JP2008012715A - Image output device and image output system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To check beforehand whether it is adequate or not to allow an administrator to approve outputting of an image requested by a user by contacting the contents of the image, and then to allow the administrator to give the approval to the user. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 20 sends a preview formed based on an image requested to be output by a PC 10 of a printer user to a PC 30 of an administrator by attaching it to an approval request. The PC 30 of the administrator for giving the approval of the outputting of the image browses the preview to judge beforehand whether or not the approval of the outputting of the image is adequate at three levels of (1) an unconditional approval, (2) an approval by an output condition of adding a background pattern such as embedding of user information and (3) non-approval, and then designates the presence or absence of the approval of the outputting to the printer. By receiving the designation, the outputting of the image can be carried out only when the approval is issued so that it is possible to restrict the outputting in consideration of the confidentiality or to warn the user to pay attention about the handling of the output information by using the output method (addition of a background pattern, collective printing or the like) enabling the user to recognize information necessary for keeping the confidentiality according to the output image, thereby adequately maintaining the security. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus such as a printer or MFP connected to a network, and more particularly to an image output apparatus constituting an image output system that can manage output images from the viewpoint of confidentiality.

Today, printers that print documents created on PCs (Personal Computers) and MFPs (MFPs) based on the copy function are shared with members in the company / office as network output image output devices. It is used in such a form.
These image output apparatuses have been provided with a function of accumulating generated output image data in an image storage device so that they can be reused. In addition, with the addition of such a storage function, recognition of the need to guarantee the originality of stored images has increased, and a system having a function for authenticating newly generated image data has been proposed. ing.
The proposed system authenticates image data generated by an authorized administrator with an authentication server or the like provided on a network. The authenticated image data is stored and managed in an image storage device together with a signature and a time stamp attached as a certificate of authentication by an authentication server or the like.
However, the conventional authentication function as described above is limited to providing a function for guaranteeing the originality by adding a signature or a time stamp to the stored image data. Therefore, this authentication function checks whether or not it is appropriate to flow out as a printed matter as requested by the user when performing print output with image data, and gives approval to the content of the image. Therefore, it does not provide a function corresponding to the current demand for maintaining security appropriately.
By the way, when setting a desired printing condition by a user operation in a printer, MFP, or host PC that requests printing to these image output apparatuses, a function is provided for displaying a preview image on the operation screen and checking the output image in advance. is there. As an image forming apparatus having a function of displaying such a preview image on the screen of the operation panel, for example, JP-A-2006-41947 can be cited. Note that the feature of the function disclosed in Patent Document 1 is that it is possible to set print conditions also by an input operation on the displayed preview image.
JP 2006-41947 A

However, the display of the preview image in Patent Document 1 is only used by the user to set desired printing conditions and check the output image in advance, and the image output (outflow of printed matter) requested by the user by the administrator. ) Is appropriate for whether or not it is appropriate to check the contents of the image in advance and give approval, for example, by adopting a method that restricts the output from the viewpoint of confidentiality, for example, It cannot meet the requirement of maintaining it properly.
An object of the present invention is to check in advance and approve whether or not it is appropriate for an administrator to allow an image output (outflow of printed matter) requested by a user in an image output apparatus connectable to a network. It is in providing the means which makes it possible to give. Another object of the present invention is to enable management for smoothly operating the approval function on the network system.

