transmission for transmitting print job information for the print job devised by the search process for the collation information acquired from the other printing apparatus to the other printing apparatus Means,
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other printing apparatus,
The print job information display means displays print job information for a print job created by the search process and print job information acquired from the other printing apparatus.

  With such a configuration, the printing apparatus can acquire the collation information for collating the system user by the collation information acquisition unit, and the print job holding unit can execute the print job for the printing apparatus. The print job search unit can search for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding unit based on the collation information. The print job information acquisition means can acquire print job information for the collation information acquired in the self-printing apparatus from another printing apparatus, and the print job information transmission means can acquire other Print job information for the print job devised by the search process according to the acquisition request information from the other printing apparatus. The can transmit to said another printing apparatus, the print job information displaying means, it is possible to display the acquired print job information.

  Further, the print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other printing apparatus. The print job information display means can display the print job information for the print job devised by the search process and the print job information acquired from the other printing apparatus. .

Accordingly, since it is possible to display information of all print jobs of the system user for the printing apparatus connected via the network, the system user can display information on a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network. The effect is that the contents of the print job transmitted by the user can be easily known from the displayed contents.
In addition, since all the functions of the present invention are provided in the printing apparatus, the configuration of the confidential printing system can be simplified as compared with the case where these functions are separated. .

[Mode 11] Further, the printing system of mode 11 is the printing system of mode 4,
The plurality of printing devices and a print job management device respectively corresponding to the plurality of printing devices are connected to each other via a network so that data communication is possible,
Each of the print job management devices
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job holding means;
A print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the matching information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the matching information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information for the collation information acquired in the own print job management apparatus from another print job management apparatus;
In response to the acquisition request information from the other print job management apparatus, print job information for the print job devised by the search processing for the collation information acquired from the other print job management apparatus is sent to the other print job management apparatus. Print job information transmitting means for transmitting;
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other print job management device,
The print job information display means displays print job information for a print job created by the search process and print job information acquired from the other print job management apparatus.

  With such a configuration, the print job management apparatus can acquire the collation information for collating the system user by the collation information acquisition unit, and the print job holding unit can obtain the print job for the printing apparatus. Can be stored in association with the collation information, and a print job corresponding to the collation information is selected from print jobs held by the print job holding unit based on the collation information by the print job search unit. The print job information acquisition means can acquire the print job information for the collation information acquired in the print job management apparatus from another print job management apparatus, and the print job information According to the acquisition request information from the other print job management apparatus by the transmission means, the search process The a print job information for the print job can be transmitted to the another print job management apparatus, the print job information displaying means, it is possible to display the acquired print job information.

  Further, the print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other print job management apparatus. The print job information display means may display print job information for the print job devised by the search process and print job information acquired from the other print job management apparatus. Is possible.

Accordingly, since it is possible to display information on all print jobs of the system user for a plurality of printing apparatuses connected via the network, the system user can display the information on a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network. On the other hand, it is possible to easily know the contents of the print job transmitted by the user from the displayed contents.
In addition, since all the functions of the present invention are provided in the print job management apparatus, the function of confidential printing can be added by simply adding the print job management apparatus to the existing printing system. Such an effect can be easily obtained.

[Mode 12] Furthermore, the printing system of mode 12 is the printing system of any one of modes 5 to 11,
The print job information acquisition unit encrypts the collation information when transmitting the collation information to another apparatus, and transmits the collation information.
With such a configuration, it is possible to make it difficult to identify the system user even if the collation information on the network is taken away by an unauthorized person. The effect that it can be performed is acquired.

[Mode 13] Furthermore, the printing system of mode 13 is the printing system of any one of modes 4 to 12,
Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print processing execution unit that causes a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print process corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit.

  With such a configuration, the print job information selection means responds to an instruction from the system user and print jobs corresponding to the instructions are selected from the print job information displayed by the print job information display means. Information can be selected, and a print processing execution unit can cause a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit. It becomes possible.

  Therefore, the system user selects an arbitrary print job from all the print jobs held for the printing apparatus connected to the network from the apparatus displaying the print job information, and can easily perform the printing. The effect that the print processing of the job can be executed is obtained.

[Form 14] Furthermore, the printing system of form 14 is the printing system of any one of forms 4 to 13,
Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print job deletion unit that deletes a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit from an apparatus that holds the print job.

With such a configuration, the print job information selection unit responds to an instruction from the system user and print jobs corresponding to the instruction are selected from the print job information displayed by the print job information display unit. Information can be selected, and the print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit can be deleted from the apparatus holding the print job by the print job deletion unit. is there.
Therefore, the system user can select and easily delete an arbitrary print job from all the print jobs held for the printing apparatus connected to the network from the apparatus displaying the print job information. The effect of being able to be obtained.

[Mode 15] Furthermore, the printing system of mode 15 is the printing system of any one of modes 4 to 14,
When displaying the print job information, the print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that is likely to be subjected to print processing among print job information to be displayed. It is a feature.
With such a configuration, since print jobs with a high possibility of printing are displayed with priority, the system user can easily find a print job for which print processing is to be executed, so the display time of the print job can be shortened. Thus, there is an effect that the possibility that the displayed information can be seen by a third party can be reduced.

[Mode 16] Furthermore, the printing system of mode 16 is the printing system of mode 15,
A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display means is characterized in that, based on the acquired print processing frequency information, the print job information of the print job with the highest print processing frequency among the display target print job information is displayed in priority order.

With such a configuration, it is possible to acquire information on the number of print processes of the print job by the print process number information acquisition unit, and the print job information display unit includes the acquired print process number information in the acquired print process number information. Based on the print job information to be displayed, the print job information of the print job having the highest number of print processes can be displayed in priority order.
Therefore, since a print job with a high printing frequency is likely to be repeatedly executed, a print job with a high possibility of printing is displayed with priority, and the system user executes the print process. Since it becomes easy to find a print job to be performed, it is possible to shorten the display time of the print job and to reduce the possibility that the displayed information can be viewed by a third party.

[Mode 17] Furthermore, the printing system of mode 17 is the printing system of mode 15 or 16,
A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that has not been printed out of print job information to be displayed, based on the acquired print processing count information.

With such a configuration, it is possible to acquire information on the number of print processing times of the print job by the print processing number information acquisition unit, and the print job information display unit includes the print job information to be displayed. It is possible to preferentially display print job information of a print job that has not been printed.
Therefore, if there is a print job that has not been processed yet, there is a high possibility that this print job will be processed next. Therefore, a print job with a high possibility of printing is displayed with priority. As a result, the system user can easily find the print job that he / she wants to execute, so the display time of the print job can be shortened and the possibility that the displayed information can be seen by a third party can be reduced. The effect that it can be obtained.

[Mode 18] Furthermore, the printing system of mode 18 is the printing system of any one of modes 15 to 17,
A positional relationship information acquisition unit for acquiring positional relationship information between the apparatus having the print job display unit and the apparatus having the print job holding unit;
The print job information display means, based on the acquired positional relationship information, has a physical distance between the apparatus having the print job display means and the apparatus having the print job information holding means among the print job information to be displayed. The closer it is, the print job information of the print job held by the apparatus having the print job holding means is preferentially displayed.

  With such a configuration, the positional relationship information acquisition unit can acquire positional relationship information between the apparatus having the print job display unit and the apparatus having the print job holding unit, and the print job The information display means, based on the acquired positional relationship information, among the print job information to be displayed, the closer the physical distance between the apparatus having the print job display means and the apparatus having the print job information holding means, It is possible to preferentially display the print job information of the print job held by the apparatus having the print job holding means.

  For example, when the apparatus having the print job display unit and the printing apparatus are close to each other and the apparatus having the print job holding unit and the printing apparatus are close (or integrated), the system user As a reason for changing the operation location of the printing apparatus or the like, there may be a case where the printing apparatus originally intended to execute the printing process is unusable due to failure or long use. In other words, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the print job held by the apparatus closest to the operated apparatus can be displayed with priority, so that the system user can execute the print processing. This increases the possibility that it is easy to find a print job that is desired, shortens the display time of the print job, and reduces the possibility that the displayed information can be viewed by a third party.

[Mode 19] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a printing program of mode 19
A plurality of printing apparatuses that execute print processing based on a print job are connected via a network, hold print jobs for the plurality of printing apparatuses, and print corresponding to a predetermined system user among the held print jobs A print program used to display print job information related to a job,
A collation information obtaining step for obtaining collation information related to the system user;
A plurality of print job holding steps corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and holding a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job information acquisition step of acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among the print job information of the print job held by each of the print job holding means;
A program used for causing a computer to execute processing including the print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information is included.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the printing system according to mode 2 can be obtained.

[Mode 20] Furthermore, the printing program of mode 20 is the printing program of mode 19,
In the print job information acquisition step, when the collation information is transmitted to another apparatus, the collation information is encrypted before being transmitted.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the printing system according to mode 10 can be obtained.

[Mode 21] Furthermore, the printing program of mode 21 is the printing program of mode 19 or 20,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
A program used for causing a computer to execute a process including a print process execution step for causing a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print process for a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step. Is further included.
With this 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 printing system of mode 11 are obtained.

[Mode 22] Furthermore, the printing program of mode 22 is the printing program of any one of modes 19 to 21,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
A program used for causing a computer to execute a process including a print job deletion step of deleting a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step from an apparatus holding the print job. It is characterized by including.
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 printing system of mode 14 are obtained.

[Mode 23] Furthermore, the printing program of mode 23 is the printing program of any one of modes 19 to 22,
In the print job information display step, when displaying the print job information, the print job information of a print job that is likely to be printed out of the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority. 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 operations and effects as those of the printing system of form 15 are obtained.

[Mode 24] Furthermore, the printing program of mode 24 is the printing program of mode 23,
Including a program used to cause a computer to execute a print processing frequency information acquisition step of acquiring information on the number of print processing times of the print job,
The print job information display step is characterized in that, based on the acquired print processing frequency information, the print job information of the print job with the highest print processing frequency among the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority in order. .
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 print job information display system according to mode 16 can be obtained.

[Mode 25] Furthermore, the printing program of mode 25 is the printing program of mode 23 or 24,
Including a program used to cause a computer to execute a print processing frequency information acquisition step of acquiring information on the number of print processing times of the print job,
In the print job information display step, print job information of a print job for which print processing has not been executed among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing count information. .
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 printing system of form 17 are obtained.

[Mode 26] Furthermore, the printing program of mode 26 is the printing program of any one of modes 23 to 25,
A program used to cause a computer to execute a positional relationship information acquisition step of acquiring positional relationship information between a device that executes the print job information display step and a device that executes the print job holding step;
In the print job information display step, based on the acquired positional relationship information, among the print job information to be displayed, the physical of the device that executes the print job display step and the device that executes the print job information holding step The print job information of the print job held by the apparatus that executes the print job holding step is preferentially displayed as the target distance is shorter.
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 printing system of form 18 are obtained.

[Mode 27] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a computer-readable recording medium storing the printing program according to mode 27 is provided.
The printing program according to any one of forms 19 to 26 is recorded.
Thus, the same operation and effect as the printing program of any one of forms 19 to 26 can be obtained, and the print job information display program can be easily obtained via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or MO. It is possible to give and receive to.

[Mode 28] In order to achieve the above object, the printing method of mode 28 includes:
A plurality of printing apparatuses that execute print processing based on a print job are connected via a network, hold print jobs for the plurality of printing apparatuses, and print corresponding to a predetermined system user among the held print jobs A printing method used to display print job information related to a job,
A collation information obtaining step for obtaining collation information related to the system user;
A plurality of print job holding steps corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and holding a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job information acquisition step of acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among the print job information of the print job held by each of the print job holding means;
A print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information.
Thereby, the same effect as the printing system of form 4 is obtained.

[Mode 29] Furthermore, the printing method of mode 29 is the printing method of mode 28,
In the print job information acquisition step, when the collation information is transmitted to another apparatus, the collation information is encrypted before being transmitted.
Thereby, the same effect as the printing system of form 12 is obtained.

[Mode 30] Furthermore, the printing method of mode 30 is the printing method of mode 28 or 29,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print processing execution step for causing a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print processing corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the printing system of form 13 is obtained.

[Form 31] Furthermore, the printing method of form 31 is the printing method of any one of forms 28 to 30,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
The print job information selection step further includes a print job deletion step of deleting a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step from an apparatus holding the print job.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the printing system of form 14 is obtained.

[Mode 32] Furthermore, the printing method of mode 32 is the printing method of any one of modes 28 to 31,
In the print job information display step, when displaying the print job information, the print job information of a print job that is likely to be printed out of the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority. It is characterized by.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the printing system of form 15 is obtained.

[Form 33] Furthermore, the printing method of form 33 is the printing method of form 32,
Including a printing process number information obtaining step of obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job,
The print job information display step is characterized in that, based on the acquired print processing frequency information, the print job information of the print job with the highest print processing frequency among the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority in order. .
Thereby, the same effect as that of the printing system of form 16 is obtained.

