JP2008204377A - Print job management system and method, and default printer determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new framework enabling a user to efficiency collect printed matter by appropriately selecting a user default printer. <P>SOLUTION: This print job management system comprises a holding means for associating and storing a print job, a user ID and corresponding printer model information; a storage means for storing the user ID in association with information on the user default printer selected as a job-corresponding printer by default in preparing the print job of the user; a determining means for determining a printer device matching the stored corresponding printer model information of the print job, as the user default printer of the user when the print job corresponding to the user ID is stored in the holding means, and updating the storage means; and a means for reading and transmitting the print job corresponding to the model information and the user ID specified from the holding means when receiving a transmission request of the print job specifying the model information and the user ID. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for determining a user default printer.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a plurality of printer devices are available, a configuration is known in which a printable printer device is selected and a print job is distributed based on the operation status and installation location of the printer device (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
JP 2000-259375 A

  Normally, since a print job depends on a printer model, when a plurality of printer apparatuses of different models can be used, the print job is handled at the stage of creating the print job (that is, print processing is performed based on the print job). It is necessary to select in advance a printer device that can be executed (hereinafter referred to as a “job-compatible printer”).

  Therefore, when a plurality of printer apparatuses of different models are available, a printer apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “user default printer”) that is selected as a job-compatible printer by default when creating a print job for a user is determined. In consideration of this, a configuration for determining the user default printer by adopting the above-mentioned standard of the prior art will be examined.

  First, when determining the user default printer based on the operating status of the printer device, for example, when the user tries to output the printed matter M and the printed matter N, depending on the operating status of the printer device, the printer device A becomes the user default printer for the printed matter M. The printed material N may cause the printer device B to become a user default printer. In this case, the user must go to the plurality of printers A and B to collect the printed matter, which is very inconvenient.

  In a configuration in which the user default printer is selected based on the printer installation location, for example, the printer device closest to the client terminal is selected, a specific printer device is fixedly associated with the client terminal as the user default printer. The same problem arises. For example, when printer devices A and B of different models are associated with a plurality of client terminals as user default printers, if the user issues separate print instructions from the plurality of client terminals, the user again has a plurality of printers. It becomes necessary to go to the apparatuses A and B to collect the printed matter.

  In particular, in a thin client system in which only necessary minimum functions are provided in a client terminal, and execution of application software and file management are performed on the server, different client terminals may be used at the location where the user has moved. Since it is anticipated, the above-mentioned problem resulting from linking a specific printer device as a user default printer to the client terminal becomes more obvious.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new framework that allows a user default printer to be appropriately determined and a user to efficiently collect printed matter when a plurality of printer apparatuses of different models can be used. .

  A print job management system according to the present invention includes a job holding unit that stores a print job, owner user ID information of the print job, and model information of a printer device (job compatible printer) corresponding to the print job, A user default storage unit that stores user ID information and information of a printer device (user default printer) that is selected as a job-corresponding printer by default when creating the user's print job; and a job holding unit When a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S is stored, the printer device matching the job-compatible printer model information of the stored print job is determined as the user default printer of the user S, and the user default storage unit Stored in the determination means for updating the stored contents and the job holding means. A print job, characterized by comprising a print job providing means for providing the job corresponding printer of the print job, the.

  According to this configuration, when a new print instruction is received in a state where the authenticated print job is already held, the print job based on the print instruction is, as a rule, from the same printer device as the held authenticated print job. Since it is created so that it can be output, there is a high possibility that the printed matter can be obtained collectively at one place, and the user convenience can be greatly improved. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the printing process is distributed and executed in the plurality of printer apparatuses due to the operation status of the printer apparatus or the printing instruction from the plurality of client terminals. .

  Preferably, when the print job providing unit receives a print job transmission request from the printer device by specifying the model information of the printer device and the ID information of the authenticated user, the print job providing unit receives the designation. A print job corresponding to the model information and ID information to be read is read and transmitted to the printer apparatus.

  Preferably, a printer device (hereinafter referred to as “terminal default printer”) selected as a job-compatible printer by default when a print job is created based on the identification information of the client terminal and a print instruction from the client terminal. Terminal default storage means for storing information in association with each other, and when the determination means does not store a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S in the job holding means, the user is referred to the terminal default storage means The terminal default printer of the client terminal used by S is identified, the identified terminal default printer is determined as the user default printer of user S, and the stored contents of the user default storage means are updated.

  Further preferably, when a plurality of print jobs corresponding to the ID information of the user S are stored in the job holding unit, the determination unit corresponds to the print job corresponding to the printer model information corresponding to the plurality of print jobs. The printer device that matches the printer model information corresponding to the most frequent job is determined as the user default printer of user S.