The invention according to claim 1 is an image output apparatus having a network interface and outputting an image in response to an image output request received via either the network interface or the main body operation panel. A means for generating image data for preview display, a means for transmitting an approval request with image data for preview display to an output approval apparatus receiving approval for image output via a network interface, and the output approval A receiving means for receiving a response to the approval request from the device via the network interface; and an output for outputting an image corresponding to the image output request on the condition that the approval is instructed in the response to the approval request received from the output approval device. Control means is provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern can be added to the output image, the output control means approves the response to the approval request received from the output approval apparatus. In accordance with an instruction for adding a background pattern to an output image specified as a condition, the image forming apparatus is characterized by performing control for adding a background pattern to an output image.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the output control means changes the output condition specified as the approval condition in response to the approval request received from the output approval apparatus. According to the above instruction, there is provided means for changing the output condition of the image output request.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image output apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the management server that stores and manages information related to the image output is generated along with the image output via the network interface. A means for transmitting the output image data, the output condition, and the authentication condition is provided.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the management server has a function of making a determination based on management information in response to a request for determining whether image output is possible or not. A means for transmitting output image data relating to the image output request and data including output conditions to the management server that receives the image output determination request via the network interface; and an image output determination from the management server via the network interface. Receiving means for receiving a response to the request; and output control means for outputting an image in response to the image output request on condition that image output is permitted in response to the image output determination request received from the management server It is characterized by that.
The invention according to claim 6 has the image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a network interface, and is connectable to the image output apparatus via the network interface, and is generated in the image output apparatus. A function for storing and managing output image data, output conditions, and authentication conditions as management information, and performing the determination based on the management information in response to a request for determining whether image output is possible or not requested from the image output apparatus; It features an image output system comprising a management server provided.

According to the present invention, whether or not it is appropriate for an administrator who has the authority to approve image output to allow image output (outflow of printed matter) in advance by looking at the preview display of the requested image data. This is instructed as the approval or disapproval of the output, and the result is received and the image output can be executed only when it is approved, so that the output can be limited from the viewpoint of confidentiality, or from the output image Security can be properly maintained by calling attention to the handling of output information by using an output method (addition of background pattern, image aggregation, etc.) that can recognize information that needs to maintain confidentiality. Become.
Further, by storing and managing output image data, output conditions, and authentication conditions generated in the image output device by the management server as management information, the operation of the image output system when using the approval function is improved, Allows smooth operation of the approval function.

Embodiments relating to the image output system of the present invention will be described below. The present embodiment shows an example in which the image output system of the present invention is applied to a system using a printer as an image output apparatus. However, the image output device constituting the image output system is not limited to a printer but may be an MFP, and can be connected to an output approval device (approver PC) and a management server described later via a network I / F (interface). Any device provided with image output means may be used.
FIG. 1 exemplifies a schematic configuration of a printer constituting the image output system according to the present embodiment.
The printer 20 shown in FIG. 1 includes a communication unit 240 that forms a network I / F with an information processing apparatus such as a PC connected to a network, an operation unit 250 that provides an I / F with a user, and an image on paper. An image output means 260 such as a plotter that outputs to the printer, a print command analysis means 230 that analyzes a print command expressed in PDL (Printer Description Language), etc., and generates output image data; The storage process (memory such as RAM and ROM) 220 and the storage device (storage device for data storage such as HDD) 221 for storing the image data, the input of the print command, and the processing process until print output is performed according to the command Main control means 210 for controlling the entire printer including management, preview creation means 270 for creating a preview image based on output image data, and output Having a background pattern creating means 280 for creating a background pattern to be added to the image.

The printer 20 having the above-described configuration manages each element shown in FIG. 1 constituting the device from the power ON to OFF by the main control unit 210 and operates according to the set control condition.
The user inputs a print command to the printer 20 through two routes. One is to issue a print command with print data created by an external device from an external device such as a PC used by a user connected to the network, or use an image stored in the storage device 221 of the printer 20. In this case, a print command specifying a stored image is issued and input to the printer 20 via the network and communication unit 240. The other is a route for performing an operation of specifying a stored image in the storage device 221 of the printer 20 as an output target and inputting a print command from the operation unit 250 of the printer 20 main body.
For example, when a print command with PDL print data is input from an external PC, the printer 20 analyzes the PDL data by the print command analysis unit 230, generates image data for output, and outputs the print command. Understand the instructed printing conditions and generate control data.
In addition, when an input operation for designating an image stored in the storage device 221 from the operation unit 250, setting print conditions, and instructing print output is performed, the printer 20 causes the main control unit 210 to input the print Under the conditions, control data is generated according to the output image data and the instructed printing conditions.
Here, when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print, consolidated print, or the like is instructed as a print condition, the main-control unit 210 generates a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern creation unit 280 at the stage of generating image data for output. When data addition, image data aggregation processing, and the like are performed, and when double-sided printing is instructed, the image output unit 260 is controlled at the stage of image formation on the recording medium, and the recording medium Image forming processing on both sides is performed. Note that a memory such as the RAM of the storage means 220 is used for data operations required at each processing stage of the image data.