[Form 34] Furthermore, the printing method of form 34 is the printing method of form 32 or 33,
Including a printing process number information obtaining step of obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job,
In the print job information display step, print job information of a print job for which print processing has not been executed among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing count information. .
Thereby, the same effect as that of the printing system of form 17 is obtained.

[Form 35] Furthermore, the printing method of form 35 is the printing method of any one of forms 32 to 34,
A program used to cause a computer to execute a positional relationship information acquisition step of acquiring positional relationship information between a device that executes the print job information display step and a device that executes the print job holding step;
In the print job information display step, based on the acquired positional relationship information, among the print job information to be displayed, the physical of the device that executes the print job display step and the device that executes the print job information holding step The print job information of the print job held by the apparatus that executes the print job holding step is preferentially displayed as the target distance is shorter.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the printing system of form 18 is obtained.

[Mode 36] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a print job holding apparatus according to mode 36
A print job holding device that holds print jobs for the plurality of printing devices in a printing system in which a plurality of printing devices that execute print processing based on a print job are connected via a network,
A print job holding means for holding a print job for the self-printing apparatus in association with collation information for collating system users;
Print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the collation information from the print job management device;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the print job management apparatus, print job information for a print job devised by the search process in response to acquisition request information corresponding to the collation information from the print job management apparatus; It is characterized by having.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the print job holding apparatus according to mode 5 can be obtained.

[Mode 37] In order to achieve the above object, a print job holding apparatus control program according to mode 37 includes:
Print job holding device used to control a print job holding device that holds print jobs for the plurality of printing devices in a printing system in which a plurality of printing devices that execute print processing based on a print job are connected via a network A control program,
A print job holding step for holding a print job for the self-printing apparatus in association with collation information for collating system users;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the collation information from the print job management device;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for the print job devised by the search process to the print job management apparatus in response to the acquisition request information corresponding to the collation information from the print job management apparatus. And a program used to cause a computer to execute the following process.

  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 print job holding apparatus in mode 36 are obtained.

[Mode 38] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a computer-readable recording medium storing the print job holding apparatus control program according to mode 37 is provided.
A print job holding apparatus control program of form 37 is recorded.
As a result, the same operation and effect as the print job holding device control program of form 37 can be obtained, and the print job holding device control program can be easily transferred via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or MO. It becomes possible to do.

[Mode 39] In order to achieve the above object, a print job holding apparatus control method according to mode 39 includes:
Print job holding device used to control a print job holding device that holds print jobs for the plurality of printing devices in a printing system in which a plurality of printing devices that execute print processing based on a print job are connected via a network A control method,
A print job holding step for holding a print job for the printing apparatus in association with collation information for collating system users;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the collation information from the print job management device;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for the print job devised by the search process to the print job management apparatus in response to the acquisition request information corresponding to the collation information from the print job management apparatus; It is characterized by including.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the print job holding apparatus of the invention 36 can be obtained.

[Mode 40] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a print job management apparatus according to mode 40
Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
Print job information acquisition for acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information out of print job information of a print job held by a print job holding device holding a print job for a printing device corresponding to the own print job management device Means,
Print job information display means for displaying the acquired print job information,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the print job holding device. It is said.
With such a configuration, the same operations and effects as the print job management apparatus in the printing system of any one of forms 5 to 7 can be obtained.

[Form 41] In order to achieve the above object, a print job management apparatus according to form 41 includes:
Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
Print job holding means for holding a print job for a printing apparatus corresponding to the own print job management apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the matching information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the matching information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information for verification information of a system user authenticated by the own print job management apparatus from another apparatus;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the other apparatus, print job information for a print job devised by the search process for the collation information acquired from the other apparatus in response to the acquisition request information from the other apparatus;
Print job information display means for displaying the acquired print job information,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other device,
The print job information display means displays print job information for a print job created by the search process and print job information acquired from the other device.
With such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the print job management apparatus in the printing system according to mode 11 can be obtained.

[Form 42] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus according to form 42 is the same as the print job management apparatus according to form 40 or 41.
The print job information acquisition unit encrypts the collation information when transmitting the collation information to another apparatus, and transmits the collation information.
With such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the printing system of form 12 can be obtained.

[Mode 43] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus according to mode 43 is the print job management apparatus according to any one of modes 40 to 42.
Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print processing execution unit that causes a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print process corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to mode 13 can be obtained.

[Form 44] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus according to form 44 is the print job management apparatus according to any one of forms 40 to 43.
Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print job deletion unit that deletes a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit from an apparatus that holds the print job.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to mode 14 can be obtained.

[Form 45] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus according to form 45 is the print job management apparatus according to any one of forms 40 to 44.
When displaying the print job information, the print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that is likely to be subjected to print processing among print job information to be displayed. It is a feature.
With such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the printing system of form 15 can be obtained.

[Form 46] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus of form 46 is the same as the print job management apparatus of form 45,
A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display means is characterized in that, based on the acquired print processing frequency information, the print job information of the print job with the highest print processing frequency among the display target print job information is displayed in priority order.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to mode 16 can be obtained.

[Form 47] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus of form 47 is the same as the print job management apparatus of form 45 or 46,
A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that has not been printed out of print job information to be displayed, based on the acquired print processing count information.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to mode 17 can be obtained.

[Form 48] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus of form 48 is the print job management apparatus of any one of forms 45 to 47,
A positional relationship information acquisition unit for acquiring positional relationship information between the apparatus having the print job display unit and the apparatus having the print job holding unit;
The print job information display means, based on the acquired positional relationship information, has a physical distance between the apparatus having the print job display means and the apparatus having the print job information holding means among the print job information to be displayed. The closer it is, the print job information of the print job held by the apparatus having the print job holding means is preferentially displayed.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to form 18 can be obtained.

[Mode 49] In order to achieve the above object, a print job management apparatus control program according to mode 49 includes:
A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
Print job information acquisition for acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information out of print job information of a print job held by a print job holding device holding a print job for a printing device corresponding to the own print job management device Steps,
A program used to cause a computer to execute a process including a print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the collation information acquired in the collation information acquisition step and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the collation information are transmitted to the print job holding device. It is a feature.
With this 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 print job management apparatus according to form 40 are obtained.

[Mode 50] In order to achieve the above object, a print job management apparatus control program according to mode 50 includes:
A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding step for holding a print job in association with the collation information;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the acquired collation information;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information for the verification information of the system user authenticated in the authentication step;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search process for the collation information to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information;
A program used to cause a computer to execute a process including a print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information are transmitted to the transmission target device,
In the print job information display step, print job information for a print job prepared by the search process and print job information acquired from the transmission target apparatus are displayed.

  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 print job management apparatus according to mode 41 are obtained.

[Form 51] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus control program according to form 51 is the same as the print job management apparatus control program according to form 49 or 50.
In the print job information acquisition step, when the collation information is transmitted to another apparatus, the collation information is encrypted before being transmitted.
With this 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 print job management apparatus according to form 42 are obtained.

[Mode 52] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus control program according to mode 52 is the print job management apparatus control program according to any one of modes 49 to 51.
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
A program used for causing a computer to execute a process including a print process execution step for causing a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print process for a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step. Is further included.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus according to mode 43 can be obtained.

[Form 53] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus control program according to form 53 is the print job management apparatus control program according to any one of forms 49 to 52.
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
A program used for causing a computer to execute a process including a print job deletion step of deleting a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step from an apparatus holding the print job. It is characterized by including.

  With this 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 print job management apparatus according to form 44 are obtained.

[Form 54] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus control program according to form 54 is the print job management apparatus control program according to any one of forms 49 to 53.
In the print job information display step, when displaying the print job information, the print job information of a print job that is likely to be printed out of the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority. 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 operations and effects as those of the print job management apparatus according to form 45 are obtained.

[Form 55] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus control program according to form 55 is the same as the print job management apparatus control program according to form 54.
Including a program used to cause a computer to execute a print processing frequency information acquisition step of acquiring information on the number of times of printing processing of the print job;
In the print job information display step, the print job information of the print job having the highest print processing frequency among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing frequency information. .

  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 print job management apparatus according to mode 46 are obtained.

[Mode 56] Further, the print job management apparatus control program of mode 56 is the same as the print job management apparatus control program of mode 54 or 55.
Including a program used to cause a computer to execute a print processing frequency information acquisition step of acquiring information on the number of print processing times of the print job,
In the print job information display step, print job information of a print job for which print processing has not been executed among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing count information. .

  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 print job management apparatus according to mode 47 can be obtained.

[Form 57] Further, the print job management apparatus control program according to form 57 is the print job management apparatus control program according to any one of forms 54 to 55.
A program used to cause a computer to execute a positional relationship information acquisition step of acquiring positional relationship information between a device that executes the print job information display step and a device that executes the print job holding step;
In the print job information display step, based on the acquired positional relationship information, among the print job information to be displayed, the physical of the device that executes the print job display step and the device that executes the print job information holding step The print job information of the print job held by the apparatus that executes the print job holding step is preferentially displayed as the target distance is shorter.

  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 print job management apparatus according to form 48 are obtained.

[Form 58] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a computer-readable recording medium storing the print job management apparatus control program of form 58 is provided.
A print job management apparatus control program according to any one of forms 49 to 57 is recorded.

  Thus, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus control program according to any one of forms 49 to 57 can be obtained, and the print job holding apparatus via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or MO. It is possible to easily exchange control programs.

[Mode 59] In order to achieve the above object, a print job management apparatus control method according to mode 59 includes:
A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among the print job information of the print job held by the print job holding device;
A print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the collation information acquired in the collation information acquisition step and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the collation information are transmitted to the print job holding device. It is a feature.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus according to form 40 can be obtained.

[Mode 60] In order to achieve the above object, a print job management apparatus control method according to mode 60 includes:
A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding step for holding a print job in association with the collation information;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the collation information from the print job management device;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information for the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search process for the collation information to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information;
A print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information are transmitted to the transmission target device,
In the print job information display step, print job information for a print job prepared by the search process and print job information acquired from the transmission target apparatus are displayed.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus of form 41 are obtained.

[Form 61] Furthermore, the print job management apparatus control method of form 61 is the same as the print job management apparatus control method of form 59 or 60,
In the print job information acquisition step, when the collation information is transmitted to another apparatus, the collation information is encrypted before being transmitted.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus according to form 42 can be obtained.

[Mode 62] Further, the print job management apparatus control method according to mode 62 is the same as the print job management apparatus control method according to any one of modes 59 to 61,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print processing execution step for causing a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print processing corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus according to form 43 can be obtained.

[Mode 63] Further, the print job management apparatus control method of mode 63 is the same as the print job management apparatus control method of any one of modes 59 to 62,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
It further includes a print job deletion step of deleting a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step from the apparatus holding the print job.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus of form 44 can be obtained.

[Mode 64] Further, a print job management apparatus control method according to mode 64 is the print job management apparatus control method according to any one of modes 59 to 63.
In the print job information display step, when displaying the print job information, the print job information of a print job that is likely to be printed out of the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority. It is characterized by.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus of form 45 can be obtained.

[Mode 65] Further, the print job management apparatus control method of mode 65 is the same as the print job management apparatus control method of mode 64,
Including a printing process number information obtaining step of obtaining information of a printing process number of the print job,
In the print job information display step, the print job information of the print job having the highest print processing frequency among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing frequency information. .
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus according to mode 46 can be obtained.

[Mode 66] Further, the print job management apparatus control method of mode 66 is the same as the print job management apparatus control method of mode 64 or 65,
Including a printing process number information obtaining step of obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job,
In the print job information display step, print job information of a print job for which print processing has not been executed among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing count information. .
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the print job management apparatus according to form 47 can be obtained.

[Mode 67] Further, the print job management apparatus control method according to mode 67 is the print job management apparatus control method according to any one of modes 64 to 66,
A positional relationship information acquisition step of acquiring positional relationship information between the device that executes the print job information display step and the device that executes the print job holding step;
In the print job information display step, based on the acquired positional relationship information, among the print job information to be displayed, the physical of the device that executes the print job display step and the device that executes the print job information holding step The print job information of the print job held by the apparatus that executes the print job holding step is preferentially displayed as the target distance is shorter.
Thereby, an operation and effect equivalent to that of the print job management apparatus according to form 48 can be obtained.

[Mode 68] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to mode 68,
A printing apparatus that executes print processing based on a print job,
A print job holding means for holding a print job for the self-printing apparatus in association with collation information for collating system users;
Print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the collation information from the print job management device;
And print job information transmitting means for transmitting print job information for the print job devised by the search process to the print job management apparatus in response to acquisition request information from the print job management apparatus. .
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing apparatus in the printing system according to mode 6 can be obtained.

