JP2007241414A - Printing system, printer, printer driver, and printing control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system, a printer, a printer driver, and a printing control method, which store histories of printed data including the content of printing data and selectively determine whether or not to permit printing to control printing when printing data that has the same content is reprinted. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system which prints based on printing direction involving processing of printing output images, has a printing image creation means for creating printing images not considered with processing of output images, a calculation means for calculating unique printing specifying information to specify the printing images based on the printing images created by the printing image creation means, a history storage means for storing the printing specifying information calculated by the calculation means as printing history information based on the printing direction, and a determination means for referring to the printing specifying information stored in the history storage means to determine whether or not to permit the printing when printing is performed based on the printing direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing apparatus, a printer driver, and a printing control method, and in particular, holds a history of printed print data including the contents of print data and tries to reprint the same print data. The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing apparatus, a printer driver, and a printing control method that selectively determine whether printing is permitted or not and restrict printing.

  In recent years, with the spread of computers, multifunction peripherals, and networks, it has become easy to acquire information via a network and print or copy the acquired information.

  For example, when a user prints a document, the printer driver in the computer used by the user converts the document data into print data (that is, a printer command group), and sends the print data to a printing apparatus to execute printing. If confidential information is included in the document data, it is desirable to restrict the printing of the document data to prevent the confidential information from being accidentally or illegally printed.

  In addition, when securities such as bills and checks are illegally copied and printed, it is also necessary to restrict printing so that image data of the securities cannot be printed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printed material issuing terminal, a server, and a printed material that prevent fraud such as leakage, falsification of image data, duplication of printed securities, and falsification when outputting printed materials such as bills, checks, and securities. Issuing methods have been proposed.
2003-237186

  In the printed matter issuing terminal, server, and printed matter issuing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a hash value obtained from print data is stored as electronic signature data, and the originality of printed securities is ensured. A configuration for judging the above is shown.

  The history of the hash value shown in Patent Document 1 is saved as electronic signature data, and the content of a document printed and printed out by the own device as technology for ensuring the originality of printed securities and the like is retained as print history information. However, if the document is instructed to be printed, an attempt to apply it to a method of restricting printing has the following problems.

  Unlike the configuration in which the print data as shown in Patent Document 1 is directly transmitted from the server to the printer, the print data is simply edited and processed, and print options such as reduced printing and two-sided printing are used. In an environment where printing can be performed with an image requested by the user in a relatively simple manner, if the hash function recognizes different print images even if there is a single bit in the print data, the same content document is reduced. Even though printing is instructed, it is recognized that a document having a different content has been instructed to be printed, and it is not possible to restrict printing of a document having the same content.

  Therefore, the present invention holds the history of printed print data including the contents of the print data, and selectively determines whether printing is permitted or not when printing data having the same contents is reprinted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, a printer driver, and a printing control method that perform printing restriction.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a printing system for performing printing based on a print instruction accompanied with processing of a print output image, and print image generation means for generating a print image ignoring the processing of the output image. Calculating means for calculating unique print specifying information for specifying the print image from the print image generated by the print image generating means; and printing history information based on the print instruction by using the print specifying information calculated by the calculating means. And a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not printing is possible with reference to the print specifying information stored in the history storage unit at the time of printing based on the print instruction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the history storage unit stores a print permission condition based on the print instruction corresponding to the print specification information, and the determination unit includes the permission Whether printing is possible is determined with reference to conditions.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus according to any one of the first and second aspects, wherein the printing application that performs the printing instruction and the print output image is processed based on the printing instruction from the printing application. A printer driver that issues a print request, the calculation means is provided in the printer driver, the history storage means is provided in the printing apparatus, and the printer driver calculates the print calculated by the calculation means. Inquiry means for making an inquiry about permission of printing related to the print request to the printing apparatus based on the specific information, and the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus by a print permission response from the printing apparatus based on the inquiry by the inquiry means It is characterized by print request means for making a request.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus according to any one of the first and second aspects, wherein the printing application that performs the printing instruction and the print output image is processed based on the printing instruction from the printing application. A printer driver that makes a print request, the calculation unit and the history storage unit are provided in the printing apparatus, and the determination unit calculates the print specification calculated by the calculation unit during printing based on the print instruction. Based on the information, the print specifying information stored in the history storage means is referred to determine whether the printing is possible.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a printer driver that processes a print output image based on a print instruction from a print application and makes a print request to a printing apparatus, a print that creates a print image ignoring the output image processing An image creating unit, a calculating unit for calculating unique print specifying information for specifying the print image from the print image created by the print image creating unit, and the printing apparatus based on the print specifying information calculated by the calculating unit. Inquiry means for making an inquiry about permission of printing related to the print request, and a print request means for making the print request to the printing apparatus by a print permission response from the printing apparatus based on the inquiry by the inquiry means It is characterized by comprising.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the print request unit confirms the print permission condition to the print application in response to a print permission response from the printing apparatus. The apparatus further comprises confirmation means and permission condition transmission means for transmitting the permission condition confirmed by the permission condition confirmation means to the printing apparatus upon a print request by the print request means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for performing printing based on a print output image processed based on a print instruction from a print application, and a print image generating means for generating a print image ignoring the processing of the output image. Calculating means for calculating unique print specifying information for specifying the print image from the print image generated by the print image generating means; and printing history information based on the print instruction by using the print specifying information calculated by the calculating means. And a history storage means for storing as a feature.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the history storage means stores a print permission condition based on the print instruction corresponding to the print specifying information.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method for controlling printing of the print output image processed based on a print instruction accompanied with processing of the print output image, the print image ignoring the processing of the output image is printed. The unique print identification information for identifying the print image is calculated by the calculation means from the print image created by the creation means and created by the print image creation means, and the print specification information calculated by the calculation means is used as the print instruction. The history storage unit stores the printing history information as a basis, and the printing unit determines whether the printing is possible with reference to the printing specific information stored in the history storage unit when printing based on the printing instruction. To do.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 9, wherein the history storage means stores a print permission condition based on the print instruction corresponding to the print specifying information, and the determination means includes the permission Whether printing is possible is determined with reference to conditions.

  According to the printing system, the printing apparatus, the printer driver, and the printing control method of the present invention, before the printer driver instructs the output destination printing apparatus to print the print data instructed by the application software, the contents of the print data are changed. An inquiry is made as to whether or not printing has been completed, and if printing has not been completed, the print data is instructed to print, so that printing of the same content can be restricted regardless of the application software.

  Further, even when print data having the same content is edited using an optional function such as editing or processing of print data and printing is instructed, it can be recognized as print data having the same content and printing can be restricted.

