JP2007018056A - Print system, its control method, and its recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system for transferring quarter(usable printer usage) to the others with general management authority in an office environment where the department management of print is operated, and the print upper limit value of each person is set. <P>SOLUTION: This print system includes a user managing means for registering the information of a user who uses a printer and the quarter of each user, and for managing the user and the usage of the printer of the user and an information receiving means for receiving the information of a first user, the information of a second user and the quarter form the outside. This print system also includes a user authenticating means for authenticating the user by using the information of the first user received by using the means and user information registered in the printer and a quarter moving means for, when the first user is authenticated as a legal user by using the means, moving the designated quarter from the quarter of the first user to the quarter of the second user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a printing apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a FAX, and a multifunction peripheral (multifunction peripheral apparatus) used in an office, a printing apparatus connected to a network, a printing system including a terminal, a control method thereof, and The present invention relates to the recording medium.

  Printers used in conventional office environments include printers, copiers, fax machines, and multifunction machines. Printers and copiers compatible with a network are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) and can print from a terminal on the network.

  Generally, copying machines are counted by the number of printed sheets, and it is necessary to pay a counter fee to a company that manages the copying machines, which is expensive. Expenses are also incurred for paper and toner used in copiers. These expenses are generally managed for each department, and the copying machine is generally managed for each department.

  Further, the above copying machine is managed using a user ID and password, and can be used only when the user ID and password are input at the time of use. This mechanism prevents employees in other departments who do not know the user ID / password from using this copier.

Further, the copying machine has a function of setting a printing device usage amount (hereinafter referred to as a quota) that can be used by each user. The quota occurs every time the user uses the copying machine, and when the allocated quota is consumed, the user can no longer use the copying machine. In the office environment, in order to manage expenses for each department, it is possible to assign a printer quota to each employee in the department and restrict the employee from using the printer and copier beyond the assigned quota. . The quota may be reassigned every month. In general, quotas are allowed to be operated only by an administrator of the copier in order to prevent a general user from illegally operating quotas of other users.
JP 2002-169779 A

  However, in the conventional printing apparatus as described above, a user who has consumed all allocated quotas must give the administrator an increase in quotas or give up if it does not come true. With the authority, it was not possible to take over the surplus quota from other users.

  Further, when a guest or a new staff visits in an office environment or the like, the administrator has to urgently register a new user and reassign quotas to the copier. In an environment in which the total quota amount of the entire department is determined and all quotas have already been allocated, there is a case where reassignment cannot be performed because there is no excess quota.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and with a general user authority, a degree of freedom capable of assigning a surplus quota between users, registering a user for a new user, and assigning a quota. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system with high accuracy, a control method therefor, and a recording medium therefor.

  In order to solve the above problem, the printing system according to claim 1 manages the printing device usage amount of the user by registering the printing device user information and the quota (usable printing device usage amount) of each user. The first user information, the second user information, the information receiving means for receiving the quota amount from the outside, and the first user information and printing received using the means. A user authentication means for authenticating the user using the user information registered in the apparatus, and the specified quota amount when the first user is authenticated as a legitimate user using the means; Is provided with a quota moving means for transferring the quota from the quota of the first user to the quota of the second user.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the printing system according to claim 2 manages the user and the user's printing device usage by registering the information of the user of the printing device and the quota (usable printing device usage) of each user. The first user information, the second user information, the information receiving means for receiving the quota amount from the outside, and the first user information and printing received using the means. User authentication means for authenticating a user using user information registered in the apparatus, and when the first user is authenticated as a legitimate user using the means, the second user is New user registration means for registering in the printing apparatus as a new user and allocating the designated quota amount from the quota of the first user to the second user is provided.

  By implementing the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing system with a high degree of freedom capable of safely performing quota transfer between users, user registration for new users, and quota assignment with a general user authority. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a multifunction device compatible with a network is assumed as a printing apparatus. However, the same applies to all devices connected to the network and is not limited to the multifunction device. As other printing apparatuses, a printer, a FAX, a copying machine, and the like are conceivable.

[Example 1]
The first embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claims 1 and 2.

