JP2008155599A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device for improving the convenience of a user and the security level. <P>SOLUTION: A liquid crystal display panel displays same password input screens in a left screen and a right screen except for the positions of "different" buttons. When the "different" button in the left screen is pressed, the right screen is not changed, and the left screen shows a screen in which the positions of numeric keypads and the position of the password display window are different from the right screen. In addition, "return" buttons are displayed at different positions in the left screen and the right screen. Password input for simultaneous confidential printing by a plurality of users is enabled. For example, even when another user is operating on the left screen, a different user can perform operation for confidential printing on the right screen. The right screen and the left screen are seen differently. Therefore, leakage of the password of the user to other people can be prevented even in the simultaneous operation, and the convenience of the users and the security level are improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of performing confidential printing based on authentication information.

  A printing apparatus such as a printer apparatus or a multi-function machine having a printer function and a facsimile function is print data transmitted from an image processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer into which an image processing program code is introduced) through a communication network such as a LAN. Receive. The print data includes image information, printing conditions (for example, paper size), and the like. The printing apparatus forms (prints) an image on a sheet based on the printing conditions and image information included in the received print data, and discharges the image to a predetermined tray.

  When many personal computers are connected to a printing apparatus through a communication network, since many personal computers share one printing apparatus, each personal computer and the printing apparatus are often arranged separately. . For this reason, the printing device outputs the printed material to the tray until the user executes the print job on the personal computer, transmits the print data to the printing device, and the user goes to pick up the printed material. . For this reason, until the user comes to pick up the printed matter, another person can easily see the printed matter, and there has been a security problem. In order to solve the security problem, a printing apparatus having a confidential printing function has been proposed.

  In such a printing apparatus, for example, based on a function for determining whether or not to print based on a verification result of authentication information such as a user ID and a password, or presence / absence of information indicating confidential print mode included in print data A function for determining whether or not to print. In a printing apparatus having a confidential printing function, even when print data is received, the printing process is not immediately performed, and the authentication information included in the received print data or the authentication information registered in the printing apparatus in advance Prints when authentication information that matches is entered.

When using such a printing apparatus, for example, after transmitting print data from the personal computer to the printing apparatus, the user moves to the printing apparatus and inputs authentication information from the operation panel of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus determines whether or not the input authentication information matches the authentication information registered in advance. When the authentication information is verified, the printing apparatus performs a printing process based on the received print data. When the printed material is output to the tray, since the user is near the printing apparatus, access to the printed material by another person can be prevented. Such a printing apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP 2002-149366 A

  However, in the conventional printing apparatus or the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the user needs to leave the printing apparatus during the confidential printing process, the printing is interrupted when the user temporarily stops the confidential printing. After the confidential print job, other print jobs registered in the print job queue are not executed, and there is a problem that convenience for other users is significantly reduced. In addition, when confidential printing is temporarily interrupted, there is a possibility that another user may cancel the temporary interrupting state without permission to restart confidential printing and access the output printed matter.

  Further, when inputting authentication information such as a user ID and password, the user operates on a single operation screen provided in the printing apparatus, so that another person near the user can easily steal the authentication information. The authentication information could easily leak and be used illegally. For this reason, it has been desired to improve the security of a printing apparatus having a confidential printing function.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus capable of improving user convenience and security.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation unit that accepts a predetermined operation, and in the printing apparatus that performs confidential printing based on authentication information received by the operation unit, the operation unit has different screens for different viewpoints. Is provided, and the authentication information can be received on each of the different screens displayed on the display surface.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes control means for controlling to display a plurality of operation keys for receiving operations at different positions on the different screens.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes setting means for setting a priority order of confidential printing on different screens displayed on the display surface, and when authentication information is received on each of the screens, the priority order set by the setting means is set. Based on the above, it is characterized in that confidential printing is performed.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that each of the different screens displayed on the display surface is configured to be able to display an operation screen having a different received operation.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that when one of the screens displayed on the display surface is an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing, the other is a screen other than the authentication information reception screen.

  When one of the screens displayed on the display surface is an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing, the printing apparatus according to the present invention provides a movement key for moving the authentication information reception screen to the other screen. It is configured to display on an information reception screen.

  In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the operation screen is configured to display a transition key for shifting to an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing, and the confidential screen is displayed on the display surface. When authentication information for printing is received, when the transition key is operated on the operation screen displayed on the other side, the operation screen is configured to shift to the authentication information reception screen. .

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to prohibit the acceptance of authentication information on the other screen when the authentication information for confidential printing is received on the higher priority screen of the screen displayed on the display surface. It is characterized by being.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that when one of the screens displayed on the display surface receives authentication information for confidential printing, the other screen displays a warning. .

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising switching means for switching the priority order set for each of the different screens displayed on the display surface.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a specifying unit that specifies which of the screens has received the authentication information for the printed matter that has been confidentially printed by receiving the authentication information on a different screen displayed on the display surface. To do.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the specifying unit is configured to print information specifying which of the screens has received the authentication information on a cover page of a printed matter.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a collation unit that collates each authentication information received on each of the different screens displayed on the display surface, and performs confidential printing when each authentication information is collated by the collation unit. It is configured.

  When accepting authentication information on each of the different screens displayed on the display surface, the printing apparatus according to the present invention displays a determination key for determining the input authentication information at a predetermined time interval on the screen. It is configured as described above.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a changing unit that changes the time interval.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to display the printing order of confidential printing on both screens when authentication information for confidential printing is received on one of the screens displayed on the display surface. Features.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to prohibit reception of a predetermined operation when the printing order of confidential printing is displayed.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to display confidential printing waiting time on both screens.

  In the present invention, the operation unit includes a display surface that displays different screens for different viewpoints. This display surface has a dual view display function capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of different images in a plurality of display directions respectively corresponding to a plurality of viewpoints on the same display screen, for example. Further, the display surface has a touch panel function, and can accept input from the user by operating various operation keys, operation buttons, icons, and the like displayed on the display surface. The operation unit is configured to be able to accept authentication information (for example, a user ID, a password, etc.) on each of different screens displayed on the display surface. For example, the authentication information can be received on both the right screen when the user views the display surface from the right side toward the display surface of the operation unit and the left screen when the display surface is viewed from the left side. Both screens are displayed differently. As a result, a plurality of users can simultaneously input authentication information for confidential printing, and an operation for performing confidential printing can be performed even when other users are operating on the operation unit. In addition, since the right screen and the left screen look different, it is possible to prevent leakage of the authentication information to others even during operation at the same time, so that convenience and security for the user can be improved.