  Further, since the print data instructed to be printed does not remain on the printing apparatus, there is an effect that information security is further improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a printing system, a printing apparatus, a printer driver, and a printing control method according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 100 according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a plurality of printing apparatuses 1-1, a printing apparatus 1-2, a printing apparatus 1-3,..., A printing apparatus 1-n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “printing apparatus 1”). -N ") and a plurality of client devices 2-1, 2-2,..., Client devices 2-n (hereinafter collectively referred to as" client devices 2-n ") on which the printer driver 212 is mounted. Are connected via a network such as a LAN (= Local Area Network) 3.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a basic configuration of the printing apparatus 1-n and the client apparatus 2-n.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 1-n includes a CPU (= central processing unit) 10, a storage unit 11, an image processing unit 12, an image forming unit 13, an operation display unit 14, and a paper feed. The CPU 15 is a control device that controls each unit of the printing apparatus 1-n and performs overall control of the entire printing apparatus 1-n.

  The storage unit 11 controls storage devices such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, and these storage devices, and stores and holds various data, programs, and the like.

  The image processing unit 12 performs predetermined image processing on the input print data, and transfers the print data subjected to the image processing to the image forming unit 13.

  The image forming unit 13 transfers and fixes the print data image-processed by the image processing unit 12 onto a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 15 and discharges the sheet.

  The operation display unit 14 includes devices such as a display panel that displays status information such as an operating state of the printing apparatus 1-n and a processing status of a print job, an operation panel that performs an instruction operation on the printing apparatus 1-n, and these apparatuses. Control the operation.

  The paper supply unit 15 supplies paper for printing the print data to the image forming unit 13.

  The external interface unit 16 performs communication control of transmission / reception of control signals and data signals to / from external apparatuses such as apparatuses connected to the printing apparatus 1-n and the LAN 3.

  On the other hand, the client device 2-n is a computer including a CPU (= central processing unit) 20, a storage unit 21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, and an external interface unit 24.

  The CPU 20 is a control device that controls each unit of the client device 2-n and performs overall control of the entire client device 2-n.

  The storage unit 21 controls storage devices such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk, and these storage devices, and stores various data, programs, and the like.

  An OS (= Operating System) 210, application software 211, and a printer driver 212 according to the present invention are installed in advance on a hard disk (not shown) of the storage unit 21, and the application software 211 creates and processes print data. Or software for instructing printing of print data.

  The OS 210 is basic software for managing the entire computer system of the client apparatus 2-n, and the printer driver 212 determines whether the contents of the print data instructed to be printed by the application software 211 are permitted to be printed. In response to the inquiry, the printer 1-n receives a permission response from the printer 1-n, converts the print data into data that can be interpreted by the printer 1-n that is the output destination of the print data, and converts the print A print job including information on printing conditions such as paper size, resolution, enlargement / reduction, and the like (hereinafter referred to as “printing condition information”) and the like on which data is printed is created and transmitted to the output destination printing apparatus 1-n.

  The input unit 22 controls input of various data, programs, and the like to the client device 2-n by controlling input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse and operations of these input devices.

  The display unit 23 displays a display device such as a display, processing results processed by the client device 2-n, various stored data and programs, and the like by controlling the display device.

The external interface unit 24 performs communication control of transmission / reception of control signals and data signals to / from a client device 2-n and another device connected to the LAN 3 (hereinafter, “external device”).
Incidentally, the printer driver 212 constituting the printing system 100 according to the present invention prior to instructing the output destination printing apparatus 1-n to output the print data instructed to print by the application software 211 (for example, An inquiry is made to the output destination printing apparatus 1-n as to whether or not printing is permitted for document data if it is document data, and if it is data such as a figure, the shape of the figure. In response to a print permission response from the printer, a print job of the print data is created, and a print instruction is given to the output destination printing apparatus 1-n.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 1-n stores and holds a history of a print job that has been printed by the own apparatus 1-n (hereinafter referred to as “print history information”) including the contents of print data included in the print job. In response to the inquiry based on the contents of the print data from the printer driver 212 described above, print permission or print permission is determined and notified.

  With this configuration, if a print job including print data with confidential information is printed and a print job including print data with the same content as the confidential information is instructed to be printed, printing of the print job is restricted. can do.

  Here, the printer driver 212 installed in the client apparatus 2-n makes an inquiry to the output destination printing apparatus 1-n based on the contents of the print data instructed to print by the application software 211, a print instruction, and an inquiry from the printer driver 212. A response of the printing apparatus 1-n and each operation of the printing process will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operations of the printer driver 212 and the printing apparatus 1-n when a print job including print data of the contents inquired from the printer driver 212 is not printed by the printing apparatus 1-n.
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the printer driver 212 of the client apparatus 2-1 makes an inquiry to the printing apparatus 1-1 and issues a print instruction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, print data is created or processed by the application software 211 installed in the client device 2-1, the output destination (for example, the printing device 1-1), the paper size on which the print data is printed, When print condition information such as resolution, enlargement, reduction, etc. is set and printing of the print data is instructed, the print data including the print condition information is transferred to the printer driver 212 installed in the client apparatus 2-1. Step S301).

  The printer driver 212 converts only the print data obtained by removing the print condition information from the print data including the print condition information into a print image image that can be interpreted by the output destination printing apparatus 1-1 (step S302). A feature amount is calculated (step S303).

  The feature amount of the print image image may be a hash value calculated from the print image image using a hash function, for example.

  Further, the hash value calculated from the print image image may be a hash value for each page of the print image image, or may be a hash value of the print image image of a specific page among a plurality of pages.

  The feature amount is not limited to the hash value, and a value calculated by a known technique such as the number of black pixels of the print image image, the image center of gravity, and the frequency characteristics of the projected waveform is used as the feature amount of the print image image. May be.

  Here, the feature amount is described as a hash value of a print image image.

  After calculating the hash value of the print image image, the printer driver 212 outputs whether or not a print job having the same hash value as the calculated hash value (hereinafter referred to as “calculated hash value”) has been printed. An inquiry is made to the printing apparatus 1-1 (step S304).

  The inquiry based on the calculated hash value may be performed not only on the output destination printing apparatus 1-1 but also on all the printing apparatuses 1-n connected to the LAN 3 including the printing apparatus 1-1. .

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 1-1 prints a printed print job recorded in print history information 500 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, stored and held by the own apparatus 1-n in response to an inquiry from the printer driver 212. The history is referred to (step S305), and it is determined whether or not the print history of the printed print job having the same hash value as the inquiry hash value is recorded.

  When a printed print job having the same hash value as the calculated hash value is recorded in the print history information 500 (YES in step S306), the print data having the same content as the print data of the calculated hash value of the inquiry is stored. Recognizing that printing has already been performed, a print permission re-determination process (see FIG. 6) to be described later is used to determine whether printing is permitted or not permitted, and a response indicating whether printing is permitted or not according to the determination result. This is performed for the printer driver 212 of the client apparatus 2-1.

  Further, the printer driver 212 performs a processing operation according to the response from the printing apparatus 1-1 (step S313).

  If a printed print job having the same hash value as the calculated hash value is not recorded in the print history information 500 in step S306 described above (NO in step S306), the print data of the calculated hash value of the query is The print data having the same content is recognized as unprinted, and a signal indicating print permission is returned to the printer driver 212 of the client apparatus 2-1.