[Mode 69] In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to mode 69 includes:
Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
Print job holding means for holding a print job for the self-printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the matching information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the matching information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information for the collation information acquired in the self-printing apparatus from another apparatus;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the other apparatus, print job information for the print job devised by the search process for the collation information acquired from the other apparatus in response to the acquisition request information from the other apparatus;
Print job information display means for displaying the acquired print job information,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other device,
The print job information display means displays print job information for a print job created by the search process and print job information acquired from the other device.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing apparatus in the printing system according to mode 10 can be obtained.

[Mode 70] Further, the printing apparatus of mode 70 is the printing apparatus of mode 69,
The print job information acquisition unit encrypts the collation information when transmitting the collation information to another apparatus, and transmits the collation information.
With such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the printing system of form 12 can be obtained.

[Form 71] Furthermore, the printing apparatus of form 71 is the printing apparatus of form 69 or 70,
Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print processing execution unit that causes a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print process corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to mode 13 can be obtained.

[Form 72] Furthermore, the printing apparatus of form 72 is the printing apparatus of any one of forms 69 to 71.
Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print job deletion unit that deletes a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit from an apparatus that holds the print job.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to mode 14 can be obtained.

[Form 73] Furthermore, the printing apparatus of form 73 is the printing apparatus of any one of forms 69 to 72.
When displaying the print job information, the print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that is likely to be subjected to print processing among print job information to be displayed. It is a feature.
With such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the printing system of form 15 can be obtained.

[Form 74] Further, the printing apparatus of form 74 is the same as the print job management apparatus of form 73.
A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display means is characterized in that, based on the acquired print processing frequency information, the print job information of the print job with the highest print processing frequency among the display target print job information is displayed in priority order.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to mode 16 can be obtained.

[Mode 75] Furthermore, the printing apparatus of mode 75 is the print job management apparatus of mode 73 or 74,
A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that has not been printed out of print job information to be displayed, based on the acquired print processing count information.
With such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the printing system of form 17 can be obtained.

[Mode 76] Further, the printing apparatus according to mode 76 is the print job management apparatus according to any one of modes 73 to 75.
A positional relationship information acquisition unit for acquiring positional relationship information between the apparatus having the print job display unit and the apparatus having the print job holding unit;
The print job information display means, based on the acquired positional relationship information, has a physical distance between the apparatus having the print job display means and the apparatus having the print job information holding means among the print job information to be displayed. The closer it is, the print job information of the print job held by the apparatus having the print job holding means is preferentially displayed.
With such a configuration, operations and effects similar to those of the printing system according to form 18 can be obtained.

[Mode 77] In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus control program according to mode 77 includes:
A printing apparatus control program used to control a printing apparatus that executes a printing process based on a print job,
A print job holding step for holding the print job in association with collation information for collating system users;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the verification information from among the print jobs held in the print job holding step based on the verification information;
To cause a computer to execute a process including a print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search process to a transmission source apparatus of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information. It is characterized by including the program to be used.

  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 printing apparatus of form 68 are obtained.

[Mode 78] In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus control program according to mode 78 includes:
A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding step for holding a print job for the printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the collation information;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information for the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search processing for the collation information to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information;
A program used to cause a computer to execute a process including a print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information are transmitted to the transmission target device,
In the print job information display step, the print job information for the print job prepared by the search process and the print job information acquired from the other apparatus are displayed.

  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 printing apparatus of form 69 are obtained.

[Mode 79] Furthermore, the printing apparatus control program according to mode 79 is the printing apparatus control program according to mode 78.
In the print job information acquisition step, when the collation information is transmitted to another apparatus, the collation information is encrypted before being transmitted.
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 printing apparatus of form 70 are obtained.

[Mode 80] Further, the printing apparatus control program according to mode 80 is the printing apparatus control program according to mode 78 or 79.
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
A program used for causing a computer to execute a process including a print process execution step for causing a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print process for a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step. Is further included.

  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 printing apparatus of form 71 are obtained.

[Mode 81] Further, the printing apparatus control program of mode 81 is the printing apparatus control program of any one of modes 78 to 80,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
A program used for causing a computer to execute a process including a print job deletion step of deleting a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step from an apparatus holding the print job. It is characterized by including.

  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 printing apparatus of form 72 are obtained.

[Form 82] Furthermore, the printing apparatus control program according to form 82 is the printing apparatus control program according to any one of forms 78 to 81.
In the print job information display step, when displaying the print job information, the print job information of a print job that is likely to be printed out of the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority. 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 operations and effects as those of the printing apparatus of form 73 are obtained.

[Form 83] Furthermore, the printing apparatus control program according to form 83 is the printing apparatus control program according to form 82.
Including a program used to cause a computer to execute a print processing frequency information acquisition step of acquiring information on the number of times of printing processing of the print job;
In the print job information display step, the print job information of the print job having the highest print processing frequency among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing frequency information. .

  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 printing apparatus of form 74 are obtained.

[Form 84] Furthermore, the printing apparatus control program of the form 84 is the printing apparatus control program of the form 82 or 83,
Including a program used to cause a computer to execute a print processing frequency information acquisition step of acquiring information on the number of times of printing processing of the print job;
In the print job information display step, print job information of a print job for which print processing has not been executed among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing count information. .

  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 printing apparatus of form 75 are obtained.

[Mode 85] Furthermore, the printing apparatus control program according to mode 85 is the printing apparatus control program according to any one of modes 82 to 84.
A program used to cause a computer to execute a positional relationship information acquisition step of acquiring positional relationship information between a device that executes the print job information display step and a device that executes the print job holding step;
In the print job information display step, based on the acquired positional relationship information, among the print job information to be displayed, the physical of the device that executes the print job display step and the device that executes the print job information holding step The print job information of the print job held by the apparatus that executes the print job holding step is preferentially displayed as the target distance is shorter.

  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 printing apparatus of form 76 are obtained.

[Mode 86] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a computer-readable recording medium storing the printing apparatus control program according to mode 86 is provided.
The printing apparatus control program according to any one of forms 77 to 85 is recorded.
As a result, the same operation and effect as the printing apparatus control program of any one of forms 77 to 85 can be obtained, and the printing apparatus control program can be easily performed via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or MO. It is possible to give and receive to.

[Mode 87] In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus control method according to mode 87 includes:
A printing apparatus control method used to control a printing apparatus that executes a printing process based on a print job,
A print job holding step for holding the print job in association with collation information for collating system users;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the verification information from among the print jobs held in the print job holding step based on the verification information;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for the print job devised by the search process to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus of form 68 are obtained.

[Mode 88] In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus control method according to mode 88 includes:
A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding step for holding a print job for the printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the collation information;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information for the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search processing for the collation information to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information;
A print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information are transmitted to the transmission target device,
In the print job information display step, the print job information for the print job prepared by the search process and the print job information acquired from the other apparatus are displayed.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus of form 69 are obtained.

[Mode 89] Furthermore, the printing apparatus control method of aspect 89 is the printing apparatus control method of aspect 88,
In the print job information acquisition step, when the collation information is transmitted to another apparatus, the collation information is encrypted before being transmitted.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus of form 70 can be obtained.

[Mode 90] Furthermore, the printing device control method of mode 90 is the printing device control method of mode 88 or 89,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
And a print processing execution step for causing a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print processing corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus of form 71 are obtained.

[Form 91] Furthermore, the printing apparatus control method of aspect 91 is the printing apparatus control method according to any one of aspects 88 to 90,
A print job information selection step for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from the print job information displayed in the print job information display step in response to an instruction from the system user;
It further includes a print job deletion step of deleting a print job corresponding to the print job information selected in the print job information selection step from the apparatus holding the print job.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus of form 72 are obtained.

[Form 92] Furthermore, the printing apparatus control method of aspect 92 is the printing apparatus control method according to any one of aspects 88 to 91.
In the print job information display step, when displaying the print job information, the print job information of a print job that is likely to be printed out of the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority. It is characterized by.
Thereby, an operation and effect equivalent to that of the printing apparatus of form 73 is obtained.

[Mode 93] Further, the printing apparatus control method according to mode 93 is the same as the printing apparatus control method according to mode 92.
Including a printing process number information obtaining step of obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job,
In the print job information display step, the print job information of the print job having the highest print processing frequency among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing frequency information. .
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus of form 74 are obtained.

[Mode 94] Further, the printing apparatus control method according to mode 94 is the printing apparatus control method according to mode 92 or 93,
Including a printing process number information obtaining step of obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job,
In the print job information display step, print job information of a print job for which print processing has not been executed among the print job information to be displayed is preferentially displayed based on the acquired print processing count information. .
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus of form 75 are obtained.

[Mode 95] Further, the printing apparatus control method according to mode 95 is the printing apparatus control method according to any one of modes 92 to 94.
A positional relationship information acquisition step of acquiring positional relationship information between the device that executes the print job information display step and the device that executes the print job holding step;
In the print job information display step, based on the acquired positional relationship information, among the print job information to be displayed, the physical of the device that executes the print job display step and the device that executes the print job information holding step The print job information of the print job held by the apparatus that executes the print job holding step is preferentially displayed as the target distance is shorter.
Thereby, the same operation and effect as those of the printing apparatus of form 76 are obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 21 show a print job information display system, a print system, a print job management apparatus, a print job management apparatus control program, a print job management apparatus control method, a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control program, and a printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment of a control method.
First, the configuration of the confidential printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a confidential printing system according to the present invention.

  The confidential printing system 1 includes a print instruction apparatus 2 that generates a print job and print instructions for the print job, first to third printing apparatuses 3A to 3C that perform print processing based on the print job, and the first to third printing apparatuses. The third printing apparatuses 3A to 3C are connected one-on-one to each of the third printing apparatuses 3A to 3C. The first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C, and the network 5 that connects these apparatuses so that data can be transmitted and received between the print instruction apparatus 2 and the print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C. ing.

Since the first to third printing apparatuses 3A to 3C all have the same functional configuration, hereinafter, these are collectively handled as the printing apparatus 3 as appropriate.
Further, since the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C all have the same functional configuration, hereinafter, these are collectively handled as the print job management apparatus 4 as appropriate.

Further, a detailed functional configuration of the print instruction apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of the print instruction apparatus 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the print instruction apparatus 2 includes a data communication unit 2a, a data control unit 2b, a data storage unit 2c, and a print job generation unit 2d.
The data communication unit 2a transmits the print job to any of the first to third printing apparatuses 3A to 3C via the network 5, and the first to third print jobs connected to the network 5. It has a function of transmitting and receiving data between the devices such as the management devices 4A to 4C.

  The data control unit 2b stores data acquired from an external device via the data communication unit 2a in the data storage unit 2c, transmits various data stored in the data storage unit 2c to each component, Control data exchange between elements, send a print job generated by the print job generation unit 2d to any of the first to third printing apparatuses 3A to 3C via the data communication unit 2a, etc. The print instruction device 2 has a function of controlling the data flow.

The data storage unit 2c has a function of storing document data and image data generated by an editor or the like, data for generating a print job, data necessary for processing performed by each component, and the like. ing.
The print job generation unit 2d reads the document data and image data stored in the data storage unit 2c in response to a print instruction from an editor or the like, and the system user who has issued the print instruction to the read print data. A print job is generated by adding information. When the print job is generated, the print job is transmitted to any one of the first to third print job management devices 4A to 4C via the data control unit 2b. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a transmission destination of a print job can be arbitrarily selected by a user who gives a print instruction.

  Here, the print instruction apparatus 2 includes a processor (not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a dedicated program is stored, and the processor executes the dedicated program. This fulfills the functions of the above parts. In addition, the above-described units include a mixture of a unit that fulfills its function with only a dedicated program, a unit that performs hardware control by a dedicated program, and the like.

Further, a detailed functional configuration of the printing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed functional configuration of the printing apparatus 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 3 includes a data communication unit 3a, a data control unit 3b, and a print processing unit 3c.
The data communication unit 3a receives a print job from the print job management apparatus 4 by wire or wireless, and transmits information of a print processing result to the print job management apparatus 4, etc. It has a function to send and receive data between.

The data control unit 3b transmits the print job received from the print job management apparatus 4 to the print processing unit 3c via the data communication unit 3a, or sends the print result information from the print processing unit 3c to the data communication unit 3a. The data flow in the printing apparatus 3 is integrated, and is transmitted to the print job management apparatus 4.
The print processing unit 3c has a function of performing print processing of an image of image data or a document of document data constituting the print job based on the print job received from the print job management apparatus 4.

  Here, the printing apparatus 3 includes a processor (not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a dedicated program is stored, and the processor executes the dedicated program. Fulfills the functions of the above-mentioned parts. In addition, the above-described units include a mixture of a unit that fulfills its function with only a dedicated program, a unit that performs hardware control by a dedicated program, and the like.

Further, a detailed functional configuration of the print job management apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of the print job management apparatus 4.
As shown in FIG. 4, the print job management apparatus 4 includes a data communication unit 4a, a data control unit 4b, a data storage unit 4c, and a collation information acquisition unit 4d.
The data communication unit 4a receives a print job from the print instruction apparatus 2 via the network 5, and sends print job information acquisition request information to other print job holding devices (in FIG. 1, the first to third devices). To search for a device having a print job holding function (hereinafter referred to as a print job holding device) from other devices connected to the network 5. The search information is sent to the other device, the print job information from the print job holding device, the print job information acquisition request, the print job, etc. are received. In addition, it has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from each device such as the print instruction device 2 and the print job management device 4.