  Below, the environment of Example 1 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a client PC (C101, C102, C103) and a multifunction peripheral (M104) can communicate with each other via a network (N105). The network (N105) is assumed to be a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The multifunction machine (M104) has functions of a printer, a copier (copy machine), and a scanner, and can also be used as a printer from a client PC on the network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the client PC (C101). The configurations of the client PCs, C102, and C103 are the same.

  The client PC includes a CPU (C201), ROM (C202), external memory (C203), keyboard (C204), communication unit (C205), RAM (C206), HD (hard disk) (C207), display (C208), system A bus (B209) is provided.

  The CPU (C201) is a central processing unit that comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus (B209). The CPU (C201) executes an application program, a printer driver, an OS, a network printer control program, a communication program, etc. stored in the HD (C207), and information, files, etc. necessary for executing the program in the RAM (C206). Control to temporarily store. The ROM (C202) stores a program such as a basic I / O program. The external memory (C203) includes FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk), CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, HD, flash memory, nonvolatile memory card, magnetic tape, etc. Programs and data can be loaded from the storage medium into the computer system.

  The keyboard (C204) instructs input from the user to the client PC, and the display (C208) performs input from the keyboard (C204), display of a GUI (graphic user interface) of the application program, and the like. When printing using a multifunction device, the user can open a window relating to print settings and set the print processing method for the printer driver, including settings for the multifunction device and selection of a print mode. The communication unit includes a NIC and communicates with other client PCs and multifunction peripherals (M104) via a network.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction peripheral (M104). The MFP (M104) includes a CPU (C301), ROM (C302), RAM (C303), HD (C304), communication unit (C305), printing unit (C306), scanner unit (C307), and operation panel (C308). A display panel (C309) and a system bus (C310).

  The CPU (C301) is a central processing unit that comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus (C310), and outputs an image as output information to the printing unit (C306) (printer engine) based on the control program. Output a signal. The CPU (C301) reads a document from the scanner unit based on the control program, and stores the data in the RAM (C303) and the HD (C304). Further, the CPU (C301) can communicate with the client PC via the communication unit (C305).

  The ROM (C302) and HD (C307) store basic I / O programs, multifunction device control programs, communication programs, application programs, font data, print data, scanning data, user information, and the like. The RAM (C303) is used for an input / output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, and the like. The operation panel (C308) has switches for various operations, and can perform environment setting, print setting, print execution, scanning execution, and the like. The display panel (C308) displays user input information, information set in the multifunction peripheral, status, and the like. The communication unit (C305) includes a NIC and the like, and receives print jobs and various setting commands from other terminals via the network, and transmits information to other terminals.

  The multifunction peripheral (M104) has a user management function, and can manage information (user ID / password, group, access right, etc.), quotas, and the like of users who use the multifunction peripheral. For example, the multifunction peripheral (M104) has a user management table as shown in FIG. 4 on an internal recording medium (such as HD). Each time the user performs copying or printing, the quota occurs according to the number of copies to be printed. For example, color printing consumes quota 3 per sheet and monochrome printing consumes quota 1 per sheet. The multifunction peripheral (M104) supports various protocols such as SNMP and can communicate with application software and a printer driver of the client PC.

  The client PC (C101, C102, C103) is installed with a printer driver and utility software corresponding to the multifunction device (M104), and can perform environment setting for the multifunction device, acquisition of information from the multifunction device, and the like. For example, the utility software issues a command for obtaining information on the user and quota set in the multifunction device to the multifunction device, and the multifunction device that has received the command returns information on the user and quota. The utility software displays the acquired information using a GUI as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user can confirm the current quota amount of the user himself / herself and other users.

  Next, the operation of the portion according to claim 1 of the present invention will be described.

  The user inputs his / her user ID, password, transfer destination user ID, and quota amount to be transferred on the screen of the utility software as shown in FIG. 6 of the client PC, and presses an OK button. The utility software generates a quota transfer request packet that can be interpreted by the multifunction device (M104) from the information, and transmits it to the multifunction device (M104). The operation of the multifunction device when receiving the quota transfer request packet will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The multifunction peripheral (M104) starts operation by receiving the quota transfer request packet in step S701.