  In the present invention, the control means has a plurality of operation keys for receiving operations (for example, numeric keys for inputting characters, symbols or numbers, keys for receiving various operations, etc.) on different screens. Place in position. For example, the control means controls the positions of the keys “1”, “2”,..., “0” so that the arrangement positions on the different screens are different. This is a case where the user operates simultaneously on both the right screen when viewing the display surface from the right side toward the display surface of the operation unit and the left screen when viewing the display surface from the left side. Also, each user's operation can be received reliably.

  In the present invention, the priority order of confidential printing can be set for different screens displayed on the display surface. When authentication information is received on each of the screens, the confidential printing is performed based on the set priority order. I do. For example, if the priority order of the right screen is set higher than the priority order of the left screen and two users enter authentication information from both screens almost simultaneously, the confidential information corresponding to the authentication information entered from the right screen will be displayed. Execute printing first. In addition, when authentication information is entered from the left screen and waiting for confidential print processing, if authentication information is entered from the right screen, confidential printing corresponding to the authentication information entered from the right screen is performed first. Execute. As a result, when multiple users perform confidential printing at the same time from the operation unit, the confidential printing of the user who has entered the authentication information from the screen with the higher priority is executed first, so the output order of the printed matter is easy. Can know. Further, when it is necessary to quickly output a printed material, the printed material can be output before other users.

  In the present invention, each of the different screens displayed on the display surface can display an operation screen with a different received operation. The operation screen is, for example, a screen for performing copying (copying), a screen for distributing image data captured by a scanner by e-mail, or the like. Thereby, different operations can be performed simultaneously by a plurality of users on a single display surface, and user convenience is improved. In addition, one user can perform different operations at the same time using both screens, and user convenience is improved. Furthermore, a plurality of users can use the entire display surface at the same time without dividing one display surface into a plurality of small screens, thereby improving the visibility of the screen.

  In the present invention, when one of the screens displayed on the display surface is an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing, the other is a screen other than the authentication information reception screen (for example, a copy operation screen, an e-mail delivery operation) Display). As a result, even during confidential printing operations, other operations such as copying can be performed at the same time using the same operation unit, thereby improving user convenience.

  In the present invention, when one of the screens displayed on the display surface is an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing, a movement key for moving the authentication information reception screen to the other screen is displayed as the authentication information reception screen. To display. Thus, for example, when the priority order of the right screen is set higher than the priority order of the left screen, there is no other user who operates confidential printing on the left screen and there are no other users operating on the right screen. In addition, the user's own authentication information reception screen can be moved to the right screen having a higher priority, and the printed matter can be output more quickly. In addition, when there is another person near you, you can move the authentication information reception screen to the person who is difficult to see (for example, the right or left side of the display screen), and prevent leakage of authentication information Can do.

  In the present invention, an operation screen (for example, a copy operation, an e-mail delivery operation, etc.) displays a transfer key for transferring to an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing. Note that the transition key includes button display and icon display for the transition operation. When authentication information for confidential printing is received on one of the screens displayed on the display surface, when the transition key is operated on the operation screen displayed on the other side, the operation screen shifts to the authentication information reception screen. Thus, even if confidential printing is performed on one screen, confidential printing can be performed simultaneously on the other screen by pressing the transition key on the other screen.

  In the present invention, when authentication information for confidential printing is received on the higher priority screen of the screen displayed on the display surface, the reception of the authentication information is prohibited on the other screen. As a result, when confidential printing is performed at a higher priority level, the printed matter is considered to be of higher importance, so confidential printing operations are prohibited on the other screen, and operations with higher priority levels are hindered. Can not be. Also, by prohibiting the operation of the other screen, it is possible to prevent others from coming close to the display surface, and to prevent authentication information for outputting important printed matter from being seen by others. Can do.

  In the present invention, when authentication information for confidential printing is received on one of the screens displayed on the display surface, the other screen displays a warning (for example, “Please do not approach during confidential printing”). Character string). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the confidential printing authentication information from being peeped and to prevent an important confidential printing operation from being hindered.

  In the present invention, the priority order set for each of the different screens displayed on the display surface can be switched. Thus, confidential printing with a high priority can be performed from either screen regardless of the installation location of the printing apparatus or the operation location of the user who is already operating.

  In the present invention, the authentication information is received on a different screen displayed on the display surface, and the printed matter that has been confidentially printed is specified on which screen the authentication information is received. Thereby, even if a plurality of people perform confidential printing at the same time, it is possible to easily distinguish one's printed matter from others' printed matter.

  According to the present invention, information specifying on which screen the authentication information is received is printed on the cover page of the printed matter. As a result, even if multiple people perform confidential printing at the same time, if you look only at the cover page, you can easily distinguish your printed material from others' printed material, and the printed material is covered with the cover page. Therefore, it is possible to prevent others from seeing the contents of the printed matter.

  In the present invention, confidential printing is performed when authentication information received on different screens displayed on the display surface is collated. For example, the authentication information input from each screen is combined to generate one authentication information, and the verification information can be collated when the generated authentication information matches the authentication information registered in advance. Accordingly, in order to perform confidential printing, a plurality of different authentication information is required at the same time, and security is improved.

  In the present invention, when authentication information is received on each of the different screens displayed on the display surface, a determination key for determining the input authentication information is moved at a predetermined time interval and displayed on the screen. The determination key includes button display and icon display for determination operation. As a result, when the determination key is operated on the assumption that the authentication information input on each screen is correct, for example, since the determination key randomly moves on the left screen and the right screen, from the user who is viewing one screen Cannot determine the position of the determination key on the other screen, and in order to perform confidential printing, determination operations by a plurality of users are required, and security is improved.