The printer 20 shown in FIG. 1 is an administrator who has the authority to approve the output in advance when performing print output according to a print command received via either the communication unit 240 or the operation unit 250. Approval is requested, and only the approved image is printed out.
In this image output system, the print output check function issues an approval request to an output approval device (approver PC) connected via a network I / F from a printer (FIG. 1) as an image output device. In response to the above, the image output device side performs an operation of setting the output condition of the print output in accordance with the approval result sent from the output approval device via the network.
In addition, in the approval request made from the image output device to the output approval device, whether or not it is appropriate for the administrator to allow the image output requested by the user (outflow of printed matter) is checked against the image content and approved. In order to be able to give the image, image data for preview display of the image is added. The printer 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 as an example of the image output apparatus has a preview creation unit 270, which creates preview display image data to be added at the time of an approval request. Preview images having various display formats have already been proposed, and can be implemented by selecting an appropriate format from the image contents and check items.
In the following, an embodiment of a print output check function according to the present plan in the image output system will be described.
In the following, an embodiment relating to a configuration for realizing the most basic check function is shown as “Embodiment 1”.
Further, “Embodiment 2” is based on “Embodiment 1” and allows an output approval apparatus to approve an image output with an output condition and to perform a printing operation corresponding to this. Indicates.
Furthermore, “Embodiment 3” is based on “Embodiment 1” or “Embodiment 2” and uses a management server that stores and manages output image data, output conditions, and authentication conditions as management information. An embodiment in which the approval operation of the output system is made efficient and the approval function can be smoothly operated on the system will be described.

“Embodiment 1”
This embodiment shows the most basic embodiment of an image output system having a configuration for realizing a print output check function.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and processing process of the image output system according to the present embodiment.
The image output system shown in FIG. 2 responds to an approval request from the printer PC 10 as a host device, a local printer 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) as an image output device, and returns an approval result. The approver PC 30 and the local area network (LAN) 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as “network”) as output approval devices are used as elements.
This image output system is a system in which the printer 20 performs print output (printing) in accordance with a print command indicated in print data from the host PC 10. However, in this embodiment, when outputting all print commands input to the printer 20, the approver PC 30 is requested to approve the output in advance, and whether or not the output can be performed is determined according to the obtained approval result. Determine. Accordingly, not only a print command input via the network but also a print command received via the operation unit 250 of the printer 20 main body is similarly activated.
The data flow (1) → (2) → (3) shown in Fig. 2 represents the data movement between devices over time in the order of numbers (1), (2), and (3). The direction in which data flows is indicated by the direction of the arrow (→).

A processing process in the image output system of this embodiment will be described below along the flow of data (1) → (2) → (3) shown in FIG.
First, the user performs an operation for instructing execution of print output of a document or the like created using a document creation application or the like in the printer PC 10. The printer PC 10 receiving this operation creates print data based on the document and the set printing conditions, transmits the print data to the printer 20 designated as the print request destination, and inputs a print command to the printer 20 (FIG. 2, (1) Print request).
Next, the printer 20 that receives the input of the print command via the communication unit 240 starts the printing process. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of print processing performed by the printer 20.
As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 3, the printer 20 creates data for print preview by the preview creation means 270 based on the image data to be printed out attached to the received print data (step). S101). In addition, data such as a printer name is created as user information to be attached together with print preview data to an output approval request to the approver PC 30 performed in the next stage (step S102).
Next, an output approval request process is performed to the approver PC 30 (step S103). This output approval request process follows the flowchart of the subroutine shown in FIG.