  Upon receiving the print permission response, the printer driver 212 converts the print data including the print condition information into a print image image that can be interpreted by the output destination printing apparatus 1-1 and creates a print job (step S307). A reprint permission condition setting 400 screen (see FIG. 4) to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 23 of the client apparatus 2-1, and the user is prompted to perform an operation for setting a permission condition when the created print job is reprinted (step S1). S308).

  When the user sets the reprint permission condition on the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen, the printer driver 212 creates reprint permission condition data corresponding to the setting value selected and set on the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen. The generated reprint permission condition data, the calculated hash value (feature value) calculated in step S302 described above, and the print job generated in step S307 described above are transmitted to the output printing apparatus 1-1 (step S309). .

  Upon receiving the print job, the calculated hash value (feature value), and the reprint permission condition data transmitted from the printer driver 212, the printing apparatus 1-1 prints out the print image image of the print job on a sheet based on the print condition information. (Step S310) When the print output of all the print image images included in the print job has been completed normally (YES in Step S311), the calculated hash value (feature value) and reprint permission condition data are stored in the printing apparatus 1. -1 is recorded in the print history information 500 (see FIG. 5) held in step -1 (step S312), and a print end message is notified to the printer driver 212 of the client apparatus 2-1.

  In addition, the printer driver 212 notifies the application software 211 of the print end message received from the printing apparatus 1-1, and the print job ends.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the above-described reprint permission condition setting 400 screen. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen includes the print job created in step S307 described above. It includes a permission target selection unit 410 that selects and sets a target person to be permitted as a permission condition when printing, a permission number selection unit 420 that limits the number of permitted copies, and an operation button 430.

  In the permission target selection unit 410, “all users”, “only output by the administrator”, “only output by the user”, “only output from this client device”, and “no permission” are displayed. From these, a target person who is allowed to reprint is selected and set.

  In addition, “no limit” and “manage print history” are displayed in the permitted number of copies selection unit 420, and “unlimited” is selected when it is not desired to limit the number of copies permitted for reprinting. If the user wants to limit the number of copies to be printed, select “manage print number history” and enter the value of the number of copies to be limited in the copy number input field 421.

  In the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen, when “only output by the user” is selected in the permission target selection unit 41 and the “OK” operation button 430 is pressed, the user identification information not shown is input. A screen is displayed, and the user inputs a user ID for identifying the user himself / herself on this screen.

  In addition, the user ID input on the user identification information input screen is used as information for authenticating whether or not the user is the principal user when the print job is reprinted.

  The selection of the selection item and the pressing operation of the operation button 430 are performed by clicking the selection item to be selected and the operation button 430 to be pressed with the mouse.

  After selecting and setting the selection items of the permission target selection unit 410 and the permitted number of copies selection unit 420 on the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen configured as described above, the “OK” operation button 430 is selected to permit reprinting. The reprint permission condition data corresponding to the setting value selected and set on the condition setting 400 screen is created by the printer driver 212 and transmitted to the output printing apparatus 1-1, and the printing apparatus 1-1 receives the reprint permission condition. Each setting value of data is recorded in each setting item of the print history information 500.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of print history information 500 stored and held in each printing apparatus 1-n.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the print history information 500 includes records of items such as a document name 501, a print date / time 502, a feature amount (hash value) 503, permission target information 504, and reprint copy number information 505. Each printing apparatus 1-n records and holds the history of the print job printed and output by the own apparatus 1-n in the print history information 500.

  The permission target information 504 of the print history information 500 further includes a permission target ID 5041, a user ID 5042, an administrator ID 5043, and a transmission source address 5044. The reprint number information 505 includes a permitted number of copies ID 5051 and the number of permitted print copies. 5052 and the number of printed copies 5053, the document name 501 of the print history information 500 records the document name of the printed print job, and the print date and time 502 records the date and time when the print job was last printed. The feature amount (hash value) 503 records the feature amount (for example, hash value) of the print data included in the print job.

  In addition, each setting value of the reprint permission condition data transmitted from the printer driver 212 is recorded in the permission target information 504 and the reprint copy number information 505.

  Specifically, in the permission object ID 5041 of the permission object information 504, the setting value selected and set by the permission object selection unit 410 of the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen is recorded as a value from “A” to “E”, for example. The

  The setting value “A” indicates that “output by all users” in the permission target selection unit 410 is selected, and the setting value “B” indicates that “output only by the administrator” is selected. The setting value “C” indicates that “only output by the user” is selected, and the setting value “D” indicates that “only output from this client device” is selected. “E” indicates that “no permission” is selected.

  Further, as the user ID 5042, “only output by the user” is selected in the permission target selection unit 410 of the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen, and the user ID (not shown) is input by the user on the user identification information input screen (not shown). For example, user001) is recorded.

  Specifically, as shown in the example in which the document name 501 of the print history information 500 is “document C”, a setting value of “C” indicating that “only output by the user” is selected for the permission target ID 5041. In the user ID 5042, a user ID input on the user identification information input screen is recorded, for example, a set value of “user001”.

  The administrator ID 5043 records an administrator ID (for example, administrator) for identifying whether or not the user is an administrator when only the administrator is permitted to reprint the print job.

  This administrator ID (for example, administrator) is recorded in the records of all printed print jobs recorded in the print history information 500.

  The transmission source address 5044 includes address information (for example, xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) of the client apparatus 2-n when reprinting is permitted only from the client apparatus 2-n that first instructed to print the print job. Is recorded.

  This address information is read by the printing apparatus 1-n from the header information of the packet transmitted from the client apparatus 2-n that first instructed printing of the print job, and is temporarily stored and held. When the set value “D” indicating that “only output from this client device” is selected in the reprint permission condition data to be transmitted, the client device 2-n temporarily stored and held. Is recorded in the transmission source address 5044.

  In the permitted number of copies ID 5051 of the number of reprinted copies information 505, the setting value selected and set by the permitted number of copies selection unit 420 of the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen is recorded as a value of “0” or “1”, for example.

  The setting value “0” indicates “no limit”, that is, the number of copies permitted to be reprinted is not limited, and the setting value “1” indicates “manage print history”, that is, the print job. It shows that the print history of the print number is managed.

  In the permitted print copies 5052, “manage print history” is selected by the allowed copy number selection unit 420 of the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen, and the value of the number of copies input in the copy number input field 421 is recorded. The

  Specifically, as shown in the example in which the document name 501 of the print history information 500 is “document A”, “1” indicating that “manage print history” is selected as the permitted copy number ID 5051. The set value is recorded, and the set value of the number of copies input in the copy number input field 421 of the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen is, for example, “10” is recorded in the permitted print copies 5052.

  In the printed copy number 5053, the value of the number of copies in which the print job has already been printed is recorded.

  This value counts up the number of printed copies of the print job every time printing of the print job is normally completed, and records the number of printed copies up to the present in the printed number of copies 5053.