  Alternatively, the job holding unit stores the print job, the owner user ID information of the print job, the model information of the job-compatible printer of the print job, and the number of prints based on the print job in association with each other. When a plurality of print jobs corresponding to the ID information of the user S are stored in the job holding unit, the determining unit determines the total number of prints for each job compatible printer model information based on the number of prints of each of the plurality of print jobs. The printer device that matches the job model information corresponding to the job with the largest total number of prints is determined as the user default printer of the user S.

  Preferably, when there are a plurality of printer devices that match the stored printer-compatible printer model information of the print job, the determining means is based on the functions or operating conditions of the plurality of printer devices, and / or Based on whether the plurality of printer apparatuses are user default printers of other users, one of the printer apparatuses is determined as the user default printer of user S.

  Preferably, when a print instruction is received from a user, the user default storage information is obtained by referring to the user default storage unit, and a print job is created based on the print instruction and the user default printer information Print job creation means for performing

  Preferably, the user default printer storage unit, the default printer determination unit, and the print job creation unit are mounted on a thin client server.

  The default printer determination apparatus according to the present invention refers to a job holding unit that stores a print job, owner user ID information of the print job, and model information of a printer device (job-compatible printer) corresponding to the print job in association with each other. When a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S is stored in the job holding unit, a printer device that matches the job-compatible printer model information of the stored print job is When creating a print job for the user S, the user default printer is selected as a job-corresponding printer by default.

  The print job management method of the present invention includes a job holding unit that stores a print job, owner user ID information of the print job, and model information of a printer device (job compatible printer) corresponding to the print job in association with each other. A step of determining whether or not a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S is stored, and if a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S is stored in the job holding unit, the stored print A step of determining a printer device that matches the job-compatible printer model information of the job as a user default printer that is selected as a job-compatible printer by default when creating a print job of the user S, and receiving a print instruction from the user S A print job based on the print instruction and the user default printer information of user S, A step of storing the job holding unit, the print job stored in the job holding means, characterized in that it comprises the steps of providing the job corresponding printer of the print job.

  The print job management method of the present invention can be implemented by a general information processing apparatus. A program therefor is installed or loaded through various media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, and a communication network. be able to.

  In the present invention, the term “means” does not simply mean a physical means, but includes a case where the functions of the means are realized by software. Also, the functions of one means or device may be realized by two or more physical means or devices, or the functions of two or more means or devices may be realized by one physical means or device.

  Further, in the present invention, storing A and B in association means storing at least one of A or B as a key so that the other can be searched or extracted, and A and B are directly associated with each other. In addition to the mode of storing and storing, A and C are stored in association with each other, and C and B are stored in association with each other, so that A and B are stored in association with each other indirectly. Further, in the case of a configuration in which A, B, and C are stored in association with each other (that is, in which three or more elements are stored in association with each other), for example, B is associated with C and A and B are associated with each other. And a mode of memorizing.

  In the present invention, the printer device includes not only a general printer but also various printing devices having a function of executing a printing process based on a print job.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of printer apparatuses of different models can be used, it is possible to appropriately determine a user default printer and provide a new framework that allows the user to efficiently collect printed matter. .

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an authentication printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the authentication printing system 1 includes thin client terminals 10A to 10B and thin clients that constitute a thin client system (hereinafter referred to as “server-based method”) that manages, stores, and executes applications on the server side. A client server 20, printer apparatuses 30A to 30C, authentication devices 100A to 100C, and the like are provided.

  The thin client terminal 10A, the printer device 30A, and the authentication device 100A are installed in the room R1, and the thin client terminal 10B, the printer devices 30B to C and the authentication devices 100B to C are installed in the room R2. Among these, the printer devices 30A and 30C are the same model, but the printer device 30B is a printer device of a model different from 30A (30C).

  The thin client terminal 10, the thin client server 20, and the printer device 30 are connected to a communication network. The communication network may be any of a LAN, the Internet, a dedicated line, a packet communication network, a combination thereof, and the like, and may include both wired and wireless. The printer devices 30A to 30C and the authentication devices 100A to 100C are connected via a device connection interface such as a USB.

  The authentication printing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes two thin client terminals 10, one thin client server 20, and three printer devices 30, but differs from that shown in FIG. 1 depending on the design. The authentication printing system 1 may be configured to have a number of units.

  Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the thin client terminals 10A and 10B, they are collectively referred to as the thin client terminal 10, and the same applies to the printer devices 30A to 30C and the authentication devices 100A to 100C.

  The thin client terminal 10 includes hardware such as a CPU (processor), a ROM, a RAM, a user interface, a communication interface, and an ID card reader (see FIG. 2A).

  The thin client terminal 10 has the same function as that of a normal thin client terminal in the server base system. Specifically, user registration means 11 that reads ID information from the ID card of the user using the terminal and sends it to the thin client server 20, input means 12 that accepts various input information from the user and sends it to the thin client server 20, It includes output means 13 for receiving various output information from the thin client server 20 and outputting it to the user (see FIG. 2B).

  Each of these means is functionally realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or RAM in the thin client terminal 10.