In the output approval request process, as shown in the process flow of FIG. 4, an output approval request attached with print preview data, user information, etc. created in the previous step is approved via the communication means 240 at the beginning of the process. To the user PC 30 (step S121). The flow of data by this process corresponds to (2) preview / user information transmission and approval request in FIG.
Here, the approver PC 30 having made the output approval request displays the print preview on the display of the PC using the print preview data attached to the output approval request. The approver determines whether or not the output of the target image can be approved by a method such as viewing a print preview of the image to be checked on the PC display screen and checking the attached user information. . The determination result is returned to the printer 20 as approval information (FIG. 2, (3) approval).
Thereafter, the printer 20 that has requested output approval receives a response to the output approval request transmitted from the approver PC 30 (step S122). Approval information is shown in the response to the received output approval request.
After receiving the approval information from the approver PC 30, the printer 20 exits the subroutine of the output approval request process (FIG. 4), and is shown in the response to the received output approval request as the next step in the main flow (FIG. 3). From the approval information, the result of whether or not the approval has been obtained is obtained (step S104).
As a result, only when approval is obtained (step S104-YES), the printing process is executed (step S105), and after the process, the process flow is terminated.
On the other hand, when approval is not obtained (step S104-NO), this processing flow is ended without performing the printing process.
It is appropriate that the administrator having the authority to approve image output allows the image output (outflow of printed matter) in advance by looking at the preview display of the requested image data by the above processing process. It becomes possible to instruct approval of output of NO. Accordingly, it is possible to check even the contents of the output image, and it is possible to more appropriately maintain security by restricting the output from the viewpoint of confidentiality or confidentiality based on the obtained result.

“Embodiment 2”
This embodiment is based on the above “Embodiment 1”, and shows an embodiment in which an output approval apparatus can approve an image output with an output condition and perform a printing operation corresponding to this.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and processing process of the image output system according to the present embodiment.
The image output system shown in FIG. 5 includes a printer PC 10 as a host machine, a printer 20 as an image output apparatus, an approver PC 30 as an output approval apparatus that responds to an approval request from the printer 20 and returns an approval result, and a LAN 30. Is the element.
This image output system is a system in which the printer 20 performs print output (printing) in accordance with a print command indicated in print data from the host PC 10. However, in this embodiment, when outputting all print commands input to the printer 20, the approver PC 30 is requested to approve the output in advance, and whether or not the output can be performed is determined according to the obtained approval result. Determine. Accordingly, not only a print command input via the network but also a print command received via the operation unit 250 of the printer 20 main body is similarly activated.
The data flow (1) → (2) → (3) shown in Fig. 5 represents the data movement between devices over time in the order of numbers (1), (2), and (3). The direction in which data flows is indicated by the direction of the arrow (→).

A processing process in the image output system of this embodiment will be described below along the flow of data (1) → (2) → (3) shown in FIG.
First, the user performs an operation for instructing execution of print output of a document or the like created using a document creation application or the like in the printer PC 10. The printer PC 10 receiving this operation creates print data based on the document and the set printing conditions, transmits the print data to the printer 20 designated as the print request destination, and inputs a print command to the printer 20 (FIG. 5, (1) Print request).
Next, the printer 20 that receives the input of the print command via the communication unit 240 starts the printing process. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of print processing performed by the printer 20.
As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 6, the printer 20 creates data for print preview by the preview creation means 270 based on the image data to be printed out attached to the received print data (step). S201). In addition, data such as a printer name is created as user information to be attached together with print preview data to an output approval request to the approver PC 30 performed in the next stage (step S202).
Next, an output approval request process is performed to the approver PC 30 (step S203). This output approval request process follows the flowchart of the subroutine shown in FIG.