  The print history information 500 records a new print history of the print job or updates it if it has already been created each time a print job being printed by the apparatus 1-n is normally completed. To be recorded.

  The “document A” recorded in the print history information 500 will be described as an example of the print history of the printed print job. The “document A” (document name 501) of the printed print job recorded in the print history information 500 is The date and time when the document A was last printed is “October 01, 2005, 09:00” (print date and time 502), and the hash value (feature value) indicating the contents of the print data included in the document A is “hash value A "(Feature value (hash value) 503)", the target person permitted to reprint the document A is "output by all users" (permission target ID 5041 is A), and the limit on the number of copies of the document A is printed history (The number of permitted copies ID5051 is 1), and the number of copies permitted for reprinting is “10” (number of permitted copies 5052). It indicates that printed copies of bets A is "1" portion (printed copies 5053).

  Next, details of the print permission redetermination process (see FIG. 3) in step S313 described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operations of the printer driver 212 and the printing apparatus 1-1 in the print permission redetermination process.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the print permission redetermination process, in response to the inquiry from the printer driver 212 of the client apparatus 2-1, the print job having the same hash value as the calculated hash value is printed in step S306 described above. Whether or not the history is recorded in the print history information 500 (see FIG. 5) is confirmed by comparison. If it is confirmed that the history is recorded (YES in step S306), a reprint condition determination process (FIG. 5) described later is performed. 7) (step S313). If it is determined that printing is not permitted (NO in step S314), a response signal indicating that printing is not permitted is sent to the printer driver of the client device 2-1. 212 (step S313), and the printer driver 212 that has received the print disapproval response responds to a print disapproval process (see FIG. The reference) is carried out (step S319).

  When it is determined that printing is permitted in the reprinting condition determination process in step S313 (YES in step S314), a response signal for printing permission is returned to the printer driver 212 of the client device 2-1.

  On the other hand, the printer driver 212 of the client device 2-1 that has received the response of the print permission converts the print data including the print condition information into a print image image that can be interpreted by the output destination print device 1-1 and creates a print job. Then, the created print job is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1-1 to instruct printing (step S315).

  Upon receiving the print job, the printing apparatus 1-1 prints out the print image image included in the print job on paper based on the print condition information (step S316), and when the print output of the print job is completed (step S316). (YES in S317), the setting value of the number of printed copies recorded in the print history information 500 of the print job is updated (step S318), and a print end message is notified to the printer driver 212 of the client device 2-1.

  In addition, the printer driver 212 notifies the application software 211 of the print end message received from the printing apparatus 1-1, and the print job ends.

  Next, details of the reprint condition determination process in step S313 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 7 and the print history information 500 (see FIG. 5).

  In the reprint condition determination process, the reprinting permission condition indicated by each setting value of the permission target information 504 of the printed print job recorded in the print history information 500 having the same value as the calculated hash value of the inquiry ( It is determined that printing is permitted only when both the conditions for printing) and the conditions for the number of copies permitted for reprinting indicated by the setting values of the reprinting number information 505 (permitted number of copies condition) are satisfied.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, whether the print target conditions indicated by the setting values of the permission target information 504 of the printed print job having the same value as the query calculation hash value recorded in the print history information 500 are satisfied. Whether or not printing is not satisfied (NO in step S313-2), it is determined that printing is not permitted (step S313-6).

  In step S313-1, if the print target condition is satisfied (YES in step S313-2), the permitted number of copies condition indicated by each set value of the reprinted copy number information 505 of the printed print job is set. It is determined whether or not it is satisfied (step S313-3). If it is not satisfied (NO in step S313-4), it is determined that printing is not permitted (step S313-6). (YES in step S313-5), it is determined that printing is permitted (step S313-5).

  A specific example will be described with reference to the print history information 500. For example, the print recorded in the print history information 500 having the same value as the calculated hash value A of the inquiry from the printer driver 212 (the feature amount (hash value) 503 is the hash value A) is described. When the job is “document A” (document name 501), it is first determined whether or not the permission target condition indicated by each setting value of the permission target information 504 of “document A” is satisfied.

  Since the permission target condition of “document A” is set to permit reprinting to all users (permission target ID 5041 is A), it is determined that the permission target condition is satisfied.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the permitted number of copies condition indicated by each setting value of the reprint number of copies information 505 of “document A” is satisfied.

  As for the permitted number of copies condition of “Document A”, the history of the number of copies to be printed is managed (permitted number of copies ID5051 is 1), the number of copies permitted for reprinting is permitted up to 10 (allowed number of copies to be printed ID5052 is 10), Since the number of copies is set to 1 (printed copy ID 5053 is 1), if the reprint is up to 9 copies (10 copies of the permitted print copy ID 5052 minus 1 of the printed copy ID 5053), the permitted copy number condition is Judge that it is satisfied.

  As described above, the “document A” having the same value as the calculated hash value A of the inquiry has been printed, but the condition of the target person who permits reprinting (printing target condition) and the condition of the number of copies permitted for reprinting (number of permitted copies) It is determined that reprinting of the print data of the inquiry calculation hash value A (feature value) is permitted within a range satisfying both of the conditions.

  Further, for example, when the print job recorded in the print history information 500 having the same value as the calculated hash value B of the query is “document B” (document name 501), the administrator reprints “document B” as a permission target condition. Is set to “permitted” (permitted ID 5041 is “B”), and the number of copies permitted for reprinting is set to “unlimited” (permitted number ID 5051 is 0) as the permitted number of copies condition. If the input administrator ID matches the “admnst” of the administrator ID 5043, both the permission target condition and the permitted number of copies condition are satisfied, and it is determined that printing is permitted. The administrator ID input on the administrator ID input screen If the administrator ID 5043 does not match “admnst”, the permission target condition is not satisfied, and it is determined that printing is not permitted.

  Note that the acquisition of the administrator ID entered on the administrator ID input screen requests the printer driver 212 to transmit the administrator ID when reprinting is permitted only to the administrator as a permission target condition. Then, the printer driver 212 displays an administrator ID input screen, and receives and receives an administrator ID acquired and transmitted by a user input.

  For example, when the print job recorded in the print history information 500 having the same value as the calculated hash value C of the query is “document C” (document name 501), the user himself / herself is requested to reprint “document C” as a permission target condition. Only allowed (permitted ID 5041 is C), and the number of copies permitted for reprinting is set as “unlimited” (permitted number ID 5051 is 0) as the permitted number of copies condition. If the user ID matches “user001” of the user ID 5042, both the permission target condition and the permitted number of copies condition are satisfied, and it is determined that printing is permitted. The user ID input on the user ID authentication screen is “user001” of the user ID 5042. If they do not match, the permission target condition is not satisfied, and it is determined that printing is not permitted.

  Note that the acquisition of the user ID input on the user ID authentication screen requests the printer driver 212 to transmit the user ID when reprinting is permitted only for the principal user as the permission target condition, and the printer driver 212 displays the user ID authentication screen and receives and transmits the user ID acquired and transmitted by the user's input.