  In step S702, the multifunction peripheral (M104) analyzes the received packet and obtains information (user ID, password, transfer destination user ID, quota amount to be transferred, etc.) input by the user.

  In step S703, the multifunction peripheral (M104) extracts user information stored in the internal recording medium.

  In step S704, the multifunction peripheral (M104) performs user authentication using the user ID / password acquired in step S702 and the user information acquired in step S703. As a result, when it is determined that the user is an authorized user, the process proceeds to step S705. An error occurs if authentication fails.

  In step S705, it is confirmed that the acquired transfer destination user ID is registered in the user information of the multifunction peripheral. If it is confirmed that it is registered, the process proceeds to step S706. If it is not registered, an error occurs.

  In step S706, it is confirmed that the acquired quota amount to be transferred does not exceed the quota amount allocated to the transfer source user. If it is confirmed that it has not exceeded, the process proceeds to step S707. If it exceeds, an error occurs.

  In step S707, the quota amount to be transferred is reduced from the quota registered in the MFP of the user (transfer source user) authenticated in the previous step.

  In step S708, the quota amount to be transferred is added to the quota of the transfer destination user.

  Finally, in S709, the processing result is notified to the client PC, and the process is terminated.

  For example, when the user yamada inputs his / her user ID: yamada, password: ***, quota to be transferred: 20, and transfer destination user ID: satou on the GUI screen of FIG. The user print quota list screen changes as shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the portion according to claim 2 of the present invention will be described.

  On the utility software screen as shown in FIG. 9 on the client PC, the user inputs his / her user ID and password, the user ID and password of the newly registered user, and the quota amount to be transferred to the new user, and clicks the OK button. Push. The utility software generates a new user registration request packet that can be interpreted by the MFP (M104) from the information, and transmits the packet to the MFP (M104). The operation of the MFP when receiving a new user registration request packet will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The multifunction peripheral (M104) starts operation by receiving a new user registration request packet in step S1001.

  In step S1002, the multifunction peripheral (M104) analyzes the received packet, and information input by the user (user ID, password, new user ID, new user password, quota amount to be transferred to the new user, etc.). To get.

  In step S1003, the multifunction peripheral (M104) takes out the user information stored in the internal recording medium.

  In step S1004, the multifunction peripheral (M104) performs user authentication using the user ID / password acquired in step S1002 and the user information acquired in step S1003. As a result, if it is determined that the user is an authorized user, the process proceeds to step S1005. An error occurs if authentication fails.

  In step S1005, it is confirmed that the acquired quota amount to be transferred to the new user does not exceed the quota amount assigned to the transfer source user. If it is confirmed that the number has not exceeded, the process proceeds to step S1006. If it exceeds, an error occurs.

  In step S1006, it is confirmed that the acquired user ID of the new user is not already registered in the user information. If it is confirmed that it is not registered, the process advances to step S1007. If already registered, an error occurs.

  In step S1007, the acquired user ID and password of the new user are registered in the user information.

  In step S1008, the quota amount to be transferred is reduced from the quota registered in the MFP of the user (transfer source user) authenticated in the previous step.

  In step S1009, the quota amount to be transferred to the new user registered in step S1007 is registered.

  Finally, in S1010, the processing result is notified to the client PC, and the process is terminated.

  For example, on the GUI screen of FIG. 9, the user tanaka has his user ID: tanaka, password: ****, quota to be transferred: 25, newly registered user ID: yamamoto, faction ward: *** When * is entered, the user print quota list screen of FIG. 8 changes as shown in FIG.

[Other examples]
The first embodiment is an example in which the printing apparatus has a function for performing user management. However, the function for performing user management may be performed by another terminal (server) connected to the network.