  The thin client server 20 includes hardware such as a CPU (processor), a ROM, a RAM, a user interface, a communication interface, and an HDD (see FIG. 3A).

  The thin client server 20 has the same function as a normal thin client server in the server base system. Specifically, the terminal management user ID information is received from the thin client terminal 10 and stored in the memory in association with the identification information of the thin client terminal 10. The input information receiving means 22 for receiving the input information, the application executing means 23 for executing various applications based on the received input information, and the output information transmitting means 24 for transmitting the execution results of the applications to the thin client terminal 10 as output information. Etc. (see FIG. 3B).

  The thin client server 20 also has a function as an authenticated print job management system. Specifically, the authentication print job, the ID information of the owner user (job creation user or print execution authority holding user) of the authentication print job, the model information of the job corresponding printer of the authentication print job, and the like are stored in association with each other. Based on the authentication print job request received from the print job holding unit 40 and the printer device 30, the corresponding authentication print job is read from the print job holding unit 40 and transmitted to the printer device 30, and the input information receiving unit 22. Is provided with a print job creation means 42 for creating an authentication print job based on the print instruction received by the user (see FIG. 3B).

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the print job holding unit 40. In this example, the print job holding unit 40 stores the print number information when printing is performed based on the authentication print job in addition to the authentication print job, the ID information, and the model information of the job compatible printer. ing. In this example, the model number of the printer device is used as the model information of the printer device. However, information other than the model number may be used as model information as long as it is information that can identify a group of printer apparatuses having print job compatibility.

  Further, the thin client server 20 according to the present embodiment has a default printer determination function by default as a job corresponding printer when generating an authentication print job based on identification information of the thin client terminal 10 and a print instruction from the thin client terminal 10. The terminal default printer storage means 43 for storing the printer information of the printer device (terminal default printer) selected in association with each other, the user ID information, and selected as a job compatible printer by default when creating the user's print job 3 includes a user default printer storage unit 44 that stores printer information of a printer device (user default printer) in association with each other and a default printer determination unit 45 that automatically determines a user default printer (see FIG. 3B). .

  FIGS. 6A and 6B show examples of data structures of the terminal default printer storage unit 43 and the user default printer storage unit 44, respectively. In this example, the terminal default printer storage unit 43 stores the printer information of the printer device available from the thin client terminal 10 in association with the identification information of the thin client terminal 10 and the printer information of the terminal default printer. Yes. In this example, both the storage means 43 and 44 use the printer name that can identify each printer device and the model number of the printer device as the printer information. However, the terminal default printer storage unit 43 and the user default printer storage unit 44 may be configured to store different printer information.

  The storage contents of the terminal default printer storage means 43 are set and recorded in advance by an administrator or the like, while the storage contents of the user default printer storage means 44 are not set and recorded in the initial state. Although it is set and recorded by the operation of the means, for example, the stored contents can be reset to the initial state periodically (every day, every week, etc.).

  Each unit included in the thin client server 20 is functionally realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a ROM or RAM in the thin client server 20, an external storage medium, or the like.

  The printer device 30 has the same configuration as a normal printer device (see FIG. 4A).

  For example, the printer device 30 includes a power supply mechanism that includes a paper feed mechanism that supplies paper into the printer device, a print engine that performs printing, and a paper discharge mechanism that discharges paper outside the printer. A print engine is usually configured to include a paper feed mechanism, a carriage mechanism, a print head, and the like. A serial printer that prints in units of characters, such as an inkjet printer or a thermal transfer printer, a line printer that prints in units of lines, and a page unit. Various print engines corresponding to a page printer or the like for printing can be used.

  Further, for example, the printer device 30 includes an information processing unit including a user interface such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication interface, and a console panel.

  In principle, the information processing unit of the printer device 30 has the same function as the information processing unit of the conventional printer device. For example, the receiving unit 31 that receives a print job analyzes the print job, generates a raster-format print image for one band or one page, stores it in an image buffer, and prints a predetermined unit (for example, one pass). The printer includes a print control unit 32 that transfers an image from the image buffer to the print engine, and executes printing while controlling the print engine (see FIG. 4B).

  Further, a function as an authentication printer device, for example, an ID reading unit 33 that reads out ID information from an ID card of a user who wants to execute authentication printing using the authentication device 100, an authentication unit 34 that authenticates the user based on the ID information, The thin client server (authenticated print job management apparatus) 20 includes job request means 35 for requesting an authenticated print job corresponding to the authenticated user (see FIG. 4B). If ID information (user name, user ID, employee number, etc.) is stored, the ID card can be freely selected from existing modes such as a magnetic card and an IC card according to the configuration of the authentication device 100. Can do.

  Each of these means is functionally realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or RAM in the printer device 30, an external storage medium, or the like.

  The authentication device 100 is, for example, a magnetic card reader, a barcode reader, an RFID reader, or the like, and various existing authentication devices can be used depending on the design.