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 4, the output approval request process is performed by sending an output approval request attached with print preview data, user information, and the like created in the previous steps S201 and S202 at the beginning of the process. The data is transmitted to the approver PC 30 via 240 (step S121). The flow of data by this processing corresponds to (2) preview / user information transmission and approval request in FIG.
Here, the approver PC 30 having made the output approval request displays the print preview on the display of the PC using the print preview data attached to the output approval request. The approver checks whether or not the output of the target image can be approved by a method such as browsing a print preview of the image to be checked on the PC display screen and referring to or checking the attached user information. to decide. At this time, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the image output is approved not only as to whether or not to approve, but also with an output condition of adding a background pattern to the output image. Therefore, the approver shows the determination results of three levels, that is, (I) approve unconditionally, (II) approve copy-forgery-inhibited pattern as an output condition, and (III) do not approve. Further, this determination result is returned as approval information to the printer 20 (FIG. 5, (3) copy-forgery-inhibited pattern addition approval). Note that a method of embedding information indicating an information source such as user information or printing date may be used as a background pattern added to the output image.
Thereafter, the printer 20 that has requested output approval receives a response to the output approval request transmitted from the approver PC 30 (step S122). Approval information is shown in the response to the received output approval request.
After receiving the approval information from the approver PC 30, the printer 20 exits the subroutine of the output approval request process (FIG. 4) and, as the next step in the main flow (FIG. 6), responds to the received output approval request (approval information). In step S204, it is checked whether the image output has been approved in order to branch the processing based on the determination results (I) to (III).
As a result, if the image output is not approved (step S204-NO), this processing flow is terminated without performing the printing process.

On the other hand, when the image output is approved (step S204-YES), the printing process is executed (step S206). However, the output approval is determined at the three levels as described above, and there are cases where the output is approved with the output condition as described in (II) above. In this case, prior to the printing process, it is necessary to perform a print data setting change process for processing the output image data into the output data in accordance with the attached condition (step S205). This process follows the flow chart of the subroutine shown in FIG.
In the print data setting changing process, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 7, the setting of each output condition added as an output condition is checked. If the additional condition is set, the process according to the condition is converted to image data. Apply. Here, an example corresponding to a case where each process of “background pattern addition”, “combined printing”, and “double-sided printing” is set as a setting condition is shown. Note that the processing flow of FIG. 7 shows an example including an embodiment corresponding to a change in output conditions such as “aggregate printing” and “double-sided printing” to be described later. Therefore, in the embodiment in which only “background pattern addition” is approved as the output condition, there is no need to check the output conditions other than “background pattern addition”.
If the output is approved under the condition that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is added (step S231-YES), processing for adding the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern created by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern creation unit 280 to the output target image is performed. After exiting the subroutine (FIG. 7), as the next step in the main flow (FIG. 6), print processing as shown in the output image of FIG. 5 is executed using the image data with the tint block added (step S206). When the output approval is unconditionally approved as in (I) above, the print data setting change process (FIG. 7) does not perform any process and performs the print process as set by the user ( Step S206). When the printing process is finished, the process flow is finished.

Approval of image output is judged at three levels as in (I) to (III) above, and when it is approved with output conditions, the background pattern is added and approved as in (II) above. In addition to the form (FIG. 5), the present invention can be implemented by a form approved with the following output conditions.
That is, the embodiment described below is implemented by forcibly changing the output condition set by the user to a specific condition, and the approval information sent back to the printer 20 by the approver PC 30 as the output approval device. For example, an instruction is given as an output condition for aggregate printing or double-sided printing. Accordingly, the printer 20 that receives the approval information changes the user setting to the instructed integrated printing or duplex printing, and performs print output.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and processing process of the image output system according to this embodiment.
The processing process shown in FIG. 8 is basically the same as the process shown in FIG.
However, when the approver PC 30 approves the approval information returned to the printer 20 with an output condition, as shown in FIG. 8, (3) Approval of setting change, the aggregate print or double-sided print is used as the output condition. Instruct to set. When the approval information transmitted from the approver PC 30 is instructed to perform aggregate printing or double-sided printing, the printer 20 prints an output image that has undergone the aggregate printing process illustrated in FIG.