  In the first embodiment, the multifunction peripheral is compatible with the network, and input / output of information is performed via the network from the client PC. However, input / output of information is performed using an operation panel and a display panel provided in the multifunction peripheral body. May be used.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a network environment in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a simplified configuration of a client PC according to the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram in which a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment is simplified. 6 is a table showing user information managed by the multifunction peripheral in the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a user print quota list display screen displayed on a display of a client PC in Embodiment 1. FIG. In Example 1, it is a figure which shows the input screen of the quota transfer information displayed on the display of client PC. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine when a quota transfer request is received in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a quota list display screen after a quota transfer request is processed by the multifunction machine in the first embodiment. In Example 1, it is the figure showing the new user registration screen displayed on the display of a client PC. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine when a new user registration request is received in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a quota list display screen after a new user registration request is processed by the multifunction machine in the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

C101, C102, C103 Client PC
M104 MFP N105 Network (LAN)
C201 CPU
C202 ROM
C203 External memory C204 Keyboard C205 Communication unit C206 RAM
C207 HD (hard disk)
C208 Display B209 System bus C301 CPU
C302 ROM
C303 RAM
C304 HD
C305 Communication unit C306 Printing unit C307 Scanner unit C308 Operation panel C309 Display panel C310 System bus

Claims (6)

It includes user management means for registering information on printing device users and the available printing device usage for each user to manage the user and user printing device usage,
Comprising information receiving means for receiving information on the first user, information on the second user, and available printing device usage from the outside,
User authentication means for authenticating a user using the first user information received using the means and user information registered in the printing apparatus,
When the first user is authenticated as a legitimate user using the means, the designated usable printing device usage amount is determined from the first user's usable printing device usage amount. A printing system comprising a usable printing device usage amount transfer means for transferring to a usable printing device usage amount of a second user. It includes user management means for registering information on printing device users and the available printing device usage for each user to manage the user and user printing device usage,
Comprising information receiving means for receiving information on the first user, information on the second user, and available printing device usage from the outside,
User authentication means for authenticating a user using the first user information received using the means and user information registered in the printing apparatus,
When the first user is authenticated as a legitimate user using the means, the second user is registered as a new user in the printing apparatus, and the designated usable printing apparatus usage amount is A printing system, comprising: a new user registration unit that assigns a printing apparatus usage amount available to one user to a second user. A user management step of registering information on the printing device user and the available printing device usage for each user to manage the user and the user's printing device usage;
An information receiving step for receiving information on the first user, information on the second user, and available printing device usage from the outside;
A user authentication step for authenticating the user using the first user information received using the step and the user information registered in the printing apparatus;
When the first user is authenticated as a legitimate user using the above step, the designated usable printing device usage amount is determined from the first user's usable printing device usage amount. A printing system control method comprising: an available printing device usage amount moving step for transferring to an available printing device usage amount of a second user. A user management step of registering information on the printing device user and the available printing device usage for each user to manage the user and the user's printing device usage;
An information receiving step for receiving information on the first user, information on the second user, and available printing device usage from the outside;
A user authentication step for authenticating the user using the first user information received using the step and the user information registered in the printing apparatus;
When the first user is authenticated as a legitimate user using the above step, the second user is registered as a new user in the printing apparatus, and the designated usable printing apparatus usage amount is A printing system control method comprising a new user registration step of allocating to a second user from a printing device usage amount that can be used by one user. A user management function for registering information on printing device users, the available printing device usage for each user, and managing the printing device usage of users and users;
An information receiving function for receiving information on the first user, information on the second user, and available printing device usage from the outside;
A user authentication function for authenticating the user using the first user information and the user information registered in the printing apparatus received using the function;
When the first user is authenticated as a legitimate user using the function, the specified usable printing device usage amount is determined from the first user's available printing device usage amount. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing an available printing device usage amount transfer function for transferring to an available printing device usage amount of a second user. A user management function for registering information on printing device users, the available printing device usage for each user, and managing the printing device usage of users and users;
An information receiving function for receiving information on the first user, information on the second user, and available printing device usage from the outside;
A user authentication function for authenticating the user using the first user information and the user information registered in the printing apparatus received using the function;
When the first user is authenticated as a legitimate user using the function, the second user is registered as a new user in the printing apparatus, and the designated usable printing apparatus usage amount is A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing a new user registration function to be assigned to a second user from a printing device usage amount that can be used by one user.