  In the present invention, the movement time interval of the enter key can be changed. As a result, it becomes possible to adjust the movement interval of the enter key according to the physical ability of the user who performs confidential printing, and the operability for the user is improved.

  In the present invention, when authentication information for confidential printing is received on one of the screens displayed on the display surface, the printing order of confidential printing is displayed on both screens. When confidential printing is executed, for example, the print job queue can be displayed to grasp the print waiting status of the confidential print job. If the priority order of confidential print jobs is set higher than the priority order of non-confidential print jobs, even if the print order is changed by performing confidential printing from the higher priority screen, the print order Can be displayed on both screens, and the user who operates on both screens (for example, the right screen and the left screen) can easily grasp the progress of his / her printing (including confidential printing) job. .

  In the present invention, when the printing order of confidential printing is displayed, acceptance of a predetermined operation is prohibited. For example, when the printing order of confidential printing is displayed, the operation screen such as copying or e-mail delivery is not displayed, so that the user has to wait until the confidential printing process is completed, thereby preventing the confidential printing process from being interrupted. can do.

  In the present invention, the waiting time for confidential printing is displayed on both screens. Accordingly, for example, when the waiting time is short, the user can wait near the apparatus until the printed matter is output. When the waiting time is long, the user can wait until the printed matter is output. It is possible to return to the vicinity of the apparatus at the time when the printed matter is output by performing other work, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  In the present invention, a plurality of users can input authentication information for confidential printing at the same time, and an operation for performing confidential printing can be performed even when other users are operating on the operation unit. . In addition, since the right screen and the left screen look different, it is possible to prevent leakage of the authentication information to others even during operation at the same time, so that convenience and security for the user can be improved.

  In the present invention, for example, on the screen of both the right screen when the user looks at the display surface from the right side toward the display surface of the operation unit and the left screen when the display surface is viewed from the left side, Even when operated simultaneously, each user's operation can be received reliably.

  In the present invention, when a plurality of users simultaneously perform confidential printing from the operation unit, the confidential printing of the user who has entered the authentication information from the higher priority screen is executed first, and the output order of the printed matter Can be easily known. Further, when it is necessary to quickly output a printed material, the printed material can be output before other users.

  In the present invention, different operations can be simultaneously performed by a plurality of users on a single display surface, and user convenience is improved. In addition, one user can perform different operations at the same time using both screens, and user convenience is improved. Furthermore, a plurality of users can use the entire display surface at the same time without dividing one display surface into a plurality of small screens, thereby improving the visibility of the screen.

  According to the present invention, even during confidential printing operations, other operations such as copying can be performed at the same time using the same operation unit, and the convenience of the user is improved.

  In the present invention, when the priority order of the right screen is set higher than the priority order of the left screen, the user who performs confidential printing operation on the left screen does not have other users who operate on the right screen. The authentication information reception screen of the user can be moved to the right screen having a higher priority, and the printed matter can be output more quickly. In addition, when there is another person near you, you can move the authentication information reception screen to the person who is difficult to see (for example, the right or left side of the display screen), and prevent leakage of authentication information Can do.

  In the present invention, even if confidential printing is performed on one screen, confidential printing can be performed simultaneously on the other screen by pressing the transition key on the other screen.

  In the present invention, when confidential printing is performed at a higher priority level, the printed matter is considered to have a higher importance level. Therefore, confidential printing operation is prohibited on the other screen, and the higher priority level is selected. The operation can be prevented from being hindered. Also, by prohibiting the operation of the other screen, it is possible to prevent others from coming close to the display surface, and to prevent authentication information for outputting important printed matter from being seen by others. Can do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the confidential printing authentication information from being looked into, and to prevent an important confidential printing operation from being hindered.

  In the present invention, confidential printing with a high priority can be performed from either screen regardless of the installation location of the printing apparatus or the operation location of the user who is already operating.

  In the present invention, even if a plurality of people perform confidential printing at the same time, it is possible to easily distinguish one's printed matter from others' printed matter.

  In the present invention, even if a plurality of people perform confidential printing at the same time, it is possible to easily distinguish one's printed matter from other people's printed matter by looking only at the cover page, and the text of the printed matter is the cover page. Therefore, it is possible to prevent others from seeing the contents of the printed matter.

  In the present invention, in order to perform confidential printing, a plurality of different authentication information is required at the same time, and security is improved.

  In the present invention, when the determination key is operated on the assumption that the authentication information input on each screen is correct, for example, the determination key moves randomly on the left screen and the right screen. The user cannot determine the position of the determination key on the other screen, and the confidential printing requires a determination operation by a plurality of users, which improves security.

  In the present invention, it becomes possible to adjust the movement interval of the enter key according to the physical ability of the user who performs confidential printing, and the operability for the user is improved.

  In the present invention, when the priority order of the confidential print job is set higher than the priority order of the non-confidential print job, the print order is changed by performing the confidential print from the higher priority screen. Even when the printing order can be displayed on both screens, users who operate on both screens (for example, the right screen and the left screen) can easily check the progress status of their printing (including confidential printing) jobs. I can grasp it.

  In the present invention, the user only has to wait until the confidential printing process is completed, and the interruption of the confidential printing process can be prevented.

  In the present invention, for example, when the waiting time is short, the user can wait near the apparatus until the printed matter is output, and when the waiting time is long, the printed matter is output. In the meantime, other work can be performed, and the user can return to the vicinity of the apparatus at the time when the printed matter is output, so that convenience for the user is improved.

  Hereinafter, a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a printing apparatus 10 according to the present invention. The printing apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes not only a printer apparatus but also a scanner apparatus and a facsimile apparatus having a printer function, and a digital multifunction machine having a printer function and a facsimile function.

  As illustrated, the printing apparatus 10 includes a network interface unit 11, a control unit 12, an image memory 13, a storage unit 14, an image processing unit 15, a print image generation unit 16, a print processing unit 17, a liquid crystal display controller 18, a user An interface unit 19 and the like are provided. Further, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 40, a server 50, and the like are connected to the printing apparatus 10 through a communication network 30 such as a LAN, and printing from the PC 40, the server 50, and the like. A request (a print job including print parameters, image data, information indicating the presence / absence of a confidential print request, etc.) is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10, so that the printing apparatus 10 places a required printed material on a predetermined tray (not shown). Output. The printing apparatus 10 can also output a printed material based on the image data stored in the storage unit 14.

