JP2007193727A - Job management device, job management method, job management program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is not possible to detect the failure of a client computer, the failure of peripheral equipment or information of a user who has performed a large number of prints. <P>SOLUTION: Processing of a job is monitored by a program mounted on an information processor, and job information is acquired. The job information relating to the job is acquired from peripheral equipment, and whether or not the number of printing in the acquired job information is a designated number or more is decided. When it is decided that the number of printing is the designated number of more, it is output to a file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, facsimiles, copiers, and the like connected to a network, and multifunction devices (MFPs) that integrate them, computers that manage these devices, and network information devices. is there.

Conventionally, a job management system related to an information processing apparatus that acquires and manages job information has been developed. In addition, collecting job information executed by a counting device has been performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-116899 A

  However, there is a possibility that inaccurate job information may be acquired due to a failure of the client computer or a peripheral device, and as a result, the result of aggregation by the aggregation device may be different from the actual print content.

  In an extreme example, when one A4 size sheet is printed from a client computer, if the A4 size is registered as 1000 sheets due to a failure in the client computer or a peripheral device, It is not easy to detect that an incorrect job is registered.

  A job management apparatus that manages a job output from an information processing apparatus to a peripheral device, and monitors job processing by a program installed in the information processing apparatus and acquires job information Means, a second acquisition unit that acquires job information related to the job from the peripheral device, and the first acquisition unit to the second unit determine whether the number of printed sheets in the acquired job information is equal to or greater than a specified number. It is characterized by having a determination means and a means for outputting to a file when it is determined that the number is the specified number or more.

  Further, the apparatus includes a means for notifying the administrator of the job management apparatus by E-mail when the determination means determines that the number of jobs is equal to or greater than a specified number.

  Further, the determination means includes a setting means for presetting the designated number of sheets in the job management apparatus.

  According to the present invention, when specific job information is registered, it is possible to notify a system administrator which “who” is a job printed on which “peripheral device”. Therefore, it is possible to detect a failure of a client computer, a failure of a peripheral device, and information on a user who has performed mass printing, so that job information management can be made more efficient.

Example 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Job account system>
FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of an entire job account system to which the present invention is applied. Reference numerals 1010 and 1020 denote client computers. Reference numeral 1030 denotes a server computer. Each of the client computer and the server computer has a control configuration as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1040 denotes a printer. The printer 1040 has a function of holding a print history (print history holding function). Reference numeral 1050 denotes an MFP (Multi Function Printer). The MFP 1050 has a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a print history holding function. The printer 1040 and MFP 1050 have a control configuration as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1060 denotes a conventional printer (conventional printer). Assume that the conventional printer 1060 does not have a print history holding function.

  The devices 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1050, and 1060 can communicate with other devices via a network.

  In the client computer 1010, when the application 1011 calls the GDI 1012, the GDI 1012 generates print data in response to an instruction from the application, and transmits the print data to the spooler 1013. The job account client application 1014 monitors (hooks) the application calling GDI and accumulates job information related to the print data. The spooler 1013 communicates with peripheral devices (printer 1040, MFP 1050, and conventional printer 1060) via a network, and transmits print data if the peripheral device is ready. If the client computer 1020 functions as a print server, the print data generated by the GDI 1012 is transmitted to the spooler 1023.

  The job account client application 1014 transmits the job information accumulated periodically to the job account server application 1031.

  In the client computer 1020, the application 1021, the GDI 1022, and the spooler 1023 operate in the same manner as the application 1010, the GDI 1012, and the spooler 1013, respectively.

  The job account client application 1024 periodically monitors the spooler 1023. If there is a print job spooled in the spooler 1023, the job account client computer 1024 acquires information about the print job using the API. Specifically, the number of discharged sheets and the number of pages of the print job are acquired. Then, the job account client computer 1024 transmits the accumulated job information to the job account server application 1031.

  Even if the job account client application 1024 does not regularly monitor the spooler 1023, it is sufficient if the OS has a function of notifying other applications that the state of the spooler 1023 has changed. The OS may notify the job account client application 1024 that the print job has been spooled in the spooler 1023.