  Hereinafter, the framework of the printing process in the authentication printing system 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In addition, in this specification, each process shown in a flowchart etc. (including a partial process to which no reference numeral is assigned) is arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel within a range that does not contradict the processing contents. Can do.

(Terminal use start processing: FIG. 7)
When the user who wants to use the terminal inserts the ID card into the ID card reader of the thin client terminal 10 and instructs to start the use, the following terminal use start process is executed.

  Various configurations of the ID card reader can be considered depending on the design, but in the present embodiment, a method similar to that of the authentication device 100 is used so that the authentication printing process can be executed using the ID card used here. Shall be adopted.

  The user registration unit 11 of the thin client terminal 10 reads the ID information from the ID card of the user who wants to use the terminal through the ID card reader and transmits it to the thin client server 20 (S100).

  When the user management means 21 of the thin client server 20 receives the ID information from the thin client terminal 10 (hereinafter, the received ID information is referred to as “use start ID information” and the use start ID information is transmitted). Is referred to as “use start terminal 10”), after confirming that registration of a user who desires use of the terminal is possible by a predetermined authentication process, the identification information of use start terminal 10 and the use start ID information are associated with each other, Register in the user management table on the memory (S101). As a result, registration as a user using the terminal is performed, and thereafter, user management processing similar to that of a normal thin client system is performed by the user management unit 21.

  Next, the default printer determination unit 45 of the thin client server 20 refers to the print job holding unit 40 and determines whether an authentication print job corresponding to the use start ID information is stored (S102).

  When the authentication print job corresponding to the use start ID information is not stored, the default printer determination unit 45 refers to the terminal default printer storage unit 43 and specifies the terminal default printer of the use start terminal 10 (printer information (S103).

  Next, the default printer determining means 45 determines the specified terminal default printer as the user default printer corresponding to the use start ID information, and updates the stored contents of the user default printer storage means 44 (corresponding to the use start ID information). Then, the printer information of the specified terminal default printer is stored) (S104). Thereby, the terminal use start process is completed.

  If the same type of printer information is stored in the terminal default printer storage unit 43 and the user default printer storage unit 44, the printer information of the terminal default printer obtained by referring to the terminal default printer storage unit 43 is used as the user default. What is necessary is just to memorize | store in the printer memory | storage means 44. In the case of storing different printer information, for example, necessary printer information may be acquired by referring to a device management table or the like that stores various information of each printer device.

  On the other hand, if an authenticated print job corresponding to the use start ID information is stored, the default printer determining unit 45 refers to the print job holding unit 40 and refers to the stored print job information for the authenticated print job. Is acquired (S105).

  Here, when a plurality of authentication print jobs corresponding to the use start ID information are stored in the print job holding means 40 and the corresponding printer model information corresponding to the jobs are different, the plurality of the print jobs are stored by the following method. It is conceivable to acquire job-compatible printer model information of at least one authenticated print job among the authenticated print jobs.

  The first method is a method for acquiring job compatible printer model information with the largest number of corresponding authenticated print jobs among job compatible printer model information of a plurality of authenticated print jobs. According to this method, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a plurality of authenticated print jobs corresponding to different printer model information “model number X” and “model number Y” are stored in the print job holding unit 40, The printer model information “model number X” corresponding to the job with the largest number of corresponding authentication print jobs is acquired.

  The second method is a method in which the total number of prints for each job-compatible printer model information is obtained based on the number of prints of each of the plurality of authenticated print jobs, and the job-compatible printer model information having the largest total number of prints is obtained. According to this method, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the job-compatible printer model information “model number X” is 20 pages in total, and the job-compatible printer model information “model number Y” is 40 pages in total. The printer model information “model number Y” corresponding to the job is acquired.

  Next, the default printer determination unit 45 refers to the terminal default printer storage unit 43 and selects a printer device 30 that matches the acquired printer model information corresponding to the job from the available printer devices 30 of the use start terminal 10. (S106).

  Here, when there are a plurality of matching printer devices 30, for example, the functions and operating statuses of the plurality of printer devices 30 and / or whether the plurality of printer devices 30 are user default printers of other users. Based on the above, it is conceivable to select any one so that the load (the number of printed sheets, etc.) of the printer device 30 is averaged. On the other hand, if there is no matching printer device 30, the process may proceed to S103.

  Next, the default printer determining means 45 determines the selected printer device 30 as a user default printer, and updates the stored contents of the user default printer storage means 44 (corresponding to the use start ID information, the selected printer The printer information of the device 30 is stored) (S107). Thereby, the terminal use start process is completed.

  When the user default printer is determined by the default printer determining means 45, the user default printer identification information and the like are presented to the terminal user, and the user default printer is confirmed or changed based on the input from the user. You may comprise as follows.

  Further, when the user removes the ID card from the ID card reader of the thin client terminal 10, the terminal use stop processing is executed as before (the thin client terminal 10 transmits the ID information to the thin client server 20, The client server 20 deletes information corresponding to the ID information from the user management table).