  The network interface unit 11 includes, for example, an interface function between the PC 40, the server 50, and the like connected to the communication network 30, and receives information such as print requests and print results between the PC 40 and the server 50 and the printing apparatus 10. Send and receive. When the network interface unit 11 receives a print request including image data, the network interface unit 11 outputs the received print request to the control unit 12.

  The control unit 12 temporarily stores the image data input from the network interface unit 11 in the image memory 13. The control unit 12 outputs the image data stored in the image memory 13 to the image processing unit 15 for each page of the document. If there is a plurality of pages of image data, the control unit 12 sequentially reads the image data from the image memory 13 and outputs the read image data to the image processing unit 15.

  The control unit 12 includes a plurality of timers and performs predetermined processing according to the acquired print request. For example, the control unit 12 determines whether the acquired print request is a confidential print job. If the acquired print request is a confidential print job, the control unit 12 prompts the user to input authentication information such as a user ID and a password. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 191. The control unit 12 determines whether or not the authentication information input from the touch panel 192 matches the authentication information for each user stored in the storage unit 14 in advance. If they match, the authentication information is verified. The confidential printing process is performed. Details of the processing of the control unit 12 will be described later.

  The image processing unit 15 performs processing for adjusting the color balance of the image data, density conversion processing, magnification conversion processing, and the like based on print parameters set when the user makes a print request for the input image data. Editing processing is performed, and the processed image data is output to the print image generation unit 16.

  The print image generation unit 16 performs color space conversion on input image data (RGB data) into YMCK data, and has a predetermined gradation according to the characteristics of the color correction process, the gradation correction process, or the print processing unit 17. Image generation processing or the like is performed, and the processed image data (YMCK data) is output to the print processing unit 17.

  The print processing unit 17 forms an image on a sheet based on the input image data, and discharges the sheet on which the image is formed. The print processing unit 17 includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a charger that charges the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, a laser writing device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a developing device that supplies toner to an image to make the image visible, and a transfer device that transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a sheet (all not shown). The print processing unit 17 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be any method such as an ink jet method or a thermal transfer method.

  The user interface unit 19 is provided on the entire surface of the liquid crystal display panel 191 and the liquid crystal display panel 191 using the dual view display technology, and is formed of a transparent material that does not disturb the display of the liquid crystal display panel 191. Touch panel 192, and a touch position detection unit 193 that detects a position touched by a user's finger based on the current flowing through the touch panel 192. The touch position detection unit 193 outputs the detected touch position to the control unit 12. The touch panel 192 is not limited to the capacitive coupling method, and may be an electromagnetic induction method, an electric resistance method, a pressure sensitive method, or the like.

  The dual view display technology is a technology capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of different images in a plurality of display directions corresponding to a plurality of viewpoints on the same liquid crystal display screen. For example, a parallax barrier (optical system separation element) is disposed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal display panel 191. A parallax barrier is a screen having a plurality of vertical translucent slits separated by opaque regions. The light that has passed through the pixel z <b> 1 of the liquid crystal display panel 191 is visually recognized by, for example, a user located on the right side with respect to the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel 191 through the translucent slit of the parallax barrier. In addition, the light transmitted through the pixel z2 different from the pixel z1 of the liquid crystal display panel 191 is, for example, a user located on the left side with respect to the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel 191 through the translucent slit of the parallax barrier. Visible to. Accordingly, different images displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 191 can be viewed only from different directions in the space by the plurality of translucent slits of the parallax barrier, and users at different positions with respect to the display surface , Different images can be viewed at the same time.

  Under the control of the control unit 12, the liquid crystal display controller 18 displays image data of various operation screens displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 191 (for example, image data of a right screen viewed from the right side with respect to the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel 191). And the image data of the left screen viewed from the left side) are processed so as to have a pixel distribution suitable for the pixel distribution of the dual view display technology, and the processed image data is output to the liquid crystal display panel 191. The liquid crystal display controller 18 drives a gate driver and a source driver (not shown) based on the image data.

  The control unit 12 determines the user's operation according to the touch position input from the touch position detection unit 193 and the information regarding the right screen and the left screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 191 at that time. Further, the control unit 12 outputs the image data of the operation screen displayed on the right screen and the left screen to the liquid crystal display controller 18 according to the determination result. Accordingly, the user located on the right side of the liquid crystal display panel 191 operates various operation keys (including button display for operation, icon display, etc.) by looking at the display content of the right screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 191. By performing the above, the control unit 12 can acquire the operation content, and can change the display content of the operation screen in accordance with a predetermined procedure according to the operation content. Also, the user located on the left side of the liquid crystal display panel 191 looks at the display content of the left screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 191 and operates various operation keys (including button display and icon display for operation). By doing so, the control unit 12 can acquire the operation content and can change the display content of the operation screen according to a predetermined procedure according to the operation content. In this case, the user located on the right side of the liquid crystal display panel 191 cannot see the display content of the left screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 191, and the user located on the left side of the liquid crystal display panel 191 Since the display content of the right screen displayed on the display panel 191 cannot be seen, the convenience and security of the user can be improved as will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 10 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a password input screen. The password input screen is a confidential printing login screen that prompts the user to input a password when confidential printing is performed. FIG. 2A shows the password input screen in the initial state, and the password input screens displayed on the left screen and the right screen are the same except for the position of the “other” button. When the “other” button on the left screen of FIG. 2A is pressed, the password input screen changes as shown in FIG. That is, the right screen does not change, and the left screen is a screen in which the position of the numeric keypad and the position of the password display window are different from the right screen. In addition, the “return” button is displayed at different positions on the left screen and the right screen.

  Thereby, it becomes possible for a plurality of users to input passwords (authentication information) for confidential printing at the same time, and for another user to perform confidential printing even when other users are operating on the left screen, for example. Can be performed on the right screen. In addition, since the right screen and the left screen look different, it is possible to prevent leakage of one's password (authentication information) to another person even during operation at the same time, so that convenience and security for the user can be improved. .