  In the server computer 1030, the job account server application 1031 receives job information from the job account client applications 1014 and 1024, and stores the job information in a nonvolatile storage device such as the HD 206 in FIG. Furthermore, the job account server application 1031 investigates whether each peripheral device connected to the network has a job history holding function. Then, a job history (job information) is acquired from a peripheral device having a job history holding function.

<Computer control configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of the client computer 1010, the client computer 1020, and the server computer 1030. 201 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU 201 performs control of the entire computer device, arithmetic processing, and the like.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM (read only memory). The ROM 202 is a storage area for storing information on the system startup program. Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM (Random Access Memory). The RAM 203 is a data storage area with no usage restrictions. An operating system (OS), application programs, device drivers (printer drivers), communication control programs, and the like are loaded into the RAM 203 and executed by the CPU 201.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a KBC (keyboard control unit). The KBC 204 receives input data from a keyboard attached to the computer and transmits the input data to the CPU 201. Reference numeral 205 denotes a CRT (display control unit) that performs display control on the display device. Reference numeral 206 denotes an HD (Hard Disk Device). In addition, the HD 206 can be replaced with an external storage device such as an FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk device) or an SRAM (nonvolatile storage memory). The HD 206 stores programs and data, and these programs and data are loaded into the RAM as necessary.

  A communication unit 207 controls network communication. The communication unit 207 allows the computer to communicate with other computers and peripheral devices connected to the network.

  Reference numeral 208 denotes a system bus. Data exchanged between the above components passes through the system bus 208.

<Memory map>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map in a state in which the program according to the present invention is loaded into the RAM 203 and can be executed by the CPU 201. 31 is a basic I / O program. Reference numeral 302 denotes an operating system such as a window system. 303 is a program according to the present invention. 304 is related data. A work area 305 is used when the CPU 201 executes a program.

  The program and related data according to the present invention are stored in a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) or a CD-ROM, and are supplied from there to a computer. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map in a state where a program and related data according to the present invention are stored in an FD or a CD-ROM. The storage area 400 of the FD or CD-ROM includes volume information 401, directory information 402, a program execution file 403 according to the present invention, and a job account related data file 404.

  Further, the object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (FIG. 4) in which a program code of software (control program) realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a computer as shown in FIG. The apparatus (CPU 201) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

  As a method of supplying the program and data shown in FIG. 4 to a computer, as shown in FIG. 5, it is stored in a floppy (registered trademark) disk FD 500 and supplied to a computer main body 502 (via a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 501). The method is common. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, etc. are used in addition to the floppy disk and the hard disk. Can do. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

<Control configuration of peripheral devices>
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of the peripheral device. Reference numeral 605 denotes a controller unit that controls the entire peripheral device. The controller unit 605 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, and an HD 604.

  The CPU 601 performs control of the entire controller unit and peripheral devices, arithmetic processing, and the like. A ROM 602 is a read-only memory and is a storage area for storing a system startup program and the like. A RAM 603 is a random access memory and is a data storage area. The HD 604 is a hard disk and can be replaced with other nonvolatile storage devices such as SRAM. A peripheral device having a job history holding function stores the job history in the RAM 603 or HD 604. An operating system, a communication control program, and an engine control program are loaded into the RAM 603 and executed by the CPU 601.

  Reference numeral 606 denotes an engine unit of the peripheral device, which performs a printing operation and an image reading operation under the control of the controller unit. Specifically, the engine unit includes a printer engine, a scanner engine, or both.

  Reference numeral 607 denotes a communication unit that controls network communication. The communication unit 607 enables the peripheral device to communicate with the client computer and the server computer. Reference numeral 608 denotes a system bus. Data exchanged between the above components passes through this system bus 608.

<Job account server application>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the job account server application. The job information receiving unit 701 acquires job information from the job account client applications 1014 and 1024 and the peripheral devices 1040 and 1050 having a job history holding function via a network. The job information registration unit 702 registers the job information received by the job information reception unit 701 in the job history database 703.