  The data control unit 4b searches the print job stored in the data storage unit 4c for a print job corresponding to the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit 4d, or is detected by the print job holding device detection unit 4g. A print job information acquisition request corresponding to the acquired collation information is transmitted to the print job holding device via the data communication unit 4a, or data received via the data communication unit 4a is transmitted to each component. The data flow in the print job management apparatus 4 is integrated, such as transmission, transmission of various data stored in the data storage unit 4c to each component, and control of data exchange between the components. It has a function to control. Further, based on the print processing result information from the printing apparatus 3, information on the number of print processes for the print job stored in the data storage unit 4c is recorded in association with each print job information, and each time print processing is performed. Has a function of updating the number of print processing times of the target print job.

In other words, in the present embodiment, the print job management apparatus 4 keeps storing the print job for which the print processing has been performed together with the print count information for a predetermined period.
The data storage unit 4c stores a print job received from the print instruction apparatus 2 via the data communication unit 4a, stores position information of the print job management apparatus 4, and is necessary for processing executed in each component. A function of storing various data and the like.

The verification information acquisition unit 4d has a function of reading the verification information of the system user from a card-type storage medium (IC card or the like) possessed by the system user and transmitting it to the data control unit 4b.
As shown in FIG. 4, the print job management apparatus 4 further includes a print job holding device search unit 4e, a print job information display processing unit 4f, a display unit 4g, an operation unit 4h, and a print processing control unit 4i. It has a configuration that includes.

  The print job holding device search unit 4e searches for a print job holding device holding a print job corresponding to the collation information according to the search instruction and the collation information from the data control unit 4b, and uses the search result as data. It has the function to transmit to the control part 4b. In this embodiment, as an access method when acquiring print job information from another device, (1) a method of broadcasting print job acquisition request information to all devices connected to the network 5; (2) Two methods: a method of detecting a print job holding device from devices connected to the network 5 and transmitting print job acquisition request information including collation information only to the detected print job holding device The system user can select an arbitrary method.

The print job information display processing unit 4f rearranges the print job information by performing a process of rearranging the print job information in descending order of possibility of executing the print processing based on the display instruction from the data control unit and the print job information. It has a function of displaying the rearranged print job information on the display unit 4g.
The display unit 4g is a display device such as a liquid crystal display and has a function of displaying a predetermined image in accordance with an image signal from the print job information display processing unit 4f.

  The operation unit 4h allows the system user to select arbitrary print job information from the print job information displayed on the display unit 4g, or to issue a print instruction or a delete instruction to the selected print job information. Operation means such as an operation panel, a pointing device, a keyboard, and a touch panel are provided, and the system user has a function of transmitting various instructions via the operation means to the data control unit 4b.

  In response to a print instruction for the print job information displayed on the display unit 4g of the system user from the data control unit 4b, the print processing control unit 4i stores the corresponding print job information in the data storage unit 4c of the own print job management apparatus. If there is a print job corresponding to the print job information, the print job of the print job information is acquired from the data storage unit 4c via the data control unit 4b. On the other hand, if there is no corresponding print job, the data control unit 4b and the data A print job corresponding to the print instruction is acquired from the apparatus holding the print job via the communication unit 4a, and the acquired print job is transmitted to the printing apparatus 3 to perform print processing of the print job. It has a function to be executed.

The network 5 is a known information communication network such as a LAN or a WAN, and each of the above devices exchanges data between the devices via the network 5.
Furthermore, the print instruction apparatus 2 is configured to start a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM by the CPU and execute a print job transmission process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 according to the program.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing print job transmission processing in the print instruction apparatus 2.
When the print job transmission process is executed by the CPU, the process first proceeds to step S100 as shown in FIG.
In step S100, the data control unit 2b determines whether or not there is a print instruction by determining whether or not print instruction information for data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as print data) from an editor or the like has been received. If it is determined that there is a print instruction (Yes), a print job generation instruction is transmitted to the print job generation unit 2d, and the process proceeds to Step S102. If not (No), determination processing is performed until there is a print instruction. repeat.

Here, the print instruction information includes collation information that can identify the system user who issued the print instruction, information on a device having a print job holding function as a print job transmission destination (IP address, MAC address, and the like). include.
When the process proceeds to step S102, the print job generation unit 2d responds to the print job generation instruction from the data control unit 2b and print data corresponding to the print instruction information from the data storage unit 2c via the data control unit 2b. Is transferred to step S104.

  In step S104, the print job generation unit 2d generates a print job based on the print instruction information received in step S100 and the print data read in step S102, and the process proceeds to step S106. Here, the print job has a data structure in which header information including collation information included in the print instruction information and print job transmission destination device information is added to the print data.

In step S106, the print job generated in step S104 is transmitted to the print job transmission destination apparatus, and the process proceeds to step S100.
Furthermore, the print job management apparatus 4 starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM by the CPU, and executes a print job saving process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 according to the program. Yes.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing print job storage processing in the print job management apparatus 4.
When the print job storage process is executed by the CPU, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step S200.
In step S200, the data control unit 4b determines whether or not a print job from the print instruction apparatus 2 has been received via the data communication unit 4a. If not (No), the determination process is repeated until reception.

When the process proceeds to step S202, the data control unit 4b associates the print job received in step S200 with the print count information (the initial value is 0 print count) and stores it in the data storage unit 4c. Migrate to
Further, the print job management apparatus 4 causes the CPU to activate a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM, and executes the first print job information display process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 according to the program. It has become.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first print job information display process in the print job management apparatus 4.
The first print job information display process is a print job information display process using the above access method (1), and when executed by the CPU, first proceeds to step S300 as shown in FIG. It is supposed to do.

In step S300, the data control unit 4b determines whether or not the verification information is acquired via the verification information acquisition unit 4d. If it is determined that the verification information is acquired (Yes), the acquired verification information is stored in the print job. It transmits to the apparatus search part 4e, transfers to step S302, and when that is not right (No), a determination process is repeated until it acquires.
When the process proceeds to step S302, the data control unit 4b searches the data storage unit 4c for a print job corresponding to the collation information acquired in step S300, and the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, the data control unit 4b determines whether a print job corresponding to the collation information has been searched. If it is determined that the print job has been searched (Yes), the process proceeds to step S306. (No) moves to step S330.
When the process proceeds to step S306, the print job information of the print job searched in step S304 is acquired, the acquired print job information is transmitted to the print job information display processing unit 4f, and the process proceeds to step S308. Here, the print job information includes title information (file name information) of print data, number of times of printing information, position information of a printing apparatus corresponding to the print job holder, and the like.

In step S308, the print job information display processing unit 4f determines the display order of the print job information acquired from the data control unit 4b, and proceeds to step S310.
In step S310, the print job information display processing unit 4f displays the print job information acquired from the data control unit on the display unit 4g based on the display order determined in step S308, and proceeds to step S312.

In step S312, the data control unit 4b determines whether there is a network search instruction from the system user based on the operation information from the operation unit 4h. If it is determined that there is a search instruction (Yes), The process proceeds to step S314. Otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S328.
When the process proceeds to step S314, the print job holding device search unit 4e broadcasts an acquisition request for print job information including the collation information acquired in step S300 to all the devices connected to the network 5. The process proceeds to S316.

In step S316, the data control unit 4b determines whether print job information has been received via the data communication unit 4a. If it is determined that the print job information has been received (Yes), the received print job information is printed. The information is transmitted to the job information display processing unit 4f and the process proceeds to step S318. Otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S322.
When the process proceeds to step S318, the print job information display processing unit 4f determines the display order of all the print job information acquired from the data control unit 4b, and the process proceeds to step S320.

In step S320, the print job information display processing unit 4f displays the print job information acquired from the data control unit on the display unit 4g in the display order determined in step S318, and the process proceeds to step S300.
On the other hand, if the print job information is not received in step S316 and the process proceeds to step S322, the print job information display processing unit 4f determines whether there is print job information being displayed, and determines that there is. If yes (Yes), the process proceeds to step S324; otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S326.

When the process proceeds to step S324, the print job information display processing unit 4f continues to display the currently displayed print job information, and the process proceeds to step S300.
On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S326, the print job information display processing unit 4f displays information indicating that the print job does not exist in the device connected to the network on the display unit 4g, and the process proceeds to step S300.
In step S312, when there is no network search instruction and the process proceeds to step S328, the data control unit 4b determines whether or not the collation information has been acquired via the collation information acquisition unit 4d. If yes (Yes), the acquired collation information is transmitted to the print job holding device search unit 4e, and the process proceeds to Step S302. If not (No), the process proceeds to Step S312.

In step S304, if the print job is not searched and the process proceeds to step S330, the print job information display processing unit 4f displays information indicating that the own apparatus does not hold the print job in the display unit 4g. Then, the process proceeds to step S312.
Further, the print job management apparatus 4 causes the CPU to activate a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM, and executes the second print job information display process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 according to the program. It has become.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the second print job information display process in the print job management apparatus 4.
The second print job information display process is a print job information display process using the above access method (2), and when executed by the CPU, first proceeds to step S400 as shown in FIG. It is supposed to be.

  Here, the processing from step S400 to step S412 and the processing from step S420 to step S434 are the same as the processing from step S300 to step S312 and the processing from step S316 to step S330 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, respectively. Is omitted. Therefore, hereinafter, the processing of steps S412 to S418 will be described.

In step S414, the print job holding device search unit 4e broadcasts the search request information of the print job holding device to all devices connected to the network 5, and proceeds to step S416.
In step S416, the data control unit 4b determines whether or not response information from the print job holding device has been received via the data communication unit 4a. If it is determined that the response information has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S418. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S426.

When the process proceeds to step S418, the print job information acquisition request including the collation information acquired in step S400 is transmitted to the print job holding device corresponding to the response information received in step S416, and the process proceeds to step S420.
In other words, a print job holding device is searched from all devices connected to the network 5, and then print job information acquisition request information including collation information is transmitted only to the print job holding device searched by the search.

Furthermore, the display order determination processing in steps S310, S314, S320, S414, S418, and S424 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing display order determination processing in the print job information display processing unit 4f of the print job management apparatus 4.
This display order determination process is a process for determining the display order of the print job information corresponding to the collation information, and when executed in any of steps S310, S314, S320, S414, S418, and S424, FIG. As shown, first, the process proceeds to step S500.

In step S500, it is determined whether or not there is a plurality of print job information. If it is determined that there are a plurality of print job information (Yes), the process proceeds to step S502. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S510.
When the process proceeds to step S502, the display order of the print job information is rearranged in order from the largest number of prints based on the print number information included in the print job information, and the process proceeds to step S504.

In step S504, based on the print count information, it is determined whether there is print job information with the print count “0”. If it is determined that there is (Yes), the process proceeds to step S506, otherwise. For (No), the process proceeds to step S508.
When the process proceeds to step S506, the print job with the print count “0” is rearranged in the priority order so that the print job is first, and the process proceeds to step S508.

In step S508, based on the print count information, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of print job information having the same print count. If it is determined that there are a plurality of print job information (Yes), the process proceeds to step S510. ) Proceeds to step S512.
When the process proceeds to step S510, based on the position information of the printing device included in the print job information, the print job corresponding to the other printing device 3 having a physical distance close to the printing device 3 corresponding to the self-printing management device 4 is stored. The order is rearranged so that the print job information possessed by the device is the first among the same number of prints, and the process proceeds to step S512.

In step S512, the display order of the print job information is fixed at the current order, a series of processes are terminated, and the process returns to the original process.
Furthermore, the print job management apparatus 4 causes the CPU to activate a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM, and executes the first print job search response process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 according to the program. It has become.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the first print job search response process in the print job management apparatus 4.
The first print job search response process is a process corresponding to the access method (1) in the print job holding device search unit 4e. When the first print job search response process is executed by the CPU, as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to S600.

In step S600, the data control unit 4b determines whether print job acquisition request information has been received via the data communication unit 4a. If it is determined that the print job acquisition request information has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S602. If not (No), the determination process is repeated until print job acquisition request information is received.
When the process proceeds to step S602, the data control unit 4b extracts collation information from the print job information request information received in step S600, and the process proceeds to step S604.

In step S604, the data control unit 4b searches the print job stored in the data storage unit 4c for a print job corresponding to the collation information extracted in step S602, and proceeds to step S606.
In step S606, it is determined whether or not a print job corresponding to the collation information has been searched by the search processing in step S604. If it is determined that the print job has been searched (Yes), the print job of the searched print job is determined. The information is transmitted to the device that has requested the acquisition of the print job information, and the process proceeds to step S600.