  When the “Return” button on the right screen in FIG. 2B is pressed, the password input screen changes as shown in FIG. That is, the left screen does not change, and the right screen changes to the same screen as the left screen except for the display position of the “different” button. In addition, although only the input part of a password is displayed on the password input screen, it is not limited to this, You may make it display the input part of a user ID and a password.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure for displaying the password input screen. The flowchart in FIG. 3 explains the example shown in FIG. The control unit 12 determines whether there is a confidential print job (S11). If there is no confidential print job (NO in S11), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S11 and waits until a confidential print job is acquired.

  When there is a confidential print job (YES in S11), the control unit 12 displays the same password input screen on the left and right (S12). In this case, the display positions of the different buttons are different between the left screen and the right screen. The control unit 12 determines whether or not another button has been operated (S13). If there is an operation (YES in S13), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the operated another button is on the right screen (S14). .

  When the button is another button on the right screen (YES in S14), the control unit 12 changes the right screen to a screen (password input screen) different from the left screen (S15), and determines whether or not the return button is operated (S17). ). If it is not another button on the right screen (NO in S14), that is, if it is another button on the left screen, the control unit 12 changes the left screen to a screen (password input screen) different from the right screen (S16), step The processing after S17 is continued. If there is no operation of another button (NO in S13), the control unit 12 continues the processing from step S17.

  When the return button is operated (YES in S17), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the operated return button is for the right screen (S18). If it is the return button for the right screen (YES in S18), the control unit 12 changes the right screen to the same screen (password input screen) as the left screen (S19), and ends the process. If the return button is not the right screen (NO in S18), that is, if the return button is the left screen, the control unit 12 changes the left screen to the same screen (password input screen) as the right screen (S20). The process is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting example of the priority order of the password input screen. As shown in FIG. 4, the password input screen differs between the left screen and the right screen. As the priority order, a high priority order can be set for either the left screen or the right screen, and the set priority order can be switched between the left and right screens. When login for confidential printing is performed on the password input screen with the higher priority, the printing order of the print job can be advanced.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the printing order based on the priority order. The control unit 12 acquires a password input on a password input screen (for example, the left screen) with a low priority (S31), and assigns confidential print job ID 1 (S32). The control unit 12 registers the job ID 1 in the confidential print job queue as the first print order (S33).

  The control unit 12 acquires the password input on the password input screen (for example, the right screen) having a high priority (S34), and assigns confidential print job ID 2 (S35). The control unit 12 determines whether or not the job ID 1 is being printed (S36). If the job ID 1 is not being printed (NO in S36), the job ID 2 is registered in the confidential print job queue as the first print order, and the job ID 1 Is changed to the second print order (S37), and the process is terminated.

  If the job ID 1 is being printed (YES in S36), the control unit 12 registers the job ID 2 as the second print order in the confidential print job queue (S38), and ends the process.

  As a result, when a plurality of users perform confidential printing from both the left and right screens of the liquid crystal display panel 191 at the same time, confidential printing of the user who has entered the password from the higher priority screen is executed first. You can easily know the output order of printed materials. Further, when it is necessary to quickly output a printed material, the printed material can be output before other users.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen. The operation screen is an operation screen other than the password input screen. When the user uses the printing apparatus 10 such as when executing various functions provided in the printing apparatus 10 or when setting printing conditions. It is a screen for executing various operations to be performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an operation screen for copying (copying) is displayed on the left screen, and an operation screen for distributing scanned image data by e-mail is displayed on the right screen at the same time. Yes.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure based on an operation input from the operation screen. The control unit 12 determines whether or not there is an input operation (S41). If there is no input operation (NO in S41), the control unit 12 stands by until there is an input operation.

  When there is an input operation (YES in S41), the control unit 12 determines whether the input is from the right screen (S42). When the input is from the right screen (YES in S42), the control unit 12 performs processing corresponding to the operation on the right screen (operation input on the right screen) (S43), and determines whether there is a next input operation. (S45).

  If the input is not from the right screen (NO in S42), that is, if the input is from the left screen, the control unit 12 performs processing corresponding to the operation on the left screen (operation input on the left screen) (S44). ), The processing after step S45 is continued. If there is a next input operation (YES in S45), the control unit 12 continues the process from step S42, and if there is no next input operation (NO in S45), the process ends.

  Thereby, different operations can be simultaneously performed by a plurality of users on one liquid crystal display panel 191, and the convenience for the user is improved. In addition, one user can perform different operations at the same time using both the left and right screens, which improves user convenience. Furthermore, a plurality of users can use the entire display screen at the same time without dividing one display screen into a plurality of small screens, thereby improving the visibility of the screen.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a password input screen and an operation screen are displayed on both the left and right screens. As shown in FIG. 8, a password input screen is displayed on the right screen, and a screen other than the password input screen, for example, a copy operation screen is displayed on the left screen.

  As a result, even if confidential printing is being operated on one screen, operations such as copying can be performed simultaneously on the other screen, improving the convenience for the user.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of movement of the password input screen. As shown in FIG. 9A, a password input screen is displayed on the right screen, and a copy operation screen is displayed on the left screen. In addition, a “move” button is displayed on both screens. In FIG. 9A, by operating the “move” button displayed on the right screen or the left screen, as shown in FIG. 9B, the left screen moves to the right screen, and the right screen changes to the left screen. Move and swap left and right screens. In addition, if you enter the password halfway on the right screen and then operate the “Move” button to move the password entry screen to the left screen, the password entered halfway on the right screen is saved effectively, Just enter the remaining password on the left screen.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a left / right screen switching process procedure. The control unit 12 determines whether or not only one screen is a password input screen (S51). If only one screen is not a password input screen (NO in S51), the process of step S51 is continued. Wait until only the screen becomes the password entry screen.

  When only one screen is the password input screen (YES in S51), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the movement button is operated on either the left or right screen (S52), and when the movement button is not operated (S52). NO), the process of step S52 is continued, and the process waits until the movement button is operated. When there is an operation of the movement button (YES in S52), the control unit 12 switches the left and right screens for display (S53), and ends the process.