  In this job account system, by referring to the data in the job history database 703, it is determined when and who executed what amount of jobs (number of pages, number of discharged sheets, paper type) on which peripheral device. Detailed job accounts can be made.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the job registration unit 702 registers job information received by the job reception unit 701 in the job history database 703. First, it is determined whether or not unprocessed job information exists in the job receiving unit 701. If there is no unprocessed job information, the process ends. If there is unprocessed job information, job information is acquired from the job receiving unit 701 in step S802. In step S803, it is determined whether the job information indicates that the job is accompanied by paper discharge. If the job does not involve paper discharge, the process returns to step S801. If the job involves paper discharge, it is determined in step S804 whether the job information has been acquired from the peripheral device.

  If the job information is obtained from the peripheral device, the process proceeds to step S808. If the job information has not been acquired from the peripheral device, it is determined in step S805 whether the job information has been acquired by a hook. As one method for determining whether the job information has been acquired by a hook, there is a method for determining which OS the job information is acquired by. This is because it can be determined whether or not the job information is acquired by the hook depending on the type of OS. For example, when OS1 is used in the client computer 1010 and OS2 is changed in the client computer 1020, if the job information is acquired by the OS1, the job information is acquired by the hook. Further, if the job information is acquired by the OS 2, it is acquired from 1023 from the spooler.

  If the job information is not acquired by the hook, the process proceeds to step S808. However, even if the job information is acquired by the hook, if the job output destination is a peripheral device having a job history holding function, the process proceeds to step S805. If the job information is obtained by hooking, it is determined in step S806 whether the job output destination related to the job information is a shared printer. If the output destination of the job related to the job information is not a shared printer, the process advances to step S808. However, even if the output destination of the job related to the job information is not a shared printer, if the output destination of the job is a peripheral device having a job history holding function, the process proceeds to step S805.

  If the output destination of the job related to the job information is a shared printer, the job information is acquired from the spooler of the client computer (for example, client computer 1020) that manages the shared printer in step S807. It is determined whether or not. If the job information has not been acquired from the spooler, the process proceeds to step S808. However, even if the job information is not acquired from the spooler, if the job output destination is a peripheral device having a job history holding function, the process proceeds to step S805.

  If the job information has been acquired from the spooler, the process returns to step S801.

  In step S808, it is determined whether the job information is equal to or more than the set number of sheets already set in the job account server application. If the job information is equal to or greater than the set number, it is determined in step S810 whether the setting of the job account server application is a setting for leaving the corresponding job information in the file as a history. If the setting is left in the file, file output processing is performed in step S811. If the setting is not left in the file, it is determined in step S812 whether the setting of the job account server application is a setting for notifying the administrator by E-mail. If the notification is set to be notified, in step S813, mail is transmitted to the E-mail address of the administrator of the job account server application registered in advance. In step S809, job information is registered in the job history database 703.

  FIG. 9 is an example of information on one job registered in the job history database 703. The database is composed of items and contents of the items. Reference numeral 901 denotes a job output device, that is, which peripheral device has processed the job. In the case of a job that does not involve paper discharge, it is stored that it is a file name (document scanning), fax transmission, or other job that does not involve paper discharge.

  Reference numeral 902 denotes a job information acquisition method. The job information acquisition method includes acquisition from a hook, acquisition from a spooler, and acquisition from a job history holding function.

  Reference numeral 903 denotes the start time or end time of the job. Reference numeral 904 denotes a type of discharged paper. Reference numeral 905 denotes the number of output pages. Reference numeral 907 denotes the number of discharged sheets. Reference numeral 907 denotes whether or not the job has been input from the client computer to the shared printer. Reference numeral 908 denotes the user name of the job issuer.

  In the file output process and the E-mail transmission process in step S811 and step S813 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the file output or transmission job information format may be the job information format shown in FIG. Not too long.

<Job account server computer and job account client computer>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating operations of the job account server computer (computer on which the job account server application is executed) and the job account client computer (computer on which the job account client application is executed).