(Authentication print job storage process: FIG. 8)
When the terminal user issues a print instruction on the thin client terminal 10, the following authentication print job storage process is executed.

  When the user inputs a print instruction including designation of a print target file, the input unit 12 of the thin client terminal 10 transmits the print instruction to the thin client server 20 (S200).

  When the input information receiving unit 22 of the thin client server 20 receives a print instruction from the thin client terminal 10 (hereinafter, the thin client terminal 10 that has transmitted the print instruction is referred to as “print instruction terminal 10”) (S201), printing is performed. The job creation unit 42 refers to the user management table managed by the user management unit 21 and acquires the ID information of the user using the terminal corresponding to the print instruction terminal 10 (hereinafter, the acquired ID information is referred to as “print instruction ID information”). ") (S202).

  Next, the print job creation unit 42 refers to the user default printer storage unit 44 and acquires the printer information of the user default printer corresponding to the print instruction ID information (S203).

  Next, the print job creation unit 42 sets the user default printer as a job-compatible printer (in other words, based on the print target file specified by the received print instruction and the acquired printer information of the user default printer). Then, an authentication print job is created (in a format interpretable by the user default printer) (S204).

  It is assumed that the print target file designated by the print instruction is created in advance and stored in the memory of the thin client server 20.

  Further, the print job creation unit 42 creates an authentication print job such as a paper size and a paper type based on printer information, referring to a device management table storing various information of each printer device, for example. It is assumed that necessary information can be acquired.

  An authenticated print job can be created in the same way as a normal printer driver, and includes, for example, information such as a job ID, model information of a printer corresponding to a job, owner user ID information, document name, and print setting information. Can do. Note that the job creation user and the print execution authority holding user may be different, and a plurality of print execution authority holding users may be designated by one authentication print job.

  Next, the print job creation unit 42 stores the created authentication print job, print instruction ID information, and user default printer model information in association with each other in the print job holding unit 40 (S205). As a result, the authentication print job accumulation process ends.

(Authentication printing process: Fig. 9)
When a user who wishes to execute authentication printing passes the ID card to the authentication device 100 connected to the printer device 30 and instructs the execution of authentication printing, the following authentication printing processing is executed.

  The ID reading means 33 of the printer device 30 reads ID information from the ID card of the user who wishes to execute authentication printing via the authentication device 100 (S300).

  Next, based on the ID information acquired in S300, the authentication unit 34 determines whether or not the user who acquired the ID information is an owner user (executes authentication processing) (S301).

  For example, when the authentication unit 34 is a client of the LDAP authentication service, the acquired ID information is notified to a directory server (not shown) that provides the LDAP authentication service, and authentication performed in the directory server based on the notification is performed. It is conceivable to receive the result and determine whether or not the user is the owner user. Also, a simple configuration for user authentication when ID information can be acquired from an ID card can be considered.

  If it is not possible to authenticate that the user who acquired the ID information is the owner user (S302: NO), the authentication printing process ends.

  On the other hand, if the authentication is successful (S302: YES), the job request unit 35 generates an authentication print job request so as to include the ID information of the authenticated owner user and the model information of the printer device 30 (S303).

  Here, when the acquired ID information and the ID information associated with the authentication print job in the print job holding unit 40 are different types (for example, the print job holding unit 40 uses the authenticated print job as the owner user's user). If the ID information acquired from the ID card is the owner user's employee number), the job request unit 25 refers to a table in which different types of ID information corresponding to the same user are associated in advance. Then, the ID information used in the print job holding unit 40 is acquired, and an authentication print job request is generated using the ID information. The ID information conversion may be executed in the thin client server 20.

  Next, the job request unit 35 transmits the generated authentication print job request to the thin client server 20 (S304).

  When the print job providing unit 41 of the thin client server 20 receives the authentication print job request from the printer device 30 (S305), the ID information of the owner user authenticated from the authentication print job request and the request source printer device 30 The model information is extracted, and the print job holding means 40 is referred to search for an authenticated print job corresponding to the extracted information (S306).

  If the corresponding authenticated print job is found by the search, it is read out and transmitted to the request source printer device 30 (S307).

  Note that it may be configured such that the list information of the corresponding authenticated print job is first created and transmitted to the printer device 30, and the user is allowed to select the authenticated print job desired to be printed based on the list information. The authenticated print job whose transmission to the printer device 30 has ended is a print job at a predetermined timing (for example, when a print end notification is received from the printer device 30 or after a certain period of time has elapsed after the transmission has ended). It is desirable to delete from the holding means 40.

  When the receiving unit 31 of the printer device 30 receives the authentication print job from the thin client server 20 (S308), the print control unit 32 executes the printing process based on the authentication print job as in the conventional case (S309). . That is, the authentication print job is analyzed, a raster-format print image for one band or one page is generated and stored in an image buffer, and a predetermined unit (for example, one pass) is stored based on a control command in the authentication print job. ) Is transferred from the image buffer to the print engine, and printing is executed while controlling the print engine. When printing is completed, the authentication printing process ends.