  Thus, for example, when the priority order of the right screen is set higher than the priority order of the left screen, there is no other user who operates confidential printing on the left screen and there are no other users operating on the right screen. In addition, the user's password input screen can be moved to the right screen with higher priority, and the printed matter can be output more quickly. In addition, when there is another person near you, the password entry screen can be moved to one that is difficult for others to see (for example, the right or left side of the liquid crystal display panel 191), thereby preventing the leakage of the password. Can do.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of transition to the password input screen. As shown in FIG. 11, the left screen displays, for example, a copy (copy) operation screen. The right screen displays a password input screen. The operation screen displays a “confidential” button for shifting to a password input screen for confidential printing. When a password for confidential printing is received on the right screen and the “confidential” button is operated on the operation screen displayed on the left screen, the operation screen shifts to a password input screen.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a transition process to the password input screen. The control unit 12 determines whether or not only one screen is a password input screen (S61). If only one screen is not a password input screen (NO in S61), the process of step S61 is continued. Wait until only the screen becomes the password entry screen.

  When only one screen is a password input screen (YES in S61), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the password is being input on the password input screen (S62), and when the password is not being input (S62). No) and wait until the password is entered.

  If the password is being input (YES in S62), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the confidential button is operated on the other screen (S63). If the confidential button is operated (YES in S63), the other side Is changed to a password input screen (S64), and the process ends. If there is no operation of the confidential button on the other screen (NO in S63), the control unit 12 ends the process.

  Thus, even if the confidential printing operation is performed on one screen, if the confidential button is pressed on the other screen, confidential printing can be performed simultaneously on the other screen.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which an operation on the other screen is prohibited while a password is being entered on the screen with a higher priority. As shown in the figure, when the priority order of the right screen is higher than the priority order of the left screen, if the right screen is a password input screen and the password is being entered, the left screen displays, for example, “Current operation” "No" message is displayed and the operation on the left screen is prohibited.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for prohibiting an operation on the other screen while inputting a password on the screen having a higher priority. The control unit 12 determines whether or not only one screen is a password input screen (S71). If only one screen is not a password input screen (NO in S71), the process of step S71 is continued. Wait until only the screen becomes the password entry screen.

  When only one screen is a password input screen (YES in S71), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the password is being input on the password input screen (S72), and when the password is not being input (S72). NO), the process of step S72 is continued and the process waits until the password is input.

  When the password is being input (YES in S72), the control unit 12 determines whether the screen in which the password is being input has a high priority (S73). If the priority is high (YES in S73), the other The operation on the screen is prohibited (S74), and the process is terminated. If the priority of the screen during password input is not high (NO in S73), the control unit 12 ends the process.

  As a result, when confidential printing is performed at a higher priority level, the printed matter is considered to be of higher importance, so confidential printing operations are prohibited on the other screen, and operations with higher priority levels are hindered. Can not be. Further, by prohibiting the operation of the other screen with the lower priority, it is possible to prevent others from approaching the liquid crystal display panel 191, and the password for outputting an important printed matter is seen by others. This can be prevented.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a warning is displayed on the other screen while a password is being entered on one screen. As shown in the figure, when the left screen is a password input screen and the password is being input, for example, a message “Do not approach during confidential printing” is displayed on the right screen. Note that the message is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying a warning on the other screen during password entry on one screen. The control unit 12 determines whether only one screen is a password input screen (S81), and when only one screen is not a password input screen (NO in S81), the process of step S81 is continued. Wait until only the screen becomes the password entry screen.

  When only one screen is the password input screen (YES in S81), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the password is being input on the password input screen (S82), and when the password is not being input (S82). NO), the process of step S82 is continued, and the process waits until the password is input.

  When the password is being input (YES in S82), the control unit 12 displays a warning on the other screen (S83), and determines whether confidential printing has been completed (S84). If confidential printing has not been completed (NO in S84), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S84 and waits until confidential printing is completed. When confidential printing is completed (YES in S84), the control unit 12 deletes the warning display (S85) and ends the process.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent a password used when performing confidential printing from being peeped, and to prevent an important confidential printing operation from being hindered.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of switching the priority order. As shown in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the right screen displays a copy (copy) operation screen, for example. Further, it is assumed that the left screen has a higher priority than the right screen and displays a password input screen for confidential printing. When the operation button “Input on the right screen” displayed on the password input screen on the left screen is operated, the password input screen displayed on the left screen moves to the right screen and the copy operation screen displayed on the right screen Moves to the left screen. Thus, confidential printing with a high priority can be performed from either screen regardless of the installation location of the printing apparatus or the operation location of the user who is already operating.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of double authentication. As shown in FIG. 18, a password input screen is displayed on both the left and right screens. In this case, the position of the numeric keypad and the position of the password display window differ between the two screens. When the user enters a password on the left screen, another user enters another password on the right screen, and the password generated by combining the passwords entered by both users is verified (matches the previously stored password Case), confidential printing is performed.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a double authentication processing procedure. The control unit 12 determines whether or not double authentication is set (S91). If there is no double authentication setting (NO in S91), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S91 and waits until double authentication is set. To do. Double authentication can be set by the user.

  When there is a setting for double authentication (YES in S91), the control unit 12 displays a password input screen on both the left and right screens (S92), and determines whether or not a password is input from the right screen (S93). If there is no password input from the right screen (NO in S93), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S93 and waits until the password is input. When the password is input (YES in S93), the control unit 12 acquires the input password as the right password (S94).

  The control unit 12 determines whether or not a password is input from the left screen (S95). When there is no password input from the left screen (NO in S95), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S95 and waits until the password is input. When the password is input (YES in S95), the control unit 12 acquires the input password as the left password (S96). The determination of whether or not a password has been input can be performed in parallel.

  The control unit 12 synthesizes the right password and the left password based on a predetermined calculation to generate a new character string (password) (S97), and the generated character string matches a character string stored in advance. It is determined whether or not (S98). If the character strings match (YES in S98), the control unit 12 executes confidential printing (S99) and ends the process. If the character strings do not match (NO in S98), the control unit 12 displays a warning that the password is incorrect (S100) and ends the process.