Note that the print processing performed by the printer 20 also basically follows the determination results (I) to (III) shown in the response (approval information) to the received output approval request in accordance with the flow shown in FIG. The corresponding printing process is performed in steps S204 to S206.
In other words, if the image output is not approved (step S204-NO), this processing flow is terminated without performing the printing process.
In addition, if it is approved with an output condition, it is necessary to perform processing according to the condition to which image data for output is attached prior to the printing process, and according to the flowchart of the subroutine shown in FIG. Performs print data setting change processing.
The processing flow of FIG. 7 shows an example of processing according to the case where each process of “background pattern addition”, “collective printing”, and “double-sided printing” is set as a setting condition. Here, in the embodiment in which only “aggregate printing” or “double-sided printing” is approved as the output condition, there is no need to check the other output conditions.
If the output is approved with the aggregate printing as the output condition (step S233-YES), the main control unit 210 performs processing for creating image data for the aggregate print output (step S234), and duplex printing. Is output under the output condition (step S235-YES), the main control unit 210 performs processing for creating image data for duplex printing output (step S236). In either case, after the processing, the subroutine of the print data setting change process (FIG. 7) is exited, and the next step in the main flow (FIG. 6) is used for each printout image data as shown in FIG. Printing processing as shown in the output image (illustrated as an example of aggregate printing in the drawing) is executed (step S206).
Also, if the output approval is unconditionally approved as in (I) above, the print data setting change processing (FIG. 7) does not perform any processing and performs the print processing as set by the user. This is performed (step S206). When the printing process is finished, the process flow is finished.
By the above processing process, an administrator who has the authority to approve image output checks the output image contents in advance by checking the preview display of the requested image data, and outputs the image (printed material) As in (I) to (III) above, it is possible to instruct the approval of the output of whether or not it is appropriate to allow the Therefore, the output image is used in a way that calls attention to the handling of the output information by using an output method (addition of a background pattern, image aggregation, etc.) that can recognize information that needs to keep confidentiality from the output image. It becomes possible to maintain security more appropriately.

“Embodiment 3”
In this embodiment, based on “Embodiment 1” or “Embodiment 2”, after performing a printing process performed in accordance with an instruction of approval information returned from the approver PC 30 requested to approve the output, the output is performed. By using a management server that saves and manages the output image data, output conditions, and authentication conditions of the recorded images as management information, the approval operation of the image output system can be made efficient and the approval function can be smoothly operated on the system. An embodiment is shown.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and processing process of the image output system according to this embodiment. The system shown in FIG. 9 is configured by connecting the management server 40 to the LAN 50 of the image output system illustrated in FIG. That is, the image output system according to the present embodiment includes a printer PC 10 as a host machine, a printer 20 as an image output apparatus, and an approver PC 30 as an output approval apparatus that responds to an approval request from the printer 20 and returns an approval result. The management server 40 is added and connected to the LAN 30 of FIG.
The system shown in FIG. 9 has the functions provided by the management server 40 shown below in addition to the functions realized in the image output system shown in FIG. 5. The printer 20 is indicated by the arrow (4) in FIG. 4 shows a data flow of a process for registering management information in the management server 40 from the management server 40.