(Example)
In the following, assuming that the terminal default printer storage unit 43 is configured as shown in FIG. 6A, the user S does not hold his authentication print job in the print job holding unit 40. A case where the print instruction M is performed at the thin client terminal 10A, the print instruction N is performed at the thin client terminal 10B, and the authentication printing is executed in the printer 30C will be described.

  1) First, the user S inserts an ID card into the ID card reader in order to start using the thin client terminal 10A. Thereby, a terminal use start process is performed, and the user S is registered as a terminal use user of the thin client terminal 10A by the process of S101.

  At this stage, since the authentication print job of the user S is not held in the print job holding unit 40, the processes of S103 to S104 are executed as a result of the determination in S102.

  That is, the default printer determination unit 45 refers to the terminal default printer storage unit 43, identifies the terminal default printer 30A of the thin client terminal 10A, determines this as the user default printer corresponding to the user S, and sets the user default printer. The storage contents of the storage means 44 are updated (the printer information of the printer device 30A is stored in association with the ID information of the user S). Thereby, the terminal use start process related to the thin client terminal 10A ends.

  2) Subsequently, when the user S inputs the print instruction M on the thin client terminal 10A, the authentication print job accumulation process is executed.

  In step S203 of the processing, the print job creation unit 42 refers to the user default printer storage unit 44 and acquires printer information of the user default printer 30A corresponding to the user S.

  Next, the print job creation unit 42 sets the user default printer 30A as a job-corresponding printer (that is, user default) based on the print target file specified by the print instruction M and the acquired printer information of the user default printer 30A. An authenticated print job M ′ is created (in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 30A).

  Then, the created authenticated print job M ′ includes the owner user ID information of the authenticated print job M ′ (that is, the ID information of the user S) and the job-compatible printer model information of the authenticated print job M ′ (that is, the user default printer). 30A and stored in the print job holding means 40 in association with the model information “model number X” of 30A. Thereby, the authentication print job accumulation process for the print instruction M ends.

  3) Subsequently, after the user S removes the ID card from the ID card reader of the thin client terminal 10A and stops using it, the user S moves from the room R1 to the room R2 and inserts the ID card into the ID card reader of the thin client terminal 10B. Plug in. Thereby, a terminal use start process is performed, and the user S is registered as a terminal use user of the thin client terminal 10B by the process of S101.

  At this stage, since the authentication print job M ′ of the user S is already held in the print job holding means 40, steps S105 to S107 are executed as a result of the determination in S102.

  That is, the default printer determining unit 45 refers to the print job holding unit 40 and acquires the job-compatible printer model information “model number X” of the authenticated print job M ′.

  Next, the default printer determination unit 45 refers to the terminal default printer storage unit 43 and matches the acquired job-compatible printer model information “model number X” out of the available printer devices 30B and 30C of the thin client terminal 10B. The printer device 30C to be selected is selected.

  Next, the default printer determination unit 45 determines the selected printer device 30C as a user default printer corresponding to the user S, and stores the contents stored in the user default printer storage unit 44 in the update (in the ID information of the user S). Correspondingly, the printer information of the printer device 30C is stored). Thereby, the terminal use start process is completed.

  4) Subsequently, when the user S inputs a print instruction N at the thin client terminal 10B, an authenticated print job storage process is executed.

  In step S203 of the process, the print job creation unit 42 refers to the user default printer storage unit 44 and acquires printer information of the printer device 30C as a user default printer corresponding to the user S.

  Next, the print job creation unit 42 sets the user default printer 30C as a job-corresponding printer (ie, user default) based on the print target file specified by the print instruction N and the acquired printer information of the user default printer 30C. An authentication print job N ′ is created (in a format interpretable by the printer 30C).

  Then, the created authenticated print job N ′ includes the owner user ID information (ie, user S ID information) of the authenticated print job N ′, and the printer model information corresponding to the authenticated print job N ′ (ie, user default printer). 30C model information “model number X”) and stored in the print job holding means 40. Thereby, the authentication print job accumulation process for the print instruction N is completed.

  5) Subsequently, after the user S removes the ID card from the ID card reader of the thin client terminal 10B and stops using it, the user S moves in front of the printer device 30C and the authentication device 100C and passes the ID card through the authentication device 100C. .

  As a result, the authentication print process is executed, and an authentication print job request including the ID information of the user S and the model information “model number X” of the printer device 30C is transmitted from the printer device 30C to the thin client server 20.

  When the print job providing unit 41 receives an authentication print job request from the printer apparatus 30C, the print job providing unit 41 refers to the print job holding unit 40 and performs authentication printing corresponding to the ID information of the user S and the model information “model number X” of the printer apparatus 30C. Search for jobs. In the present embodiment, an authentication print job M ′ and an authentication print job N ′ are found by the search and transmitted to the printer device 30 </ b> C.