  For example, when the print job recorded in the print history information 500 having the same value as the calculated hash value D of the query is “document D” (document name 501), reprinting of “document D” is designated as the permission target condition. Is permitted only to the client apparatus (permitted ID 5041 is D), the history of the number of copies is managed as the permitted number of copies condition (permitted number ID 5051 is 1), and the number of copies permitted for reprinting is five (the permitted number of copies ID 5052 is 5) Since the number of printed copies so far is set to 5 (printed copy ID 5053 is 5), the number of copies allowed to be reprinted has already been printed, so the permitted number of copies condition is not satisfied and the object to be permitted The address information of the client apparatus 1-1 in the condition matches the address information “xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx” of the source address 5044. That, it is determined that the printing is not permitted, regardless of the city. Also, for example, when the print job recorded in the print history information 500 having the same value as the calculated hash value E of the query is “document E” (document name 501), reprinting of “document E” is permitted as a permission target condition. Since no permission is set (permission target ID 5041 is E), the permission target condition is not satisfied, and it is determined that printing is not permitted regardless of whether the permitted number of copies condition is satisfied.

Next, details of the reprint non-permission process (see FIG. 6) in step S319 described above will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operations of the printer driver 212 and the printing apparatus 1-1 in the reprint non-permission process. As shown in FIG. 8, the reprint non-permission process is performed in step S314 described above. When the first printer driver 212 receives a response signal indicating that printing is not permitted from the printing apparatus 1-1 (NO in step S314), the printer driver 212 prints the print job instructed to print from the application software 211 as an output destination. A print restriction 800 screen (see FIG. 9), which indicates that reprinting is not permitted without instructing printing to the device 1-1, is displayed on the display unit 23 of the client device 2-1 to notify the user ( In step S319), the user confirms the information indicating that printing is not permitted displayed on the screen of the printing restriction 800, and the “OK” operation button indicating the confirmation intention Application software 211 for the print job by selecting 01, operation of the printer driver 212 and the printing apparatus 1-1 ends. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the screen of the above-described print restriction 800. As illustrated in FIG. 9, information indicating that printing is not permitted is displayed on the screen of the print restriction 800 (for example, this print job is printed by the job owner). And the user recognizes that the print data instructed to be printed is not permitted for printing by checking the information indicating that printing is not permitted displayed on the screen of the printing restriction 800. To do.

  In the explanation so far, prior to the print job print instruction, an inquiry is made as to whether the contents of the print data of the print job are the same as the printed contents. If the contents are the same, printing of the print job is restricted. An example of the configured printing apparatus, printer driver, and print control method has been shown. From now on, even when the print data content of the print job instructed to print is similar to the printed content, the print job is printed. An example of a printing system, a printing apparatus, a printer driver, and a printing control method according to the present invention configured to limit the above will be described.

  With this configuration, for example, even when only the date of the print data of a printed print job is changed and printed, the content of the print data is recognized as almost the same as the content of the printed print data. Printing can be restricted.

  FIG. 10 inquires whether the content of the print data of the print job is the same or similar to the content of the printed print data prior to the print job print instruction, and if the same or similar, the print of the print job is restricted. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a printing apparatus 4-n and a client apparatus 5-n of the printing system 200 according to the present invention configured as described above. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a printing system 200 according to the present invention includes a plurality of printing apparatuses 4-1, printing apparatuses 4-2, printing apparatuses 4-3,. And a plurality of client devices 5-1 (not shown), client devices 5-2,..., And client devices 5-n (which are mounted with a printer driver 213). Hereinafter, they are collectively referred to as “client apparatus 5-n”) via a network such as a LAN 3, and the printing apparatus 4-n has a CPU similar to the printing apparatus 1-n (see FIG. 2). (= Central processing unit) 40, a storage unit 11, an image processing unit 12, an image forming unit 13, an operation display unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, and an external interface unit 16.

  The basic configuration of the printing apparatus 4-n is that each unit of the printing apparatus 4-n is controlled, and the CPU 40 that controls the entire printing apparatus 4-n is different from the CPU 10 of the printing apparatus 1-n in configuration and control operation. This is the same as the configuration and operation control of each unit of the printing apparatus 1-n.

  Similarly to the client device 2-n (see FIG. 2), the client device 5-n includes a CPU (= central processing unit) 20, a storage unit 21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, and an external interface unit. 24.

  In addition, an OS (= Operating System) 210, application software 211, and a printer driver 213 according to the present invention are installed in advance on a hard disk (not shown) of the storage unit 21 of the client device 5-n.

  The basic configuration of the client device 5-n is the same as that of the client device 2 except that the printer driver 213 installed in the storage unit 21 of the client device 5-n is different from the printer driver 212 (see FIG. 2) of the client device 2-n. This is the same as the configuration and operation control of each part of -n.

  In the printing system 200 in which the printing apparatus 4-n and the client apparatus 5-n configured as described above are connected via the LAN 3, the contents of the print data instructed by the printer driver 213 of the client apparatus 5-n, The flow of each operation of the printer driver 213 and the printing apparatus 4-n when a print job having the same or similar content is not printed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which the printer driver 213 of the client apparatus 5-1 makes an inquiry to the printing apparatus 4-1, and gives a print instruction.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, for example, print data is created or processed by the application software 211 of the client device 5-1, and the output destination (for example, the printing device 4-1) and the paper size, resolution, and enlargement on which the print data is printed. After setting printing condition information such as reduction, when printing is instructed, print data including the printing condition information is transferred to the printer driver 213 of the client device 5-1 (step S1001).

  The printer driver 213 converts print data including print condition information into a print image image that can be interpreted by the output destination printing apparatus 4-1, creates a print job, and transmits the created print job to the printing apparatus 4-1. (Step S1002).

  The printing apparatus 4-1 that has received the print job transmitted from the printer driver 213 extracts only the print image image of the print data excluding the print condition information (step S 1003), and prints based on the feature amount of the extracted print image image. Whether the content of the print data of the instructed print job is the same as or similar to the content of the printed print job is determined by the same similarity determination process (see FIG. 12) described later (step S1004).

  If it is determined that the content of the print data of the print job instructed to print by the same similarity determination process is the same as or similar to the content of the printed print job (YES in step S1005), the print permission re-execution described later is further performed. Whether or not printing of the print job is permitted is determined by the determination process (see FIG. 15), and processing corresponding to the determination result is performed by the printing apparatus 4-1 and the printer driver 213 (step S1010).

  If it is determined that the content of the print data of the print job instructed for printing by the same similarity determination process in step S1004 is not the same as or similar to the content of the printed print job (NO in step S1005), the printing apparatus 4- 1 sends a print permission response to the printer driver 213, and the printer driver 212 that has received this print permission response displays a reprint permission condition setting window 401 (see FIG. 13), which will be described later, on the client device 5-1. The user is prompted to set permission conditions (reprint permission conditions) when reprinting the print job displayed on the display unit 23 and instructed to print in step S1001 described above (step S1006).