  The job account client computer 1100 includes a user application 1101, a print information acquisition unit 1102, and a print function provision unit 1103. The user application 1101 edits a document or an image according to a user instruction and issues a print request. The print function providing unit 1103 receives a print request from the user application k and outputs print data to the printer 1130. The print information acquisition unit 1102 acquires (or hooks) a print request before the print request is passed from the user application 1101 to the print function providing unit 1103, and what print request is issued (indicating that). Information is referred to here as print information).

  The print information includes the number of printed sheets, the number of pages, the print size, the type of paper to be used, information about the user who issued the print request (user information), information about color printing (color information), and the like.

  The job account server computer 1120 includes a user information management unit 1121, a device information management unit 1122, a print information management unit 1123, a usage status acquisition unit 1124, a storage unit 1125, and a usage status output unit 1129. The storage unit 1125 stores user information 1126, device information 1127, and print history information 1128. The user information management unit 1121 manages user information 1126. The device information management unit 1122 manages the device information 1127. The print information management unit 1123 manages the print history information 1128. The administrator sets information for managing the use of peripheral devices via the user information management unit 1121 and the device information management unit 1122.

  The user information 1126 includes the computer login name (name that the user inputs to log in to the computer) and the network login name (name that the user inputs to log in to the network system) of the user who uses the peripheral device. Information that identifies (identifies) a user who uses a peripheral device. The device information 1127 is the peripheral device printing speed, color information, network address, and the like.

  When the user outputs a print request in the user application, the print information acquisition unit 1102 acquires the print information in detail. The acquired print information is transmitted to the print information management unit 1123 of the job account server computer 1120. The print information management unit 1123 adds the received print information to the area of the print history information 1128 in the storage unit 1125.

  Also, the print information management unit 1123 requests history information from a peripheral device (for example, the printer 1140) having a function of retaining history information (job history retention function), and acquires the history information via the usage status acquisition unit 1124. To do. The acquired history information is added to the area of the print history information 1128 in the storage unit 1125. This process may be performed periodically. Further, when the storage capacity of the history information storage unit 1141 of the peripheral device is reduced, that fact is notified to the usage status acquisition unit, and this processing may be performed at that time.

  The administrator can cause the usage status output unit 1129 to output usage status 1150 to obtain the usage status of the peripheral device. The usage status output unit 1129 outputs various amount statuses based on the user information 1126, device information 1127, and print history information 1128 stored in the storage unit 1125. The administrator specifies the output format (output format) in the usage status output section. The output of the usage status is displayed on the CRT 205 of the job account server computer, for example. Also, output data related to the usage status output may be transmitted to the job account client computer, and the usage status output may be displayed on the CRT 205 of the job account client computer.

  In the usage status output, the usage amount for each user (the number of sheets and the amount of toner used for output) and the usage time of peripheral devices are output. In addition, the usage status is output for each operation mode (function) of peripheral devices such as color printing and double-sided printing. In addition, the usage status is output for each used paper size and used paper type.

  In addition, since the usage fee for the peripheral device is set in the device information 1127, the usage amount is output for each peripheral device or for each user. In addition, the usage fee for each operation mode, the usage fee for each paper size, and the usage fee for each paper type are set, so which user, which paper, which operation mode, which peripheral device, which Just print it out and output how much it is spent.

  In addition, the administrator can set usage restrictions for each function, for each user, for each user department, and for each device used, via the user information management unit 1121 and the device information management unit 1122. The limit information that can be set includes items such as a usage fee, the number of pages, and the number of sheets. The usage state output unit monitors and compares the set restriction (restriction information) with the print history information, and outputs the fact when the use exceeds the restriction. This may be a display on a screen (CRT), a mail or other communication means.

  The print information management unit 1123 monitors and collates the set restriction and the print history information, and if the use exceeds the restriction, the print function providing unit 1103 and the peripheral device itself are notified to the user. Deny use. Alternatively, the user is urged to warn the user with a display on a screen (CRT), mail, or other communication means each time, even if the rejection is not performed.