On the other hand, if the search process in step S604 has not found a print job corresponding to the collation information and the process proceeds to step S610, information indicating that the corresponding print job is not held is displayed in the print job information request. After transmitting to the original device, the process proceeds to step S600.
Further, the print job management apparatus 4 causes the CPU to start a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM, and executes the second print job search response process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 according to the program. It has become.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the second print job search response process in the print job management apparatus 4.
The second print job search response process is a process corresponding to the access method (2) in the print job holding device search unit 4e, and when executed by the CPU, as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to S700.

In step S700, the data control unit 4b determines whether print job holding device search request information has been received via the data communication unit 4a. If it is determined that the print job holding device search request information has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S702. If not (No), the determination process is repeated until print job holding device search request information is received.
If the process proceeds to step S702, the data control unit 4b transmits information indicating that it is a print job holding device to the device that has requested the print job holding device search via the data communication unit 4a, and step S702 is performed. The process proceeds to S704.

In step S704, the data control unit 4b determines whether a print job acquisition request has been received via the data communication unit 4a. If it is determined that the print job acquisition request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S706. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S716.
When the process proceeds to step S716, the data control unit 4b determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S700. For (No), the process proceeds to step S704.

Here, the processing from step S706 to step S714 is the same as the processing from step S602 to step S610 in the flowchart of FIG.
Also, the print job management apparatus 4 causes the CPU to activate a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM, and executes the print / delete processing of the designated print job shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 according to the program. It has become.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the printing / deleting process for the designated print job in the print job management apparatus 4.
When the CPU executes the designated print job printing / deleting process, as shown in FIG. 12, first, the process proceeds to step S800.
In step S800, the data control unit 4b determines whether or not print job information has been selected by the system user from the displayed print job information based on the operation information from the operation unit 4h. If yes (Yes), the process proceeds to step S802. If not (No), the determination process is repeated until print job information is selected.

When the process proceeds to step S802, the data control unit 4b determines whether there is a print instruction for the print job of the selected print job information based on the operation information from the operation unit 4h. If it is determined (Yes), the process proceeds to step S804. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S818.
If the process proceeds to step S804, the data control unit 4b searches the data storage unit 4c to determine whether there is a print job of the print job information selected in step S800 that is held in the own apparatus. If not (Yes), the process proceeds to step S806. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S812.

When the process proceeds to step S806, the data control unit 4b reads the corresponding print job from the data storage unit 4c, transmits the print job and the print instruction of the print job to the print processing control unit 4i, and proceeds to step S808. To do.
In step S808, the print processing control unit 4i transmits a print processing execution request including the print job to the printing apparatus 3 based on the print job and the print instruction from the data control unit 4b, and the process proceeds to step S810.

In step S810, the data control unit 4b determines whether there is any print job of the print job information selected in step S800 that is not held by the own apparatus, and if it is determined (Yes). Shifts to step S812, and if not (No), shifts to step S800.
When the process proceeds to step S812, the data control unit 4b transmits the print job acquisition request information to the print job holding device that holds the print job corresponding to the print job that is not held by the own apparatus, and then proceeds to step S814. Migrate to

In step S814, the data control unit 4b determines whether or not the corresponding print job has been received via the data communication unit 4a. If it is determined that the data has been received (Yes), the received print job and the print job are determined. The job print instruction is transmitted to the print processing control unit 4i, and the process proceeds to step S816.
In step S816, the print processing control unit 4i transmits a print processing execution request including the print job to the printing apparatus 3 based on the print job and the print instruction from the data control unit 4b, and the process proceeds to step S810.

  On the other hand, in step S802, if there is no print instruction for the selected print job information print job and the process proceeds to step S818, the data control unit 4b selects the selected print based on the operation information from the operation unit 4h. It is determined whether or not there is an instruction to delete the print job of the job information. If it is determined that there is an instruction to delete (Yes), the process proceeds to step S820. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S800. To do.

If the process proceeds to step S820, the data control unit 4b searches the data storage unit 4c to determine whether there is a print job of the print job information selected in step S800 that is held in the own apparatus. If not (Yes), the process proceeds to step S822. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S826.
When the process proceeds to step S822, the data control unit 4b deletes the corresponding print job from the data storage unit 4c, and the process proceeds to step S824.

In step S824, the data control unit 4b determines whether there is any print job of the print job information selected in step S800 that is not held by the own apparatus, and if it is determined (Yes). Shifts to step S826, and if not (No), shifts to step S800.
If the process proceeds to step S826, the data control unit 4b transmits the print job deletion request information to the print job holding device holding the print job corresponding to the print job that is not held by the own apparatus, and step S800. Migrate to
Also, the print job management apparatus 4 causes the CPU to activate a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM, and executes the print / delete processing of the designated print job shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 according to the program. It has become.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a designated print job transmission / deletion process in the print job management apparatus 4.
If the designated print job transmission / deletion process is executed by the CPU, as shown in FIG. 13, the process first proceeds to step S900.
In step S900, the data control unit 4b determines whether the acquisition request information for the designated print job has been received via the data communication unit 4a. If it is determined that it has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S902. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S906.

When the process proceeds to step S902, the data control unit 4b reads the print job corresponding to the print job information included in the acquisition request information for the designated print job acquired in step S900 from the data storage unit 4c, and proceeds to step S904. To do.
In step S904, the data control unit 4b transmits the print job read in step S902 to the acquisition request source device via the data communication unit 4a, and the process proceeds to step S900.

On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step S906 without receiving the designated print job acquisition request information in step S900, whether or not the data control unit 4b has received the designated print job deletion request information via the data communication unit 4a. If it is determined that it has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S908. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S900.
When the process proceeds to step S908, the data control unit 4b deletes the print job corresponding to the print job information included in the deletion request information from the data storage unit 4c, and the process proceeds to step S900.
Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 3, a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM is started by the CPU, and the printing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is executed according to the program.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a printing process in the printing apparatus 3.
When the printing process is executed by the CPU, the process first proceeds to step S1000 as shown in FIG.
In step S1000, the data control unit 4b determines whether or not print processing execution request information including a print job has been received via the data communication unit 3a. If it is determined that the print processing execution request information has been received (Yes), the print job Is transferred to the print processing unit 3c, and the process proceeds to step S1002. If not (No), the determination process is repeated until it is received.
When the process proceeds to step S1002, the print processing unit 3c executes print data print processing based on the print job acquired from the data control unit 3b, and the process proceeds to step S1004.

In step S1004, the data control unit 3b determines whether the printing process is successful based on the printing process result information from the printing processing unit 3c. If it is determined that the printing process is successful (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1006. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S1008.
When the process proceeds to step S1006, the data control unit 3b transmits information indicating successful printing to the print job management apparatus 4 corresponding to the own apparatus via the data communication unit 3a, and the process proceeds to step S1000.
On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S1008, the data control unit 3b transmits information indicating the print failure to the print job management apparatus 4 corresponding to the own apparatus via the data communication unit 3a, and the process proceeds to step S1000.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
Here, FIGS. 15A to 15C are diagrams illustrating examples of print job information of print jobs held by the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C, respectively. FIGS. 16A to 16C are diagrams illustrating examples of print job information of specific system users held by the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C, respectively. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of print job information of a specific system user held by the print job management apparatus 4B. FIG. 18A is a diagram showing an example of the display order in which the items with the highest number of printing processes are rearranged, and FIG. 18B shows the example where the number of printing processes is 0 in addition to (a). It is a figure which shows an example of the display order rearranged preferentially. FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship of the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C in the real space, and FIG. 19B is based on the positional relationship of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the rearranged display order. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a display example of print job information of a specific system user held by the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection state of print job information.

  First, in the print instruction apparatus 2, when there is a print instruction from a system user via a document editor or the like (step S100), the print job generation unit 2d sends print data corresponding to the print instruction information from the data storage unit 2c. Read (step S102), collation information included in the print instruction information (in this case, an identification number unique to the system user (for example, 0AB123)), an IP address of the print job transmission destination (here, the print data) Header information such as the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C) is added to generate a print job (step S104), and the generated print job is transferred to the data control unit 2b and The data is transmitted to the print job management apparatus 4 that is the transmission destination of the print job via the data communication unit 2a (step S106).

  On the other hand, when each of the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C receives a print job transmitted from the print instruction apparatus 2 to the own apparatus via the data communication unit 4a (step S200), data control is performed. The unit 4b stores the received print job in the data storage unit 4c. In the present embodiment, a print job is a data table in which information such as a system user identification number, a print job name (print data file name), a print data body, the number of print processes, and the last print process date and time are associated. Stored in format.

Here, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the print job held by the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C is subjected to print processing once to a plurality of times. Suppose you are in a broken state.
In such a state, the system user, for example, a collation information acquisition unit 4d (here, a card reader) included in the second print job management apparatus 4B corresponding to the second printing apparatus 3B that wants to output the print result. To read the IC card in which its own identification number is written. Thereby, in collation information acquisition part 4d, "0A123" which is the identification number of system user B is acquired as collation information, for example (Step S300 or Step S400).

  When the collation information “0A123” of the system user B is acquired in this way, the second print job management apparatus 4B uses the data control unit 4b to transfer the print job corresponding to the collation information “0A123” to the data A process of searching from the storage unit 4c is executed (step S302 or step S402). Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the second print job management apparatus 4B holds print jobs corresponding to four pieces of print job information as shown in FIG. In other words, in the present embodiment, the print job information is information indicating the print job name (print data file name), the number of print processes, and the last print date and time. Accordingly, two print jobs “FileF.doc” and “FileG.doc” corresponding to “0A123” are searched from the print jobs of these four print job information (step S304 or step S404).

  When the print job corresponding to the collation information is searched in this way, the data control unit 4b acquires the print job information for the two searched print jobs, and uses the acquired print job information as the print job. The information is transmitted to the information display processing unit 4f (step S306 or step S406). As a result, the print job information display processing unit 4f executes a process of determining the display order of the two print job information based on the two print job information acquired from the data control unit 4b (step S308 or step S408). .

  In this display order determination process, first, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of pieces of print job information acquired from the data control unit 4b (step S500). If there are a plurality of pieces, the display order is arranged based on the number of times of each print process. Change. In this case, there are two print job information, “FileF.doc” and “FileG.doc”, and the two print processing times are compared. As shown in FIG. 16B, these two print processing times are “FileF.doc” 12 times and “FileG.doc” 0 times. First, “FileF.doc” is the most frequently printed. Rearrangement is performed so that is at the top (step S502). Next, it is determined whether or not the print job information includes 0 print processing times (step S504). Here, “FileG.doc” is 0, so “FileG.doc” is the top. Rearrangement is performed so as to be (step S506). Further, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of print job information with the same number of print processes (step S508), and since there is no one with the same number of times, the display order is determined. When the display order is determined in this way, the print job information display processing unit 4f displays the print job information on the display unit 4g in the determined display order. As shown in FIG. 17, this display result is displayed such that “FileG.doc” is at the top and “FileF.doc” is below it, and in this embodiment, a maximum of 3 is displayed on one screen. One print job information is displayed (here, only the print job name is displayed). Each button displayed on the screen can be pressed by operating the operation unit 4h. That is, the display page can be switched by pressing the arrow button “←” or “→”, and the network search process for print job information is executed by pressing the “Network search” button. Further, when the user presses the “print” button after selecting the print job information displayed on the screen by operating the operation unit 4h, the print processing of the print job with the selected print job information is executed, while the “delete” button When is pressed, the print job deletion process of the selected print job information is executed.

  In this way, the print job information corresponding to the collation information held by the second print job management device 4B can be displayed. In this display process, an unprinted print job can be displayed based on the number of print processes. Since the corresponding print job information is displayed with priority, the print job information of a print job that has a relatively high possibility of a system user giving a print instruction is displayed with priority. The system user can quickly find out the desired print job information rather than performing the above.

Further, the operation when the “Network search” button is pressed by the operation of the operation unit 4h of the system user B will be described for each of the two types of access methods in the print job holder search unit 4e.
First, the operation when the above access method (1) is used will be described.

If the second print job management apparatus 4B determines that there is a network search instruction in the data control unit 4b by pressing the “Network search” button (“Yes” branch in step S312), the print job holding is performed. In the device search unit 4e, print job information including collation information “0A123” is transmitted to the print instruction device 2, the first print job management device 4A, and the third print job management device 4C connected to the network 5. The acquisition request information is transmitted via the data control unit 4b and the data communication unit 4a (step S314).
On the other hand, when receiving the acquisition request information from the second print job management apparatus 4B, the print instruction apparatus 2 determines that the information is not processing target information and discards the received acquisition request information.