  When the user selects and sets each setting value indicating the reprint permission condition on the reprint permission condition setting 401 screen, the printer driver 213 creates reprint permission condition data corresponding to each setting value of the reprint permission condition, It transmits to the printing apparatus 4-1.

  The printing apparatus 4-1 that has received the reprint permission condition data temporarily stores and holds the reprint permission condition data, and prints the print image image of the print job transmitted from the printer driver 213 in the above-described step S 1002. The printing apparatus 4-1 holds the reprint permission condition data stored and held when the print job is normally completed (YES in step S1008). The print history information 510 is recorded (step S1009), a print end message is notified to the printer driver 213, and the printer driver 213 notifies the received print end message to the application software 211, and the print job ends.

  Here, the same similarity determination processing in the above-described step S1004 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the same / similarity determination process, the print job instructed to be printed from the printer driver 213 and the printed print job recorded in the print history information have the same document name, the same feature amount, or a certain value or more. In this case, it is determined that the content of the print job instructed to be printed is the same as or similar to the content of the printed print job.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the hash value of the print image image of the print data excluding the print condition information from the print job transmitted from the printer driver 213 is calculated, and the calculated hash value (calculated hash value) Whether or not the print history of the print job having the same hash value is recorded in print history information 510 (see FIG. 14) described later is checked by comparison (step S1004).

  If a print history having the same value as the calculated hash value is recorded in step S1004 (YES in step S1104-1), the content of the print job instructed to print (print data) is the content of the printed print job (print data). ) Is determined to be the same (step S1004-12).

  If no print history having the same value as the calculated hash value has been recorded in step S1004 (NO in step S1004-1), the print history of a print job having the same document name as the print job instructed to print. Is checked by comparison with reference to whether it is recorded in the print history information 510 (step S1004-2).

  In step S1004-2, if a print history having the same document name as the print job instructed for printing is recorded (YES in step S1104-3), the contents of the print job instructed for printing have been printed. It is determined that the content is similar to the content of the print job (step S1004-12).

  In step S1004-2, if a print history having the same document name as that of the print job instructed to print is not recorded (NO in step S1004-3), print data of the print job instructed to print is stored. Separated into text data and image data such as charts and photographic data (step S1004-4), a hash value is calculated from the separated text data, and a hash value having the same value as the calculated hash value (calculated hash value) is obtained. Whether or not the print history of the print job it has is recorded in the print history information 510 is checked by comparison (step S1004-5).

  If a print history having the same value as the calculated hash value is recorded in step S1004-5 (YES in step S1104-6), the content of the print job instructed to print is similar to the content of the printed print job. (Step S1004-12).

  If no print history having the same value as the calculated hash value is recorded in step S1004-5 (NO in step S1104-6), the hash value is calculated from the image data separated in step S1004-4 described above. Whether or not the print history of a print job having the same hash value as the calculated hash value (calculated hash value) is recorded in the print history information 510 is checked by comparison (step S1004-7).

  If a print history having the same value as the calculated hash value is recorded in step S1004-7 (YES in step S1104-8), the content of the print job instructed to print is similar to the content of the printed print job. (Step S1004-12).

  In step S1004-7, if a print history having the same value as the calculated hash value is not recorded (NO in step S1104-8), “total number of pixels”, “image centroid”, “projection waveform”, “T The total number of pixels of print data instructed to print according to the feature quantity selected from the feature quantity such as “/ I area configuration”, the image center of gravity, the frequency characteristics of the projected waveform, and T (text data) / I (image data) Each area composition ratio is calculated, and a reference comparison is performed to determine whether the print history of a print job having the feature quantity that matches the calculated feature quantity (calculated feature quantity) with a matching degree equal to or higher than the set matching degree is recorded in the print history information 510. (Step S1004-9).

  In step S1004-9, if a print history of a feature value that is equal to or equal to or greater than a calculated feature value is recorded (YES in step S1104-10), the contents of the print job instructed to print are printed. It is determined that the content is similar to the content of the completed print data (step S1004-12).

  In step S1004-9, if the print history of the feature quantity that is equal to the calculated feature quantity or equal to or greater than a certain value is not recorded (NO in step S1104-10), the content of the print job instructed to print is It is determined that printing has not been performed (step S1004-11).

  Next, the configuration of the above-described reprint permission condition setting 401 screen and print history information 510 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen 401 for setting reprint permission conditions.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the reprint permission condition setting 401 screen includes a permission object selection unit 411, a permitted number of copies selection unit 421, a similar document handling selection unit 440, a similar document feature amount selection unit 450, and operation buttons 431. The permitted object selection unit 411, the permitted number of copies selection unit 421 and the operation button 431 are the permitted object selection unit 410 on the reprint permission condition setting 400 screen (see FIG. 4) and the number of permitted copies. The configuration is the same as that of the selection unit 420 and the operation button 430.

  The similar document handling selection unit 440 is a selection item for selecting handling management of similar documents, and performs print restriction only when the print data contents of the print job instructed to print and the printed print job are the same (complete match) This is a selection item for selecting whether only document management is selected) or whether printing is restricted even when the contents are similar (similar documents are also selected for management).

  The similar document feature amount selection unit 450 is a selection item for selecting and specifying the feature amount of the similar document, and selects a condition for determining the similarity of the contents of the print data of the print job instructed to print and the print job that has been printed. The selection item to be

  Specifically, the similar document feature value selection unit 450 includes “document name match”, “chart and photo data match”, “text data match”, “image feature value match degree”, “total number of pixels” ”,“ Image center of gravity ”,“ Projected waveform ”,“ T / I area configuration ”,“ All ”, etc. are displayed, and“ Document name matches ”is the same document as the document name of the print job instructed to print When the print job with the name is already printed, the selection is made when it is determined that the content of the print data of the print job instructed to print is similar to the content of the printed print job.

  “Chart and photo data match” means that a print job having a feature value (image data) equivalent to a feature value (for example, hash value) of image data such as a diagram and photo data of a print job instructed to print is printed. In the case of having been completed, the selection is made when it is determined that the content of the print data of the print job instructed to be printed is similar to the content of the printed print job.

  “Text data match” means that if a print job having a feature value (text data) equal to the feature value (for example, hash value) of the text data of the print job instructed to be printed has been printed, This is selected and set when it is determined that the content of the print data of the job is similar to the content of the printed print job.

  In addition, the “matching degree of image feature amount” is selected and set such as “total number of pixels”, “image centroid”, “projection waveform”, “T / I area configuration”, or “all” of the print job instructed to be printed. If the feature amount that has been printed matches the feature amount of the printed print job recorded in the print history information 510 at a set matching level or higher, the print data content of the print job instructed to be printed is printed Select and set when it is determined that the data content is similar.

  “All” is to designate all of “total number of pixels”, “image centroid”, “projection waveform”, and “T / I region configuration” as feature amounts, and the degree of coincidence is set by the user. However, it may be set as a default value.