  Thus, in order to perform confidential printing, a plurality of different passwords are required at the same time, and security is improved.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for determining an input password. Display the password entry screen on both the left and right screens. In this case, the position of the numeric keypad and the position of the password display window differ between the two screens. When the user enters a password on the left screen, another user enters another password on the right screen, and the “OK” button is operated on each screen, both the left and right screens are used to enter the entered password. Transition.

  In the determination screens displayed on both the left and right screens, an “OK” button for determining (determining) the input password is moved to a random position and displayed at predetermined time intervals.

  21 and 22 are flowcharts showing the display processing procedure of the decision screen. The control unit 12 determines whether or not the password is input on the password input screen and shifts to the password determination screen (S111). If the password does not shift to the determination screen (NO in S111), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S111. Wait until it shifts to the decision screen.

  When shifting to the password determination screen (YES in S111), the control unit 12 determines the display position of the OK button (S112), and determines whether the OK button is in the same position on both the left and right screens. (S113). When the OK button is at the same position (YES in S113), the control unit 12 continues the process from step S112. Thereby, although the position of the OK button is randomly obtained, it is avoided that the positions of the OK buttons coincide on the left and right determination screens.

  If the OK button is not at the same position (NO in S113), the control unit 12 displays the OK button on the left and right decision screens (S114), and sets a display timer (S115). The control unit 12 determines whether or not the OK button is operated on the left screen (decision screen) (S116). If there is no operation on the OK button (NO in S116), the operation of the OK button on the right screen (decision screen) is performed. The presence or absence is determined (S117).

  When the OK button on the right screen is operated (YES in S117), the control unit 12 sets an input timer (S118), and determines whether or not the OK button is operated on the left screen (decision screen) (S119). . When the OK button is not operated (NO in S119), the control unit 12 continues the process of Step S119 and waits until the OK button on the left screen is operated.

  When the OK button on the left screen is operated (YES in S119), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the input timer is within the specified value (S120), and if not within the specified value (NO in S120) ), The process after step S112 is continued. In step S116, when the OK button on the left screen is operated (YES in S116), the control unit 12 sets an input timer (S121) and determines whether or not the OK button on the right screen (decision screen) is operated. (S122).

  If there is no operation on the right screen OK button (NO in S122), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S122 and waits until the right screen OK button is operated. When the OK button on the right screen is operated (YES in S122), the control unit 12 continues the processing from step S120.

  If it is determined in step S117 that the OK button on the right screen has not been operated (NO in S117), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the display timer is greater than or equal to a specified value (S123). If YES in S123), the process after Step S112 is continued, and if not more than the specified value (NO in S123), the process after Step S116 is continued.

  In step S120, when the input timer is within the specified value (YES in S120), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the input password matches the password stored in advance (S124), and the passwords match. In the case (YES in S124), confidential printing is executed assuming that the password is verified (S125), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the passwords do not match (NO in S124), a warning that the password is incorrect is displayed (S126), and the process ends.

  As a result, when determining the password entered on the left and right decision screens, for example, the OK button randomly moves on the left screen and on the right screen. Since the position of the OK button on the determination screen cannot be determined and confidential printing is performed, determination operations by a plurality of users are required, and security is improved.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for setting a time interval for moving the OK button on the determination screen. The time interval for moving the OK button can be adjusted, for example, within a range of about 1 to 5 seconds in units of 1 second. As a result, it is possible to adjust the movement time interval of the OK button according to the physical ability of the user who performs confidential printing, and the operability for the user is improved.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the printing order of confidential printing. As shown in FIG. 24, a password input screen is displayed on the left screen, and a copy (copy) operation screen is displayed on the right screen. When a password is entered from the left screen and confidential printing is accepted, the priority order of confidential print jobs is compared with the priority order of other print jobs waiting to be printed in the print job queue, and the printing order and waiting for confidential printing are compared. The time is determined and a print job queue indicating the determined printing order and waiting time is displayed on both screens. In addition, the confidential print job is displayed blinking, and a message such as “Please wait for a while” is displayed.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the display processing procedure of the printing order of confidential printing. The control unit 12 determines whether or not the OK button is operated to determine the input password (S131). If there is no OK button operation (NO in S131), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S131. Wait for operation.

  When the OK button is operated (YES in S131), the control unit 12 acquires the input password (S132) and assigns a confidential print job ID (S133). The control unit 12 determines whether there is a print job waiting for printing in the print job queue (S134). If there is a print job waiting for printing (YES in S134), the control unit 12 determines whether the confidential print job and other print jobs waiting to be printed. Based on the priority order, the printing order of the confidential print job is determined (S135).

  The control unit 12 displays the print job queue indicating the print order of the confidential print job on both screens (S136), blinks the confidential print job (S137), and displays the waiting time until the confidential print job is printed. (S138). The control unit 12 determines whether or not confidential printing has been completed (S139). If confidential printing has not been completed (NO in S139), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S139 and waits until confidential printing is completed.

  When confidential printing is completed (YES in S139), the control unit 12 deletes the display of the print job queue, displays the original screen (S140), and ends the process. On the other hand, if there is no print job waiting to be printed in step S134 (NO in S134), the control unit 12 ends the process.

  As a result, if the priority order of confidential print jobs is set higher than the priority order of non-confidential print jobs, printing is performed even if the print order is changed by performing confidential printing from the higher priority screen. The order can be displayed on both screens, and the user who operates on both screens (for example, the right screen and the left screen) can easily grasp the progress status of his / her printing (including confidential printing) job. it can. In addition, for example, when the waiting time is short, the user can wait near the apparatus until the printed matter is output, and when the waiting time is long, the user can wait until the printed matter is output. Thus, it is possible to return to the vicinity of the apparatus at the time when the printed matter is output, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method of distinguishing printed materials when confidential printing is performed on both the left and right screens. As shown in FIG. 26, on the cover page of the printed matter output by performing confidential printing from the left screen, for example, the characters “Left operator's confidential printing output” are printed, and confidential printing is performed from the right screen. On the cover page of the printed material that is output in this way, the characters “This is the confidential print output of the right operator” are printed.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a printing procedure during confidential printing. The control unit 12 determines whether there is confidential printing (S151). If there is no confidential printing (NO in S151), the control unit 12 continues the process of step S151 and waits until confidential printing is present.