Further, when the first print job management apparatus 4A receives the acquisition request information from the second print job management apparatus 4B (step S600), the data control unit 4b uses the received acquisition request information to check the collation information “0A123”. "Is extracted (step S602), and a process of searching the data storage unit 4c for a print job corresponding to the extracted collation information is executed (step S604). Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first print job management apparatus 4A holds print jobs corresponding to four pieces of print job information as shown in FIG. Accordingly, three print jobs “FileA.doc”, “FileC.doc”, and “FileD.doc” corresponding to “0A123” are searched from the print jobs of these four print job information (step S606). Branch of “Yes”). When the print job corresponding to the collation information “0A123” is searched in this way, the data control unit 4b acquires the print job information for the three searched print jobs, and the acquired print job information Information to which the information about the own apparatus is added is transmitted to the second print job management apparatus 4B, which is the transmission source of the acquisition request information, via the data communication unit 4a.
In the present embodiment, the information of the own apparatus is the IP address of the print job management apparatus 4 and the position information of the print job management apparatus 4.

  When the third print job management apparatus 4C receives the acquisition request information from the second print job management apparatus 4B (step S600), the data control unit 4b performs the same as in the first print job management apparatus 4A. A search process for a print job corresponding to the collation information is executed. Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the third print job management apparatus 4C holds print jobs corresponding to seven pieces of print job information as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the “FileH.doc”, “FileK.doc”, “FileM.doc”, “FileQ.doc”, and “FileR.doc” corresponding to the collation information “0A123” from the print jobs of these seven print job information. Five print jobs are searched (“Yes” branch in step S606). When a print job corresponding to the collation information “0A123” is searched for in this way, the information of the own apparatus is added to the searched five print job information as in the first print job management apparatus 4A. The transmitted information is transmitted to the second print job management apparatus 4B, which is the transmission source of the acquisition request information, via the data communication unit 4a.

  On the other hand, when the second print job management device 4B receives the print job information including the device information from the first print job management device 4A and the third print job management device 4C (step S316), the print job information In the display processing unit 4f, as shown in FIGS. 16A to 16C, in addition to the print job information from the first print job management device 4A and the third print job management device 4C, the search processing unit 4f Based on all the print job information including the print job information, a process for determining the display order of all the print job information is executed (step S318).

  In the display order determination process in this case, the display order is first rearranged based on the number of times of each printing process, as described above. When the number of printing processes is compared and rearranged in order from the largest number of printing processes, as shown in FIG. 16A, the number of printing processes is increased with “FileQ.doc” as the head. The print job information (in this case, the print job name) is rearranged in the descending order (step S502). Next, it is determined whether or not the print job information includes zero print processing (step S504). Here, “FileB.doc”, “FileG.doc”, “FileH.doc”, and “FileH.doc” are determined. Since “FileM.doc” is zero, the four print job information are rearranged so as to be arranged from the top (step S506). Further, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of print job information having the same number of print processes (step S508). Here, there are a plurality of print job counts of 0 and 2 respectively, and FIG. Based on the IP address of each print job management apparatus 4 and the physical arrangement information that is the position information shown in (a) to (c), the distance from the print job holder that performs the display processing of the print job information is short. The print job holding device (in this embodiment, the print job management apparatus 4) is rearranged so that the print job information of the held print job is displayed with priority. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19A, two-dimensional coordinates (x, y) = (0, 0) to (100, 100) are set in the real space in which the printing apparatus management apparatus 4 is arranged. The arrangement and the arrangement positions of the first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C are each represented by two-dimensional coordinates. That is, as shown in FIG. 19A, the first print job management apparatus 4A corresponds to the IP address “123.456.789.001” and the coordinates (90, 50), and performs the second print job management. The device 4B corresponds to the IP address “123.456.789.002” and coordinates (10, 40), and the third print job management device 4C corresponds to the IP address “123.456.789.003” and coordinates (10,40). 90, 50).

Then, according to the following equation (1), the distance d between the second print job management apparatus 4B and each holding device is calculated, and the print job information is rearranged based on the calculation result.

d = {(x ₂ −x ₁ ) ² + (y ₂ −y ₁ ) ² } ^1/2 (1)

If the distance between the second print job management device 4B and the first print job management device 4A and the third print job management device 4C is calculated by substituting the coordinate information into the above equation (1), the second print job management device 4B is calculated. The distance between the print job management device 4B and the first print job management device 4A is “94”, and the distance between the second print job management device 4B and the second print job management device 4B is “0” (holding device). Therefore, the distance between the second print job management device 4B and the third print job management device 4C is calculated as “50”.
Accordingly, the device 4B is closest to the second print job management device 4B, then the third print job management device 4C, and the farthest is the first print job management device 4A.

  When the distances are calculated in this way, the print job information display processing unit 4f is preferentially displayed in order from the shortest distance in the same number of printing processes as shown in FIG. 19B. In this way, the print job information is rearranged. For example, paying attention to the print job information with the print processing count of 0, “FileG.doc”, which is the second sort result in FIG. 18B, represents this print job as the second print job with the shortest distance. Since the management apparatus 4B holds it, it is rearranged to the top so that the display order becomes the highest. Similarly, “FileB.doc” held by the first print job management apparatus 4A with the longest distance is rearranged to the lowest rank among the print job information with the print processing count of 0. When the rearrangement based on the physical arrangement position is completed, the display order is determined.

  When the display order is determined in this way, the print job information display processing unit 4f displays the print job information on the display unit 4g in the determined display order. As shown in FIG. 20, the display result is such that “FileG.doc” is displayed first, “FileH.doc” is displayed below, and then “FileM.doc” is displayed. Each time the “→” button displayed on the screen is pressed, the print job information is displayed in order of three in the determined display order.

  In this way, the print job information corresponding to the collation information held by the apparatuses (first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C) having the function of holding all print jobs connected to the network 5 is displayed. In this display process, a print job corresponding to an unprinted print job based on the number of print processes and the distance between the apparatus that performs the print job display process and the apparatus that has the print job holding function. Since the information is displayed with the highest priority, and the same number of times of printing processing, the information with the shortest distance is displayed with priority, so the system user may instruct printing. Since the print job information of a relatively high print job is displayed with priority, the system user can quickly find the desired print job information.

Next, the operation when the above access method (2) is used will be described.
When the second print job management apparatus 4B determines that a network search instruction has been issued in the data control unit 4b when the “Network search” button is pressed (“Yes” branch in step S412), the print job is held. In the device search unit 4e, the search request information of the print job holding device is transmitted to the print instruction device 2, the first print job management device 4A, and the third print job management device 4C connected to the network 5. (Step S414).

On the other hand, when the print instruction apparatus 2 receives the search request information from the second print job management apparatus 4B, the print instruction apparatus 2 does not return a response in this embodiment because the apparatus itself is not a print job holder, and the reception is not performed. Discard the requested search request information.
Further, when the first print job management apparatus 4A receives the search request information from the second print job management apparatus 4B (step S700), the self print apparatus corresponds to the print job holder, and therefore the data control unit 4b Then, response information indicating the print job holding device is transmitted to the second print job management apparatus 4B via the data communication unit 4a (step S702). In this embodiment, the response information indicating the print job holding device is information including the IP address of the own apparatus.

When the third print job management apparatus 4C receives the search request information from the second print job management apparatus 4B (step S700), the data control unit 4b performs the same as in the first print job management apparatus 4A. Then, response information indicating the print job holding device is transmitted to the second print job management apparatus 4B via the data communication unit 4a (step S702).
On the other hand, when the second print job management apparatus 4B receives the response information including the IP addresses from the first print job management apparatus 4A and the third print job management apparatus 4C (step S416), the second print job management apparatus 4B corresponds to the response information. For the first print job management device 4A and the third print job management device 4C, print job information acquisition request information including collation information “0A123” is sent via the data control unit 4b and the data communication unit 4a. Transmit (step S418).

Here, the subsequent processing is the same as the operation when the above access method (1) is used, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.
Further, as shown in FIG. 21, “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” are selected from the print job information displayed on the screen of the display unit 4g by the operation of the operation unit 4h of the system user B. The operation when the “print” button or the “delete” button is pressed will be described.

First, the operation when the “print” button is pressed will be described.
Based on the operation information from the operation unit 4h, the data control unit 4b of the second print management apparatus 4B determines that “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” have been selected (“Yes” in step S800). Further, if it is determined that there is a “print instruction” for the selected print job information on the basis of operation information obtained by pressing the “print” button (“Yes” branch in step S802), it is selected. Since none of the print jobs with the print job information is held in the second printing apparatus 4B (“No” branch in step S804), “FileH.doc” or “FileM.doc” is held. These print job acquisition requests are transmitted to the print job management apparatus 4 (step S812). Here, as shown in FIG. 16C, since “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” are both held by the third print job management apparatus 4C, the second print management apparatus The data control unit 4b of 4B transmits the acquisition request information of “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” to the third print job management apparatus 4C via the data communication unit 4a.

  On the other hand, when the third print job management apparatus 4C receives the acquisition request information of “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” from the second print job management apparatus 4B (branch “Yes” in step S900). The data control unit 4b reads out the corresponding print jobs “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” from the data storage unit 4c (step S902), and acquires the read print jobs via the data communication unit 4a. The request is transmitted to the second print job management apparatus 4B that is the request source (step S904).

  When the second print job management device 4B receives the print jobs “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” from the third print job management device 4C (“Yes” branch in step S814), the print job is printed. The processing control unit 4i transmits print processing execution request information including the received print job to the second printing apparatus 3B corresponding to the second print job management apparatus 4B (step S816).

  On the other hand, when the second printing apparatus 3B receives print processing execution request information including the print jobs “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” from the second print job management apparatus 4B (step S1000), the printing process is performed. In the section 3c, print processing of the print jobs “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” is executed (step S1002). When the printing process is successfully completed, the printing success information indicating the printing success is transmitted to the second print job management apparatus 4B via the data communication unit 3a. On the other hand, if the printing process fails, the printing indicating the printing failure is performed. The failure information is transmitted to the second print job management apparatus 4B via the data communication unit 3a.

  That is, since the system user can issue a print instruction to any print job information displayed on the screen, the system user goes to each device for the print job held by each print job management device 4. In the print job management apparatus 4 displaying the print job information, it is possible to simply issue a print instruction and obtain a print result in the print apparatus 3 corresponding to the print job management apparatus 4.

  Furthermore, when the second print job management device 4B receives the print success information from the second print device 3B, the second print job management device 4B increases the number of print processing times of the print jobs “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” by one, Update print job information. Furthermore, the print success information is also transmitted to the third print job management apparatus 4C that holds the print jobs “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc”, and the third print job management apparatus 4C also updates the number of print processes. I do.

Next, an operation when the “delete” button is pressed will be described.
Based on the operation information from the operation unit 4h, the data control unit 4b of the second print management apparatus 4B determines that “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” have been selected (“Yes” in step S800). Further, if it is determined that there is a “deletion instruction” for the selected print job information based on the operation information obtained by pressing the “delete” button (“Yes” branch in step S818), it is selected. Since none of the print jobs with the print job information is held in the second printing apparatus 4B (“No” branch in step S820), “FileH.doc” or “FileM.doc” is held. The print job deletion request information is transmitted to the third print job management apparatus 4C (step S826).

  On the other hand, when the third print job management apparatus 4C receives the deletion request information of “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” from the second print job management apparatus 4B (“Yes” branch of step S906). In the data control unit 4b, the corresponding print jobs “FileH.doc” and “FileM.doc” are deleted from the data storage unit 4c (step S908).

  In other words, since the system user can issue an instruction to delete any print job information displayed on the screen, the system user goes to each device for the print job held by each print job management device 4. In addition, since the print job management apparatus 4 displaying the print job information can issue a print job deletion instruction, the print job of each print job management apparatus 4 can be easily deleted.

  In the above embodiment, the collation information acquisition unit 4d corresponds to the collation information acquisition unit of any one of modes 1, 4, 11, 40, and 41, and stores a print job by the data control unit 4b and the data storage unit 4c. The processing corresponds to the print job holding means of any one of forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 18, 19, 28, 41 and 48, and printing by the data control unit 4b and the print job holding device search unit 4e. The job information acquisition process corresponds to the print job information acquisition unit of any one of forms 1, 4, 11, 40, and 41, and print processing count information (printing) by the data control unit 4b and the print job holding device search unit 4e. The acquisition process (included in the job information) corresponds to the print processing frequency information acquisition unit of the form 46 or 47, and the position information (by the data control unit 4b and the print job holding device search unit 4e) ( The acquisition process (included in the print job information) corresponds to the positional relationship information acquisition means in the form 48, and the print job information display process by the print job information display processing unit 4f and the display unit 4g is in the forms 1, 4, 11 , 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48, corresponding to any one of the print job information display means, the operation unit 4h, the data control unit 4b The processing for selecting the print job information displayed on the screen by the print processing control unit 4i and causing the printing apparatus to execute the print processing corresponds to the print job information selection unit and the print processing execution unit of the form 13 or 43, and the operation unit 4h, the process of selecting and deleting the print job information displayed on the screen by the data control unit 4b and the print processing control unit 4i is the same as the print job information selection means and the print job of the form 14 or 44. Corresponding to blanking deleting means, the data control section 4b, the process of searching the print jobs corresponding to the verification information from the print job stored in the data storage unit 4c, corresponding to the print job retrieval section in form 41.