  “OK” operation button after selecting and setting the selection items of the permission target selection unit 410, the permitted number selection unit 420, the similar document handling selection unit 440, and the similar document feature amount selection unit 450 on the screen 401 for setting the reprint permission condition By selecting 430, reprint permission condition data corresponding to each set value selected and set is created by the printer driver 213 and transmitted to the printing apparatus 4-1.

  The printing apparatus 4-1 that has received the reprint permission condition data stores and holds the reprint permission condition data in the print history information 510 after the printing of the print job is normally completed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print history information 510 stored and held in each printing apparatus 4-n.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the print history information 510 includes a document name 511, a print date and time 512, a feature amount (hash value) 513, permission target information 514, reprint copy number information 515, similar document handling information 516, similar It is composed of record formation of data corresponding to items such as document feature information 517, and the history of the print job printed out by the own apparatus 4-n is recorded and held in the print history information 500.

  The permission target information 514 includes a permission target ID 5141, a user ID 5142, an administrator ID 5143, and a transmission source address 5144. The number of copies is 5153.

  It should be noted that the document name 511, print date 512, feature amount (hash value) 513, permission target information 514, and reprint number information 515 of the print history information 510 are configured in the same manner as the print history information 500 shown in FIG. The detailed description of these configurations will be referred to the above description and will be omitted here.

  The similar document handling information 516 of the print history information 510 corresponds to “manage only exact match documents” or “manage similar documents” selected and set by the similar document handling selection unit 440 on the reprint permission condition setting 401 screen described above. Value to be set.

  The similar document feature information 517 includes similar identification information 5171, a text feature amount (hash value) 5172, an image feature amount (hash value) 5173, a feature amount matching degree 5174, a matching degree identification information 5175, and the total number of pixels. Data 5176, image center-of-gravity data 5177, projection waveform data 5178, and T / I area configuration data 5179, and similar identification information 5171 includes similar document characteristics of the above-described reprint permission condition setting 401 screen. A setting value indicating the feature amount selected from the feature amounts of “agreement of document name”, “agreement of chart and photo data”, “agreement of text data”, and “agreement degree of image feature amount” of the amount selection unit 450 Is set.

  Also, in the feature amount matching degree 5174, “similarity degree of image feature amount” is selected by the similar document feature amount selection unit 450 on the setting 401 screen of the reprint permission condition, and the set value of the matching degree set as input is set. The

  In addition, the text feature amount (hash value) 5172 sets the hash value calculated from the separated text data by separating the print data of the print job instructed for printing into text data and image data (chart, photo data, etc.). The hash value calculated from the separated image data is set in the image feature amount (hash value) 5173.

  The total pixel number data 5176, the image centroid data 5177, the projection waveform data 5178, and the T / I area configuration data 5179 include the total pixel number calculated from the print data of the print job instructed to print, the image centroid, and the projection waveform frequency. Each value such as a characteristic and a composition ratio between text data and image data separated from print data is set.

  Next, details of the print permission redetermination process (see FIG. 11) in step S1010 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of the printer driver 213 and the printing apparatus 4-1 in the print permission redetermination process.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the print permission redetermination process, in the same similarity determination process in step S1005 described above, it is determined that the content of the print data of the print job instructed for printing is similar to the content of the printed print job. If this is the case (YES in step S1005), the print permission or the print non-permission is further determined by a reprint condition determination process (see FIG. 16) described later (step S1010), and the reprint condition determination process determines that the print is not permitted. If the result is NO (NO in step S1011), a response signal indicating that printing is not permitted is returned to the printer driver 213 of the client device 5-1 by a printing not-permitting process described later (see FIG. 17) (step S1015). Upon receiving the response, the printer driver 213 performs a processing operation corresponding to the printing disapproval (step S1016).

  If it is determined that printing is permitted in the reprinting condition determination process in step S1010 (YES in step S1011), the print image image of the print job instructed to be printed is printed on paper based on the printing condition information (step S1010). S1012) When the print output of the print job has been completed normally (YES in step S1013), the set value of the number of printed copies 5153 of the print job recorded in the print history information 510 is updated (step S1014). The end message is notified to the printer driver 213, and the printer driver 213 notifies the application software 211 of the print end message, whereby the print job ends.

  Next, details of the reprint condition determination processing in step S1010 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The reprint condition determination process shown in FIG. 16 is the same processing operation as the above-described reprint condition determination process (see FIG. 7) except that the print history information 510 to be referred to is different from the print history information 500.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the feature quantity that is equal to or equal to or greater than a calculated feature quantity calculated in the same similarity determination process (see FIG. 12) recorded in the print history information 510 described above. It is determined whether or not the print target condition indicated by each setting value set in the permission target information 514 of the printed print job is satisfied (step S1010-1). If the print target condition is not satisfied (step S1010-1). It is determined that printing is not permitted (step S1010-6).

  If the print target condition is satisfied in step S1010-1 (YES in step S1010-2), the permitted number of copies condition indicated by each setting value of the reprinted number of copies information 515 of the printed print job is further set. It is determined whether it is satisfied (step S1010-3). If it is not satisfied (NO in step S1010-4), it is determined that printing is not permitted (step S1010-6). (YES in step S1010-4), it is determined that printing is permitted (step S1010-5).

  Next, details of the reprint non-permission process (see FIG. 15) in step S1015 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operations of the printer driver 213 and the printing apparatus 4-1 in the reprint non-permission process. As shown in FIG. 17, the reprint non-permission process is performed as described above. 8).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, it is determined in step S1010 that the print data content of the print job instructed by the same similarity determination process is the same as or similar to the content of the printed print data, and the print When it is determined that the print permission condition is not satisfied based on the setting values of the permission target information 514 and the reprint number information 515 recorded in the print history information 510 of the completed print job (NO in step S1010), the printing apparatus 4-1 responds to the printer driver 213 with a response signal indicating that printing is not permitted, and the printer driver 213 that has received the response indicating that printing is not permitted displays a print restriction 810 screen described later indicating that printing is not permitted (see FIG. 18). Is displayed on the display unit 23 of the client device 5-1, and notified to the user (step S1015). The operation of the application software 211, the printer driver 212, and the printing apparatus 1-1 for the print job is confirmed by confirming the information indicating that printing is not permitted displayed on the screen and selecting the “OK” operation button 811 indicating the confirmation intention. finish.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the above-described print restriction 810 screen. The print restriction 810 screen shown in FIG. 18 is configured in the same manner as the above-described print restriction 800 screen (see FIG. 9). ing.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, information indicating that printing is not permitted is displayed on the screen of printing restriction 810 (for example, that printing is restricted by the job owner), and the user Recognizes that the print data instructed to be printed is not permitted for printing by confirming the information indicating that printing is not permitted displayed on the screen of the printing restriction 810.

  In the above description, the configuration example in which each printing apparatus individually holds the print history of the print job printed by the own apparatus as the print history information has been described. However, each printing apparatus connected to the network 3 holds the print history. The print history information may be regularly exchanged between the printing devices and shared, or the print history information may be retained on removable media so that the print history information can be inherited even when the printing device is replaced. Alternatively, it may be configured to be held and shared by a dedicated server.