  As a result, the printing process based on the authentication print job M ′ and the authentication print job N ′ is executed in the printer apparatus 30C, and the user S obtains the prints based on the print instruction M and the print instruction N together using the printer apparatus 30C. can do.

  In the case of the above embodiment, when the configuration for determining the user default printer based on the operating status of the printer device 30 as in the prior art is adopted, the authentication print job N ′ based on the print instruction N is the printer of the printer device 30A. Since it is not always created based on the information, the user S may not be able to collectively obtain printed materials based on the print instruction M and the print instruction N using the printer device 30C.

  In the case of the above embodiment, when a configuration in which a specific printer device is associated with the client terminal 10 as a user default printer as in the prior art, the authentication print job N ′ based on the print instruction N is Since the user S is created based on the printer information of the printer device 30B, the user S cannot obtain prints based on the print instruction M and the print instruction N together using the printer device 30C.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, when an authenticated print job is held for a user, a printer that matches the job-compatible printer model information of the held authenticated print job is determined as the user default printer of the user. The configuration is adopted.

  According to this configuration, when a new print instruction is received in a state where the authenticated print job is already held, the authenticated print job based on the print instruction is in principle the same printer device as the held authenticated print job. (In other words, the same printer device is created as a user default printer), it is highly possible that prints can be acquired in one place, greatly improving user convenience. Can do. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the printing process is distributed and executed in the plurality of printer apparatuses due to the operation status of the printer apparatus or the printing instruction from the plurality of thin client terminals. it can.

(Modification)
The present invention can be applied with various modifications without being limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the thin client server 20 has a function as an authentication print job management system. However, the thin client server 20 and the authentication print job management system may be configured separately. Similarly, the default printer determination unit 45 provided in the thin client server 20 may be configured as a default printer determination device separated from other functions. Further, for example, the terminal 10 or the printer device 30 may be configured to include a part or all of the functions of the authentication print job management system (for example, the print job holding unit 40).

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the authentication printing system. However, the present invention can also be applied to printing systems other than the authentication printing system. For example, printing is performed when a normal printing system in which print processing is executed in the order in which print jobs are spooled or when a predetermined condition (for example, the owner user of the print job is located in a predetermined area) is satisfied. Even in a printing system or the like in which processing is executed, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained by applying the present invention. When applied to a normal printing system, the print job providing means, as before, prints the print job stored in the job holding means to the job corresponding printer of the print job (if there are a plurality of matching printer devices, To one).

  In the above embodiment, since the present invention is applied on the assumption of a server-based thin client system, the thin client server 20 is configured to include a print job creating unit. The present invention can also be applied to a printing system that does not assume the above. If the thin client system is not assumed, a printer driver or the like installed in each terminal 10 acquires the printer information of the user default printer by making an inquiry to the server 20, for example, and creates a print job based on the printer information. Each terminal 10 may include a user default printer storage unit 44 and a default printer determination unit 45. In this case, the terminal 10 can create a print job without inquiring of the server 20.

  In the above embodiment, the user default printer is determined in the terminal use start processing. However, instead of / in addition to the configuration, the user is used at other timing, for example, periodically or when a print instruction is received. The default printer may be determined.

  In the above-described embodiment, the terminal default printer storage unit 43 is configured to store the identification information of the thin client terminal 10 and the printer information of the terminal default printer in association with each other. It is not limited to. For example, the identification information of the thin client terminal 10 is associated with the identification information of the room in which the thin client terminal 10 is installed, and a print job is executed based on the identification information of each room and a print instruction from the terminal in the room. The printer information of a printer device (room default printer) that is selected as a job-corresponding printer by default at the time of creation is stored in association with each other, whereby the thin client terminal 10 and the terminal default printer (specifically, May be indirectly associated with the room default printer of the room where the thin client terminal 10 is installed.

  In the above embodiment, the print job holding unit 40 is configured to store the authentication print job, the ID information, and the job-compatible printer model information in direct association with each other. If included, the authentication print job and the ID information may be stored in association with each other, and the job-compatible printer model information may be extracted from the authentication print job and referred to.

  In the above embodiment, the print job creating unit 42 automatically refers to the printer information of the user default printer to create the print job. However, before creating the print job, the user default printer Information may be presented so that the user can approve or change the job-enabled printer.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the authentication print job corresponding to the use start ID information is not stored in the print job holding unit 40, the terminal default printer is determined as the user default printer. It is not limited to a simple configuration. In such a case, for example, a user default printer may be determined based on the operating status of each printer device 30 or, if a user default printer has already been determined, it may be maintained as it is. Good.