In the above embodiment, steps S200 and S202 correspond to the print job holding step of any one of forms 2, 3, 19, 26, 28, 35, 50, 57, 60 and 67, and steps S300 and S400 are This corresponds to the collation information acquisition step of any one of forms 2, 3, 19, 28, 49, 50, 59 and 60.
In the above embodiment, steps S302 to S306, steps S314 to S316, steps S402 to S406, steps S414 to 420, and steps S606 to S608 are the print job information of any one of forms 2, 3, 19 and 28. Corresponding to the acquisition step, the print processing frequency information acquisition step of any one of forms 24, 25, 33 and 34, and the positional relationship information acquisition step of form 26 or 35, steps S600 to S604 and steps S704 to S708 are This corresponds to 50 or 60 print job search steps.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, step S302-S306 and step S314-S316 and positional relationship information acquisition step S402-S406 and step S414-420 are the forms 20, 29, 49, 50, 51, 59, 60, and 61. Corresponds to the print job information acquisition step of any one of forms 55, 56, 65 and 66, and the positional relationship information acquisition step of form 57 or 67.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, step S308-S310 and step S318-S326 and step S408-S410 and step S422-step S430 are the forms 2, 3, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28. , 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67 Corresponds to the job information display step.
In the above embodiment, steps S712 and S714 correspond to the print job information transmission step of form 50 or 60.

  In the above embodiment, step S800 corresponds to the print job information selection step of any one of forms 21, 22, 30, 31, 52, 53, 62, and 63, and steps S802 to S816 and steps S900 to S900. S904 corresponds to the print processing execution step of any one of forms 21, 30, 52, and 62, and steps S818 to S826 and steps S906 to S908 are print jobs of any one of forms 22, 31, 53, and 63. Corresponds to the delete step.

  In the above embodiment, the print job management apparatus 4 includes a print job holding function, a print job information display function (including all functions necessary for display, such as a search processing function), and a print job information A selection and processing instruction function (selection of print job information and a print instruction and deletion instruction for the selected print job information) is provided, and the print job management apparatus 4 and the printing apparatus 3 are configured to correspond one-to-one. However, the present invention is not limited to this. 1. Configuration in which the printing apparatus 3 has the same function as the print job management apparatus 4 and the printing apparatus 3 and the print job management apparatus 4 are integrated. A device that is separate from or the same as the printing device 3 and that has a print job holding function in the print job management device 4 (in the case of a separate device from the printing device 3, the printing device 3 has a one-to-one or a pair N (N is a printing device) 3) and a print job information display function and print job information selection and processing instruction function in the print job management apparatus 4 that are smaller or equal in number to this apparatus. 2. a configuration including a device; The print instruction apparatus 2 is configured to have a print job holding function in the print job management apparatus 4, and the print instruction apparatus 2 and the print apparatus 3 are set to one-to-one or a pair N (N is the number of the print apparatuses 3). 3. a structure corresponding to (smaller integer), 1 above. ~ 3. Other configurations such as a system configuration in which apparatuses having the above configuration are mixed may be used.

  Above 1. ~ 3. In the above configuration, what is separate from the confidential printing system 1 is integrated, and only the data transmission / reception processing performed with the external device in the above embodiment is performed internally. The operation is the same as in the above embodiment. On the other hand, in the above-described confidential printing system 1, what is integrated into a separate body is basically a data transmission / reception process that has been performed in an internal process, but only in an external device. The operation is the same as in the above embodiment.

  Here, the above 1. In this configuration, the collation information acquisition unit 4d corresponds to the collation information acquisition unit of any one of modes 1, 4 and 69, and the print job storage processing by the data control unit 4b and the data storage unit 4c is the mode 1, The print job information acquisition processing by the data control unit 4b and the print job holding device search unit 4e corresponds to any one of the print job holding units 4, 68, 69, and 76. Corresponding to any one of the print job information acquisition means, the print processing frequency information (included in the print job information) acquisition processing by the data control unit 4b and the print job holding device search unit 4e is print processing of form 74 or 75. Corresponding to the number information acquisition means, the acquisition processing of the position information (included in the print job information) by the data control unit 4b and the print job holding device search unit 4e is in the form 76. The print job information display processing by the print job information display processing unit 4f and the display unit 4g corresponding to the relationship information acquisition unit is any one of forms 1, 4, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76. The processing for selecting the print job information displayed on the screen by the operation unit 4h, the data control unit 4b, and the print processing control unit 4i and causing the printing apparatus to execute the print processing corresponds to the print job information display unit of The processing for selecting and deleting the print job information displayed on the screen by the operation unit 4h, the data control unit 4b, and the print processing control unit 4i, corresponding to the print job information selection unit 71 and the print processing execution unit 71, The data control unit 4b corresponds to the print job information selection unit 72 and the print job deletion unit 72, and the collation information is changed from the print job stored in the data storage unit 4c. Process for searching a print job response corresponds to the print job retrieval section in form 68 or 69.

The above 1. In steps S200 and S202, the print job holding step of any one of forms 67, 77, 78, 85, 87, 88, and 95 corresponds to the print job holding step of steps 67, 77, 78, 85, 87, and 95. Corresponds to the acquisition step.
The above 1. In steps S302 to S306, steps S314 to S316, steps S402 to S406, steps S414 to 420, and steps S606 to S608, the print job information acquisition step of any one of forms 78, 79, 88, and 89, Corresponding to the printing process number information acquisition step of any one of Forms 83, 84, 93, and 94, and the positional relationship information acquisition step of Form 85 or 95, Steps S600 to S604 and Steps S704 to S708 correspond to Forms 77 and 78. , 87 and 88, corresponding to the print job search step.

The above 1. In the configuration, Steps S302 to S306, Steps S314 to S316, Steps S402 to S406, and Steps S414 to 420 correspond to the print job information acquisition step of any one of forms 78, 79, 88, and 89.
The above 1. In the configuration of Steps S308 to S310 and Steps S318 to S326, Steps S408 to S410 and Steps S422 to S430, the forms 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93 , 94 and 95, this corresponds to the print job information display step.

The above 1. In the configuration, steps S712 and S714 correspond to the print job information transmission step of any one of forms 77, 78, 87, and 88.
The above 1. In step S800, step S800 corresponds to the print job information selection step of any one of forms 80, 81, 90, and 91, and steps S802 to S816 and steps S900 to S904 are steps for executing print processing of form 80 or 90. Steps S818 to S826 and Steps S906 to S908 correspond to the print job deletion step of Form 81 or 91.

  In addition, the above 2. In the configuration, the print job storage processing by the data control unit 4b and the data storage unit 4c corresponds to any one of the print job holding means of modes 1, 4, 5, 6, and 68. In the data control unit 4b, The process of searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs stored in the data storage unit 4c corresponds to any one of the print job search means of modes 5, 6, 8, 9 or 68.

In addition, the above 2. In this configuration, steps S200 and S202 correspond to the print job holding step of form 77 or 87.
In addition, the above 2. In the configuration, Steps S600 to S604 and Steps S704 to S708 correspond to the print job search step of Form 77 or 87.
In addition, the above 2. In the configuration, Steps S712 and S714 correspond to the print job information transmission step of Form 77 or 87.

  In addition, the above 3. In the configuration, the collation information acquisition unit 4d corresponds to the collation information acquisition unit of the form 7 or 8, and the print job storage process by the data control unit 4b and the data storage unit 4c is any of the forms 1, 4 and 7. The print job information acquisition process by the data control unit 4b and the print job holding device search unit 4e corresponds to the print job information acquisition unit of the form 7 or 8, and corresponds to the print job information display unit. The display process of the print job information by the unit 4f and the display unit 4g corresponds to any one of the print job information display means in the forms 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, the operation unit 4h, the data control unit 4b and the print processing control unit 4i select the print job information displayed on the screen and cause the printing apparatus to execute the print process. The processing for selecting and deleting the print job information displayed on the screen by the operation unit 4h, the data control unit 4b, and the print processing control unit 4i corresponding to the processing execution unit is the print job information selection unit and the print job deletion of form 14. The processing for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs stored in the data storage unit 4c in the data control unit 4b corresponds to the print job search unit of any one of forms 7, 8 and 9 Corresponding to

  In the above embodiment, the display order of the print job information is determined based on the number of print job information print processes and the physical distance between the print job information display apparatus and the print job holding device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the print job information is preferentially displayed based on the last print date information so that the print job information is displayed in order from the latest print date. The display order may be determined by rearranging, and depending on whether the print job is color data or monochrome data, print job information corresponding to color or monochrome data is displayed with priority on either color or monochrome. The display order may be determined by rearranging so that, for example, the data size is based on the data size of the print job. The display order may be determined by rearranging so that large print job information is displayed with priority, or rearranging so that print job information with a small data size is displayed with priority. Based on the job page number information, for example, the print job information is rearranged so that it is displayed with priority from the one with the larger number of pages, or the print job information is displayed with priority from the one with the smaller number of pages. It is good also as a structure which determines a display order by rearranging, and it is good also as a structure different from these. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which mixed these each structure.

  Further, in the above embodiment, based on the number of print processing times of the print job information, first, the print job information is rearranged in descending order of the number of print processing times, and then the print job information that has never been printed. The order is changed so that they are arranged in order from the top, and the same number of times of printing is performed based on the physical distance (calculated from the position information) between the device that performs the print job information display processing and the print job holding device. The job information is rearranged from the shortest to the top to determine the display order of the print job information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of print job information print processes Based on this, first, the print job information is rearranged in order from the largest number of print processes, and then the print job information that has never been printed is displayed from the top. Including determining the display order of the print job information interchanged order so as to be aligned in, it may be configured for determining the display order of the print job information any combination of the three rearrangement process.

  Also, in the above embodiment, print jobs that have never been printed are displayed in order from the top of the list in order, and then are displayed in order from the highest number of print processes. In the above example, it is easy to find a print job that is likely to be printed from the display list. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the print process is likely to be executed using another display method. You may make it easy to find a print job from a display list.

  Hereinafter, another example of the display method will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIGS. 23A to 23C and FIGS. 24A to 24C are diagrams illustrating examples of highlighting print job information with high printability. FIG. 25A is a diagram illustrating an example in which a search button for retrieving print job information with high printability is provided. FIG. 25B is an example in which print job information with high print possibility is separately displayed. FIG.

  First, an example in which print job information with high printability is highlighted will be described. As shown in FIG. 23A, the color, shape, size, and the like of the character font displayed in the list, such as the file name indicating the print job information with high printability, are displayed. ) Is conspicuous, or the background color of print job information with high printability is changed to a conspicuous print job information displayed in the list, as shown in FIG. As shown in c), the print processing is executed by highlighting the print job information displayed in the list by, for example, blinking at least one of print job information with high printability and its background. It is possible to make it easy to find a print job having a high possibility from the display list.

  Next, another example in which print job information with high printability is highlighted will be described. As shown in FIG. 24A, the print job information with high printability is displayed in an animated manner, such as by scrolling display of print job information with high printability, or the print with high printability as shown in FIG. The print job information is displayed in a decorative manner, for example, by adding a frame to the job information, or an icon such as an asterisk is added to the print job information with high printability as shown in FIG. For example, by highlighting print job information with high printability, a print job with high possibility of print processing may be easily found from the display list.

  Furthermore, as another example of the display method, as shown in FIG. 25A, a search button is provided in the same display screen as the display list, and the search button is pressed through an input device such as a mouse. For example, when the screen transitions to a page with print job information with high printability, the print job information with high printability is highlighted or the search button is pressed again, and the next print possibility Each time the search button is pressed, the print job information is switched and emphasized in order from the one with the highest printability, such as sequentially transitioning to a page with high print job information and highlighting the corresponding print job information. By displaying, it may be easy to find a print job that is highly likely to be printed from the display list.