  If there is confidential printing (YES in S151), the control unit 12 determines whether the confidential printing is from the right screen (S152). If the confidential printing is from the right screen (YES in S152), the right side The cover page (cover page) is printed (S153), the body is printed (S155), and the process is terminated.

  If the confidential printing is not from the right screen (NO in S152), that is, if the confidential printing is from the left screen, the control unit 12 prints the cover page for the left side (cover page) (S154), and after step S155 Continue processing.

  As a result, even if multiple people perform confidential printing at the same time, if you look only at the cover page, you can easily distinguish your printed material from others' printed material, and the printed material is covered with the cover page. Therefore, it is possible to prevent others from seeing the contents of the printed matter.

  Note that the wording printed on the cover page is an example, and is not limited to this. Any word can be used as long as it can be determined whether the left screen or the right screen is printed by the user. , Symbols, marks, images, etc.

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a method of distinguishing printed materials when confidential printing is performed on both left and right screens. When confidential printing is performed on the left screen, the images A1, A2,... Stored in advance are displayed as icons or sub-nails on the left screen, and the user selects (for example, selects the image A4), and the selected image A4 is confidential. Print on the cover page of the print. Similarly, when confidential printing is performed on the right screen, the images B1, B2,... Stored in advance are displayed as icons or sub-nails on the right screen, and are selected by the user (for example, the image B2 is selected). B2 is printed on the cover page of confidential printing. By distinguishing the images A1, A2,... And the images B1, B2,.

  In addition, various kinds of pre-stored images are displayed, and each user can select a favorite image, and the user's favorite characters, symbols, marks, etc. are additionally edited in the selected image and registered for each user. In addition, the registered edited image can be printed on the cover page for each user who performed confidential printing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel is an example, and is not limited to the content described in the embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit can be configured by a dedicated hardware circuit, or a program code defining a predetermined processing procedure is loaded into a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, etc. The program code can be executed by the above.

1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a password input screen. It is a flowchart which shows the display processing procedure of a password input screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting of the priority of a password input screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for changing a printing order based on priority. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an operation screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence based on operation input from the operation screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which displayed the password input screen and the operation screen on both the left and right screens. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a movement of a password input screen. It is a flowchart which shows the replacement process procedure of a right-and-left screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of transfer to a password input screen. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer processing procedure to a password input screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which prohibits operation on the other screen, while inputting a password on the screen with a higher priority. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which prohibits operation on the other screen during password input on the screen with a higher priority. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which displays a warning on the other screen during password input on one screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which displays a warning on the other screen during password input on one screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a switching of a priority. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of double authentication. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of double authentication. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen in the case of determining the input password. It is a flowchart which shows the display processing procedure of a determination screen. It is a flowchart which shows the display processing procedure of a determination screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen which sets the time interval of the movement of the OK button on a determination screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the printing order of confidential printing. It is a flowchart which shows the display processing procedure of the printing order of confidential printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the method of distinguishing printed matter when confidential printing is performed on both the left and right screens. It is a flowchart which shows the printing procedure at the time of confidential printing. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a method for distinguishing printed materials when confidential printing is performed on both left and right screens.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus 11 Network interface part 12 Control part 13 Image memory 14 Storage part 15 Image processing part 16 Print image generation part 17 Print processing part 18 Liquid crystal display controller 19 User interface part 30 Communication network 40 PC
50 server 191 liquid crystal display panel 192 touch panel 193 touch position detection unit

Claims (18)

In a printing apparatus that includes an operation unit that receives a predetermined operation and performs confidential printing based on authentication information received by the operation unit.
The operation unit is
It has a display surface that displays different screens for different viewpoints,
A printing apparatus configured to be able to accept authentication information on each of different screens displayed on the display surface.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control a plurality of operation keys for receiving operations to be displayed at different positions on the different screens. Setting means for setting the priority order of confidential printing on different screens displayed on the display surface;
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when authentication information is received on each of the screens, confidential printing is performed based on the priority set by the setting unit. .   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the different screens displayed on the display surface is configured to be able to display an operation screen having a different operation to be received.   3. The printing according to claim 1, wherein when one of the screens displayed on the display surface is an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing, the other is a screen other than the authentication information reception screen. apparatus.   When one of the screens displayed on the display surface is an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing, a movement key for moving the authentication information reception screen to the other screen is displayed on the authentication information reception screen. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is configured. The operation screen is configured to display a transition key for transitioning to an authentication information reception screen for confidential printing,
When authentication information for confidential printing is received on one of the screens displayed on the display surface, when the transition key is operated on the operation screen displayed on the other side, the operation screen shifts to the authentication information reception screen. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus is configured as described above.   The configuration is such that when authentication information for confidential printing is received on a higher priority screen of the screen displayed on the display surface, reception of the authentication information is prohibited on the other screen. The printing apparatus according to 3.   The screen according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when one side of the screen displayed on the display surface receives authentication information for confidential printing, the other screen is configured to display a warning. The printing apparatus as described.   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a switching unit that switches a priority order set for each of different screens displayed on the display surface.   3. The specifying unit for specifying which of the screens the authentication information is received in the printed matter received by confidential printing on the different screens displayed on the display surface. The printing apparatus as described in. The specifying means is:
12. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein information specifying which of the screens has received authentication information is printed on a cover page of a printed matter. A verification unit for verifying each authentication information received on each of the different screens displayed on the display surface;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein confidential printing is performed when each authentication information is collated by the collating means.   When receiving authentication information on each of the different screens displayed on the display surface, the determination key for determining the input authentication information is moved at a predetermined time interval and displayed on the screen. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is characterized.   The printing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a changing unit that changes the time interval.   The configuration is such that when authentication information for confidential printing is received on one of the screens displayed on the display surface, the printing order of confidential printing is displayed on both screens. Item 4. The printing apparatus according to any one of Items 3 to 3.   The printing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein when a print order of confidential printing is displayed, reception of a predetermined operation is prohibited.   18. The printing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein waiting time for confidential printing is displayed on both screens.

Images