One function provided by the management server 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a print processing process performed using the management information registered in FIG.
In the image output system of the present embodiment, the data flow shown in FIG. 9 is requested (1) Print request → (2) Preview / user information transmission, approval request → (3) Copy pattern addition approval Request output approval The print processing is performed in accordance with the instruction of the approval information returned from the approved approver PC 30. The processing so far is as described above with reference to FIG.
After this printing process, the printer 20 sends the output image data of the output image, the output conditions, and the authentication conditions to the management server that stores and manages these management information (FIG. 9, (4) Print / approval information registration) ). Here, the output image data is an image that is output after the approval of the output for the print request made by the user. For example, when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is added, the output image data is image data in an added state. The output conditions include aggregate printing, duplex printing, and the like under the conditions set for the image data to be output. The approval condition is an approval condition indicated in the approval information instructed to each print request by the approver PC 30 and includes user information related to each print request and the determination results (I) to (III) above. .
The management server 40 receives the output image data, output conditions, and authentication conditions sent from the printer 20 upon requesting registration, stores them in a database, and manages them. Thereafter, the management server 40 provides information stored in the database in response to an inquiry from the printer 20.

An example of functions provided by using the management server 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The processing process shown in FIG. 10 is a process for providing information managed by the management server 40 to the printer 20 and performing print processing. In this print processing process, the approved printable data is provided from the management server 40 to the printer in response to the same print processing request without performing the procedure for obtaining the output approval from the approver PC 30.
In order to perform this processing process, the management server 40 is based on the output image data, the output conditions, and the authentication conditions that are transmitted from the printer 20 and stored and managed by the registration process described above with reference to FIG. The image data printed out in accordance with user information, authentication conditions, and authentication results are related and managed in advance.
Assuming that such a management function is prepared, when the management server 40 has made an inquiry about management information in response to a print request from the printer 20, the same print request has been made again by the same user. In accordance with the result, approved printable data is provided to the printer 20.
The flow of print output processing using the check function of the management server 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. First, a printer who receives an operation instructing execution of print output in which print conditions are set by the user. The PC 10 creates print data based on the set print conditions, transmits it to the printer 20 designated as the print request destination, and inputs a print command to the printer 20 (FIG. 10, (1) print request). .

Next, the printer 20 that receives the input of the print command via the communication unit 240 starts the printing process. Before creating the print output data, the output conditions received from the printer PC 10 by the management server 40 Is attached to the print data, user information, and the like, and the management information such as the above-described approval information managed by the server is inquired (FIG. 10, (2) Print / approval information inquiry).
The management server 40 that receives this inquiry refers to user information, authentication conditions, and authentication results that are managed in association with each other in advance, and an image in which the same conditions as the print request are set based on the approval results previously performed by the approver PC 30. Check if output approval has been obtained. If this confirmation can be made, the print output data to which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern created in accordance with the output condition is added is taken out of the managed database, and this data is provided to the printer 20 (FIG. 10, (3) Copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print request). .
The printer 20 that receives the print output data to which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is added performs a print output process equivalent to the approval without performing the procedure for obtaining the output approval from the approver PC 30.
According to this processing process, the management server 40 can perform the procedure for the approver PC 30 and can supply the print output data with the background pattern added with the background pattern from the management server 40. Can improve the processing efficiency.

In the processing process shown in FIG. 10, the same print processing can be efficiently performed based on the result of confirming that authentication has been obtained in the past with respect to print requests with the same conditions by the same user. However, the process of FIG. 10 does not show a method for dealing with a case where the condition is mismatched and cannot be confirmed.
Therefore, an example in which a process that allows the process to proceed smoothly when the condition is mismatched in the process shown in FIG. 10 is further added to the process shown below.
The processing process shown in FIG. 11 shows a process for performing the printing process of this embodiment.
10 related to the functions provided by using the management server 40 (2) After referring to the print / approval information, refer to the user information, authentication conditions, and authentication results managed in advance in the server. The process up to confirming whether or not the image output approval under the same conditions as the print request has been obtained based on the authentication result performed in the approver PC 30 in the past is the same as in FIG. .
As a result of this confirmation, if the approval of the image output in which the same conditions as the print request are set is not obtained, it is a condition mismatch, so the past approval result cannot be substituted, so the management server 40 sends it to the approver PC 30. Request approval (Fig. 11, (3) Condition mismatch approval request).