  As an example of another display method, as shown in FIG. 25 (b), as the display list, a list that is not particularly rearranged is displayed, and is separated from the display list in the same display screen as the display list. Print processing is executed by displaying print job information with a high printability within that frame, such as displaying print job information with a high printability in order from the highest display order. It is possible to make it easy to find a print job that is likely to be displayed from the display list.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the print job information acquisition request information including the verification information is transmitted, the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit 4d is not subjected to special processing and is directly sent to the external apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which the verification information obtained is subjected to processing that takes security into consideration, such as encryption of the verification information. Thus, when the acquisition request information of the print job information including the verification information is broadcast to a plurality of devices connected to the network 5, even if the acquisition request information is intercepted in the middle of transmission, the encrypted verification information Therefore, it becomes difficult to identify the system user, and security is improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the confidential printing system which concerns on this invention. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed functional configuration of a print instruction apparatus 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed functional configuration of the printing apparatus 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed functional configuration of a print job management apparatus 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a print job transmission process in the print instruction apparatus 2. 4 is a flowchart illustrating print job storage processing in the print job management apparatus 4; 4 is a flowchart showing a first print job information display process in the print job management apparatus 4. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second print job information display process in the print job management apparatus 4; 6 is a flowchart illustrating display order determination processing in a print job information display processing unit 4f of the print job management apparatus 4. 6 is a flowchart illustrating first print job search response processing in the print job management apparatus 4; 6 is a flowchart showing a second print job search response process in the print job management apparatus 4. 6 is a flowchart showing a print / delete process of a designated print job in the print job management apparatus 4; 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for transmitting / deleting a designated print job in the print job management apparatus 4; 4 is a flowchart showing a printing process in the printing apparatus 3. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the print job information of the print job which the 1st-3rd print job management apparatuses 4A-4C hold | maintain, respectively. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the print job information of the specific system user which each of the 1st-3rd print job management apparatuses 4A-4C hold | maintain. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of print job information of a specific system user held by the print job management apparatus 4B. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the display order rearranged giving priority to the thing with many printing processing frequency, (b) is a figure which has the printing processing frequency of 0 in addition to (a). It is a figure which shows an example of the display order rearranged in priority. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship in the real space of the 1st-3rd print job management apparatus 4A-4C, (b) is the display rearranged based on the positional relationship of (a). It is a figure which shows an example of an order | rank. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of print job information of a specific system user held by first to third print job management apparatuses 4A to 4C. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection state of print job information. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display order in which priority is rearranged in order from the latest last print processing date and time. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the example which highlights the print job information with high possibility of printing. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the example which highlights the print job information with high possibility of printing. (A) is a figure which shows an example which provided the search button which searches print job information with high print possibility, (b) is a figure which shows an example which displays separately print job information with high print possibility. is there.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Confidential printing system, 2 ... Print instruction | indication apparatus, 2a ... Data communication part, 2b ... Data control part, 2c ... Data storage part, 2d ... Print job generation part, 3 ... Printing apparatus, 3a ... Data communication part, 3b ... Data control unit, 3c ... print processing unit, 4 ... print job management device, 4a ... data communication unit, 4b ... data control unit, 4c ... data storage unit, 4d ... collation information acquisition unit, 4e ... print job holding device search unit 4f ... print job information display processing unit, 4g ... display unit, 4h ... operation unit, 4i ... print processing control unit

Claims (38)

A print job information display system that holds print jobs for a plurality of printing apparatuses and displays print job information related to a print job corresponding to a predetermined system user among the held print jobs.
Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating the system user;
A plurality of print job holding means corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and holding a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among print job information of print jobs held by the respective print job holding means;
And a print job information display unit for displaying the acquired print job information. A plurality of printing apparatuses that execute print processing based on a print job are connected via a network, hold print jobs for the plurality of printing apparatuses, and print corresponding to a predetermined system user among the held print jobs A printing system capable of displaying print job information related to a job,
Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating the system user;
A plurality of print job holding means corresponding to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and holding a print job for each printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information corresponding to the acquired collation information among print job information of print jobs held by the respective print job holding means;
And a print job information display means for displaying the acquired print job information. A plurality of print job holding devices respectively corresponding to the plurality of printing devices and a print job management device are connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other;
Each of the print job holding devices is
The print job holding means;
Print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the collation information from the print job management device;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the print job management apparatus, print job information for a print job devised by the search process in response to acquisition request information from the print job management apparatus;
The print job management apparatus
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job information acquisition means;
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to each of the print job holding devices. The printing system according to claim 2. The plurality of printing devices and the print job management device are connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other,
Each of the printing devices is
The print job holding means;
Print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the collation information from the print job management device;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the print job management apparatus, print job information for a print job devised by the search process in response to acquisition request information from the print job management apparatus;
The print job management apparatus
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job information acquisition means;
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and the acquisition request information of the print job information corresponding to the verification information to each printing apparatus. The printing system according to claim 2. In response to an instruction from a system user, a plurality of print instruction devices that issue print instructions for the print jobs to the printing devices and a print job management device are connected to each other via a network so that data communication can be performed And
Each of the printing instruction devices
The print job holding means;
Print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the collation information from the print job management device;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the print job management apparatus, print job information for a print job devised by the search process in response to acquisition request information from the print job management apparatus;
The print job management apparatus
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job information acquisition means;
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to each of the print instruction devices. The printing system according to claim 2. The print job acquisition unit is configured to transmit the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit to each device connected to the network, and based on response information with respect to the transmitted verification information Send request information,
The apparatus including the print job search means includes search result information transmission means for transmitting search result information of the print job search means to the print job management apparatus based on the collation information. The printing system according to claim 5. The print job management apparatus
Search information transmitting means for transmitting search information for searching for an apparatus provided with the print job search means to each device connected to the network,
The print job acquisition unit performs a process of transmitting the collation information based on response information from each device with respect to the search information,
6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus including the print job search unit includes a response information transmission unit that transmits response information with respect to the search information to the print job management apparatus. Printing system. Each of the printing devices is
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job holding means;
A print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the matching information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the matching information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information for the collation information acquired in the self-printing apparatus from another printing apparatus;
In response to acquisition request information from another printing apparatus, print job information transmission for transmitting print job information for the print job devised by the search process for the collation information acquired from the other printing apparatus to the other printing apparatus Means,
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other printing apparatus,
3. The print according to claim 2, wherein the print job information display means displays print job information for a print job devised by the search process and print job information acquired from the other printing apparatus. system. The plurality of printing devices and a print job management device respectively corresponding to the plurality of printing devices are connected to each other via a network so that data communication is possible,
Each of the print job management devices
The collation information acquisition means;
The print job holding means;
A print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the matching information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the matching information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information for the collation information acquired in the own print job management apparatus from another print job management apparatus;
In response to the acquisition request information from the other print job management apparatus, print job information for the print job devised by the search processing for the collation information acquired from the other print job management apparatus is sent to the other print job management apparatus. A print job information transmitting means for transmitting;
The print job information display means,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other print job management device,
3. The print job information display unit displays print job information for a print job devised by the search process and print job information acquired from the other print job management apparatus. Printing system.   10. The print job information acquisition unit transmits the collation information after encrypting the collation information when transmitting the collation information to another apparatus. Printing system. Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
3. A print processing execution unit that causes a predetermined printing apparatus to execute print processing of a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit. Item 11. The printing system according to any one of items 10. Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
12. A print job deletion unit that deletes a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit from a device that holds the print job. The printing system according to any one of the above.   When displaying the print job information, the print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that is likely to be subjected to print processing among print job information to be displayed. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the printing system is a printing system. A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display unit is configured to display the print job information of a print job with a high print processing frequency among the display target print job information in priority order based on the acquired print processing frequency information. Item 14. The printing system according to Item 13. A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display unit preferentially displays print job information of a print job that has not been printed out of print job information to be displayed, based on the acquired print processing count information. Item 15. The printing system according to item 13 or claim 14. A positional relationship information acquisition unit for acquiring positional relationship information between the apparatus having the print job display unit and the apparatus having the print job holding unit;
Based on the acquired positional relationship information, the print job information display means has a physical distance between an apparatus having the print job display means and an apparatus having the print job information holding means among the print job information to be displayed. 16. The printing system according to claim 13, wherein the printing system displays the print job information of the print job held by the apparatus having the print job holding unit with priority. Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding means for holding a print job for a printing apparatus corresponding to the own print job management apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the matching information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the matching information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information for verification information of a system user authenticated by the own print job management apparatus from another apparatus;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the other apparatus, print job information for the print job devised by the search process for the collation information acquired from the other apparatus in response to the acquisition request information from the other apparatus;
Print job information display means for displaying the acquired print job information,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other device,
The print job management apparatus, wherein the print job information display means displays print job information for a print job created by the search process and print job information acquired from the other apparatus.   18. The print job management apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when the collation information is transmitted to another apparatus, the print job information acquisition unit encrypts the collation information and then transmits the collation information. Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
18. A print processing execution unit that causes a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print process of a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit. Item 19. A print job management apparatus according to Item 18. Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
20. A print job deletion unit that deletes a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit from a device that holds the print job. The print job management apparatus according to any one of the above.   When displaying the print job information, the print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that is likely to be subjected to print processing among print job information to be displayed. The print job management apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the print job management apparatus is a print job management apparatus. A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display unit is configured to display the print job information of a print job with a high print processing frequency among the display target print job information in priority order based on the acquired print processing frequency information. Item 22. The print job management apparatus according to Item 21. A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
23. The print job according to claim 21, wherein the print job information display unit preferentially displays print job information of a print job that has not been subjected to print processing among print job information to be displayed. Management device. A positional relationship information acquisition unit for acquiring positional relationship information between the apparatus having the print job display unit and the apparatus having the print job holding unit;
Based on the acquired positional relationship information, the print job information display means has a physical distance between an apparatus having the print job display means and an apparatus having the print job information holding means among the print job information to be displayed. The print job management apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein print job information of a print job held by an apparatus having the print job holding unit is preferentially displayed as being closer. . A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding step for holding a print job in association with the collation information;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the acquired collation information;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information for the verification information of the system user authenticated in the authentication step;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search process for the collation information to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information;
A program used to cause a computer to execute a process including a print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information are transmitted to the transmission target device,
In the print job information display step, print job information for a print job created by the search process and print job information acquired from the transmission target device are displayed. program. A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding step for holding a print job in association with the collation information;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the collation information from the print job management device;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information for the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search process for the collation information to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information;
A print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information are transmitted to the transmission target device,
In the print job information display step, print job information for a print job created by the search process and print job information acquired from the transmission target device are displayed. Method. Collation information acquisition means for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
Print job holding means for holding a print job for the self-printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job search means for searching for a print job corresponding to the matching information from among the print jobs held by the print job holding means based on the matching information;
Print job information acquisition means for acquiring print job information for the collation information acquired in the self-printing apparatus from another apparatus;
Print job information transmitting means for transmitting, to the other apparatus, print job information for the print job devised by the search process for the collation information acquired from the other apparatus in response to the acquisition request information from the other apparatus;
Print job information display means for displaying the acquired print job information,
The print job information acquisition unit transmits the verification information acquired by the verification information acquisition unit and print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information to the other device,
The printing apparatus, wherein the print job information display means displays print job information for a print job created by the search process and print job information acquired from the other apparatus.   28. The printing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the print job information acquisition unit encrypts the collation information and transmits the collation information when transmitting the collation information to another apparatus. Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
28. A print processing execution unit that causes a predetermined printing apparatus to execute a print process of a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit. Item 29. The printing apparatus according to Item 28. Print job information selection means for selecting print job information corresponding to the instruction from print job information displayed by the print job information display means in response to an instruction from the system user;
30. A print job deletion unit that deletes a print job corresponding to the print job information selected by the print job information selection unit from a device that holds the print job. The printing apparatus according to any one of the above.   When displaying the print job information, the print job information display means preferentially displays print job information of a print job that is likely to be subjected to print processing among print job information to be displayed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that: A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
The print job information display unit is configured to display the print job information of a print job with a high print processing frequency among the display target print job information in priority order based on the acquired print processing frequency information. Item 32. The printing apparatus according to Item 31. A printing process number information obtaining unit for obtaining information on the number of printing processes of the print job;
33. The printing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the print job information display unit preferentially displays print job information of a print job that has not been printed out of print job information to be displayed. . A positional relationship information acquisition unit for acquiring positional relationship information between the apparatus having the print job display unit and the apparatus having the print job holding unit;
Based on the acquired positional relationship information, the print job information display means has a physical distance between an apparatus having the print job display means and an apparatus having the print job information holding means among the print job information to be displayed. 34. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the print job information of the print job held by the apparatus having the print job holding unit is preferentially displayed as being closer. A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding step for holding a print job for the printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the collation information;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information for the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search processing for the collation information to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information;
A program used to cause a computer to execute a process including a print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information are transmitted to the transmission target device,
In the print job information display step, print job control information for a print job prepared by the search process and print job information acquired from the other device are displayed.   In the print job information display step, when displaying the print job information, the print job information of a print job that is likely to be printed out of the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority. 36. The printing apparatus control program according to claim 35. A collation information acquisition step for acquiring collation information for collating system users;
A print job holding step for holding a print job for the printing apparatus in association with the collation information;
A print job search step for searching for a print job corresponding to the collation information from the print jobs held by the print job holding step based on the collation information;
A print job information acquisition step for acquiring print job information for the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step;
A print job information transmission step of transmitting print job information for a print job devised by the search processing for the collation information to an apparatus that is a transmission source of the acquisition request information according to the acquisition request information;
A print job information display step for displaying the acquired print job information,
In the print job information acquisition step, the verification information acquired in the verification information acquisition step and the print job information acquisition request information corresponding to the verification information are transmitted to the transmission target device,
In the print job information display step, print job information for a print job prepared by the search process and print job information acquired from the other device are displayed.   In the print job information display step, when displaying the print job information, the print job information of a print job that is likely to be printed out of the print job information to be displayed is displayed with priority. 38. The printing apparatus control method according to claim 37.

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