  In the above embodiment, information necessary for creating an authentication print job by referring to a device management table or the like that stores various information of each printer apparatus based on printer information stored in the user default printer storage unit 44. However, for example, the user default printer storage unit 44 may directly store information necessary for creating an authentication print job as printer information, and create an authentication print job by referring to the information. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an authentication printing system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a thin client terminal 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a thin client server 20. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer device 30. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a print job holding unit 40. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the terminal default printer memory | storage means 43 and the user default printer memory | storage means 44. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a terminal use start process. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an authentication print job accumulation process; It is a flowchart for demonstrating an authentication printing process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Authentication printing system, 10 Thin client terminal, 11 User registration means, 12 Input means, 13 Output means, 20 Thin client server, 21 User management means, 22 Input information reception means, 23 Application execution means, 24 Output information transmission means, 30 printer device, 31 receiving means, 32 print control means, 33 ID reading means, 34 authentication means, 35 job request means, 40 print job holding means, 41 print job providing means, 42 print job creating means, 43 terminal default printer storage Means 44 user default printer storage means 45 default printer determination means 100 authentication device

Claims (11)

Job holding means for storing a print job, ID information of an owner user of the print job, and model information of a printer device corresponding to the print job (hereinafter referred to as “job compatible printer”);
User default storage means for storing user ID information and information of a printer device (hereinafter referred to as “user default printer”) selected as a job-corresponding printer by default when creating the user's print job; ,
When a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S is stored in the job holding unit, a printer device that matches the job-compatible printer model information of the stored print job is determined as the user default printer of the user S. Determining means for updating the stored contents of the user default storage means;
Print job providing means for providing a print job stored in the job holding means to a job corresponding printer of the print job;
A print job management system comprising:   When the print job providing unit receives a print job transmission request from the printer device by specifying the model information of the printer device and the authenticated user ID information, the specified model information and The print job management system according to claim 1, wherein a print job corresponding to the ID information is read and transmitted to the printer apparatus. By associating the identification information of the client terminal with information of a printer device (hereinafter referred to as “terminal default printer”) that is selected as a job-compatible printer by default when creating a print job based on a print instruction from the client terminal A terminal default storage means for storing,
The determination unit specifies a terminal default printer of the client terminal used by the user S with reference to the terminal default storage unit when a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S is not stored in the job holding unit; 3. The print job management system according to claim 1, wherein the specified terminal default printer is determined as the user default printer of the user S, and the stored contents of the user default storage means are updated.   The determination unit corresponds to the job having the largest number of corresponding print jobs among the job-compatible printer model information of the plurality of print jobs when a plurality of print jobs corresponding to the ID information of the user S are stored in the job holding unit. 4. The print job management system according to claim 1, wherein a printer device that matches the printer model information is determined as a user default printer of the user S. The job holding unit stores the print job, the owner user ID information of the print job, the model information of the printer corresponding to the job of the print job, and the number of prints based on the print job in association with each other,
The determination unit, when a plurality of print jobs corresponding to the ID information of the user S is stored in the job holding unit, based on the number of prints of each of the plurality of print jobs, the total number of prints for each job-compatible printer model information 4. The print job management according to claim 1, wherein a printer device that matches the printer model information corresponding to the job having the largest total number of prints is determined as a user default printer of the user S. 5. system.   When there are a plurality of printer apparatuses that match the job-compatible printer model information of the stored print job, the determining means is based on the functions or operating conditions of the plurality of printer apparatuses, and / or the plurality of printer apparatuses. 6. One of the printer apparatuses is determined as the user default printer of the user S based on whether or not the printer is a user default printer of another user. Print job management system.   A print job creation unit that, when receiving a print instruction from a user, obtains information about the user default printer of the user by referring to the user default storage unit, and creates a print job based on the print instruction and the user default printer information The print job management system according to claim 1, further comprising:   8. The print job management system according to claim 7, wherein the user default printer storage unit, the default printer determination unit, and the print job creation unit are mounted on a thin client server. The job holding means for associating and storing the print job, the ID information of the owner user of the print job, and the model information of the printer device corresponding to the print job (hereinafter referred to as “job compatible printer”) can be referred to. Has been
When a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S is stored in the job holding unit, a print job of the user S is created for a printer device that matches the job-compatible printer model information of the stored print job. A default printer determining apparatus that determines a user default printer to be selected as a job compatible printer by default. The ID of user S is stored in the job holding means for storing the print job, the owner user ID information of the print job, and the model information of the printer device corresponding to the print job (hereinafter referred to as “job compatible printer”). Determining whether a print job corresponding to the information is stored;
When a print job corresponding to the ID information of the user S is stored in the job holding means, when creating a print job of the user S for a printer device that matches the job-compatible printer model information of the stored print job Determining a user default printer to be selected as a job compatible printer by default;
When receiving a print instruction from the user S, creating a print job based on the print instruction and the user default printer information of the user S, and storing the print job in a job holding unit;
Providing a print job stored in the job holding means to a job corresponding printer of the print job;
A print job management method.   A program for causing a computer to execute the print job management method according to claim 10.

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