<Setting dialog in job account server application>
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting dialog for setting what processing is to be performed when specific print job information is registered in the job account server application. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, it is possible to make settings used for determination processing in the job account server application in steps S808, S810, and S812. When one or more prints are performed in one job information, the subsequent settings are validated. When more than the set number of prints are performed, file output processing and E-mail transmission to the administrator are performed. It is possible to set whether to perform processing.

(Example 2)
In the present embodiment, the processing shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 and the modules shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 10, and 11 are performed by each computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to a client computer from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, the system or apparatus can be obtained by supplying the storage medium storing the program code of the software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to the system or apparatus, or downloading the storage medium from an external server (not shown). It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself such as the job account server or the job account client program read from the storage medium realizes the new function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Will do. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, DVD, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included. Further, a function expansion board in which a program code transmitted from a predetermined external server device (not shown) or read from a storage medium is inserted into a computer or a function expansion connected to the computer After being written in the memory provided in the unit, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the function is realized is also included.

1 is a basic configuration diagram of an entire job account system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. It is a figure which shows the control structure of a client computer and a server computer. It is a figure which shows the memory map in the state in which the program which concerns on this invention was loaded to RAM, and it became executable by CPU. It is a figure which shows the memory map in the state in which the program and related data which concern on this invention are stored in FD and CD-ROM. It is a figure which shows the supply method of a program and related data. It is a figure which shows the control structure of a peripheral device. It is a figure which shows the function structure of a job account server application. It is a flowchart which shows a process when a job registration part registers the job information which the job receiving part received into the job history database. It is an example of the information of one job registered in the job history database. It is a figure which shows an example of the conventional job accounting system. It is a figure which shows operation | movement with a job account server computer and a job account client computer. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a setting dialog for setting what processing is to be performed when specific print job information is registered in the job account server application.

Explanation of symbols

1010 Client computer 1011 Application 1012 GDI
1013 Spooler 1014 Job account client application 1020 Client computer 1021 Application 1022 GDI
1023 Spooler 1024 Job account client application 1030 Server computer 1031 Job account server application 1040 Printer with job history holding function 1050 MFP with job history holding function
1060 Conventional printer

Claims (9)

  A job management apparatus that manages a job output from an information processing apparatus to a peripheral device, and monitors job processing by a program installed in the information processing apparatus and acquires job information Means, a second acquisition unit that acquires job information related to the job from the peripheral device, and the first acquisition unit to the second unit determine whether the number of printed sheets in the acquired job information is equal to or greater than a specified number. A job management apparatus comprising: a determination unit; and a unit that outputs to a file when it is determined that the number is greater than a specified number.   A job management apparatus comprising: a means for notifying an administrator of a job management apparatus by E-mail when the determination means determines that the number of jobs is equal to or greater than a specified number.   A job management apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to preset a designated number of sheets in the determination unit in the job management apparatus.   A job management method for managing a job output from an information processing apparatus to a peripheral device, wherein a first step of acquiring job information by monitoring processing of the job by a program installed in the information processing apparatus A second step of acquiring job information related to the job from a peripheral device, and a step of determining whether the number of printed sheets in the acquired job information is equal to or greater than a specified number by the first step to the second step; A job management method comprising a step of outputting to a file when it is determined that the number is greater than a specified number.   A job management method comprising a step of notifying an administrator of a job management apparatus by E-mail when the determination step determines that the number of jobs is equal to or greater than a specified number.   A job management method comprising the step of presetting the designated number of sheets in the determination step for the job management apparatus.   A job management apparatus that manages a job output from an information processing apparatus to a peripheral device, and monitors job processing by a program installed in the information processing apparatus and acquires job information Means, a second acquisition unit that acquires job information related to the job from the peripheral device, and the first acquisition unit to the second unit determine whether the number of printed sheets in the acquired job information is equal to or greater than a specified number. A job management program and a storage medium comprising: a determination unit; and a unit that outputs to a file when it is determined that the number is greater than or equal to a specified number.   A job management program and storage medium comprising means for notifying an administrator of a job management apparatus by E-mail when the determination means determines that the number of jobs is equal to or greater than a specified number. A job management apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to preset a designated number of sheets in the determination unit in the job management apparatus.

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