  As described above, the printing apparatus, printer driver, and print control method of the present invention store and hold the history of a print job that has been printed including the contents of print data of the print job, and the contents of the mark data instructed to be printed have been printed. If the print data is the same as or similar to the contents of the print data, the print data, such as confidential information, is inadvertently or illegally determined by selectively judging whether printing is permitted or not for the print job instructed to print. Reprinting can be prevented.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 100 according to the present invention. Block diagram of basic configuration of printing apparatus 1-n and client apparatus 2-n A flowchart showing the operations of the printer driver 212 and the printing apparatus 1-n when the print data of the content inquired from the printer driver 212 is unprinted. The figure which shows an example of the setting 400 screen of reprint permission conditions The figure which shows an example of a structure of the printing history information 500 Flow chart showing the operations of the printer driver 212 and the printing apparatus 1-1 in the print permission redetermination process. Flow chart showing an example of processing operation of reprint condition determination processing A flowchart showing the operations of the printer driver 212 and the printing apparatus 1-1 in the reprint non-permission process. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the restrictions 800 of printing Block diagram of the basic configuration of a printing apparatus 1-n and a client apparatus 2-n constituting a printing system 200 according to the present invention. A flowchart showing each operation of the printer driver 213 and the printing apparatus 4-n when the print data which is the same as or similar to the content of the print data instructed to be printed is not printed Flow chart showing an example of processing operation of identical similarity determination processing The figure which shows an example of the setting 401 screen of reprint permission conditions The figure which shows an example of a structure of the printing log | history information 510 Flow chart showing the operations of the printer driver 213 and the printing apparatus 4-1 in the print permission redetermination process. Flow chart of reprint condition judgment processing A flowchart showing the operations of the printer driver 213 and the printing apparatus 4-1 in the reprint non-permission process. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the restriction | limiting 810 of printing

Explanation of symbols

1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-n printing device 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-n client device 3 LAN (= Local Area Network)
4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-n Printing device 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-n Client device 10 CPU of printing device 1-n (= Central processing unit)
11 Storage unit (printing device 1-n, printing device 4-n)
12 Image processing unit (printing apparatus 1-n, printing apparatus 4-n)
13 Image forming unit (printing apparatus 1-n, printing apparatus 4-n)
14 Operation display unit (printing device 1-n, printing device 4-n)
15 Paper feed unit (printing device 1-n, printing device 4-n)
16 External interface unit (printing device 1-n, printing device 4-n)
20 CPU of client device 2-n and client device 5-n (= central processing unit)
21 Storage unit (client device 2-n, client device 5-n)
22 Input unit (client device 2-n, client device 5-n)
23 display unit (client device 2-n, client device 5-n)
24 External interface unit (client device 2-n, client device 5-n)
40 CPU of printing device 4-n (= central processing unit)
100, 200 Printing system 210 OS (= Operating System)
211 Application software 212, 213 Printer driver 400, 401 Reprint permission condition setting screen 500, 510 Print history information 501, 511 Document name 502, 512 Print date 503, 513 Feature quantity (hash value)
504, 514 Reprint permission target condition 5041, 5141 Permission target ID
5042, 5142 User ID
5043, 5143 Administrator ID
5044, 5144 Source address 505, 515 Reprint number information 5051, 5151 Permitted number ID
5052, 5152 Number of permitted copies 5053, 5153 Number of printed copies 800, 810 Print limit notification screen

Claims (10)

In a printing system that performs printing based on a print instruction involving processing of a print output image,
Print image creating means for creating a print image ignoring the processing of the output image;
Calculating means for calculating unique print specifying information for specifying the print image from the print image created by the print image creating means;
History storage means for storing the print specific information calculated by the calculation means as print history information based on the print instruction;
A printing system comprising: a discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the printing can be performed by referring to the print specifying information stored in the history storage unit when printing based on the printing instruction. The history storage means includes
Storing a print permission condition based on the print instruction corresponding to the print identification information;
The discrimination means includes
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein whether or not printing is possible is determined with reference to the permission condition. A print application for performing the print instruction;
A printer driver that processes the print output image based on a print instruction from the print application and makes a print request to a printing apparatus;
The calculating means includes
Provided in the printer driver;
The history storage means includes
Provided in the printing apparatus;
The printer driver is
Inquiry means for making an inquiry about the permission of printing related to the printing request to the printing apparatus based on the printing specific information calculated by the calculating means;
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a print request unit that issues the print request to the printing apparatus based on a print permission response from the printing apparatus based on the inquiry by the inquiry unit. A print application for performing the print instruction;
A printer driver that processes the print output image based on a print instruction from the print application and makes a print request to a printing apparatus;
The calculation means and the history storage means are
Provided in the printing apparatus;
The discrimination means includes
The printability is determined by referring to the print specification information stored in the history storage unit based on the print specification information calculated by the calculation unit when printing based on the print instruction. Or the printing system of 2. In a printer driver that processes a print output image based on a print instruction from a print application and issues a print request to a printing apparatus.
Print image creating means for creating a print image ignoring the processing of the output image;
Calculating means for calculating unique print specifying information for specifying the print image from the print image created by the print image creating means;
Inquiry means for making an inquiry about the permission of printing related to the printing request to the printing apparatus based on the printing specific information calculated by the calculating means;
A printer driver, comprising: a print request unit that issues a print request to the printing device based on a print permission response from the printing device based on an inquiry from the inquiry unit. The print request means includes
Permission condition confirmation means for confirming the printing permission condition for the printing application in response to a printing permission response from the printing apparatus;
2. The printer driver according to claim 1, further comprising permission condition transmitting means for transmitting the permission condition confirmed by the permission condition confirming means to the printing apparatus when a print request is made by the print request means. In a printing device that performs printing based on a print output image processed based on a print instruction from a print application,
Print image creating means for creating a print image ignoring the processing of the output image;
Calculating means for calculating unique print specifying information for specifying the print image from the print image created by the print image creating means;
And a history storage unit that stores the print specific information calculated by the calculation unit as print history information based on the print instruction. The history storage means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a printing permission condition based on the printing instruction is stored corresponding to the printing specification information. In a print control method for controlling printing of the print output image processed based on a print instruction accompanied by processing of the print output image,
A print image ignoring the processing of the output image is created by a print image creation means,
Calculating unique print specifying information for specifying the print image from the print image created by the print image creating means,
The print specific information calculated by the calculation means is stored in the history storage means as print history information based on the print instruction,
A printing control method comprising: determining whether printing is possible by referring to the print specifying information stored in the history storage unit when printing based on the print instruction. The history storage means includes
Storing a print permission condition based on the print instruction corresponding to the print identification information;
The discrimination means includes
The print control method according to claim 9, wherein whether or not printing is possible is determined with reference to the permission condition.

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