On the approver PC 30 side that has received the output approval request from the management server 40, the print preview is displayed on the display of the PC using the print preview data attached to the output approval request. The approver checks whether or not the output of the target image can be approved by a method such as browsing a print preview of the image to be checked on the PC display screen and referring to or checking the attached user information. to decide. This determination is as described in the second embodiment with reference to FIG.
Further, the approver PC 30 transmits the determination result as approval information to the printer 20 (FIG. 11, (4) copy-forgery-inhibited pattern addition approval), and the printer 20 that receives this transmits the determination indicated by the approval information from the approver PC 30. Image output processing is performed in accordance with the result. This point is also as described with reference to FIG. 5 in the second embodiment.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, since it is a print output process when a past approval result cannot be substituted due to a condition mismatch, the printer 20 outputs the output image after this print process. The image data, output conditions, and authentication conditions are sent to the management server 40 that stores and manages these pieces of management information (FIG. 11, (5) User information registration). The registration process to the management server 40 is also as described with reference to the above-described processing process of FIG.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a printer constituting an image output system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the structure and processing process of the most basic embodiment of the image output system which has a print output approval function. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of print processing of a printer with output approval request processing in the processing process of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an output approval request processing subroutine in the processing flow of FIG. 3 or FIG. 6. It is a figure explaining the structure and process of embodiment of an image output system which has the function to approve print output with an output condition. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of print processing of a printer accompanied by output approval request processing in the processing process of FIG. 5 or FIG. 8. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a print data setting change processing subroutine in the processing flow of FIG. 6. It is a figure explaining the structure and processing process of other embodiment of the image output system which has the function to approve print output with an output condition. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration and a processing process of an image output system, and shows a process for registering management information in a management server added to the system of FIG. A process for providing information managed by the management server to the printer and performing print processing is shown. In the processing process of FIG. 10, the process which added the process when conditions are mismatches is shown.

Explanation of symbols

10 .... Printer PC, 20 .... Local printer, 30 ... Approver PC, 40 ... Management server, 50 ... LAN, 210 ... Main control means, 220 ... Storage means, 221 ... Storage device, 230 .... Print command analysis means 240 .... Communication means 250 ... Operation means 260 ... Image output means 270 ... Preview creation means 280 ... Background pattern creation means

Claims (6)

An image output device having a network interface and outputting an image in response to an image output request received via either the network interface or the main body operation panel;
Means for generating image data for preview display based on the requested image data;
Means for transmitting an approval request with image data for preview display to the output approval device that receives the image output approval via the network interface;
Receiving means for receiving a response to the approval request from the output approval device via the network interface;
An image output device comprising output control means for outputting an image in response to an image output request on condition that approval is instructed in a response to the approval request received from the output approval device. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tint block can be added to the output image.
The output control means is means for performing control to add a background pattern to an output image in response to an approval request received from the output approval device in accordance with an instruction to add a background pattern to the output image specified as an approval condition. A featured image output device. In the image output device according to claim 1 or 2,
The output control means includes means for changing the output condition of the image output request in accordance with an instruction to change the output condition specified as the approval condition in response to the approval request received from the output approval device. An image output device. The image output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image output apparatus comprising means for transmitting output image data, output conditions, and authentication conditions generated along with image output to a management server for storing and managing information relating to image output via a network interface . The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the management server has a function of responding to the requested image output determination request and performing the determination based on management information.
Means for transmitting output image data related to the image output request and data including output conditions to the management server that receives the image output determination request via the network interface;
Receiving means for receiving a response to an image output determination request from the management server via a network interface;
An image output apparatus comprising output control means for outputting an image in response to an image output request on condition that an image output is permitted in response to an image output determination request received from the management server. An image output device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A network interface, connectable to the image output device via the network interface, storing and managing output image data, output conditions and authentication conditions generated in the image output device as management information; A management server having a function of making a determination based on the management information in response to a request for determining whether image output is permitted or not requested by the apparatus;
An image output system.

Images